2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-97.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-43.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
underCooling System on page 5-31.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-28.
G. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-38.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-23.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-40.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
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When you open the hood on the 3.9L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-97.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-43.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
underCooling System on page 5-31.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-28.
G. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower Steering Fluid
on page 5-38.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-23.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-40.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
5-15

When you open the hood on the 5.3L V8 engine, here is what you will see:
5-16

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-97.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-43.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-28.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-38.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-23.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-40.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
L. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
underCooling System on page 5-31.Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message appears in
the Driver Information Center (DIC), it means you need
to check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, seeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-46
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.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. 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.
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of
the dipstick, you will need to add at least one quart/liter
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 Specications on
page 5-100.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
engine oil ll 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. V6 Engine
V8 Engine
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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.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil container,
and useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
5-19

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your
engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-46. Change
your oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving under the
best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that
an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, your
engine oil and lter must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-20