check oil PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007 User Guide

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 269.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 262.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 270andHydraulic
Clutch on page 256.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 247.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 254.F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 247.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 268.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 274.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 273.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 274.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 329.
245

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 269.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System on page 262.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 270andHydraulic
Clutch on page 256.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 247.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 254.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 247.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 268.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 274.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 273.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 274.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 329.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 244
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull 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.
247

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles
With Driver Information Center)
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center
(DIC), it has the Engine Oil Life System, a
computer system that lets you know when to
change the engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life
system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 148. Change the oil 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 oil life system may not indicate that an oil
change 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 dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important
to check your oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
252

Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission
uid level. A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs, take
your vehicle to the dealership service department
and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals
listed in the Maintenance Schedule. See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 336. Be sure to use the transmission uid
listed inPart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 353.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your
vehicle, and the damages may not be
covered by your warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission uid listed
inPart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 353.
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual
transmission uid level. A transmission uid leak
is the only reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs,
take the vehicle to the dealership service
department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your uid level
checked by your dealer when you have your
oil changed. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 353for the proper
uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 270for more information.
256

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{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
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture 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.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 353for more information.
258

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
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections 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. Improper vehicle
maintenance can even affect the quality of the air
we breathe. Improper uid levels or the wrong
tire ination 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.
How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into
ve parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services”
explains what to have done and how often. Some
of these services can be complex, so unless
you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should let your
GM dealer’s service department do these jobs.
Your GM dealer has GM-trained and supported
service people that will perform the work using
genuine GM parts.
334

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to
100,000 miles (160 000 km) should be repeated
after 100,000 miles (160 000 km) at the same
intervals for the life of this vehicle. The services
shown at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should
be repeated at the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of
this vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on
page 346andPart C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections on page 351.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or
the California Air Resources Board has determined
that the failure to perform this maintenance item
will not nullify the emission warranty or limit
recall liability prior to the completion of the
vehicle’s useful life. We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance services be performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.*If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center
(DIC), it also has the GM Oil Life System, a
computer system that lets you know when to
change the oil and lter. This is based on engine
revolutions and engine temperature and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change will be indicated
can vary considerably. For the oil life system
to work properly, you must reset the system every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) will
come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 148. Change your oil as soon as possible
within the next two times you stop for fuel.
See Engine Oil on page 247. It is possible that,
if you are driving under the best conditions, the
oil life system may not indicate that an oil change
is necessary for over a year. However, your
engine oil and lter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
337

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252 for information
on resetting the system.
+A good time to check your brakes is during
tire rotation. See Brake System Inspection
on page 352.
5,000 Miles (8 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
10,000 Miles (16 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (24 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
338

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure the safety, dependability
and emission control performance of your
vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each
fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 247for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. See
Engine Coolant on page 257for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the
windshield washer uid reservoir and add
the proper uid if necessary. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 269for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inspection and Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires for wear
and make sure they are inated to the correct
pressures. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 292.
346

Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light...... 136
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...................................... 254
Battery..................................................... 273
Check and Service Engine Soon Light..... 138
Coolant.................................................... 257
Coolant Temperature Warning Light.......... 137
Cooling System Inspection....................... 352
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 356
Engine Compartment Overview................ 244
Exhaust..................................................... 91
Oil ........................................................... 247
Oil Life System........................................ 252
Overheating............................................. 260
Reduced Power Light............................... 143
Starting...................................................... 80
Entry/Exit Lighting....................................... 120
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 373
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 26
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 254
Finish Damage............................................ 322
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................... 187Flashers, Hazard Warning........................... 110
Flash-to-Pass.............................................. 113
Flat Tire...................................................... 302
Fluid
Automatic Transmission............................ 256
Manual Transmission................................ 256
Power Steering........................................ 268
Windshield Washer.................................. 269
Fog Lamps.................................................. 120
Fuel............................................................ 237
Additives.................................................. 238
California Fuel.......................................... 238
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 242
Filling Your Tank...................................... 240
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 239
Gage....................................................... 144
Gasoline Octane...................................... 237
Gasoline Specications............................ 237
Low Warning Light................................... 145
System Inspection.................................... 351
Fuses
Floor Console Fuse Block........................ 327
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 326
Underhood Fuse Block............................. 329
387