PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1997 Owners Manual

When you pur the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until
you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
Fuel Door Manual Release (Option)
you fully &stall 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 “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
type.
Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong
type, it may not fit properly. This may
If your vehicle has a fuel
door lock, the
fuel door
can be opened manually
in case of an electrical
power failure.
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See ‘(Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index. 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.
Prying on
a locked fuel filler door can damage it.
Use the remote fuel door manual release located
in the trunk.
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Checking Things Under the Hood
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important underhood parts.
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:
F-
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 flour.
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 fiiy.
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3800 Series I1 Engine (L36 - Code K)
When you open the hood, 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
E 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, you'll 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 E 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 in 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.
AI1 of these controls working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800 V6 Supercharged engine.
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 rerninder.
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
lo'cated 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 again9
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This
part explains what lund of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
NOTICE:
Don’t 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.
The engine oil fill cap is behind the engine oil dipstick
and engine fans.
Be sure to
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the 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
-_
I I gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STIIRTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAf YSCDSJTY =DE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER I
“F
k 100 -
+ 80 -
+60.
+40-
+ 20.
0.
7 “C
. +30
- +27
- + 16
- +4
--7
- -18
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
I - SAE 5W-M -
DQ NOT USE SAE ZOW-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 ( 16 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 2OW-50.
NOTICE:
Use only ‘engine oil with thle 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@ ail meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If
you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20°F (-29”C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting
and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:
Most trips are less than
5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips
are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle
is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your
skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to
the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever dispose of oil
by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used
oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
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