1999 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE oil level

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6-13
Supercharged Engine (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The supercharger is a device designed to pump more air
into the engine than it would normally use. This air,
mixed with fuel, creates increased engine power. Since
the supercharger is a pump and is driven from an engine
accessory drive belt, increased pressure is available at
all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass. All
of these controls, working together, provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see
ªCheck Oil Level Lightº 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 every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.

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6-14
The engine oil dipstick is
located behind the engine
fans and in front of the
engine oil fill cap. The top
of the dipstick is a round,
yellow loop.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº
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.

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6-15
The engine oil fill cap is behind the engine oil dipstick
and engine fans.
Be sure to 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.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the ªStarburstº 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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6-19
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
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/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter 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/filter in place when
you're driving.
Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically
qualified and have the
proper tools, you should let
your dealer or a qualified
service center perform
this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs first.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index
and use only the recommended oil.

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6-20 How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold. Allow the
engine to cool two to three hours after running.
CAUTION:
If you remove the supercharger oil fill plug while
the engine is hot, pressure may cause hot oil to
blow out of the oil fill hole. You may be burned.
Do not remove the plug until the engine cools.
1. Clean the area around the oil fill plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the oil fill plug using a 3/16 inch
Allen wrench.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O
-ring in place. Torque
to 88 lb
-in (10 N´m).
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:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

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, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

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6-30
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. A chime will sound if you
try to drive with this warning light on. See ªBrake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make a
high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).

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6-69
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer to ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle (Overdrive)
Pan Removal and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 6.0 quarts (5.6 L)
Complete Overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.0 quarts (10.4 L)
Cooling System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.0 quarts (12.3 L)
When draining or replacing torque converter, more fluid may be needed.
Engine Crankcase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Oil change with filter change.
Fuel Tank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.0 gallons (68.1 L)
Tire Pressures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See Tire
-Loading Information label on the driver's door.
Wheel Nut Torque. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 lb
-ft 140 N´m
R
-134a Air Conditioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See refrigerant charge label under the hood.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.

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6-72 L67 Engine Accessory Belt
The Supercharged 3800 (L67) engine uses two
accessory drive belts. The inner belt drives the
generator, power steering pump, coolant pump and air
conditioning. The outer belt drives the supercharger.
Each belt has its own tensioner and idler pulley. See
ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index for when to check
the accessory drive belts and the supercharger oil level.
Have your dealer check the oil level in the supercharger.
1. Front Belt
2. Back Belt
A. Generator
B. Power Steering PumpC. Crank
D. Supercharger
E. Coolant Pump
F. Air Conditioning