CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2002 6.G Owners Manual

6-15
3400 (Code E) V6 EngineAs in the chart shown previously, if you have the
3400 V6 engine, SAE 5W
-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's going to
be 0
F (
-18
C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.

6-16
As shown in the following chart, if you have the
3800 V6 engine, SAE 10W
-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W
-30 if it's
going to be colder than 60
F (16
C) before your
next oil change. When it's very cold, you should use
SAE 5W
-30. These numbers on an oil container show
its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine

6-17
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified 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.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls
below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an
SAE 5W
-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both
will provide easier cold starting and better protection for
your engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and filter. 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 message will
come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. 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 filter must
be changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. 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.

6-18
How to Reset the Change Engine Oil Message
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to
change your engine oil and filter 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 message being turned on,
reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message use one
of the following procedures:
Using the Radio
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON, with the radio off.
2. Press and hold the TUNE DISP button on the radio for
at least five seconds until SETTINGS is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK PSCAN up or down arrow to scroll
through the main menu.4. Scroll until OIL LIFE appears on the display.
5. Press the 1 PREV or 2 NEXT buttons to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.
6. Press the TUNE DISP button to reset. A chime will
be heard to verify the new setting and DONE will be
displayed for one second.
7. Once the indicator has been reset, scroll until EXIT
appears on the display.
8. Press the TUNE DISP button to exit programming.
A chime will be heard to verify the exit.
Using the accelerator pedal
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
times within five seconds. If the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message flashes, the system is reset. However, if
it stays on, it did not reset. You'll need to repeat the
reset procedure.

6-19 What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't 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 throw away
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 filter 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 your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for more information on location.
To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter do
the following:
1. Loosen the two clips on the top of the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and lift the filter cover tabs out
of the housing.

6-20
2. Push the filter cover housing toward the engine.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Check or install a new engine air cleaner/filter.
See ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº
in the Index.
5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs through the
slots on the housing. A notch on the sides of the
filter cover will indicate the correct engagement.
Reinstall the two clips on the top of the housing
when you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.

6-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, the passenger
compartment air filter is located underneath the hood
just below the windshield wiper arm on the passenger's
side of the vehicle (underneath the air inlet grille).
The filter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
module. Like your engine's air cleaner/filter, it may
need to be changed periodically. For information on
how often to change the passenger compartment air
filter, see ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.
To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Peel back the hood weatherstrip from the passenger's
side of the vehicle halfway to center.
5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the air deflector grille in the compartment.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.

6-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
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 fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.
Too little fluid could cause the transaxle to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading
if you check your transaxle fluid.

6-23
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180F to 200F
(82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C), you may
have to drive longer.Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:

Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.

With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).

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).

Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.

6-24
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
3400 (Code E)
V6 Engine3800 (Code K)
V6 Engine
The transaxle fluid dipstick handle is the red loop near
the back of the engine compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3400 (Code E)
V6 Engine3800 (Code K)
V6 Engine
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
cross
-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.