Engine PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1998 Manual Online
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1998, Model line: GRAND PRIX, Model: PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1998Pages: 402, PDF Size: 17.96 MB
Page 285 of 402

When you open the hood of the 3100 engine, you'll see:
n
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Power Steering
Fluid Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E Engine Oil Dipstick G.
Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
I. Engine Coolant Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
6-10
Page 286 of 402

When you open the hood of the 3800 engine, you’ll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
D. Power Steering G. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
B. Battery Fluid Reservoir
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
C.
Radiator Fill Cap E. Engine Oil Dipstick I. Engine Coolant Reservoir
E Engine Oil Fill
Cap J. Air Cleaner
6-11
Page 287 of 402

When you open the hood of the 3800 Supercharged engine, you'll see:
D. Power Steering
Fluid Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
I. Engine Coolant Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
6-12
Page 288 of 402

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it fiiy.
3800 Supercharged Engine
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle 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 at 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.
All of these controls working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency
in the
3800 Supercharged engine.
Engine Oil
LOW OIL
LEVEL
If the LOW 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 “Low
Oil Level 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.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is the yellow loop
near the front of the engine.
6-13
Page 289 of 402

I
1
I
3 Checking Engine Oil
3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
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. Pull out 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.
3100 Engine
6-14
Page 290 of 402

I 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.
3800 Engine
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the upper mark, 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. 3100 Engine
6-15
Page 291 of 402

3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
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.
;"vi
.f
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 certifiel
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
d
6-16
Page 292 of 402

As shown in the chart, if you have the 3100 engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use
SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-18°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 RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VlSCOSlTT GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER SYMBOL ---
I
SAE 3w-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3100 Engine
6-17
Page 293 of 402

HOT
WEATHER
ImK
FOR THIS
--
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE EWGIWE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTINO, SELECT THE LOWEST
SA€ UlSCOSlll 6MDE OIL FOR THE EXPECTLD TEMPERATURE WE.
COLD
WEATHER
il UE I lbw-30
PREFERRED &ow 0°F (-1SoC)
DO NOT USE SAE 20W-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800 engine,
SAE 1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use
SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than
60°F (16°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 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.
6-18
Page 294 of 402

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
How to Reset the CHANGE OIL SOON Light
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has an Oil Life Monitor. This feature
will let you know when to change your oil and
filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and
7,500 miles (12 500 km) since your last oil change.
Under severe conditions, the indicator may come
on
before 3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle
more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change.
The system won’t detect dust in the oil. So, if you
drive in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner. Remember to reset
the Oil Life Monitor when the oil has been changed. For
more information, see “CHANGE
OIL SOON Light” in
the Index.
To reset your CHANGE OIL SOON light after an oil
change, turn
the key to ON, without the engine running
and pump the accelerator three times within five seconds.
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.
6-19