oil level PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1994 Owners Manual

Features & Controls
SYSTEMS MONITOR
0
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Warning Lights (CONT.)
I
I-] INFORMATION DRIVER
CHECK OIL LEVEL - LAMP
WASHER FLUID
CHECK QAQES LOW
COOLANT
moo DOOR TRUNK AJAR TURN SIONAL
BACK UP TAIL
BRAKE LAMP
MILES TRIP
(][TEiir] ENGINE SOON
[E][--
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light
This light tells you that your engine
coolant has overheated or your radiator
cooling fans are not working.
If you have
been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you
should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and
turn the
engine off as soon as possible.
I #..92
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Features 8t Controls
i-)
(
I1
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0
If
le
ir
Si
XI Warning Light
’ you have a problem with your oil, this
ght may stay on after you start your
ngine, or come on when you are driving.
‘his may indicate that oil is not going
lrough your engine quickly enough to
eep
it cool. The engine could be low on
il,
or could have some other oil problem,
’ you are driving, carefully pull over to a
ife location and stop to check the oil
:vel. See “Checking Engine Oil Level”
I the Index. If
the engine oil is low, add oil as
required. See “Adding Engine Oil” in the
Index.
If additional oil is not needed
or the
engine oil warning light stays on, then
have the light investigated at a qualified
service agent immediately.
The oil light could also come
on in two
other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you
it is working, but
the light will
go out when you turn the
ignition to “Start”. If
it doesn’t come
on with the ignition on, you may have
a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have
it fixed right away.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on
for a moment. This is
normal. :lusters with
gages
use the “CHECK
;AGES” warning light to alert you of a
hotential oil pressure problem.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warranty.
00.94
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CHECK OIL
I LEVEL I
:heck Oil Level Warning
Light
(OPTION)
’his light indicates when the engine oil
:vel
is 1 to 1 1/2 quarts (0.95 L to 1.4 L)
3w. The light will go on for one to three
econds when the ignition is turned to the
Run” position, as a bulb check to show
ou that the system is working. If the light
oesn’t come on, have your oil level
vlarning system serviced.
:veri if you have a low oil level, the light
dl go off for 15 to 20 seconds. Then, if
le oil level is low, and it has been at least
ight minutes since your engine was last
unning, the “CHECK OIL LEVEL” light
dl come on for 20 to 40 seconds. The
ight-minute delay allows the majority of the oil
to drain back into the oil pan and
prevent a false
low condition.
If the “CHECK
OIL LEVEL” warning
comes
on, the oil level should be checked
at the oil dipstick. If the level is low, the
engine oil should be brought up to the
proper
level (see “Engine Oil” in the
Index). After restoring the proper level
and waiting for the eight-minute
drainback, the key can be turned to
the
“Run” position and the “CHECK OIL
LEVEL” warning light should only come
on as a bulb check.
3attery Warning Light..:
This light will come on briefly whm you
start the vehicle, as a check to show you
i
is working, then it should go out. IF it
stays on, or comes on while you ai-6,
driving,
you may have a problem Gith thc
electrical charging system. It could
indicate that you have a generator
”
problem or another electrical system
problem. Have
it checked right away.
Driving while this light
is on could drain
your battery.
c
95.0.
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HOTCOOLANTCANBURNYOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road”, this manual
shows what to
do. See “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
H2a
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red
area, your engine is too hot! The
“CHECK GAGES” light
will go on and a
warning chime will sound, if you have
this option.
It means that your engine
coolant has overheated.
If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off
thc
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine
as soon as possible.
Oil Pressure Gage (omom-)
The oil pressure gage shows the engine
oil pressure
in psi (pounds per square
inch) when the engine is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure
in
kPa (kiloPascals). Oil pressure may vary
with engine speed, outside temperature
and oil viscosity, but readings above the
red warning zone indicate the normal
operating range.
A reading in the red zone may be caused
by a dangerously
low oil level or another
problem causing low oil pressure. The
“CHECK GAGES” light
will go on and a
warning chime will sound,
if you have
this option.
101 ...
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Features & Controls
Oi/ Pressure Gage (OPTION)
(CONK)
Driving your vehicle with low oil
pressure can cause extensive engine
damage.
Ih
I I NOTICE:
I
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warranty.
. . . 102
lo
il
s:
a
ir
SI
H230!
Voltmeter (omoN)
Vhen the engine is running, the gage
hows the condition of the charging
ystem. Readings between the red
Iarning zones indicate the normal
perating range.
Leadings
in either red warning zone
ldicate
a possible problem in the electrical
ystem. The “CHECK
GAGES’ light will
lso come on, and a warning chime will
ound. Have your vehcle serviced
mediately.
Vhen your engine is not running, but the
pition is on (in the “Run” position), the
age shows your battery’s state
of charge
I DC volts.
300St Gage (OPTION)
khicles equipped with the supercharged
ngine have this boost gage that indicates
acuum during light to moderate throttle
nd boost under heavier throttle. The gage
isplays the air pressure level in psi going
]to the engine’s combustion chamber.
‘he gage is automatically centered at zero
si every time the engine is started.
,ctual vacuum or boost is displayed from
lis zero point. Changes in ambient
ressure, such as driving in mountains
nd changing weather, will slightly
hange the zero reading.
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[MODE)
3. Release the “MODE” button. The
heading display
will start to rotate.
4. Drive the car in small circles. Don’t
drive faster than 10 mph.
5. Drive in circles until the
“CALIBRATE’ light goes out. It
usually takes
I to 5 circles.
6. Your compass should be calibrated.
You will know this when the directior
bars are on and the “CALIBRATE”
light is off.
COMPASS ACCURACY
Your compass may show different
headings around bridges, power lines,
large metal objects, and steep hills. This
i
normal and is true of compasses in
general.
If you put large metal objects like golf
clubs
in the trunk they could affect
accuracy.
If the accuracy is close, the
compass will adapt to these objects over
time.
If you use an antenna with a magnetic
base,
it is best to mount it away from the
center of the trunk near the rear window.
The rear defog system can affect
accuracy, and the compass corrects for the
rear defog. However,
if the rear defog is
turned on while making sharp turns, the
accuracy may be
off. When you turn the
rear defog
off again, the accuracy returns
to normal.
Do not turn on the rear defog if you are
trying
to calibrate. The system will not
allow the calibration.
You will hear the
chime, and “CALIBRATE’ will flash for
a few seconds.
Be aware that metal objects are
sometimes buried
in the ground. They can
affect accuracy and you may not know
they are there.
As an example, many
concrete roads have metal reinforcements
inside.
Head-Up Display
(OPTION)
If you have the optional Head-Up Display
(HUD),
you can see the speedometer
reading,
in English or metric units,
displayed “through” the windshield. The
HUD also shows:
0
0
0
0
H
01
Turn Signal Indicator Lights.
A High Beam Indicator Symbol.
A
“CHECK GAGES” message.
(For low oil pressure, high coolant
temperature, low
oil level and low fuel.)
A Low Fuel Warning Symbol.
UD shows these lights when they are lit
I the instrument panel.
107 ...
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Your Driving and the Road
H Freeway Driving (CONK)
along the entrance ramp, you should
begin to check traffic. Try to determine
where you expect to blend with the flow.
Try
to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn
signal, check your mirrors and glance
over your shoulder as often as necessary.
Try to blend smoothly with the traffic
flow.
Once you are
on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the.posted limit or to the
prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the
right lane unless
you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your
mirrors. Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind”
spot.
Once you are moving
on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable
following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway,
move to the proper lane well
in advance.
If you miss your exit do not, under any
,.. 152
circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on
to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply.
The exit speed
is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think
you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested.
If you must start when you’re not
fresh
-- such as after a day’s work --
don’t plan to make too many miles that
first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable
clothing and shoes you can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out. Of course, you’ll
find experienced and able service experts
in Pontiac dealerships all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to
help if you need it.
Here are some things
you can check
before a trip:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the
reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
0 Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
0 Fuel. Engine Oil. Other Fluids: Have
you checked all levels?
0 Lights: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip.
Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Problems on the Ro,ad
... .
I
Cooling System (CONT.)
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
the “FULL COLD’ mark. If
it isn’t, you
may have a leak
in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, check to see
if the electric engine fan is running. If the
engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it isn’t, your vehicle needs
service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t
at or above the
“FULL COLD’ mark, add
a 50/50
mixture of clean water (preferably
distilled) and
a proper antifreeze at the
coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more
information about the proper coolant
mix.)
... 178
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Service & Appearance Care
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than 15% MTBE is
fine
for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts
in your
fuel system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
wouldn’t be covered under your
warranty. And even at
5% or less,
there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers
in this fuel to
help avoid these problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine
in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors recommends
that you use gasolines with these blending
materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country
that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed to
reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated
gasoline. By doing
so, you can help clean
the air, especially
in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
operators
if their gasolines contain deposit
control additives and oxygenates, and if
they have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
r
Countries
If you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may ‘be hard to find.
Do not use leaded
gasoline. If you use even one
tankful, your
emission controls won’t work well
or at
all. With continuous use, spark plugs can
get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine
oil can deteriorate quickly.
Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be
damaged. All of that means costly repairs
that wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club,
or contact a major oil company that
does business
in the country where you’ll
be driving.
. . 196
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Service & Appearance Care
F
1.
2.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
E
Front Belt
Back belt
Generator
Power Steering Pump
Crank Supercharger
Coolant Pump
Air Conditioning
tngine Accessory Belt
‘he Supercharged 3800 engine uses two
ccessory drive belts. One belt drives the
enerator and the power steering pump.
‘he second belt drives the supercharger,
oolant pump and air conditioning
ompressor. Each belt has its own
msioner and idler pulley.
. . 204
See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index
for when to check the accessory drive
belts and Supercharger oil level. Have
your dealer check the oil level in the
Supercharger.
Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically qualified and
have the proper tools, you should let your
dealer or a qualified service center
perform this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or every 36 months.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index and use only the
recommended oil.
How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold.
Allow the engine to cool
2 to 3 hours after
running.
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