PONTIAC GRAND AM 2002 Owners Manual

6-6
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
The tethered fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the
passenger's side of the vehicle.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it;
if you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back
to the right.

6-7
CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for
any ªhissº noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicleº in the Index.When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you
get the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This
may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See ªMalfunction Indicator
Lampº in the Index.

6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill 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 fill 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 fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't 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.

6-9
CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, 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.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
under the instrument
panel on the driver's
side of the vehicle.

6-10
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and slide the
secondary hood release to the right.3. Lift the hood, release the hood prop rod from
its retainer and put the hood prop into the slot
in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then let the
hood down and close it firmly.

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC
Engine, you'll see the following:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Dipstick
C. Engine Oil Fill CapD. Brake Fluid Reservoir
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Compartment
Fuse BlockG. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
H. Battery
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-12
When you open the hood on the 3400 V6 Engine, you'll see the following:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill CapD. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Air Cleaner/FilterG. Battery
H. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-13
Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you need
to check your engine oil
level right away. For more
information, see LOW
OIL light in the Index.
3400 V6 Engine Only
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It's 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.
2.2L L4
ECOTEC Engine

6-14
3400 V6 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick on
the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the
vehicle. The dipstick on the 3400 V6 engine is located
at the front of the engine, behind the cooling fan. See
ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.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.2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

6-15
3400 V6 Engine
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the MIN line for the 2.2L L4
ECOTEC engine or the ADD line for the 3400 V6
engine, then you'll need to add at least one quart of oil.
But you must use the right kind. This part explains what
kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
ªCapacities and Specificationsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine