oil dipstick PONTIAC PONTIAC 1995 Owners Manual

Low Oil Level Light Security Light
Your engine is equipped
with an oil level monitoring
system. When the ignition
key is turned on, the LOW
OIL LEVEL light will
briefly flash. If the light
does not flash, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there’s
a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and
turn the engine off. Check the oil level using the
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
START and stay on until the
vehicle starts. It will also
come on and stay on if your
key is too
dirty or wet for
the PASS-Key@II system to
read the resistor pellet.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light will
flash.
engine oil dipstick. (See “Engine Oil” in the Index.) If you’re driving and the light comes on and remains on,
If‘ the light does not flash, have the low oil level sensor your PASS,Key~II system is not working properly.
a problem. and you system repaired SO it will be ready to warn you if there’s Your vehicle is not protected by
should see your dealer.
The
oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine
crank.
It does not monitor engine oil level when the
engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is
only performed
if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time, allowing the oil normally
in
circulation to drain back into the oil pan.
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With the 3.1 L L82 (Code M) engine, when you open the hood, you’ll see:
1. Radiator Pressure Cap 7. Engine Oil Dipstick
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir 8. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 9. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Coolant Bleed Valves 10. Air Cleaner
5. Electric Engine Fans 11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap
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'4 L,
With the 3.4L LQI (Code X) engine, when you open the hood, you'll see:
1. Radiator Pressure Cap 7. Coolant Bleed Valves
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir 8. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 9. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Electric Engine Fans 10. Air Cleaner
5. Engine Oil Dipstick 1 1. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Engine Oil Fill Cap
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Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
If I1 I
-
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. 3.1L
L82
(Code M) Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front
of the 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.
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3.4L LQ1 (Code X) Engine
TQ Check Engine Oi
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.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the upper mark, then you’ll need
to add some 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.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oiI level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
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3.1L L82 (Code M) Engine 3.4L LQl (Code X) Engine
Just 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 Oil to Use
Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be
identified by looking for the “Starburst” symbol.
The
“Starburst” symbol indicates that the oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
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:
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~~~ NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging
engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the
air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change your fluid. 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 dealer 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.
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