PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 Owners Manual

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.
If you choose to perform
the engine oil change
service yourself, be sure
the
oil you use 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 viscosity chart.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
HOT
WEATHER
I_ t 20
-.
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
ACCEPTABLE
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
VlSCOSlN GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
5-1 8

As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the
only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle. You
should look for and use only oils which have the API
Starburst symbol and which are also identified as
SAE 5W-30. If you cannot find such SAE 5W-30 oils,
you can use an SAE IOW-30 oil which has the API
Starburst symbol,
if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C)
or above. Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as
SAE
IOW-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions.
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 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 OW-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are ail you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil (GNI Oil
Life SystemTM)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. 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 light will come on. Change
your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel.
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 filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. It is also important to check vour oil
regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
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.
5-1 9

How to Reset the Change Oil Light
The GM Oil Life SystemTM calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter 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 light being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the oil life indicator, do the following steps:
1. With the ignition key in ON (a short time after
turning
off the engine), press the RESET button
located in the driver’s side instrument panel
fuse block. See “Instrument Panel Fuse Block”
under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-81.
2. When the CHANGE OIL light starts to flash, press
and hold the RESET button again.
The reset is complete when you hear the chimes and
the CHANGE OIL light goes out.
If your vehicle is equipped with a 2.2L L4 ECOTEC
engine, it has a unique oil filter element. When
reinstalling the filter cap do not exceed
18 Ib ft (25 N*m ).
Inspect the condition of the O-ring and replace if
damaged.
What to Do with Used Oil
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 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
filter 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.
See your dealer for additional information.
5-20

Engine Air Cleanedfilter
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine shown, 3400 V6 Engine
similar
The engine air cleanedfilter is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
more information on location.
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To check or replace the engine air cleanedfilter, do the
following:
1. Remove the screws that hold the cover on.
3. Check or replace the engine air cleanedfilter.
4. Put the cover back on tightly.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when
to replace the air filter.
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
Operating the engine with the air cleanerifilter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air,
it stops
flame if the engine backfires. If
it isn’t there
and the engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working
on the engine with the air cleanedfilter
off.
ivsrrce: ~i the air cieaneritiiter is oii, a backiire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage
it.
Always have the air cleanerifilter in place when
you’re driving.
2. Lift off the cover.
5-2 1

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your fluid level checked by
your dealer or service center when you have your oil
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 city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
service. If
you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
Notice: We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-Ill, because fluid with that label
is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON@-Ill is
not covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your fluid level checked by
your dealer or service center when you have your oil
changed. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
on page 6-15 for the proper fluid to use.
5-22

Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid.
It is not necessary
to regularly check clutch fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding
fluid won’t correct a leak.
A fluid
loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule
to determine
how often you should
check the fluid level in your
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper
fluid. See
Part B: Owner
Checks and Services
on page
6-9 and Part 19:
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on
page
6- 15.
How to Check and Add Fluid
You do not need to check the fluid level unless you
suspect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, take
the cap
off. If the fluid level reaches the top of the
reservoir, the fluid level is correct. It isn’t a good idea to
top
off your clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct a
leak. A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem
Have the system inspected and repaired.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
QEX-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 QEX-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 on
page
5-26.
5-23

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice: When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL
is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result.
In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs first.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL@ is not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL@ coolant which won’t damage
aluminum
parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and the proper coolant.
Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
5-24

If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
have your dealer check your cooling system. compartment
on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
Notice: If you use the proper coolant, you don’t
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
Checking Coolant
1
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn
the surge tank pressure
cap
- even a little - when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL
COLD mark, or a little higher.
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine shown,
3400 V6 Engine similar
5-25

L
LOW
COOLANT
If the LOW COOLANT light r-
-
comes on and stays on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
See
Low Coolant Warning Light on page 3-30.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
If the surge tank is empty, a special fill
procedure is necessary. See Engine Overheating
on page
5-26 and “How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank under
Cooling System on page 5-29
for instructions. You can
be burned
if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it
will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
1
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant warning light on your vehicle’s instrument panel.
See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-30
and Low Coolant Warning Light on page 3-30.
5-26

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine
if you see or hear steam
coming from
it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until
it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if
it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
Nofice: If your engine catches fire because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-27