check oil PONTIAC GRAND AM 1998 User Guide

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:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
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.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your Pontiac 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.
6-20

Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid
in your manual transaxle
doesn’t require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure
to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading Check the fluid level only when your engine is
off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the manual
transaxle is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on
the transaxle case.
Then, follow these steps:
I
manual 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.
1. The manual transaxle dipstick is white and is located
on the driver’s side rear
of the engine. Flip the
handle up and then pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and remove it.
6-23

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks and
Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the
STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
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.
J
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (1 29 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-25

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pegom these underhood
checks at each fielfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant
mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-30

Blizzard ...................................... 4-28
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-35
Fluid
....................................... 6-31
Mastercylinder
.............................. 6-31
Parking
..................................... 2-27
PedalTravel
................................. 6-35
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-35
System Wanzing Light
.................... 2-58, 6-32
Trailer
...................................... 4- 38
Transaxle
Shift Interlock Check .................. 7-32
Wear
....................................... 6-34
Brakes,Anti -Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4- 6
Braking
in Emergencies .......................... 4-10
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2-14
Brightness Control .............................. 2-44
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-36
Back-up Lamps
.............................. 6-40
CHMSL
.................................... 6-39
Dome Lamp
................................. 6-41
Headlamps
.................................. 6-37
BTSICheck
................................... 7-32
Taillamps
................................. 6-40
CaIiperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection
........... 7-35
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-8
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-65
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2- 11.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-30
Cassette Tape Player
................... 3.9.3.12. 3.18
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-24
Cassette Tape Player
Errors .................. 3 . 10. 3. 15 CD Adapter
Kit ........................... 3.12. 3.15
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-20
Center Console Cupholder
........................ 2-49
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-48
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb Replacement
... 6-39
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-33
CertificationLabel
.............................. 4-33
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-38
Chains.
Tire ................................... 6-49
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-23
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-62
Check
Oil Light ........................... 2.66. 6.13
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-52
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-56
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-43
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-45
Securing
in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-47
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-47
Where to Put
................................ 1-42
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-49
Circuit Breakers
and Fuses ....................... 6-60
Cleaner,
Air ................................... 6-19
Cleaning
...................................... 6-50
AluminumWheels
............................ 6-55
Fabric
...................................... 6-51
Glass
....................................... 6-53
Inside
of Your Pontiac ......................... 6-51
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-53
Leather
..................................... 6-52
Outside
of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-54
Special Problems
............................. 6-52
ChildRestraints
................................ 1-38
TopStrap
................................... 1-43
Stains ...................................... 6-51
9-2

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17. 2. 18.3.23. 6.59
Electrical System
............................... 6-59
Engine
.................................. 6.11. 6.12
Coolant ..................................... 6-25
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-30
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-61
Exhaust
................. 2-1 1.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-63
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-30
Overheating ................................. 5- 14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-65
StartingYou ................................ 2-16
Engine Exhaust ............ 2.11.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
EngineOil
.................................... 6-13
Adding
..................................... 6-15
Additives
................................... 6-18
Checking
................................... 6-14
Used
....................................... 6-18
WhatToUse
................................. 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-18
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light ......... 2.61. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
....... 2.61. 4.9
Active Light
............................. 2.60. 4.9
Warning Light
........................... 2.60. 4.9
Exhaust. Engine
............ 2-1 1.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-42 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-51
Fifth Gear.
Manual Transaxle ..................... 2-25
Filling a
Portable Fuel Container .................... 6-5
FillingYourTank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-19
FinishC are .................................... 6-55
FinishDamage
................................. 6-56
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-24
First Gear. Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-23
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-36
FOgLmps
.................................... 2-44
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
........... 4-39
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-25
French Language Manual
11
Front Map Lamps ............................... 2-45
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling a Portable Container
...................... 6-5
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
In Foreign Countries ......................... 6-5
.. ...........................
Gage ....................................... 2-67
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........ .......... 6-60
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-61
Fuel ....................................... 2-67
GarmentHook ................................. 2-51
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
9-4

Labels Certification
................................. 4-33
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-58
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-33
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58
Lamps
........................................ 2-42
Exterior
.................................... 2-42
Fog
........................................ 2-44
Interior
..................................... 2-44
OnReminder
................................ 2-42
Latches. Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-6
Leaving
Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-29
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1.23. 2.57
Brake System Warning .................... 2.58. 6.32
Charging System Indicator
...................... 2-58
CheckEngine
................................ 2-62
Check Oil
.............................. 2.66. 6. 13
Enhanced Traction System Active
............ 2.61. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
..... 2.60. 4.9
ETS Active
.............................. 2.61. 4.9
ETSWarning
............................ 2.60. 4.9
Interior
..................................... 2-44
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2.62. 6.28
Oil Pressure Warning .......................... 2-66
PasslockWarning
............................. 2-66
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.8. 2.57
Upshift .................................... 2-66
Litter Bag Hook ................................ 2-50
Lighter
....................................... 2-49
Lights
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.59. 4.7
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-33
Locks
Automatic Door ............................... 2-5
Cylinders ................................... 7-31
Door
........................................ 2-4
Ignition Column Lock Check .................... 7-33
Key Lock Cylinder Service ..................... 7-31
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Trunk ...................................... 2-11
Low Coolant Warning Light ................. 2.62. 6.28
Lubricants and Fluids
.......................... 7-36
Lubrication Service.
Body ...................... 7-31
Maintenance.
Normal Replaeement Parts ........... 6-66
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-38
Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long TripMghway Definition
................... 7-6
Long TripMghway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-30
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-34
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-36
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short TripKity Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-56
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-42
Making
Turns When Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...................... 2-62
Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
.......................... 1-3
Manual Remote Control Mirror
.................... 2-47

Manual Transaxle ............................... 2- 16
Shifting
..................................... 2-25
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Manual Transaxle Check
......................... 7-31
Manual Transaxle Fluid
.......................... 6-23
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-47
ConvexOutside
.............................. 2-47
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-47
Manual Remote Control
............. .... 2-47
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-48
Visorvanity
................................. 2-50
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-22
Neutral. Manual Transaxle
........................ 2-25
New Vehicle “Break-In’’ ......................... 2-14
NightVision
................................... 4-17
Odometer .................................... 2-55
Odometer.
Trip .................................. 2-55
Off-RoadRecovery ............................. 4-13
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6- 13
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-65
Outlet. Accessory Power
......................... 2-50
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-14
Owner Checks
and Services ....................... 7-30
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-12
Owner Publications. Ordering
in Canada ............ 8-1 1 Paint
Spotting. Chemical
................. . . 6-56
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-21
Shifting Into
................................. 2-28
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-30
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-27
Brake Mechanism Check ....................... 7-33
Lots
....................................... 2-13
Over Things That
Burn ........................ 2-31
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-41
Your Vehicle
................................. 2-30
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-21
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Passing When Towing a Trailer .................... 4-39
Passlock ...................................... 2-13
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-66
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-34
Pontiac Cares Information ......................... 8-2
Power Door Locks
................................... 2-5
OptionFuses
................................ 6-59
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-48
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-29
Windows ................................... 2-33
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-20
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-12
Parking
9-7

Service Station Checkpoints
3100 ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK P6-14
COOLANT
'IJRGE TANK 2.4L ENGINE
7-l6 / OIL EIP;;ICK
FUEL
HOOD
RELEASE P6-9
TIRES P6-42
REMOTE FUEL DOOR P6-6 TRUNK RELEASE P2-11
For detailed information, refer to the page number listed, or see the Index in the back of the owner's manual.
9-12 ~~ - . ~ ~~