1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

yellowblue
6-9 Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the
vehicle. It is located at the
lower, left
-hand side of
the vehicle, near the
parking brake.
Next go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.

yellowblue
6-10
When you open the hood of the 3100 engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Engine Coolant ReservoirE. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Engine Oil DipstickH. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

yellowblue
6-11
When you open the hood of the 3800 engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Engine Coolant ReservoirE. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment)
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Engine Oil DipstickH. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

yellowblue
6-12
When you open the hood of the 3800 Supercharged engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Engine Coolant ReservoirE. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment)
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Engine Oil DipstickH. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

yellowblue
6-13
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
3800 Supercharged Engine
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The supercharger is a device which is 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
Supercharged engine.
Engine Oil
If the LOW 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 ªLow 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.

yellowblue
6-14
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front of the engine.
3100 Engine 3800 or 3800
Supercharged Engine
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.
3100 Engine

yellowblue
6-15
3800 Engine
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.
3100 Engine 3800 or 3800
Supercharged Engine
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.

yellowblue
6-16 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:
3100 Engine