adding oil PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2009 Owners Manual

2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Push the accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there as you hold the key
in START for a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool. When the engine starts,
let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briey but then stops again, repeat the
procedure. This clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.Automatic Transmission Operation
If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, the
shift lever is located on the center console between the
front seats.
There are several different
positions for the automatic
transmission.
2-19

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-23
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
Rear Axle.......................................................5-40
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-41
Bulb Replacement
..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-42
Headlamps..................................................5-42
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps......5-43
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
(Base Level).............................................5-43
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
(Removable Hardtop).................................5-44
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-44
License Plate Lamp......................................5-45
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-46
Tires..............................................................5-47
Winter Tires.................................................5-48
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-49
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-50
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-53
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-31.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-23.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-32andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-30.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View). See
Jump Starting on page 5-36.
I.Battery on page 5-35(Out of View).
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-36.
K.Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-101.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-31.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-23.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-32andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-30.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View). See
Jump Starting on page 5-36.
I.Battery on page 5-35(Out of View).
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-36.
K.Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-101.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 5-12for
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 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.
5-15

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
For Vehicles With the 2.0L L4 Engine
Look for three things:
GM4718M
This vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M, such as Mobil 1
®or
equivalent. Oils meeting this standard may be
identied as synthetic. However, not all synthetic oils
will meet this GM standard. Use only an oil that
meets GM Standard GM4718M.Notice:Using oils that do not have the GM4718M
Standard designation can cause engine damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst
symbol
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).
This vehicle’s engine was lled at the factory with a
synthetic oil meeting all requirements for this vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
might not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
5-17

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-29.
What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used, the
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core,
and other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
5-25

Do not top off the brake/clutch uid. Adding uid does
not correct a leak. If uid is added when the brake
linings are worn, there will be too much uid when new
brake linings are installed. Add or remove uid, as
necessary, only when work is done on the brake/clutch
hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If too much brake uid is added, it can spill on the
engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and the vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when work is
done on the brake and/or clutch hydraulic system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light comes on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-25.
What to Add
Use only new DOT-3 brake uid from a sealed
container. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake or clutch
hydraulic system, the brakes or clutch might not
work well. This could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
or clutch hydraulic system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake or clutch hydraulic
system can damage brake or clutch hydraulic
system parts so badly that they will have
to be replaced. Do not let someone put in the
wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-93.
5-33

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Cooling System
2.0L L4 Engine — Automatic 9.2 qt 8.7 L
2.0L L4 Engine — Manual 9.5 qt 9.0 L
2.4L L4 Engine — Automatic 8.7 qt 8.2 L
2.4L L4 Engine — Manual 8.9 qt 8.4 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L L4 and 2.4L L4 5.0 qt 4.7 L
Fuel Tank 13.6 gal 51.5 L
Transmission, Automatic (Bottom Pan Removal) 7.4 qt 7.0 L
Transmission, Manual (Complete Drain and Rell) 2.75 qt 2.6 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual.
5-104