PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual

While refueling, hang the cap inside the he1 door. If you have the (L36)~ 3800 V6 engine, your fuel cap
will be tethered and yw cannot hang it on the inside fuel
door while refueling.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise),
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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 filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any
‘(hiss” noise to stop. Then un,screw
the cap
all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Pontiac” in the Index.

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you .hear at least three clicks. 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
“Malfmction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new 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
or have proper
venting, and your’fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
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Fuel Door Manual Release (‘Option)
L
If your vehicle has a fuel
door lock, the fuel door
can be opened manually
in case of an electrical
power
failure.
Y
Open the trunk, the release mechanism is on the driver’s
side
of the vehicle, at the top of the trunk compartment.
Pull the tab rearward
to release the fuel door.
NOTICE:
Prying on a locked fuel filler door can damage it.
Use the remote fuel door manual release located
in the trunk.
Checking T,hings Under the Hood
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important underhood
parts.
A CAUTION:
i
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.
A 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.
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Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the hood release handle
inside the vehicle. It is next
to the parking brake pedal
near the floor.
b
Then go to the front of the vehicle and push up on the
secondary hood release.
Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
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3800 Series I1 Engine (L36 - Code K)
When you open the bod, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick G. Brake Master Cylinder
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap H. Air Cleaner
F. Automatic
Transaxle Fluid Dipstick I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
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3800 Supercharged Engine (L67 - Code 1) (Option)
When you open the hood, ~011'11 see:
A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank D. Engine Oil Dipstick G. Brake Master Cylinder
B. Battery
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap H. Air Cleaner
C. Radiator Pressure Cap F. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
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Supercharged Engine (Option)
Your Bonneville may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The supercharger is a device which is designed
to pump
more
air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the supercharger is a pump
and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required
during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling
and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
supercharger is pumping is routed through
a bypass.
All of these controls, working together provide high
performance character
and fuel efficiency in the
38010 V6 Supercharged engine.
The-power steering pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
I ’. .. ,- .. .. , . -. :? 1
Engine Oil
CHECK OIL
LEVEL
If the CHECK OIL
LEVEL light on the
instrument panel comes
on, it means
you need to check
your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see “Check Oil Level Light”
in
the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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.
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The engine oil dipstick
is located immediately
behind the engine
fans
and in front of the
engine oil
fill cap. The
top
of the dipstick is a
round, yellow loop.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
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.
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When to Add Oil What Kind of Oil to Use
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need to Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
explains what
kind of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index. Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any oil which
E
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
:
operating range, your engine could be damaged. cross-hatched
area that shows the proper I
The engine oil fill cap is behind the engine oil dipstick
and engine fans.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere
in the
proper operating range. Push tKe dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
If you change your
own
oil, be sure you
use oil that has the
Starburst
symbol on,
the front, of the oil
container.
If you have
your oil changed for
you, be
sure. the oil put
into
your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines. I
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS 1
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
/

COLD
I WEATHER
SAE 5W-30
WOK
FOR THIS 4
SYMBOL
SAE 10W-30 PREFEMEO abow (PF (-18°C)
DO NOT USE SAE MW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown.in the chart, SAE 1OW-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going
to be colder than 60 OF (1 6 O 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.
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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer is
ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
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