1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC check oil

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
I
LOW OIL
LEVEL
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQl Engine
For .more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in‘ the
Index. You should check
your engine oil level regularly;
this is
an added reminder.
It’s
a good idea to check your engine oil after you get
fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be
hot
and the vehicle must be on level ground, I-
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front of the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil 20 minutes to drain
back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not
show the actual level.
6-10
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Checking Engine Oil When to Add Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or If the oil is at or below the lower mark, then you’ll
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, need to add some oil. But you must use the right
keeping the tip down, and check the level. kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use.-For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t, add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
3.1 L L82 Engine 3.4L LQ1 Engine
6-11
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Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to
be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the,engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90°F (32” C) or higher.
0 When doing
frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as 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.
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflll. We recommend you use only
fluid /labeled DEXRON@-HI, because fluid with that
label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the
proper level.
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick
back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your
vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km), ,
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
0
0
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust
and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights lights and gages work as
they should.
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I Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule I
.6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
0 Lubricate steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom
of movement. Refer to the
appropriate
GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
1
~
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE [SERVICED BY: I
7-7
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Sewice.
0 Lubricate steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom of movement. Refer
to the
appropriate
GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-9
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate ,steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect
fuel cap gasket for any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers for
freedom of movement. Refer
to the
appropriate
GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-11
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
39,000 Miles (65 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate steering ball joints (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Rotate tires. See' "Tire Inspection and
Rotation"
in the Index for proper rotation
pattern and additional information. During
tire rotation, check brake calipers
for
freedom of movement. Refer to the
appropriate
GM service manual for proper
caliper service procedures.
I I I
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7-13
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