1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC engine overheat

NOTICE:
If yos we an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the
mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check
your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can’ be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
COLD mqk or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to the HOT mark or a
little higher.
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If this light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
LOW
COOLANT
L
Adding Coolant
A CAUTION:
lhrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have.to add coolant
at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the Add
coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
coolant recovery tank. to
spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.) ’ A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it
will burn if the engine parts are hot
, enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
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Radiator Pressure Cap Power Steering Fluid
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must
be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow.tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat,
an AC'thermostat
is recommended.
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQ1 Engine
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-24 -
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Engine .................................... 6.8. 6.9
Coolant ..................................... 6-20
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-13
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-36
Cmhzt Temperatere Gage ..................... 2-5 1
Coolant Temperature Light ..................... 2-50
Exhaust ..................................... 2-23
Identification ................................ 6#-64
Overheating ................................. 5-12
Specifications ................................ 6-74
Starting Your ................................ 2- 11
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives ................................ ; .. 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-11
LevelCheck ................................. 7-36
Used ....................................... 6-15
Whentochange .............................. 6-15
Ew~l 6-3 Exhaust, Engine ................................ 2-23
Fan Knob, Climate Control System .................. 3-1
Filter, Engine Oil ............................... 6- 15
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-17
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
FlatTue, Changing ............................. 5-23 Fluids and Lubricants ............................. 7-41
Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement ................ 6-42, 6-43
Fog Lamps ..................................... 2-33
Running While Parked ......................... 2-24
........................................
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-57
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-16
Finishcare ..................................... 6-61
FinishDmage
................................. 6-62
Foreign Countries. Fuel ......................... 6-4
French Language Manual ........................... ii
Front Lamp
Bar Bulb Replacement ................. 6-38
Front Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
FrontTowing ................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank ............................... 6-4
Gage ....................................... 2-56
Canadian .................................... 6-3
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ..................... 6-65
bages
Engine Coolant Temperature ................ 2-51
Fuel
....................................... 2-56
GAM ....................................... 4-29
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-14
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Ratmg ...................... 4-29
Guide en Francpis .................. ............ ii
GVWR
......................... ....... 4-29
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-1
Headlamps ..................................... 2-32
Bulb Replacement ........................ 6-31 6-34
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-27
Wiring ..................................... 6-65
GloveBox .................................... 2-38
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
HeadRestraints ................................. 1-5
Aiming ..................................... 6-35
OnReminder ................................. 2-32
9-4 --
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Low Oil Level ............................. 2-55
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-6, 2-46
Service Engine Soon .......................... 2-52
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-28
Automatic Door ............................... 2-4
. Cylinders ................................... 7-37
Key Lock Cylinder Service ...................... 7-37
Steering Column Lock Check ................... 7-39
Trunk ....................................... 2-7
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-51
Low Fuel Light
.............. ................. 2-57
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-41
Lubrication Service,
Body ........................ 7-37
Oilwarning
................................. 2-54
Security .................................... 2-56
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Door ......................................... 2-5
PowerDoor .................................. 2-3
Window
.................................... 2-25
LowOilLevelLight
............................ 2-55
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-75
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-43
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripkIighway Definition
.................... 7-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals ................ 7.5. 7-26
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-36
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants ............. 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
ShorCTrip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7-4. 7-6
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-40 Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-62
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...................... 2-52
Manual Front
Seat ............................... 1-1
Methanol ...................................... 6-3
Mhn ....................................... 2-37
ConvexOutside
.............................. 2-38
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2~37
Manualoutside
.............................. 2-37
Power Outside
............................... 2-37
Visor Vanity
.......................... : ...... 2-41
MMT ...................................,..... 6-3
Mode Knob, Climate Control System ................. 3-2
MountainRoads ................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-26
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-40
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-15
New Vehicle "Break-In" ......................... 2-10
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
Odometer .................................... 2-45
Odometer.
Trip ................................. 2-45
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-54
Overheating Engine ............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-36
Owner Publications, Ordering ..................... 8-12
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