2008 PONTIAC G6 oil

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-40.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-30.F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-33.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-112.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
5-17

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-40.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See
Cooling System on page 5-36.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-30.
G. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-33.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-27or
Automatic Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L
and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 5-30.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 5-112.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
5-19

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-40.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-27or
Automatic Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L
and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 5-30.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-30.
H. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-33.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-112.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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
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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When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is below the MIN mark for the L4 engine or
below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick for
the V6 engine, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-119.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range,
the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through. L4 Engine
V6 Engine
5-22

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting
GM Standard GM6094M. 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
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has
been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Look for this information on the oil container, and
use only those 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.
5-23

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 provide easier
cold starting and better protection for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you 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 OIL SOON message will come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-46.
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
might 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/retailer has trained
service people who will perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check the 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 your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-24

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Whenever the oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change the oil prior
to a CHANGE OIL SOON message being turned on,
reset the system.
After changing the engine oil and lter, the system must
be reset. To reset the oil life system:
1. With the CHANGE OIL SOON message displayed,
press any of the three DIC buttons to clear the
CHANGE OIL SOON message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-46.
2. Display OIL LIFE RESET on the DIC.
3. Press and hold the ENTER button for at least one
second. An ACKNOWLEDGED display message
will appear for three seconds or until the next button
is pressed. This will tell you the system has been
reset. SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-50.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
5-25

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a
new lter is required.
5-26