engine oil PONTIAC G5 2007 User Guide

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 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 are ready. Try to be well rested.
If you must start when you are not fresh — such as
after a day’s work — do not plan to make too
many miles that rst 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 is ready to go. If it
needs service, have it done before starting out.Of course, you will nd experienced and able
service experts in GM dealerships all across
North America. They will be ready and willing to
help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps: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 inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is 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?
240

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 375for more on this.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (do not
overll), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and
brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you
are trailering, it is a good idea to review this
information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 290.
264

Service........................................................ 268
Accessories and Modications................... 268
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 269
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 269
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 270
Fuel............................................................. 270
Gasoline Octane........................................ 270
Gasoline Specications.............................. 271
California Fuel........................................... 271
Additives................................................... 272
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 273
Filling the Tank......................................... 274
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 276
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 276
Hood Release........................................... 277
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 278
Engine Oil................................................. 279
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 282
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 284
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 286
Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 286
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 286Engine Coolant.......................................... 287
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 290
Engine Overheating................................... 290
Cooling System......................................... 292
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 297
Brakes...................................................... 298
Battery...................................................... 303
Jump Starting............................................ 304
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 309
Bulb Replacement....................................... 312
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 312
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps............. 313
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)................................................ 315
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps
(Coupe)................................................. 316
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps (Sedan)......................... 316
Back-Up Lamps (Coupe)........................... 317
License Plate Lamp................................... 318
Replacement Bulbs................................... 318
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
265

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside
a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with
the inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
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.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, 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.
276

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 284.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 279.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 279.
D. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 298andHydraulic
Clutch on page 286.
E. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 365.
F. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 304.
G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 304.
H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 292.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 297.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 278
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull 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.
279

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum) mark, you
will need to add at least one quart/liter of oil.
But you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and
Specications on page 369.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 278for the
location of the engine
oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range. Push
the dipstick all the way back in when you are
through.
280

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting
GM Standard GM6094M. You should look
for and use only an oil that meets GM
Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
281

You should look for this information on the oil
container, and use only those oils that are identied
as meeting GM Standard GM6094M and have the
starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as
meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute Certied
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.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for the
engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will come on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 177.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and lter
must be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your dealer has
GM-trained service people who will perform this
work using genuine GM parts and reset the system.
It is also important to check your oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.
282

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you
must change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system
so it can calculate when the next oil change is
required. If a situation occurs where you change
your oil prior to a CHANGE OIL SOON message
being turned on, reset the system.After changing the engine oil, the system must be
reset as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press the information and reset buttons
on the DIC at the same time to enter the
personalization menu. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 179.
3. Press the information button to scroll through
the available personalization menu modes
until the DIC display shows OIL-LIFE RESET.
4. Press and hold the reset button until the DIC
display shows ACKNOWLEDGED. This will
tell you the system has been reset.
5. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back
on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the reset procedure.
283

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not 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
dispose of 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 threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the lter before disposal. Never 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.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 278
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
284