PONTIAC GRAND AM 1998 Owners Manual

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
I A CAUTION:
Never fill 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 fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.
‘ A 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.
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.

Hood Release
The following sections tell you how to check fluids.
lubricants and important parts underhood.
To open the hood,
first pull the handle inside
the vehicle.
Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift the secondary
hood release handle upward.

L
Lift the hood, release the hood prop rod from its retainer
and put the hood prop rod into the slot in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop rod. Remove the hood prop rod from the slot
in the hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then just
let the hood down and close it firmly.
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2.4L (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
H.
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir Reservoir (If Equipped)
C. Engine
Oil Dipstick G. Windshield Washer I. Air Cleaner
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick Fluid Reservoir
J. Battery
(If Equipped)
6-11

3100 (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick G. Windshield Washer
E. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Reservoir
Fluid Dipstick
H. Air Cleaner
E Brake Fluid Reservoir I. Battery

Engine Oil
If your vehicle is equipped
with the
3 100 engine,
there is a CHECK
OIL CHECK
OIL
light in your instrument
panel cluster.
If the CHECK
OIL 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
Light”
in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
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.
2.4L Engine
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c
3100 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick on
the
2.4L engine is located at the rear of the engine. The
dipstick on the
3 100 engine is located on the front of the
engine, behind the fan.
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
6-14

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart
of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
2.4L Engine
The 2.4L engine oil fill cap is located on the passenger’s
side
of the engine compartment on the engine block.
6-15

3100 Engine
The 3100 engine oil fill cap is on the front of the engine,
behind
the radiator.
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.
What Kind of Engine 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.
A
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.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
6-16

FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD Y’76, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EL. ----J TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
’TC)
SAE sw-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL 7
,I SAE I low-31
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to
be 0” F (- 18 O C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
I NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the 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@ oil 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.
6-17