oil change PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

Have you recently changed,brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel’ your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may
notice
this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may
go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
turn on.
If you experience this condition, change the
fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel to turn the light
off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment
and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Warnine Light
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light my stay
on after you start your
engine, or come on when
you are driving.
This indicates that oil is not going through your engine
quickly enough to keep
it lubricated. The engine could
be low on oil
or could have some other oil problem.
Have it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come
on in two other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as
a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to START. If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition
on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have
it fixed right away,
2-54 5
ProCarManuals.com

EXT. TEMP: Shows the temperature outside your
vehicle. Temperature can be displayed in Fahrenheit or
Celsius. This mode can’t be reset.
TRIP: Shows how far you’ve driv’en since you last reset
this mode.
ELAPSED TIME: Shows how much time has passed
with the engine running since you last reset this mode.
Control Buttons
The trip calculator has three buttons that control
its functions.
MODE: Press this button to change the mode
being displayed.
EM: Press this button to change the display from
English to metric units or metric to English.
RESET: Press this button for one second to reset the
mode displayed.
If you push and hold RESET for more
than five seconds, all the modes will reset. You can’t
reset
INST ECON, RANGE or EXT. TEMP.
Head-Up Display (Option)
If you have the Head-Up
Display
(HUD), you can see
the speedometer reading, in
English or metric units,
’
displayed “through”
the windshield.
The
HUD also shows these lights when they are lit on
the instrument panel:
0 Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
0 Low Fuel Symbol
Oil Warning Symbol
0 Coolant Temperature Symbol
0 Charging System Symbol
ProCarManuals.com

3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQl Engine
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
properoperating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of 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 (MI). Do not use any oil which
does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
k
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:
ProCarManuals.com

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
FOR THlS
SYMBOL ‘3
HOT
WEATHER y
“F
t 100-
+ 80 -
+ell-
+40-
t 20 -
0-
7
“C
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
. +4
.-7
- 18
WEATHER
SaE 5w-30
I I
SAE lMIy-30 PREFERBED above 0°F (-18T)
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.4L 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 O 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 20W-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
yom warranty.
L
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer .is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
ProCarManuals.com

When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
a
a
a
a
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrler on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
5
i
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them
is true, change the oil and filter every
7,5080 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engige mder highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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.)
.;4;-". ; ' '*?-
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. Lf
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or
a local recycling
center for help.
?&-.;.';z ;a
ProCarManuals.com

Operating the engine with the air cleaner 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 cleaner off.
I 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.
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:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90°F (32” C) or higher.
0 When doing
frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If
YOU do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid
and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
ProCarManuals.com

NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant 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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum
parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this 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 like 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 of clean
water and DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
- - 6-21
ProCarManuals.com

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
IMPORTANT.
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
Introduction
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 procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
This section covers the maintenance required for your
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
Pontiac. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
safety, dependability and emission control performance. of emissions from your vehicle. T~ help protect our
I
I Protection
environment, and io keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-1
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Short BipICity Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures
are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow\a trailer or use a carrier on top of
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
One
of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions
cause engine oil t,o break
down soonex
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles (20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement.
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) -- Then Every
15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection
(3.4L Code X engine only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Schedule
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Driving
a vehicle with afilly warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil
to break
down slowel:
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or every 12 months, whchever
occurs first).
At 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) -- Then Every
15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
At 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) -- Then Every
Service (severe conditions only).
Drive Belt Inspection.
15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Camshaft Timing Belt
Inspection
(3.4L Code X engine only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete mainmzance schedule on
the following pages.
, 7-5
ProCarManuals.com