Page 176 of 370

The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually
are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must
start when you're not fresh -- such as after a day's
work
-- .don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll.find experienced and able service experts in
Pontiac dealerships all across
North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it. Here are some things
you can check before a trip:
0
0
0
a
a
0
a
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:
Are they'in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving?
Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-21
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Page 231 of 370

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not
recommended in
the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use
of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact
a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You
can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just
tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sates ,(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently,
and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames,
and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
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Page 239 of 370
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQl Engine
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
properoperating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
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 (MI). Do not use any oil which
does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
k
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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Page 240 of 370
I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
"F
100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
0-
7 "C
t 38
+ 27
+ 16
t4
-I
- 18
COLD
4
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
L
lllL SAE 1OW-30
SAL 5W-30 PREFERRED
I WEATHER
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.1L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SfS 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or
above. These numbers on
an oil container'show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use.other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
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Page 241 of 370

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
FOR THlS
SYMBOL ‘3
HOT
WEATHER y
“F
t 100-
+ 80 -
+ell-
+40-
t 20 -
0-
7
“C
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
. +4
.-7
- 18
WEATHER
SaE 5w-30
I I
SAE lMIy-30 PREFERBED above 0°F (-18T)
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.4L engine,
SAE 1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 5w-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60°F
( 16 O C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold,
you should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil
can result in engine damage
not covered by
yom warranty.
L
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer .is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
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Page 247 of 370

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:
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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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Page 304 of 370
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
IMPORTANT.
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle 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. T~ help protect our
I
I Protection
environment, and io keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-1
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Page 309 of 370
1 Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
, The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 h) 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 emissim 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 Sewice.
DATE ACTUAL'MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
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