CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2007 6.G Owners Manual

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 332.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 336.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 397.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 337.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 323.
F. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 331.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 311.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 311.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 317.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 333.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 316.
L. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 326.Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message
appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC),
it means you need to check the engine oil
level right away. For more information, see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 195.
You should check the engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
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 308
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 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 400.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 308for 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 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.
GM Goodwrench®oil meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
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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 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 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 195. 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.
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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 ENGINE
OIL SOON message being turned on, reset the
system.
Always reset the engine oil life to 100% after
every oil change. It will not reset itself. To reset
the Engine Oil Life System, do the following:
1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on
the DIC for more than ve seconds. The oil
life will change to 100%.
If the CHANGE ENGINE 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
may 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, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 308for more information on location.
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 (83 000 km) interval.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 406for
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.To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter
do the following:
1. Lift the lter cover tabs on top of the engine
air cleaner/lter housing.
2. Push the lter cover housing toward the engine.
3. Pull out the lter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs
through the hinges on the housing.
6. Push the cover tabs on top of the housing to
lock the cover in place.
316

{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 ames 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 Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed
inAdditional Required Services on page 409,
and be sure to use the transaxle uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 415.
317

How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
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 uid can
damage the transaxle. Too much can mean that
some of the uid could come out and fall on
hot engine or exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the transaxle to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading
if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.To get the right reading, the uid should be
at normal operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to
ve minutes.
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Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
The transaxle uid
dipstick handle is the
black loop with this
symbol on it. It is
located near the
rear of the engine
compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 308for more information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read
the lower level. The uid level must be in
the cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
V6 Engines5.3L V8 Engine
319

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 415.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the
cross-hatched area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 415.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating or if you need
to add coolant to the radiator, seeEngine
Overheating on page 323.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
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