check engine PONTIAC GTO 2006 Owner's Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Over¯ow Reservoir
{CAUTION:
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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.If you have not found a problem yet, check the coolant
level on the coolant over¯ow reservoir dipstick. If
the coolant level is not at or above the bottom arrow on
the dipstick, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant at the coolant over¯ow
reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for
more information.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
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Power Steering Fluid
The power steering ¯uid reservoir is located toward the
front of the engine compartment on the driver's side
of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A ¯uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
The ¯uid level should be checked after the vehicle has
been driven for at least 20 minutes, so that the ¯uid
is warm. A cold level check can be done after the engine
has been off for at least ®ve hours. However, the hot
level check is recommended.
The ¯uid level can be viewed through the reservoir. The
level markings are next to the ¯uid window. When the
¯uid is cold, the level should be between the COLD MIN
(Minimum) and MAX (Maximum) marks. When the
vehicle has been driven for at least 20 minutes and the
¯uid is hot, the level should be between the HOT
MIN and MAX marks.
If ¯uid must be added, turn the cap counterclockwise to
the stop; then the cap can be lifted off. Do not over®ll
the reservoir and remember to replace the cap
tightly when you are ®nished and clean up any
spilled ¯uid.
If you often need to add ¯uid, you should see
your dealer.
What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is ®lled with
DOT-4 brake ¯uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake ¯uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The ®rst is that the
brake ¯uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the ¯uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that ¯uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system ®xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake ¯uid.
Adding brake ¯uid will not correct a leak. If you add ¯uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much ¯uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake ¯uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake ¯uid, it can spill on
the engine. The ¯uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
¯uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See ªChecking Brake Fluidº
in this section.
When your brake ¯uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-27.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake ¯uid without taking off the cap.
Look at the brake ¯uid reservoir. The ¯uid level should
be between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir. If
it is not, have your brake system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
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{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (-) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (-) terminal if the vehicle has one.Do not connect positive (+) to negative (-)oryou
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to
the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
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Vehicle Identi®cation
Vehicle Identi®cation Number (VIN)
This is the legal identi®er for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver's side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certi®cation and Service Parts
labels and the certi®cates of title and registration.
Engine Identi®cation
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
speci®cations and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identi®cation Label
You will ®nd this label on your spare tire cover. It is very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label,
you will ®nd the following:
·VIN
·Model designation
·Paint information
·Production options and special equipment
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don't add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer ®rst.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-52.
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Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
®res caused by electrical problems.
Look at the metallic band inside the fuse. If the band is
broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some feature
of your vehicle that you can get along without Ð like the
radio or cigarette lighter Ð and use its fuse, if it is the size
you need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Before replacing a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the instrument
panel fuse block and the engine compartment fuse
block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse block is located under the driver's side of the
instrument panel. The fuses here protect each
separate circuit including headlamps. There are spare
fuses inside the fuse box. If you have electrical
failure, check here ®rst.
Fuses Usage
FLASHER
UNITHazard Warning Flashers
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switches
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Capacities and Speci®cations
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 1.81 lbs 0.8 kg
Automatic Transmission (Drain and Re®ll) 5.3 qt 5.0 L
Brake Fluid 0.65 qt 0.62 L
Cooling System 12.7 qt 12.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter (Drain and Re®ll) 6.5 qt 6.2 L
Fuel Tank 18.5 gal 70.0 L
Manual Transmission 4.6 qt 4.4 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ®ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck ¯uid level after ®lling
Engine Speci®cations
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap Firing Order
6.0L V8 (LS2) UAutomatic
Manual0.040 inch
(1.016 mm)1±8±7±2±6±5±4±3
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Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended ¯uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper ¯uid
levels or the wrong tire in¯ation can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know
exactly how you will drive it. You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands, or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your GM Goodwrench
ždealer.
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Scheduled Maintenance
When the Service Engine Oil message on the trip
computer display comes on, it means that service is
required for your vehicle. See
Trip Computer on
page 3-33. Have your vehicle serviced 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 engine oil life system may not indicate
that vehicle service is necessary for over a year.
However, the engine oil and ®lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your GM Goodwrench
ždealer has GM-trained
service technicians who will perform this work using
genuine GM parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the Service Engine Oil message appears, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
ªMaintenanceIº and ªMaintenanceII.º Generally,
it is recommended that your ®rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII,
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceIÐ Use MaintenanceIif the message
comes on within 10 months since the vehicle was
purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceIIÐ Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message comes on
10 months or more since the last service or if the
message has not come on at all for one year.
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Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and ®lter. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16.An Emission Control
Service.··
Visually check for any leaks or damage.
See footnote (i).··
Inspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace ®lter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.··
Rotate tires and check in¯ation pressures and wear. See
Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-61and ªTire Wear Inspectionº inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-9.··
Inspect brake system.
See footnote (a).··
Check engine coolant and windshield washer ¯uid levels and add ¯uid as
needed.··
Perform any needed additional services. See ªAdditional Required Servicesº
in this section.··
Inspect suspension and steering components.
See footnote (b).·
Inspect engine cooling system.
See footnote (c).·
Inspect wiper blades.
See footnote (d).·
Inspect restraint system components.
See footnote (e).·
Lubricate body components.
See footnote (f).·
Check transmission ¯uid level and add ¯uid as needed. See
Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12for what to use.·
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