Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your Pontiac dealer before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.
The 8th digit
of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter for your engine.
You will
find the VIN at the top left
of your instrument panel.
(See “Vehicle Identification Number” in the Index.)
If
you have the 3800 engine (VIN Code K), use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher. If you’re
using fuel rated
at the recommended octane or higher
and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service. But don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging
noise when you’re accelerating or driving
up a hill.
That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher
octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant
knock that means you have
a problem.
If you have the 3800 Supercharged engine (VIN Code
l), use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane
or higher. With the
3800 Supercharged engine, in an
emergency, you may be able
to use a lower octane -- as
low as
87 -- if heavy knocking does not occur. If you
are using 91 or higher octane unleaded gasoline and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
At
a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet
specifications
ASTM D48 14 in the United States and
CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada. Improved gasoline
specifications have been developed by the American
Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) for
better vehicle performance and engine protection.
Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could
provide improved driveability and emission control system protection compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91
(at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular). If the
octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive.
If it’s bad enough, it can damage
your engine.
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