2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE oil dipstick

Service Station Guide
Oil Viscosity
Engine Oil
See Section 6
Engine Oil Dipstick
See Section 6Fuel
Use unleaded gas only,
See Section 6
Cooling System
See Section 5
Hood Release
See Section 6
Windshield Washer
Fluid
See Section 6
Spare Tire Pressure
See Section 5
Alternate
Fuel Door Release
See Section 6
Battery
See Section 6Tire Pressure
See Section 6

For
a More
Detailed Look at
What's Under the Hood
See Section 6

2-75
On vehicles with the optional DIC, a CHECK GAGES
OIL PRESSURE message will be displayed and a
warning chime will sound. See ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index for more information.
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Check Oil Level Warning Light
(If Equipped)
The CHECK OIL LEVEL
light is part of the systems
monitor. This light comes
on for five seconds as a bulb
check each time the ignition
key is turned to RUN.
If the engine oil is more than 1 quart (0.95 L) low and
the engine has been shut off for at least eight minutes,
the CHECK OIL LEVEL light will come on and a
chime will sound the next time you start your vehicle.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light comes on, the engine
oil level should be checked at the dipstick then brought
up to the proper level, if necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in
the Index.
On vehicles with the optional DIC, the CHECK OIL
LEVEL light is replaced by an OIL LEVEL LOW
message. See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the
Index for more information.

6-10 3800 V6 Series II Engine (L36)
When you open the hood on the 3800 (L36) engine, here's what you will see (3800 Supercharged (L67) engine similar):
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid
C. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
D. Brake Master Cylinder
E. Windshield Washer Fluid ReservoirF. Radiator Pressure Cap
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-11
Supercharged Engine (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a 3800 V6 (L67) 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 OIL LEVEL LOW
message appears on the DIC,
or the CHECK OIL LEVEL
light appears on the
instrument panel, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.For more information, see ªCheck Oil Level Lightº or
ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
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.
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.

6-12
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.
Add engine oil at the
engine oil fill cap near the
oil dipstick.
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.

6-19
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.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180F to
200F (82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C),
you may have to drive longer.