checking oil PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual

Are you low on fuel?
As your engme starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as’ efficiently as designed since small- amounts
of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving ,trips
to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel”
in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may
notice
this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or
stumbling on acceleration. (These ’
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
Imn on.
If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel
to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment.
and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Engine Oil Pressure 1,ig.ht
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may
stay
on after you start your
engine,
or come on when
you are driving.
This may indicate that oil is not going through your
engine quickly enough to keep it cool. the engine could
be low on oil, or could have some other oil problem.
If you are driving, carefully pull over to a safe location
and stop to check the oil level. See “Checking Engine
Oil” in the Index.
If the engine oil is low, add oil as required. See “Adding
Engine
Oil” in the Index.
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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.
6-8
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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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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 eity.traffic where the 'outside temperature
regularly reaches
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter
do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the Index.
..
I .(.. :.-'Bow to Check
Because &is operation can be a little dBicult, you may
choose to have
this done at your P'ontiac 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. Be sure to
get an' accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking.& .@an: Je
fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
0 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
180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may
have
to drive longer.
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Checking the Fluid Level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
engine running.
in
PARK (P).
0 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.
Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
I. The transhission
oil dipstick top is a
round, red loop' and
is next to the brake
master cylinder
behind the engine
dipstick and wipe it
with a clean rag
or
paper towel.
i block. Pull out the
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3.
4.
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched area.
If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
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Battery ........................................ 6-3 1
Jump Starting ....... ! ......................... 5-2
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
.............. 2- 10
Warning Light
............................... 2-64
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
BoostGage
.................................... 2-75
Adjustment
.................................. 6-3 1
Fluid
....................................... 6-28
Lamp Monitor
............................... 2-80
Master Cylinder .............................. 6-28
Parking ..................................... 2-26
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-3 1
System Warning Light
......................... 2-65
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
............. 2-30. 7-38
Brakes. Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking ........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2- 16
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-44
BTSI Check
.............................. 2-30. 7-38
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-32
Saver
.........'............................. 2-45
Warnings
.................................... 5-2
Belt. Engine Accessory
...................... 6-67. 6-68
Brake
PedalTravel
................................. 6-31
Trailer ...................................... 4-35
Wear
....................................... 6-30
Canadian Roadside Assistance .................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-65
Carbon Monoxide .................... 2-31.4-29. 4-35
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7.36
Cassette Tape Player ....................... 3- 11 . 3-15
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-27
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3.13. 3.16
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-23
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-23
Certification Label
.............................. 4-30
CertificationRire Label .......................... 4-30
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-26
Check Engine Light ............................. 2-69
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-74
Check Gages Messages
.......................... 2-79
Check Oil Level Warning Light .................... 2-72
Check Washer Fluid Message ..................... 2-79
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-43
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-55
Child Restraints
................................ 1-32
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-34
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-36
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-38
Where to Put
................................ 1-32
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-53
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-35
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-48
Check Oil Level Message ........ ............... 2-79
TopStrap
................................... 1-33
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Driving City
........................................ 4-20
Defensive .................................... 4-1
Freeway .............. , ..................... 4-21
In a Blizzard .................................. 4-28
IntheRain .................................. 4-1.7
Night ...................................... 4-15
Oncurves ................I.................. 4-10
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-37
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-23
On Snow and Ice .............................. 4-26
Through Water ................................. 4- 19
WetRoads ................................... 4-17
Winter ...................................... 4-25
With a Trailer
................................. 4-36
Drunken Driving ....................... ., ........ 4-2
. Drunken ...................... .,. ............. 4-2
. In Foreign Countries ............................ 6.-4
Electrical Equipment, Adding ........... 2.19.3.26. 6.58
Electrical System ........... :. .................. 6-58
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror .......... 2-46
Electronic Climate Control ........................ 3-3 .
Electronic Compass ............................. 2-8 1
Electronic Level Control ......................... 4-51
Engine ...................... , ............ 6-10. 6-11
Accessory Belt .......................... 6-67, 6-68
Coolant .... ’ ................................. 6-22
Coolant Heater .............. : ................ 2-20
Coolant Level Check ........................... 7-36
Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2-68
Exhaust ..................................... 2-31
Fuse Block (Driver’s Side) ....................... 6-59
Fuse Block (Passenger’s Side) ................. 6-61
Identification ................................ 6-57
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-36
Overheating ................................. 5-15
Running We Parked ......................... 2-31
Specifications ................................ 6-66
Starting YOW ................................. 2-18
Engine
Oil .................................... 6-12
Additives ................................... 6-15
Pressure Gage ....... .. ........................ 2-73
Pressure Light ............................... 2-71
Used ....................................... 6-16
When to Change .............................. 6-16
Ethan01 ........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine ................................ 2-31
Exit Lighting ................................... 2-44
Express-Down Window .......................... 2-33
Express-Open Sunroof ........................... 2-55
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-50
Fan Control. Climate Control System ............ 3-1. 3-3
FillingYowTank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ...................................... 6-17
Finish Care .................................... 643
FinishDamage ................................. 6-54
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-24
Flashers. Hazard Warning .......................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass Feature ........................... 2-35
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-26
Fluid Capacities ................................ 6-65
Supercharged ................................ 6-12
Adding ..................................... 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-13
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Fluids and Lubricants .......................... 7-41
Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement ..................... 6-35
Fog Lamps .................................... 2-43
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-4
French Language Manual ........................... ii
FrontTowing
............................. 5-10, 5-12
Fuel ........................................... 6-2
Canada ....................................... 6-3
DoorLock ................................... 6-4
Door Release ................................. 6-8
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage ........................................ 2-75
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-59
Gages
Boost ...................................... 2-75
&gjne Coolant Temperature .................... 2-68
Engine Oil Pressure ........................... 2-73
Fuel ....................................... 2-75
Speedometer .......................... ; ...... 2-61
. Tachometer .................................... 2-62
GAWR ........................................ 4-30
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-21
GloveBox .................................... 2-4 9
Graphic Equalizer ......................... 3-15, 3-20
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-30
Guide en Frarqais ................................. ii
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
Halogen Bulbs ......... ................ 6-32
Hazard Warning Flashers ........................... 5-1
Head Restraints .................................. 1-4
Headlamps .................................... 2-41
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-32
High/Low Beam- Changer ...................... 2-35
On Reminder ................................ 2-41
Wiring ..................................... 6-58
Head-Up Display ............................... 2-76
High-Beam Headlamps ........................... 2-35
Hill and Mountain Roads .......................... 4-23
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-8
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heating ........................................ 3-6
Highway Hypnosis ............................... 4-23
Hitches. Trailer ................. ; ............... 4-35
Hood
Release
...................................... 6-9
Hood Ajar Message ............................. 2-79
Horn ......................... 1 ................. 2-33 .
HUD .......................................... 2-76
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-19
Ignition Switch ................................. 2-17
Illuminated Entry ................................. 2-44
Inflator. Air .................................... 2-54
Inflation. Tire .................................. 6-42
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror ................. 2-46
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