coolant level PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

light will come on). The system will bring in outside air
and cool it. To turn off the air conditioning, press the
NC button again.(the indicator light will go off).
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
Turn the control knob to the
BI-LEVEL position, with
the temperature knob set for comfort and press the
A/C
button once (the indicator light will come on). The
system will bring in outside air and direct it to your
upper body, while sending slightly warmed air to
your
lower body. You may notice this temperature difference
more at some times than others.
To turn off the air
conditioning, press the
A/C button again (the indicator
light will go
off).
Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR with the temperature knob all
the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat it and send it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside
(0°F (-18°C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in
the Index.
Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the louvered vents.
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle when
it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed,
use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle.
3-3
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An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when
the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until
it cools down.
The coolant level should be
at or above the COLD
mark on a cold engine. The coolant level should be
at or above the HOT mark on a hot engine. If it isn’t,
you may have a leak
in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
5-15
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A CAUTION:
I
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts,
can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can
be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause
an engine fie, and you could be burned.
Get
any ‘leak fixed before you drive the, vehicle.
I NOTICE:
I
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
I
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan@) are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fan(s) should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of ckm
water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL”
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery
tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid Eke alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system
is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, 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 mix Q€ clean
water and
DEX-COOL antifreeze.
5-16
,LC !
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8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the
engine fans.
9. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
10. Then replace the
pressure cap. At any
time during this
procedure
if coolant
begins to flow out of
the filler neck, reinstall
the pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on the
pressure cap line
up
like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank
should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
5-22
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflll. We recommend you use only
fluid /labeled DEXRON@-HI, because fluid with that
label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the
proper level.
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick
back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your
vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km), ,
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
0
0
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 lights and gages work as
they should.
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NOTICE:
If yos we an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the
mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check
your cooling system.
I 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.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
COLD mqk or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to the HOT mark or a
little higher.
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Listed below are owner checks and services whch Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
should be performed at the intervals specifi’ed to help windshield washer tank and add the proper
fluid if
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
performance
of your vehicle. for further details.
Be sure
any necessary repairs are completed at once. At Least Once a Month
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your .- e:. .r- ....
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown )z., I ” lire Inflation Check
in Part D. Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
At Each Fuel Fill See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
It is important for you or a service station attendant to Cassette Deck Service
perjom these underhoad checks at each fuel fill. Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix if necessary. & ,.. ‘TQgine _i. Coolant” in the
Index for further details. I,
Power Antenna Service
Clean power antenna mast. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
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Engine .................................... 6.8. 6.9
Coolant ..................................... 6-20
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-13
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-36
Cmhzt Temperatere Gage ..................... 2-5 1
Coolant Temperature Light ..................... 2-50
Exhaust ..................................... 2-23
Identification ................................ 6#-64
Overheating ................................. 5-12
Specifications ................................ 6-74
Starting Your ................................ 2- 11
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives ................................ ; .. 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-11
LevelCheck ................................. 7-36
Used ....................................... 6-15
Whentochange .............................. 6-15
Ew~l 6-3 Exhaust, Engine ................................ 2-23
Fan Knob, Climate Control System .................. 3-1
Filter, Engine Oil ............................... 6- 15
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-17
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
FlatTue, Changing ............................. 5-23 Fluids and Lubricants ............................. 7-41
Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement ................ 6-42, 6-43
Fog Lamps ..................................... 2-33
Running While Parked ......................... 2-24
........................................
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-57
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-16
Finishcare ..................................... 6-61
FinishDmage
................................. 6-62
Foreign Countries. Fuel ......................... 6-4
French Language Manual ........................... ii
Front Lamp
Bar Bulb Replacement ................. 6-38
Front Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
FrontTowing ................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank ............................... 6-4
Gage ....................................... 2-56
Canadian .................................... 6-3
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ..................... 6-65
bages
Engine Coolant Temperature ................ 2-51
Fuel
....................................... 2-56
GAM ....................................... 4-29
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-14
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Ratmg ...................... 4-29
Guide en Francpis .................. ............ ii
GVWR
......................... ....... 4-29
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-1
Headlamps ..................................... 2-32
Bulb Replacement ........................ 6-31 6-34
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-27
Wiring ..................................... 6-65
GloveBox .................................... 2-38
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
HeadRestraints ................................. 1-5
Aiming ..................................... 6-35
OnReminder ................................. 2-32
9-4 --
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Low Oil Level ............................. 2-55
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-6, 2-46
Service Engine Soon .......................... 2-52
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-28
Automatic Door ............................... 2-4
. Cylinders ................................... 7-37
Key Lock Cylinder Service ...................... 7-37
Steering Column Lock Check ................... 7-39
Trunk ....................................... 2-7
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-51
Low Fuel Light
.............. ................. 2-57
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-41
Lubrication Service,
Body ........................ 7-37
Oilwarning
................................. 2-54
Security .................................... 2-56
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Door ......................................... 2-5
PowerDoor .................................. 2-3
Window
.................................... 2-25
LowOilLevelLight
............................ 2-55
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-75
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-43
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripkIighway Definition
.................... 7-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals ................ 7.5. 7-26
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-36
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants ............. 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
ShorCTrip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7-4. 7-6
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-40 Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-62
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...................... 2-52
Manual Front
Seat ............................... 1-1
Methanol ...................................... 6-3
Mhn ....................................... 2-37
ConvexOutside
.............................. 2-38
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2~37
Manualoutside
.............................. 2-37
Power Outside
............................... 2-37
Visor Vanity
.......................... : ...... 2-41
MMT ...................................,..... 6-3
Mode Knob, Climate Control System ................. 3-2
MountainRoads ................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-26
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-40
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-15
New Vehicle "Break-In" ......................... 2-10
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
Odometer .................................... 2-45
Odometer.
Trip ................................. 2-45
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-54
Overheating Engine ............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-36
Owner Publications, Ordering ..................... 8-12
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