1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM oil change

What Kind of’Oil to Use
3.1L Engine
The 3.1L engine oil fill cap is on the front of the engine,
behind the radiator.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the front
of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified
for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tQw a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none
of them is true, change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine
oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t
let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw ‘
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of
oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment.
If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies
of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy ,city traffic where the outside, temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such zp found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or
you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C)
or higher.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level
if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 krn) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F (lO°C), you may have
to drive longer.
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Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle
is parked on a level place and the transaxle is
cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on the tJransaxle
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil. is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transaxle Then, foll\
ow these steps:
doesn't require
changing.
case.
How to Check
Because this operation can b'e a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
iG Jf you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the , .,..!%$i- k%4nstructions here, or you could get a false reading on the
,> , . ".
dipstick.
I
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid
could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check yuur
transaxle fluid.
1, The manual transaxle dipstick is white and is located
on the driver's side rear of the engine. Flip the
handle up and then pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and remove it.
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v Section 7 Maintenanc,e Schedule - -.
IMPORTANT-
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
.EVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vewcle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
~ This section covers the maintenance required for your affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
Pontiac. Your vehicle needs
these services to retain its levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
safety, dependability and emission control performance. of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
..
'. 2 ,
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your
Pontiac dealer for details. .- ,! .- .. .. .. .. 1' . '>.. 3 , .. -. ., . -b . ' .: : I .6.
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Maintenance Schedule
~~~~ .
Short Ikip/Cit"""'
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these. conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5'to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow a trailer. See
"Towing a Trailer" in the Index.)
taxi, or other commercial application.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break down
sooner.
I,
t
~~
Short Trip/City Intervals r
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 00'0 km), - Then Every
12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miks (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel
Tank, Cap and.Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (I00 000 b): Engine Accessory
D'rive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occws first).
Spark Plyg Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intewals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages. . L . . .:-
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Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Highway Definition Long TriplHighway Intervals ~~ ~ ~~ ~
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil
to break down
slower. I
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) - Then Every
15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 bo0 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle’
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to
follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
,. . ~ - . .._.. .
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The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals'.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California
Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty
or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals
and the maintenance
be recorded.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
i:
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
1
1'
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