1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX checking oil

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-20 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-21 Supercharger Oil
6
-22 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-26 Engine Coolant
6
-29 Power Steering Fluid
6
-31 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-32 Brakes
6-35 Battery
6
-36 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-43 Tires6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-54 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-56 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-56 Cleaning Tires
6
-57 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-57 Finish Damage
6
-57 Underbody Maintenance
6
-57 Chemical Paint Spotting
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-59 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-66 Replacement Bulbs
6
-66 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-68 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

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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

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9-2
Battery (Continued)
Warnings 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Auto Line 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before Leaving On A Long Trip 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blizzard 4-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Boost Gage 2-91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
Adjustment 6
-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Warning Light 2-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check 2-40, 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 2-40, 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamps 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taillamp 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canada, Ordering Service and Owner Publications 8-14 . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-22, 2-43, 4-30, 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassette Deck Service 7
-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Errors 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CD Adapter Kits 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Console Storage 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement 6-39 . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire Label 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Safety 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Oil Soon Light 2-87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System 2-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-44 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position 1-46 . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-48 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels 6
-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Surfaces 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Door
Ajar Light 2-87, 2-91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive, Automatic Transaxle 2-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Information Center 2-86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
English/Metric Button 2-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mode Button 2-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reset Button 2-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
City 4
-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freeway 4-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the Rain 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Night 4-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Curves 4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Grades While Towing a Trailer 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Hill and Mountain Roads 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Snow and Ice 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Through Water 4-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wet Roads 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DRL 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken Driving 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 3-26, 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-57 . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-10, 6-11, 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner/Filter 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coolant Heater 2
-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Level Check 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Light 2-79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-22, 2-43, 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block (Passenger's Side) 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheated Protection Operating Mode 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 5-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Running While Parked 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications 6-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting Your 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supercharged 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil 6-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additives 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Kind to Use 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to Change 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ethanol 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust, Engine 2-22, 2-43, 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit Lighting 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Express-Open Sunroof 2-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric Cleaning 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter, Air 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .