2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE check oil

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel may
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
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Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll 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 ll 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 ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not 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 re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, 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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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 269.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 262.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 270andHydraulic
Clutch on page 256.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 247.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 254.F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 247.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 268.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 274.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 273.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 274.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 329.
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 269.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 262.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 270andHydraulic
Clutch on page 256.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 247.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 254.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 247.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 268.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 274.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 273.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 274.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 329.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 244
for 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 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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Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles
With Driver Information Center)
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center
(DIC), it has the Engine Oil Life System, 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 OIL SOON message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 148. Change the 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, the 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 the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission
uid level. A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs, take
your vehicle to the dealership service department
and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals
listed in the Maintenance Schedule. See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 336. Be sure to use the transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 353.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your
vehicle, and the damages may not be
covered by your warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission uid listed
inPart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 353.
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual
transmission uid level. A transmission uid leak
is the only reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to the dealership service
department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your uid level
checked by your dealer when you have your
oil changed. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 353for the proper
uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 270for more information.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 353for more information.
258

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended uids and lubricants as prescribed
in this manual are necessary to keep your
vehicle in good working condition. Any damage
caused by failure to follow scheduled maintenance
may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep
your vehicle in good working condition, but also
helps the environment. Improper vehicle
maintenance can even affect the quality of the air
we breathe. Improper uid levels or the wrong
tire ination can increase the level of emissions
from your vehicle. To help protect our environment,
and to keep your vehicle in good condition, be
sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into
ve parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services”
explains what to have done and how often. Some
of these services can be complex, so unless
you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should let your
GM dealer’s service department do these jobs.
Your GM dealer has GM-trained and supported
service people that will perform the work using
genuine GM parts.
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