oil dipstick PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual

Even if you have a low oil level, the light will go off for
15 to 20 seconds. Then, if the oil level is low, and it has
been at least eight minutes
since your engine was last
running, the
CHECK OIL LEVEL light will come on
for
20 to 40 seconds. The eight-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.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows
the engine
oil pressure in psi
(pounds per square inch)
when
the engine is rwmhg.
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 other problem causing low
oil pressure.
The CHECK GAGES light will go on and. a
warning ch@e
will sound, if you have this option.
Driving your
vehicle with low oil pressure can cause
extensive ,engine, damage.
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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
6-10
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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
6-11
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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.
6-13
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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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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.
6-21
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
bind of tmhsaxle fluid to use. See 6‘Recomended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring
the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
Pull out the dipstick.
Using a long-neck funnel, add enough
Md at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level. It doesn’t
take much
fluid, generally less than a pint (0.5 L).
Don’t overfiI2. We recommend you use only fluid
labeled
DEXRON*-III,, because fluid with that label
is made especially for yo& automatic transax18e.
Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON’@-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in
all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) engine
coolant.
This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water &d the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
e
e
0
0
0
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (1 29 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
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