engine oil CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2004 User Guide

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. General Motors
recommends that you buy gasolines that are advertised
to help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean. If your
vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, try a different brand of gasoline.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specications described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-6

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.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, 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
inside the vehicle near
the parking brake
pedal.
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-48.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-53.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-54.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block.
See “Upperhood Fuse Block (Upper)” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-104.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block.
See “Underhood Fuse Block (Lower)” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-104.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeRadiator Pressure Cap on page 5-34.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeCooling System on page 5-37.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-47.I. Electric Cooling Fan.
SeeCooling Systemon page 5-37.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick.
See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield).
See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator”
underCooling System on page 5-37.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-28.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-50.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-48.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-53.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-54.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block.
See “Upperhood Fuse Block (Upper)” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-104.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block.
See “Underhood Fuse Block (Lower)” under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-104.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeRadiator Pressure Cap on page 5-34.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeCooling System on page 5-37
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-47.I. Electric Cooling Fan.
SeeCooling System on page 5-37.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick.
See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Bleed Valves (underneath engine shield).
See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator”
underCooling System on page 5-37.
M. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-28.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-50.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-48.
B. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-53.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal.
SeeBattery on page 5-53.
D. Underhood Electrical Center.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-104.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 5-37.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank.
SeeCooling System on page 5-37.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Below Generator).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-47.H. Electric Cooling Fan.
SeeCooling System on page 5-37.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick.
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-28.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir.
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-28.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
5-17

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is 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.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
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.3400 (Code E) V6 Engine
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, then you will need to add at least one
quart 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 5-110.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above
the cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for 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.
5-19

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.
5-20

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, if it is going to be
0°F (–18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not
available, you may use SAE 10W-30.
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 useonlythose 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.
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 your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
5-21

Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M 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 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 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 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.
How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Message
The GM 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
message being turned on, reset the system.
5-22