2004 PONTIAC GTO oil dipstick

Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on
how to add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 5-13. After
the competitive driving, remove excess oil so
that the level on the dipstick is not above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift
lever. Push in the button on top of the shift lever when
shifting into position.PARK (P):The engine can be started in this position.
This position prevents the rear wheels from turning
and so should be selected, together with the parking
brake, when leaving the vehicle. Never select PARK (P)
while your vehicle is still moving.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-24. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.
2-18

A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. See “Engine
Compartment Fuse Block” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-87.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-37.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-38.
I. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-24.
J. Engine Coolant Reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.Engine Oil
If the Check Oil message appears on the trip computer
display, it means you need to check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, seeOil Pressure Light on
page 3-32.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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 handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
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.
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.
5-13

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, then you will need to add at least one
quart of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil
crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-92.
Notice:Do not 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.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range in the cross-hatched area.
Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are
through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
•GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
5-14

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps
to stop ame if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
The fluid level should be checked monthly, by looking at
the fluid level on the dipstick. A good time to check
your automatic transmission fluid level is when
the engine oil is changed.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information on when to check and change the fluid
and filter.
5-19