PONTIAC PONTIAC 1997 Owners Manual

When you open the hood of the 3800 Supercharged engine, you'll see:
- : I: .,,
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Remote Positive Battery Terminal
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
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps
are on properly. Then just pull the hood down and
close
it firmly.
3800 Supercharged Engine
(If Equipped)
Your Pontiac 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.
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3100 Engine
The engine oil dipstick
handle is
the yellow loop
near the front of the engine.
c
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.
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Checking Engine Oil
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
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the lower 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.
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.
3100 Engine
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3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
Fill the oil level to the full mark. 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 (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
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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~ REClOMMENDED SA€ VISCOSITY GRADE
ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTIMI;, SELECf THE LOWEST
SAL
V!§COSITI WAD€ OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
SAE 1OW-30
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
ZOO Engig
As shown in the chart, unless you have the 3800 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.
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GNRADE
OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
c "F
+ 100 -
+ 80 -
+60-
+40 -
+20 -
0-
COLD
WEATHER
7 "C
+ 38
t 27
t 16
t4
-7
- 18
I SAE 5W-30
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
SAE - I 1OW-30
PREFERRED above 0°F (-18%)
W NOT USE SAE 2OW-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 (16OC)
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.
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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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer is
ready
to advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:
0 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This
is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-md-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
0 The vehicle is used for delivery s’ervice, police, taxi
Driving und’er these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner, If any one
of these is true €or your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first. (See “Change Oil Indicator” in the Index.)
If none of them is true, use the long triphighway
maintenance
schedule. Change th’e oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first, Driving
a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil
to
break down slower.
(See “Change Oil Indicator” in the Index.)
your vehicle.
or other commercial application,
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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.
Air Cleaner
To check or replace the air filter:
1.
2.
3.
Loosen the wing nut on the air duct.
Lift up on the two clips located on top of the
filter cover.
Disconnect duct and reposition while removing
the side cover. Pull out the filter.
Be sure to install
the air filter and install the cover tightly when you
are finished.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
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See “Sche 1 M ltenance Services” in the In’dex, ..
-
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.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backflre 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.
Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically qualified and have the proper
tools,
you should let your dealer or a qualified service
center
perform this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs first.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
and use only the recommende’d oil.
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