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1. rae ECEE 2 44 Interior Se IDE eu i 2 43 BUB egy sie ea a ENIRO ae RR 2 44 On Reminder Se mad Ca eran 2 41 Latches eatback E GOMA 1 6 Lessing Your 2 6 Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running 2 28 nies pore EROR RE Air Bag Readine s 2 2 1 24 2 67 Anti Lock Brake System Waning Shen aa Meas 2 69 4 7 esa es CEN 2 68 Brake System Warning 4444 2 268 Check Enema sei cece ie wen Tee oe 2 12 RE SCR 2 76 Enhanced Traction System ACHVE scenes 2 71 4 9 Enhanced Traction System Warning Light 2 70 4 10 EIS AGHVE qve eer eerie 2 7 4 9 BIG WENN aegea hmmm 2 70 4 10 HORNO ap yf oe ia ean nla ed alae Ra Ears 2 43 Low Coolant Warning PERS SE 2 72 6 26 Oil Pressure Warning 2 020200 0 0 000 alacri 2 75 Passlock Warning ETE PETS 2 76 Safety Belt Reminder 1 9 2 67 Iob dite Siete ed dE EIS 2 76 Loading Your Vehicle 4 33 Locks Bs 2 SPR e fee ae 7 43 MALA 2 4 Key Lock Cylinder SEPVIDA Lunas ea ausa T lec 7 43 Pree DO oat eg 2 CER CK ERA EN IE S 2 5 Rear Door
2. 2 23 Graphic Equalizer 2 2 3 13 3 16 Gross Axle Weight Rating 2 4 34 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 4 34 Conte ee eee Rae i RC wines 4 34 Halogen Buts eee we ora 6 34 Hazard Warning Flashers 5 2 Head Restrlnih iu nocluu Eee ec ern 1 6 Heli Le a aires rp se hale v ACE apc POLES 2 41 Bulb Replacement I DUI T am In Ep 6 35 6 57 High Low Beam Sa eae ae at eee 2 34 On Reminder TEM 2 4 Winng cents ersten eee need esd estes rentenes 6 57 Hearing Impaired Customer Assistance 8 3 PRCT 3 5 High Beam Headlamps IT 2 3 Highway Hypnosis Worse ka Dei kb D AE RR E E D bare 4 24 Hill and Mountain Roads 4 24 Hitches Trailer ice olde eed pera Ex ee ea rS Hood Checking dns 6 7 ES E E CEU IHE D EAS 6 58 6 7 BR ca ce rere P ETE CEE eet ees 2 32 Hydraulic Clutch 6 23 e cre ae ieee rrr E EI HE LIE ETE IEEE 6 23 aystegi Check ouo EE a eA Ent AER RAO 7 43 ors k sera AR ERR C CERERI D ES 4 20 Tenition Positions iuris xui d ae ea ce ewe sees nin 2 12 Ignition Transaxle Lock Check 7 44 Hlunminatsd
3. 22222 erasa sas a 2 5 Steering Column Lock Check Paces te 7 44 gh yi Civ ice eS ace 2 10 Low Coolant Warning Light EIE O aa 2 72 6 26 Lowering the Convertible Top Manually 2 58 Lowering Your Convertible Top 2 51 Lubricants and AA 7 48 Lubrication Service Body 7 43 Maintenance Normal FRANCIAE T Paris ccce 6 62 Misintepnsace Record 2 lo locua vuulacu cri us 7 50 Maintenance Schedule 1 esses Hd Long Trip Highway Definition Ar nS 7 6 Long Trip Highway 7 6 Owner Checks and Services 7 41 Periodic Maintenance Inspections 7 46 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 1 48 Scheduled Maintenance 7 4 Short Trip City Definition Yin Short Trip City Intervals 1 3 Maintenance Underbody ee eee 7 Malfunction Indicator M i fa pig DP E 2 72 Manual Front Seat EUER CHEER TS IPTE EU TES 1 1 2 Manual Lumbar Support 1 4 Manual Remote Control A SC er sees Ea ae ese 2 45 Manual Transaxte oie ccd Aa EEA iro dew wees 2 14 CHE cr 7 42 PRG a ck 6 21 des rcceoe le ee acc ES 2 23 eS Big co car E
4. 4 11 Break In New Vehicle 2 12 Brihto ss Control pas peo aie ko Was sa EAE 2 43 a ead acer rin pe E ERA 7 44 Bulb ReolacEment 2222 6 34 Bypass Switch Convertible Emergency 2 39 Roadside Assistance 5 8 Capacities and 5 6 61 Carbon Monoxide 2 30 4 30 Cassette Deck Service 7 41 Cassette Player 4 0 3 13 9 ieee trie aaa TIS ET ERI QUEE QS EE ONCE RA 3 23 buie TIE Eee ERE CA ERES 3 11 3 14 GD AGgSBIEE RAE enero RT 3 12 3 16 uada es decals ken lel Ree A eR eae RR 3 24 dar LLL 3 16 Theft Deterrent Feature 3 19 Center Console Storage Arta 5 cee eee ee nnn 2 47 Center High Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement 6 38 Center Rear Passenger Position 1 34 Certification Label rer Lo 4 34 ICE EORR katie 6 47 Changing a aidai aa a aaa 2 8 23 Check Engine Light MI E IT 2 73 Check Gaps bight ee dv zd as 2 76 Checking Your Restraint Systems 2 1 49 Chemical Paint Spotting ee pee eee ieee teens 6 54 Kertinis 1 38 Securing in a Rear
5. 5 12 NOTICE Do not tow your Sunfire from the rear with the front wheels on the ground or your transaxle can be damaged Do not tow with sling type equipment or rear facia will be damaged Use wheel lift equipment or car carrier equipment Additional ramping may be required for car carrier equipment Use safety chains and wheel straps Towing over rough surfaces could damage a vehicle Damage can occur from vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel lift equipment To help avoid this install a towing dolly and raise Attach a separate safety chain to each side of the axle i i inboard of the rear shock absorber attachment Do not vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained use this chain as a tie down between the ground and or wheel lift equipment Do not attach winch cables or J hooks to suspension components when using car carrier equipment Always use T hooks inserted in the T hook slots 5 13 Engine Overheating You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low coolant waming light on your Pontiac s instrument panel If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine 5 14 Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly even if vou just open the hood Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before vou open the hood If you keep driving when your engine is
6. 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 Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward the rear seat Keep the area under the front seats clear of obstructions so the heated air can reach the rear seat passengers 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 For mild outside temperatures when little heating or cooling is needed use VENT to direct outside air through your vehicle Your vehicle also has the flow through ventilation system 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 3 5 Ventilation Tips Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice snow or any other obstruction such as leaves The heater and defroster will work far better reducing the chance of fogging the inside of your windows 3 6 e When you enter a vehicle cold weather adjust the mode knob to FLOOR and the fan to the highest speed for few moments before driving off This helps clear the intake ducts of
7. 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 Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage A good time to check your brakes is during tire rotation See Brake System Inspection under Periodic Maintenance Inspection in Part C of this schedule If you drive in a highly corrosive environment your brake calipers may require additional inspection and service at every other tire rotation See Caliper Knuckle Maintenance Inspection under Periodic Maintenance Inspections in Part C of this schedule 7 7 3 000 Miles 5 000 km 6 000 Miles 10 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
8. For prompt assistance please have the following information available to give the Customer Assistance Representative Your name address home and business telephone numbers Vehicle Identification Number This is available from the vehicle registration or title or the plate at the top left of the instrument panel and visible through the windshield Dealership name and location Vehicle delivery date and present mileage Nature of concern We encourage you to call us so we can give your inquiry prompt attention However if you wish to write Pontiac address your inquiry to Pontiac Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac MI 48340 2952 In Canada write to General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre 163 005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario L1H 8P7 Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet for addresses of GM Overseas offices When contacting Pontiac please remember that your concem will likely be resolved in the dealership using the dealer s facilities equipment and personnel That 15 why we suggest you follow Step One first if you have a concem Customer Assistance for Text Telephone TTY Users To assist customers who are deaf hard of hearing or speech impaired and who use Text Telephones TTYs Pontiac has equipment available at its Customer Assistance Center Any TT Y user can communicate with Pontiac by dialing 1 800
9. Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 67 500 Miles 112 500 km 75 000 Miles 125 000 km 1 Change engine oil and filter or every L Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service _ Lubricate chassis components or every CI Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and 1 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information pattern and additional information See footnote See footnote Also see footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 36 ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 82 500 Miles 137 500 km 90 000 Miles 150 000 km O Change engine oil and filter or every _ Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Contral Service An Emission Control Service C Lubricate chassis components or every _ Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote See footnote 4 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Replace air cleaner filter
10. There is cupholder built into the front of the center console for your convenience To access it remove To open the center console press the latch button and the ashtray lift the lid back To close the center console press the lid down until it clicks Inside the storage compartment you will find a slotted area for cassettes and compact discs On the underside of the storage compartment lid there if area to hold tissues EL 13g There are also cupholders for the rear seat passengers in the back of the console Grab the cupholder cover from both sides and pull it down Convenience Net If Equipped Your vehicle may have a convenience net You ll see it just inside the back wall of the trunk Put small loads like grocery bags behind the net It can help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or quick starts and stops Unclip a corner of the convenience net to fit larger objects behind the net then re clip it 10 secure them in place The net isn t for larger heavier loads Store them in the trunk as far forward as you car You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when you re not using il Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter m clean A conter vale ae the ere P ashtray and empty it The ashtray be placed in the af Equipped rear cupholder for the rear seat passengers to use To use the lighter push it in all the way and let go When it s ready it will pop bac
11. 1 Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake Move the Key to LOCE 4 Remove the key and take it with you If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand your vehicle is in PARK P 2 27 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running Automatic Transaxle Models Only It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK P with the parking brake firmly set And if you leave the vehicle with the engine running it could overheat and even catch fire You or others could be injured Don t leave your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running be sure your vehicle is in PARK P and your parking brake is firmly set before you leave it After you ve moved the shift lever into the PARK P position hold the regular brake pedal down Then see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK without first pushing the button If vou can it means that the shift lever wasn t fully locked into PARK P 2 28 Torque Lock Automatic Transaxle If you are parking on hill and you don t shift your transaxle into PARK P properly the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK P This is called torque lock To prevent torque lo
12. Rotation in the Index for proper rotation An Emission Control Service pattern and additional information Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage See footnote or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service See footnote SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE Continued 7 57 Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 90 000 Miles 150 000 km Continued C Inspect Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system 2 2L Code 4 engine only An Emission Contral Service Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote 4 SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE 7 38 97 500 Miles 162 500 _ Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service L Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 100 000 Miles 166 000 km 1 Inspect spark plug wires except 2 4L Code In heavy city traffic where the outside T engine An Emission Control Service temperature regularly reaches 90 F C Replace spark plugs 32 C or high
13. With anti lock you can steer and brake at the same time In many emergencies steering can help you more than even the very best braking Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning you can steer but it will take much more effort Steering Tips Driving on Curves It s important to take curves at a reasonable speed A lot of the driver lost control accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves Here s why Experienced driver or beginner each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels If there s no traction inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction If you ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice you ll understand this The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface the angle at which the curve is banked and your speed While you re in curve speed is the one factor you can control Suppose you re steering through a sharp curve Then you suddenly accelerate Both control systems steering and acceleration have to do their work where the tires meet the road Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places You can lose control Refer to Enhanced Traction System in the Index What should y
14. 2 53 5 Pull the boot center cover from behind the rear seatback and place it over the inner sides of the boot the front snap E first and then the rear snap side covers and the lowered top The rear snap is adjustable for case of installation 4 Attach the two snaps on the inside flap of the side cover to the side of the quarter trim panel Attach 2 54 Removing the Boot l Set the parking brake and shift your automatic transaxle to PARK P or your manual transaxle to NEUTRAL 2 Open the trunk and leave it open Go to the rear of the vehicle Place the boot center cover flap along the trunk lid opening Align one snap on the corner of the boot to the ball stud and push forward Repeat for the other snap 7 Close the trunk lic 8 Raise the rear seatback to the up position Push the seal back to make sure it is latched 3 From inside the vehicle fold down the rear seatback See Fold Down Rear Seat in the Index 2 85 4 Go to the rear of the vehicle Pull the snap knobs 5 Unsnap both boot side cover snaps E and F from rearward to disengage the rear center cover Carcfully the side of the quarter trim panel tuck the center boot behind the rear seatback Make sure that the center cover is not covering the rear seatback latch Tuck the end of the center hoot rearward to keep it away from the rear seatback hinge 2 56 Raising the Convertible Top 1 Set the parking b
15. 65 mph 105 km h or you can damage your engine FIRST 1 This position gives you even more power Manual Transaxle Operation but lower fuel economy than SECOND 2 You can use it on very steep hills or in deep snow or mud If the selector lever 1s put in FIRST 1 the transaxle won t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough NOTICE If your front wheels can t rotate don t try to drive This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object You could damage your transaxle Also if you stop when going uphill don t hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal This could overheat and damage the transaxle Use your brakes or shift into PARK P to hold your vehicle in position on a hill Here s how to operate your transaxle FIRST 1 Press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST 1 Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal You can shift into FIRST 1 when you re going less than 20 mph 32 km h If you ve come to a complete stop and it s hard to shift into FIRST 1 put the shift lever in NEUTRAL N and let up on the clutch Press the clutch pedal back down Then shift into FIRST 1 SECOND 2 Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND 2 Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal THIRD 3 FOURTH 4 and FIFT
16. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o clock positions you can tum it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand But you have to act fast steer quickly and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly Off Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you re driving OFF ROAD RECOVERY RECOVER If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement recovery should be fairly casy Ease off the accelerator and then if there is nothing in the way steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement You can tum the steering wheel up to one quarter turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two lane highway waits for just the right moment accelerates moves around the vehicle ahead then goes back into the right lane again A simple maneuver Not necessarily Passing another vehicle on a two lane highway is a potentially dangerous move since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
17. er dF 2 The 1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner s Manual 1 1 1 1 3 1 8 1 9 1 Seats and Restraint Systems This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly It also explains the SRS system Features and Controls Thus section explams how to start and operate your Pontiac Comfort Controls and Audio Systems This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system Your Driving and the Road Here you ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions Problems on the Road This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving such as a flat tire or overheated engine etc Service and Appearance Care Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good Maintenance Schedule This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use Customer Assistance Information This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service and owner publications It also gives you information on Reporting Safety Defects on page 8 10 Index Here s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual You can use it to quickly find something you want to read GENERAL MOTORS GM GM Emblem PONTLAC the PONTLAC Emblem and the name SUNFIRE are registered trademarks of General Motor
18. 1 Stand close to your vehicle 2 Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter at the same time 3 Hold the buttons for at least five seconds During this time the doors should lock and unlock once This confirms the resynchronization If the doors do not lock and unlock see your dealer for service 2 9 Trunk Remote Trunk Release If Equipped Pull upward on the remote release handle located on the floor near the left side of the driver s seat to release It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide CO gas can come into your vehicle You can t see or smell CO It can cause unconsciousness and even death If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk lid e Make sure all windows are shut Theft Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on any airflow selection except MAX That will force outside air into your vehicle See Comfort Controls in the Index if you have air outlets on or under the Key in the Ignition instrument panel open them all the way Vehicle theft is big business especially in some cities Although your Pontiac has a number of theft deterrent features we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal However there are ways you can help If you leave your v
19. 1 Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN 2 Tum the radio off 3 Press the 1 and 4 buttons together Hold them down until SEC shows on the display 4 Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display 5 Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree with vour cade 6 Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree with your code 7 Press AM FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code you have written down The display will show indicating that the radio is no longer secured If the code entered is incorrect SEC will appear on the display The radio will remain secured until the correct code is entered When battery power is removed and later applied to a secured radio the radio won t turn on and LOC will appear on the display To unlock a secured radio see Unlocking the Theft Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss earlier in this section 3 20 Steering Wheel Controls If Equipped If your vehicle has this feature you can control certain radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel SEEK Press the up arrow to tune to the next radio station and the down arrow to tune to the previous radio station If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing the player will advance with the up arrow and rewind with ihe down arrow Press this button to choose AM or FM 2 If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing it will stop and the radio will
20. 7 2 Introduction 7 46 7 2 Your Vehicle and the Environment 7 46 7 3 How This Section is Organtzed 7 4 Part A Scheduled Maintenance Services 1 46 7 4 Using Your Maintenance Schedule 7 46 7 4 Selecting the Right Schedule 7 46 7 41 Part Owner Checks and Services 7 47 7 4 AL Each Fuel Fill 7 47 7 41 At Least Once a Month 7 48 7 42 At Least Twice a Year 7 43 At Least Once a Year 1 50 Part Periodic Maintenance Inspections Steering Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection Exhaust System Inspection Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection Thrattle Linkage Inspection Brake System Inspection Caliper Knuckle Maintenance Inspection Part D Recommended Fluids and Lubricants Part E Maintenance Record 7 1 IMPORTANT KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER LEVEL AND CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED GM al Protection Plan Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan The Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your Pontiac dealer for details 7 2 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 affect the quality of the air we breathe Improper fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions from your vehicle To help p
21. ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Short Trip City Mai 9 000 Miles 15 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 12 000 Miles 20 000 km C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emisston Control Service LI Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote _ Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote 15 000 Miles 25 000 C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service E Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions Replace filter if necessary Emission Control Service See footnote SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE 7 10 18 000 Miles 30 000 Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Contral Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE Short Trip City Maintenance Schedule 21 000 Miles 35 000 km 24 000 Miles 40 000 km C Change engin
22. Power Steering System Manual Transaxle Automatic Transaxle Key Lock Cylinders Manual Transaxle Shift Linkage FLUID LUBRICANT Delco Supreme 117 Brake Fluid GM Part No 12377967 or equivalent DOT 3 brake fluid Hydraulic Clutch Fluid GM Part Na 12345347 or equivalent DOT 3 brake fluid GM Power Steering Fluid GM Part No 1052884 pint 1050017 1 quart or equivalent Synchromesh Transmission Fluid GM Part No 12345349 or equivalent Automatic Transmission Fluid Multi Purpose lubricant Superlube GM Part No 12346241 or equivalent Chassis lubricant GM Part No 12377985 or equivalent or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI 2 Category LB or GC LB USAGE Clutch Linkage Engine oil Pivot Points Chassis Lubrication Windshield Washer Solvent Hood Latch Assembly Pivots Spring Anchor and Release Pawl FLUID LUBRICANT Chassis lubricant GM Part No 12377985 or equivalent or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI 2 Category LB or GC LB GM Optikleen Washer Solvent GM Part No 1051515 or equivalent Lubriplate lubricant aerosol GM Part No 12346293 or equivalent or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI 2 Category LB or GC LB USAGE FLUID LUBRICANT Hood and Door Multi purpose lubricant Superlube Hinges Rear Part No 12346241 Compartment or equivalent Lid Hinges and
23. Use a 50 50 mix of clean You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot water and coolant engine parts Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough Don t spill coolant on a hot engine 5 19 2 Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it 1 You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose is no longer hot Turn the pressure cap slowly about one quarter turn to the left and then stop If you hear a hiss wait for that to stop A hiss means there is still some pressurc left 8 3 M 3 Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mix 4 With the coolant surge tank pressure cup off start the up to the FULL COLD mark engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot Watch out for the engine fan By this time the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank may be lower If the level is lower add more of the proper mix to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark 5 Then replace the pressure cap Be sure the pressure cap is tight If a Tire Goes Flat It s unusual for a tire to blow out while you re driving especially if you maintain your tires properly If air
24. Use only SAE Class S type chains that are the proper size for vour tires Install them on the front tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends securely fastened Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer s instructions If you can hear the chains contacting vour vehicle stop and retighten them If the contact continues slow down until it stops Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle Appearance Care Remember cleaning products can be hazardous Some are toxic Others can burst into flame if you strike a match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle Some are dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space When you use anything from container to clean your Pontiac be sure to follow the manufacturer s warnings and instructions And always open your doors or windows when you re cleaning the inside Never use these to clean your vehicle Gasoline Benzene Naphtha Carbon Tetrachloride Acetone Paint Thinner Turpentine Lacquer Thinner e Nail Polish Remover They can all be hazardous some more than others and they can all damage your vehicle too 6 47 Don t use any of these unless this manual says you In many uses these will damage your vehicle Alcohol Laundry Soap Bleach Reducing Agents Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt Wipe vinyl or lea
25. edcnea andes 8 2 43 Inflation Tire DVDS 2 6 40 Inside Day Night Rearview 2 45 lispectiotg 162r circu ehe nk 9 Ra lr eas 7 46 Brake System 7 47 Caliper Knuckle Maintenance 7 47 Exhaidt SYHBITE erre x xr en 7 46 Front Whecl Drive Axle Boot 7 46 Front Wheel Drive Axle Seal 7 46 Radiator and Heater Hose 7 46 SITUE 7 46 7 48 Throttle Linkage ii e ae ieee ee eis 7 46 Installing the Bot 2 53 Instmiment Panel 2 22 2 2 2 62 Brightness lt a cece y eere en 2 43 ERE a daas 6 50 CINE Door E cU E d eo RUN TSCM estas ie 6 58 uberior Lamps eee cede eee E Eh eee ee 2 43 Bulb Replacement 6 38 5 25 Jump gt yr rear ara reae a A 4 72 Key Lock Cylinders Service 7 43 Key Release Butte 11 1202 cli vase nt roin 2 14 corna wx RD RAE i 2 2 Labels SCPE MN iii See eae whl ab min G a i E 4 34 Service Parts Identification 6 56 Tire Loading Information 4 33 Vehicle Identification Number 6 56 9 5 Lamps 2 4 coc wu Ra
26. on and off if you quickly change the position of the accelerator Ignore the UP SHIFT light when vou downshift 2 25 Parking Brake To set the parking brake hold the brake pedal down and pull up on the parking brake lever If the ignition is on the brake system warning light will come on To release the parking brake hold the brake pedal down Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the release button Hold the release button in as you move the brake lever all the way down NOTICE Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to overheat You may have to replace them and you could also damage other parts of your vehicle The parking brake lever is located berween the bucket seats 2 26 Shifting Into PARK P Automatic Transaxle Models Only N CAUTION It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK P with the parking brake firmly set Your vehicle can roll If you have left the engine running the vehicle can move suddenly You or others could be injured To be sure your vehicle won t move even when you re on fairly level ground use the steps that follow If you re pulling a trailer see Towing a Trailer in the Index Move the shift lever into the PARK P position like this Hold in the button on the lever and push the lever all the way toward the front of your vehicle 3 the ignition ke
27. overheated the liquids in it can catch fire You or others could be badly burned Stop your engine if it overheats and get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool NOTICE If your engine catches fire because you keep driving with no coolant your vehicle can be badly damaged The costly repairs would not he covered by your warranty If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam the problem may not he too serious Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you e Climb a long hill on a hot day Stop after high speed driving e Idle for long periods in traffic Tow a trailer If vou get the overheat warning with no sign of steam try this for a minute or so 1 have air conditioner turn it off 2 Tum on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the window as necessary 3 If you re in a traffic jam shift to NEUTRAL otherwise shift to the highest gear while driving AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D for four speed automatic or DRIVE D for three speed automatic transaxles If you no longer have the overheat warning you can drive Just to be safe drive slower for about 10 minutes If the warning doesn t come back on you can drive normally If the warning continues pull over stop and park your vehicle right away If there s still no sign of steam you can idle the engine for two or three minutes whil
28. stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible In Problems on the Road this manual shows what to do See Engine Overheating in the Index 2 71 Low Coolant Warning Light If this light comes on and stays on your system is low on coolant and the engine may overheat See Engine Coolant in the Index and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can 2 72 Malfunction Indicator Lamp Check Engine Light Your Pontiac is equipped with a computer which monitors operation of the fuel ignition and emission control systems This system is called OBD II On Board Diagnostics Second Generation and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptahle levels for the life of the vehicle helping to produce a cleaner environment In Canada OBD II is replaced by Enhanced Diagnostics The CHECK ENGINE light comes on to mdicate that there is a problem and service is required Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent This may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle This system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on after a while your emission controls may not work as well your fuel economy may not be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly This could lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by your warranty This light
29. to help make you more visible to others e Besides slowing down allow some extra following distance And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle Allow vourself more clear room ahead and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray Have good tires with proper tread depth See Tires in the Index id siiis One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them You ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving Know the hest way to get to where vou are going Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross country trip Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities You ll save time and energy See the next part Freeway Driving Treat a green light as a warning signal A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it When a light turns green and just before you start to move check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light 4 21 Freeway Driving Mile for mile freeways also called thruways parkways expressways tumpikes or superhighways are the safest of all roads But they have their own special rules 4 22 The most important advice on freeway driving is Keep up with traffic and keep to t
30. traffic for several seconds A miscalculation an error in judgment or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents the head on collision 5o here are some tips for passing e Drive ahead Look down the road to the sides and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass wait for a better time Watch for traffic signs pavement markings and lines If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a tum or an intersection delay your pass A broken center line usually indicates it s all right to pass providing the road ahead is clear Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic 4 13 4 14 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you re awaiting an opportunity For one thing following too closely reduces your area of vision especially if you re following a larger vehicle Also you won t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops Keep back a reasonable distance When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don t get too close Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane If the way is clear to pass you will have a
31. unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter Turn off all lamps that aren t needed as well as radios This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries In addition it could save your radio NOTICE If you leave your radio on it could be badly damaged The repairs wouldn t be covered by your warranty 4 Open the hoods and locate the batteries An electric fan 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 5 Find the positive and negative terminals on each battery Using a match near a battery can cause hattery gas to explode People have been hurt doing this and some have been blinded Use a flashlight if vou need more light Be sure the battery has enough water You don t need to add water to the Delco Freedom battery installed in every new GM vehicle But if a battery has filler caps be sure the right amount of fluid is there If it is low add water to take care of that first If you don t explosive gas could be present Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you Don t get it on you If you accidentally get it in your eyes or on your skin flush the place with water and get medical help immediately Check that the jumper cables don t have loose or missing insulation If they do you could get a shock The vehicles could be damaged too Before you connect the cables he
32. you lose control You could have a collision in which you or others could be injured Always use the correct wheel wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement NOTICE The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life brake cooling speedometer or odometer calibration headlamp aim bumper height vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain clearance to the body and chassis See Changing a Plat Tire in the Index for more information 6 46 Used Replacement Wheels Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous You can t know how it s been used or how far it s been driven It could fail suddenly and cause an accident If you have to replace a wheel use a new GM original equipment wheel NOTICE If your Pontiac has P195 65R15 or P205 55R16 size tires don t use tire chains They can damage your vehicle because there s not enough clearance NOTICE i Continued NOTICE Continued Use another type of traction device only if its manufacturer recommends it for use on your vehicle and tire size combination and road conditions Follow that manufacturer s instructions help avoid damage to your vehicle drive slowly readjust or remove the device if it s contacting your vehicle and don t spin your wheels If vou do find traction devices that will fit install them on the front tires If you have other tires use tire chains only where legal and only when you must
33. 833 PONT TTY users in Canada can dial 1 800 263 3830 Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program 86 _ _ lt lt lt gt Security While You Travel 1 800 ROADSIDE 1 800 762 3743 s the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle you are automatically enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside Assistance program This value added service is intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive in the city or travel the open road Pontiac s Roadside Assistance toll free number is staffed by a team of technically trained advisors who are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing minor repair information over the phone or making arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest Pontiac dealer We will provide the following services for 3 year 36 000 miles 60 000 km at no expense to you Fuel delivery Keys locked in vehicle Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service Change a flat tire Jump starts Courtesy Transportation See Pontiac Courtesy Transportation section for details We have quick easy access to telephone numbers of the following additional services depending on your needs Hotels Glass replacement Rental vehicle or taxis Police fire department or hospitals In many instances mechanical failures are covered under Pontiac s comprehensive warranty However when other services are utilized our advisors
34. CGSB 3 5 M93 in Canada Improved gasoline specifications have been developed hy the American Automobile Manufacturers Association AAMA for better vehicle performance and engine protection Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification could provide improved driveability and emission control system protection compared t other gasolines Be sure the posted octane is at least 87 If the octane is less than 87 you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive If it s bad enough it can damage your engine If you re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking your engine needs service But don t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when you re accelerating or driving up a hill That s normal and you don t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging It s the heavy constant knock that means you have a problem If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission Standards indicated on the underhood tune up label it is designed to operate on fuels that meet Califomia specifications If such fuels are not available in states adopting California emissions standards vour vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications but emission control system performance may be affected The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and or your vehicle may fail smog check test If this occurs return to your authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determi
35. Caliper Knuckle Maintenance Inspection in Section 7 of this manual under Part C Periodic Maintenance Inspections Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation When tires are rotated inspect brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the proper sequence to GM specifications Your rear drum brakes don t have wear indicators but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise have the rear brake linings inspected Also the rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing When you have the front brake pads replaced have the rear brakes inspected too Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets See Brake System Inspection in Section 7 of this manual under Part C Periodic Maintenance Inspections Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel This could be a sign of brake trouble Brake Adjustment Every time you make a moderate brake stop your disc brakes adjust for wear If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop then your brakes might not adjust correctly If you drive in that way then very carefully make afew moderate brake stops about every 1 000 miles 1 600 km so your brakes will adjust properly If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal your rear drum brakes may need adjustment Adjust th
36. D NETESE ME ETE rel 2 14 2 23 6 21 9 10 Transmitters Keyless Entry 2 6 Warning 5 3 Transportation Courtesy EM ee ieee 5 8 Warming Lights Gages and Indicators 2 68 Trip Odometer leer POR PERRET ada ee Warranty Information lee vp 8 10 Tank Lok Washer Fluid Windshield 6 29 ti ih Qa ey rar re E ea 2 8 5 Washing Your Vehicle VEA was 6 51 Turn Signal and Lane Change Sigusls 0222 2 oy 4s e 2939 Weatherstrips Baier TMAH Wares 6 31 Tum Signal Multifunction 2 33 Wheel Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer 4 40 esc cusses ea 6 45 MNULTORIUE aad da RR 5 30 6 61 Underbody Flushing Service rere 7 45 Used Replacement EN Underbody Maintenance CARAS ee Pena Up Shift Li ne A iia ios qure n CO Rte a aca ie gop es 3 23 gt 2 25 2 76 Wi ndows Ex crea raa ESTY 2 31 V S HONTE xe eno adel qc erasa ce ce S ets ehic acie qiu or nnn caca AE C ack ee TTE Windshield Washer 222222222222 2 36 VL Hwa AE 2 36 6 29 pa
37. Don t try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare tire It won t fit Store the wheel cover and plastic caps in the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced NOTICE Wheel covers won t fit on vour compact spare If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare you could damage the cover or the spare Storing the Flat Tire and Tools Storing a jack a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury In a sudden stop or collision loose equipment could strike someone Store all these in the proper place A Wrench Extension Jack F Wing Bolt C Flat Road Tire G Cover D Adapter H Nut Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment and secure with the adapter wing bolt and extension aluminum wheels only Store the jack and wheel wrench in the foam tray 5 21 Storing the Spare Tire and Tools Storing a jack a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury In a sudden stop or collision loose equipment could strike someone Store all these in the proper place The compact spare is for temporary use only Replace the compact spare tire with a full size tire as soon as you can See Compact Spare Tire next in this section 5 32 A Wrench E Wing Bolt B Jack F Cover Spare Tire G Nut D Adapter Compact Spare Tire Although the compact sp
38. Don t try to shift to PARK P if your Pontiac is moving If you do you could damage the transaxle 5hift to PARK P only when your vehicle is stopped Manual Transaxle The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL N Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start th engine Your vehicle won t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down that s a safety feature Starting Your 2 2 Liter Engine START for about three seconds If the vehicle starts 3 briefly but then stops again do the same thing but this ime keep the pedal down for five or six seconds This clears the extra gasoline from the engine 1 Without pushing the accelerator pedal turn your ignition key to START When the engine starts let go of the key The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm NOTICE Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle If vou add electrical parts or accessories vou could change the way the engine operates Before adding electrical equipment check with your dealer If you don t your engine might not perform properly If you ever have to have your vehicle towed see the part of this manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle See Towing Your Vehicle in the Index NOTICE Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor 2 If
39. Element rs d AC Type A 1172C ri OE eae ere er ee eee AC Type A 1172C Engine Oil Filter eov AC Type PF 47 correre EE AC Type PF 44 Spark Plugs 22L AC Type 41 928 Gap 1 52 mm 0 060 inch 24L AC Type 41 910 Gap 1 52 mm 0 060 inch Windshield Wiper Blade iege Type ica woes epee E ose vs 22 inches 56 em BORD ST ect ERU RU EREROCIA 17 inches 43 cm 6 62 2 2L Engine Specifications TIN Engine COUR ccc em nese scare ty IR thon ncn 4 pe dcs THUS Sw EU Horsepower 120 Firing Order er 1 3 4 2 Theimisiat Temperature on 180 F 82 C 2 4L Engine Specifications VIN Engine Code Lauda ta rq alegres E B EX ROT T TNR 2 L4 Sets ae 150 PUP Co pase orc mor 1 3 4 2 Thermostat Temperature 180 F 82 C Dimensions Lenmh 20 123 Coupe 181 9 inches 462 2 cm Width Coupe 75 4 inches 191 6 cm cor Leer Coupe 53 2 inches 135 1 cm Wheelbase Coupe 104 1 inches 264 4 cm Front Tread 2 Coupe 57 6 inches 146 2 cm Rear Tread Coupe 56 8 inches 144 2 cm NOTES 0 NOTES 6 64 Y Section 7 Maintenance Schedule This section covers the maintenance required for vour Pontiac Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety dependability and emission control performance
40. Equipment Adding Puri e Tr Ed ces dr d Spare Tire APTE 5 33 Specifications and 6 61 specifications Engine 6 62 Speech Impaired Customer Assistince 8 5 UL Eis ewe EUR I EEUU OIM 2 65 i23 piu A ERROR 1 23 ROE EOIN Pa 6 49 Starter Switch Check A 7 43 Starting Your Engine 2 14 2 15 2 16 Erek a aa E M RE A T d 5 14 SEENDE Len wale nep cet Er EY TRU EE E ES 4 11 Ha aad EENAA EA 4 12 PER cera E an CTI 4 11 6 28 aem ueber NR RE Ean SEP DET EUR 4 11 I EAN O E T A 0E Ex uii Ys 2 32 Steering Wheel Controls Audio 3 21 Steering Wheel Controls Fuse Panel 6 60 Storage Compartments ee ee eee nt 2 47 Storage Vehicle 2 Vis da eg seca a 6 34 Stuck In Sand Mud Ice or Snow 5 34 S n VIRI Meroe pk 2 50 2322 Xa ade ee Ee ee ee 2 50 Supplemental Restraint System Le cR 1 23 Surge Tek Coolant neso ee snnt xn dole Surge Tank Pressure Cap 6 27 aZumbols Fae eee gale eh ee nnm m a v 9 9 2 66 Wheel Replacement 6 43 Taillamp B
41. For example speed altitude road grades outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important And it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice or you can write us at Pontiac Customer Services Department One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac Michigan 48340 2952 In Canada write to General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH 8 7 Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load A of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total capacity weight of your vehicle The capacity weight includes the curb weight of the vehicle any cargo you may carry in it and the people who will be riding in the vehicle And if you will tow a trailer vou must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle s capacity weight because your vehicle will he carrying that weight too See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index for more information about your vehicle s maximum load capacity 4 37 If you re using a weight carrving hitch the trailer tongue A should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded trailer weight If you have a weight distributing hitch the trailer tongue A should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded trailer weight After you ve loaded your trailer weigh the trailer and then the tongue separately to see if
42. MIRO IT BCS 6 23 Comfort Controls 2 sities gare See 3 2 Compact Disc Adapter 3 12 3 16 Commeact Disce Cate RE Ear AERA 3 24 Compact Disc Player 3 16 Theft Deterrent Peatute 3 19 Compact Spare TIS 5 33 of a Vehicle 1 2 2 2 21 ura kennt Fen 4 6 sic gc pe RR Ca I nora 2 48 Convertible Bypass Switch Froth KE T 2 30 Convertible Bypass Switch 2 59 Chang eee Reis iua 6 32 matihna the HOO naa creer ere eee ee 2 53 LOWE ha Tia De yd e 2 51 Lowering Manually 2 2 58 PURIST EE EET 2 57 Raising Manually Ead epe ere eet 2 50 Removing the Boot PES 2 55 Convex Outside one es 2 46 COMME S aaa CIERRE USER ap AH aed a wie bid REN ews 6 24 Heater icc sr rr norme 2 17 Surge Tank Tees lewis aa a Rise EOM SEL E ot Surge Tank Pressure e E E ihe Cooling System sis ese renra ree emnt Courtesy Transportation 22 22 8 8 OER Lees se mro nomm A Ue 2 37 oe Y EX Ea 2 47 2 48 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ssaa so 8 5 Customer Assistance Information 8 2 Customer Satisfaction P
43. NOTES 5 36 Y Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Here you will find information about the care of your Pontiac This section begins with service and fuel information and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels There is also technical information about your vehicle and a part devoted to its appearance care 6 3 Fuel 6 29 Windshield Washer Fluid 6 5 Filling Your Tank 6 30 Brakes 6 7 Checking Things Under the Hood 6 33 Battery 6 11 Engine Oil 6 34 Halogen Bulbs 6 16 Air Cleaner 6 39 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement 6 17 Automatic Transaxle Fluid 6 39 Tires Except 2 4L Code T Engine 6 50 Care of Safety Belts 6 20 Automatic Transaxle Fluid 6 53 Cleaning Tires 2 4L Code T Engine Only 6 54 Finish Damage 6 21 Manual Transaxle Fluid 6 54 Underbody Maintenance 6 23 Hydraulic Clutch 6 56 Service Parts Identification Label 6 24 Engine Coolant 6 56 Electrical System 6 27 Surge Tank Pressure Cap 6 61 Capacities and Specifications 6 28 Power Steering Fluid 6 62 Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6 1 Service Your Pontiac dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with 1t We hope you ll go to your dealer for all your service needs You ll get genuine GM parts and GM trained and supported service people We hope you ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM Genuine GM parts have one of these marks Doing Your Own Service Work If you want to do some of your own service work you ll want
44. Outside Seat Position 1 40 Securing the Center Rear Seat Position 1 42 Securing in the Passenger Seat Position 1 44 Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 2 7 1 44 a piste deve ester 1 39 Whem to Pul eris ea i se a fola ra 1 38 Cigarette Lighter 2 ICON C bree 2 49 Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6 57 CADAT BUE ases axe are acta acd eee 6 16 Nee EU Oa ed an Nea ee CU ERE CUL E 6 48 Aluminum Wheels SH PHI Ua aa cR a ros or ac rn aad SVERIGE TIE oa ev eine mor Eres ver e e a ce 6 52 Exterior Lamps Lenses 22 6 51 EO PE N 6 48 CE rere des Ei 6 50 Insida of Your PNG 6 48 Instrument Pare 22 2 2 22 6 50 Outside of Your Pontiac T E 6 51 Special Problems CURE Vela A Roe era d n 6 49 6 49 ADEM 535 ad DE ER 6 53 ine QUEUE 6 50 RA IRA mb ESSERI actam pes ter reed 6 53 Windshield and Wiper Blades 6 51 Climate Control System Standard 3 2 Climate Control System with Air Conditioning 3 3 92 Clock Setting the 55 ea a Clutch Fluid Hydraulic 6 23 Clutch DER
45. Press the up or down arrow to go to the next higher or lower station and stay there PUSHBUTTONS The four numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations You can set up to 14 stations seven AM and seven FM Just 1 Turn the radio on Press AM FM to select the band Tune in the desired station Press SET SET will appear on the display uo ROM Press one of the four numbered pushbuttons within five seconds Whenever you press that numbered pushbutton the station you set will return 6 Repeal the steps for each pushbutton In addition to the four stations already set up to three more stations may be preset on each band by pressing two adjoining buttons at the same time Just 1 Tune in the desired station 2 Press SET SET will appear on the display 3 Press any two adjoining pushbuttons at the same time within five seconds Whenever you press the same buttons the station you set will return 4 Repeat the steps for each pair of pushbuttons Setting the Tone BASS Slide the lever up or down to increase or decrease bass TREB Slide the lever up or down to increase or decrease treble If a station is weak or noisy you may want to decrease the trehle Adjusting the Speakers BALANCE Tum the control behind the upper knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers FADE Turn the control behind the lower knob to move
46. Push this knob to turn the system on and off To increase volume turn the knob clockwise Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume RECALL Press this button briefly to recall the station being played or to display the clock If you press the knob when the ignition is off the clock will show for a few seconds Finding a Station Press this button to switch between AM and FM2 The display shows your selection TUNE Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to choose radio stations Push the knoh back into its stored position when you re not using il SEEK Press the up or down arrow to go to the next higher or lower station and stay there PUSHBUTTONS The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations You can set up to 18 stations six AM six and six FM2 Just 1 Turn the radio on 2 Press AM FM to select the band Tune in the desired station 3 4 Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until SET appears on the display Whenever you press that numbered button the station you set will return 3 Repeat the steps for each pushbutton Setting the Tone EQUALIZER A seven band equalizer is part of your audio system Slide the levers up to boost or down to reduce frequency range Adjusting the Speakers BAL Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to move the sound to the left or right speakers The middle position balances the sound between
47. States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle Smaller children and babies should always restrained in a child or infant restraint The instructions for the restraint will say whether it is the right type and size for your child A very young child s hip bones are so small that a regular belt might not stay low on the hips as it should Instead the belt will likely be over the child s abdomen In a crash the belt would apply force right on the child s abdomen which could cause serious or fatal injuries So be sure that any child small enough for one is always properly restrained in a child or infant restraint 1 36 Z CAUTION Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a vehicle A baby doesn t weigh much until a crash During a crash a baby will become so heavy you can t hold it For example in a crash CAUTION Continued CAUTION Continued at only 25 mph 40 km h a 12 Ib 5 5 kg baby will suddenly become a 240 Ib 110 kg force on your arms The baby would be almost impossible to hold Secure the baby in an infant restraint Child Restraints Be sure the child restraint is designed to be used vehicle If it is it will have a label saying that it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Then follow the instructions for the restraint You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet o
48. Transportation Washington D C 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline 8 10 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT If you live in Canada and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect you should immediately notify Transport Canada in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited You may write to Transport Canada Box 8880 Ottawa Ontario 3J2 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS In addition to notifying NHTSA or Transport Canada in a situation like this we certainly hope vou ll notify us Please call us at 1 800 PM CARES or write Pontiac Division Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac MI 48340 2952 In Canada please call us at 1 800 263 3777 English ar 1 800 263 7854 French Or write General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre 163 005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada Service manuals service bulletins owner s manuals and ather service literature are available for purchase for all current and past model General Motors vehicles The toll free telephone number for ordering information in Canada is 1 800 668 5539 8 11 1997 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out the Ser
49. ba be eee acr ee 4 36 Drunken Driving T ya eae Easy Entry Seat EI 1 7 Electrical Equipment Adding rates 7216 2 16 3 22 6 56 Electrical System Few ET ERATA ERAS 6 56 PM 6 9 6 10 Coolant ROS ars PETEN 6 24 Coolant Heater d eee 2 17 COE ART 7 4 Coolant Temperature Gage PENS oe aor eae E eens 2 30 Fuse Block EGER 6 60 re boner ti sewer x EE Y 8 56 Oil Level Check is ives cae cece Sad a de aep 7 41 mme 5 14 eer eee VA GIKOEEA aad dd ad ee unes aca CE ES C gud wes UR X 6 62 Starting WOU 2 14 2 15 2 16 a EEA E a YI e ARCA NOS IS arse d 6 11 Addmg EA YA CES 6 12 DIR OR Roce Sie ROM WU PIE RENTEN 6 15 du eee Soe hae 6 12 6 15 Whar To FB 6 13 RT ose canny EAE EE PEER 6 15 Enhanced Traction System Active Light 2 71 4 9 Enhanced Traction System Warning Light 2 70 4 10 er erroe wo aces reca c sd ea al ade RU CE ERE sou 6 4 ETS Enhanced Traction System Aches LAKE es als ii 2 7 4 9 ile iw CENE eck tee esate a Wi ac opera e ee 4 9 WaruntLieW 5 Walla a
50. belt Then place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt guide on top into the slots of the guide To remove and store the comfort guides squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out from the guides Pull the guide upward to expose tts storage clip and then slide the guide onto the clip Rotate the guide and clip inward and in between the seatback and the interior body leaving only the loop of elastic cord exposed Center Passenger Position JM 4 Buckle position and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions earlier in this section Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder 1 34 To make the belt shorter pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug When you sit in the center seating position you have a lap safety belt which has no retractor To make the belt longer tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt Buckle position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap shoulder belt If the belt isn t long enough see Safety Belt Extender at the end of this section Make sure the release button on the buckle ts positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to 38 Children Smaller Children and Babies Everyone ina vehicle needs protection That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size In fact the law in every state in the United
51. body to make sure the seat is locked into place Manual Lumbar Support If Equipped Reclining Front Seatbacks The manual lumbar support control is located at the front of the driver s seat toward the right Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the amount of support to your lower back To adjust the seatback lift the lever on the outer side of the seat and move the seatback to where you wart it Release the lever to lock the seatback Pull up on the lever and the seat will go te an upright position 1 4 Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous Even if you buckle up your safety belts can t do their job when you re reclined like this The shoulder belt can t do its job because it won t be against your body Instead it will be in front of you In a crash you could go into it receiving neck or other injuries The lap belt can t do its job either In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen The belt forces would be there not at your pelvic bones This could cause serious internal injuries But don t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle For proper protection when the vehicle is in is moving motion have the seatback upright Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly Head Restraints Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears This position red
52. burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire These include liquids like gasoline oil coolant brake fluid windshield washer and other fluids and plastic or rubber You or others could be burned Be careful not to drop or spill things that will hurn onto a hot engine ju Am y Lift the hoad release the hood prop from its retainer and put the hood prop into the slot in the hood marked prop rod Use the prop rod sleeve when handling the prop rod Before closing the hood be sure all the filler caps are on properly Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift up on the hood prop Remove the hood prop from the slot in the secondary hood release lever The secondary hood hood and return the prop to its retainer Lower the hood release lever is located near the front center of the hood 8 to 10 inches 20 to 25 cm above the vehicle and toward the driver s side release to latch fully Check to make sure the hood is Lubricate the hood latch at least once a year closed and repeat if necessary xu IE MERE MEN NEM MEE 2 2L Engine Code 4 When you open up the hood you ll see A Coolant Surge Tank D Engine Oil Fill Cap Dipstick G Air Cleaner B Power Steering Fluid Reservoir E Brake Fluid Reservoir H Battery C Automatic Transaxle Fluid Hydraulic Clutch Fluid I Windshield Washer Dipstick if equipped Reservoir If Equipped Fluid Reservoir 2 4L Eng
53. by rotating in either direction then pull down 3 Remove the bulb and replace 4 Reinstall the new bulb and socket into the center high mounted stoplamp Center High Mounted Stoplamp Models With a Spoiler To change the bulb do the following 1 Use a torx screwdriver to unscrew the bulb assembly from the spoiler Gently pull out the bulb assembly 3 Remove the bulb s by gently wiggling the bulb from the assembly 4 Replace the bulb s and reverse these steps to replace the bulb assembly Interior Lamps Dome Lamp With Integral Reading Lamps To replace a bulb do the following l Insert a flat screwdriver into the slot at the rear of the lens E With the screwdriver push the tab rearward to release the lamp lens 3 Push the lens forward to release the two tabs at the front of the lens 4 Gently remove and replace the bulb s 5 Reverse these steps to replace the lens Dome Lamp Without Integral Reading Lamps To replace a bulb do the following 1 From the rear of the dome lamp lens insert a flat screwdriver between the roof trim and the lens 2 With the screwdriver push the tab at the rear of the lens forward to release the lens 3 Pull the lamp lens rearward to release the two front tabs 4 Gently remove and replace the bulb s 5 Reverse these steps to replace the lens Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Replacement blades come in different types and are
54. care to wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle Petroleum based products may damage the paint finish Sheet Metal Damage If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement make sure the body repair shop applies anti corrosion material to the parts repaired or replaced to restore corrosion protection 6 53 Finish Damage Any stone chips fractures or deep scratches in the finish should be repaired right away Bare metal will corrode quickly and may develop into a major repair expense Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch up materials available from your dealer or other service outlets Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your dealer s body and paint shop Underbody Maintenance Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control can collect on the underbody If these are not removed accelerated corrosion rust can occur on the underbody parts such as fuel lines frame floor pan and exhaust system even though they have corrosion protection least every spring flush these materials from the underbody with plain water Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect Dirt packed in closed areas of the frame should be loosened before being flushed Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do this for you 6 54 Chemical Paint Spotting Some weather and atmospheric conditions can creat
55. difficult vou may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership 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 6 21 Check the fluid level only when your engine is off the vehicle is parked on a level place and the transaxle is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the transaxle case Then follow these steps The manual transaxle dipstick is located below the brake master cylinder near the rear of the transaxle case 3 Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level The fluid level must be between the ADD and FULL marks Note Fluid may appear at the bottom af the dipstick even when the fluid leve is several pints low 1 Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and clean it with a rag or paper towel ean T 4 Tf the fluid level is where it should be push the 2 Healy ae eee MD WAT GA Femave E dipstick back in all the way and flip the handle down If the fluid level is low add more fluid as described in the next steps 6 22 How to Add Fluid Here s how to add fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determin
56. every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service C Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote 4 ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 69 000 Miles 115 000 km 72 000 Miles 120 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service LI Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service L Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote 1 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote TE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 75 000 Miles 125 000 km 78 000 Miles 130 000 km C Change engine oil and filter or every Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emissian Control Service L Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving C Lubricate chassis components or every in dusty conditions Replace filter if 6 months whichever occurs first necessary An Emission Control Serv
57. fuel fill Engine Oil Level Check Check the engine oil level and add the proper vil if necessary See Engine Oil in the Index for further details Engine Coolant Level Check Check the engine coolant level and add coolant mixture if necessary See Engine Coolant in the Index for further details Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary See Windshield Washer Fluid in the Index for further details At Least Once a Month Tire Inflation Check Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures See Tires in the Index for further details Cassette Deck Service Clean cassette deck Cleaning should be done every 50 hours of tape play See Audio Systems in the Index for further details 7 41 At Least Twice a Year Restraint System Check Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts buckles latch plates retractors and anchorages are working properly Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job have it repaired Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings and have them repaired or replaced The air bag system does not need regular maintenance Wiper Blade Check Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking Replace blade inserts that app
58. gt To help avoid injury to you or others Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is being towed Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds Never tow with damaged parts not fully secured Never get under your vehicle after it has been lifted by the tow truck Always secure the vehicle on each side with separate safety chains when towing it Never use J hooks Use T hooks instead When your vehicle is being towed have the ignition key off The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing service Do not use the vehicle s steering column lock for this The transaxle should be in NEUTRAL and the parking brake released A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn t adequately secured This can cause a collision serious personal injury and vehicle damage The vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or steel cables before it is transported Don t use substitutes ropes leather straps canvas webbing etc that can be cut by sharp edges underneath the towed vehicle Always use T hooks inserted the T hook slots Never use J hooks They will damage drivetrain and suspension components 5 9 Front Towing Attach T hook chains into the slots in the bottom of the floor pan just behind the front wheels on both sides These slots are used when loading and securing to car carrier equipment Before hooking up t
59. if you add only DEX COOL extended life coolant The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low If you have a problem with engine overheating see Engine Overheating in the Index 50 50 mixture of water and DEX COOL coolant will Give freezing protection down to 34 F 37 C Give boiling protection up to 265 F 129 C 6 24 Protect against rust and corrosion Help keep the proper engine temperature Let the warning lights and gages work as they should NOTICE When adding coolant it is important that you use only DEX COOL Tiifitate free coolant If coolant other than DEX COOL 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 w ater preferably distilled and one half DEX COOL coolant which won t damage aluminum parts Damage caused by the use of coolant other than DEX COOL is not covered by your new vehicle warranty 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 w
60. in body water this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks The law in many U S states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0 10 percent In a growing number of U S states and throughout Canada the limit is 0 08 percent In some other countries it s even lower The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United States is 0 04 percent The BAC will be over 0 10 percent after three to six drinks in one hour Of course as we ve seen it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks and how quickly the person drinks them But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0 10 percent Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0 05 percent and that the effects are worse at night All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0 05 percent Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0 05 percent or above A driver with a BAC level of 0 06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision At a BAC level of 0 10 percent the chance of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater at a level of 0 15 percent the chance is 25 times greater The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up be careful isn t the right an
61. in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote An Emission Contral Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 13 36 000 Miles 60 000 km 39 000 Miles 65 000 km C Change engine oil and filter or every C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY SERVICED BY _ ACTUAL MILEAGE Short Trip City Maintenance Schedule 42 000 Miles 70 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service 45 000 Miles 75 000 km LI Lubricate chassis components or every Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving 6 months whichever occurs first in dusty conditions Replace filter if See footnote 8 necessary An Emission Control Service C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and See footnote Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern an
62. increasing the pulling requirements If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do here are some important points e There many different laws including speed limit restrictions having to do with trailering Make sure your rig will be legal not only where you live but also where you ll be driving A good source for this information can be state or provincial police e Consider using a sway control You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls Don t tow a trailer at all during the first 1 000 miles 1 600 km your new vehicle is driven Your engine axle or other parts could be damaged Then during the first 500 miles 800 km that you tow a trailer don t drive over 50 mph 80 km h and don t make starts at full throttle This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer Don t drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers or no more than 53 mph 90 km h to save wear on your vehicle s parts Do not tow when the ambient temperature is above 100 F 38 C Do not tow more than 1 000 miles 1 600 km per year Three important considerations have to do with weight the weight of the trailer the weight of the trailer tongue and the total weight on your vehicle s tires Weight of the Trailer Your vehicle can tow normally up to 1 000 Ibs 450 kg It depends on how you plan to use your rig
63. lights work together to let you know when there s a problem with your vehicle When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving or when one of the gages shows there may be a problem check the section that tells you what to do about it Please follow this manual s advice Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even dangerous So please get to know your warning lights and gages They re a big help Safety Belt Reminder Light When the key is turned to RUN or START a chime will come on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts unless the driver s safety belt 1s already buckled The safety belt light will also come on and stay on for about 20 seconds then it will flash for about 55 seconds If the driver s belt is already buckled neither the chime nor the light will come on Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel which shows AIR BAG The system checks the air bag s electrical system for malfunctions The light tells you if there is an electrical problem The system check includes the air bag sensor the air bag modules the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module For more information on the air bag system see Air Bag in the Index This light will come on when you start your engine and it will flash for a few seconds Then the light AIR should go out This means BAG the system 15 ready It
64. removed in different ways For proper type and length see Capacities and Specifications in the Index Here s how to remove the Sheppard s Hook type 1 Pull the windshield wiper arm away from the windshield 2 Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly toward the driver s side of the vehicle 3 Install a new blade by reversing Steps and 2 Tires Your new Pontiac comes with high quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain service see your Pontiac Warranty booklet for details CAUTION Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous e Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much friction You could have an air out and a serious accident See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index CAUTION Continued 6 39 NOTICE Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires The resulting accident could cause serious injury Check all tires frequently to maintain the recommended pressure Tire pressure should be checked when vour tires are cold Overinflated tires are more likely to he cut punctured or broken by a sudden impact such as when you hit a pothole Keep tires at the recommended pressure Worn old tires can cause accidents If your tread is badly worn or if vour tires have been damaged replace them Don t let anyone tell you that underinflatio
65. running start that more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle wait your turn But take care that someone isn t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot Check your mirrors glance over your shoulder and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane Remember that your right outside mirror is convex The vehicle vou just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is Try not to pass more than one vehicle at time on two lane roads Reconsider before passing the next vehicle Don t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly Even though the brake lamps are not flashing it may be slowing down or starting to turn If you re being passed make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you Perhaps you case a little to the right Loss of Control Let s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems brakes steering and acceleration don t have enough friction where the tire
66. sa RR qo 1 14 a d a PRA Ea drca eR Center Rear Passenger Position IE TODO ET CN S RRO ERS alee ariel aie aia mre eat RATS Aen cie ge 1 36 POHUON r ramen Eme n serena PRP NA 75 a a rain es RA uada n erar d x ain di lal EA alana 1 49 How to Wear Properly 1 14 Incorrect 4 zi 18 djs 47 1 48 Lab Bel s sv ricca ard dba tue decr dra 1 1 35 Lupe hU ors peers meer xS TET 1 14 1 29 Larger Chikiren ell SEEDS CREE 1 46 Pans 1 23 Questions and Answers 1 13 Rear 1 32 Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions 1 29 Rear Seat Passengers 1 29 Reminder Light 1 9 2 67 Replacing After a 1 49 Right Front Passenger Position 1 23 Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster 1 17 Smaller Children and Babies han Valea Binne 1 36 Use During Pregnancy 1 22 Why ey essa re Tea raa 1 10 Safety Chains 4 39 Safety Defects Reporting er t ta e amp 10 Safety Warnings and Symbols cer e el e ca PERRO ii Scheduled Maintenance Services 7 4 seatback ife is cc EA IBI ree 1 6 Reclining Ph co dua pier UO 1 4 Seats Euer BM ee eee
67. should come on as a check to show you it is working when the ignition is on and the engine is not running If the light doesn t come on have it repaired This light will also come on during a malfunction in one of rwo ways e Light Flashing A misfire condition has been detected A misfire increases vehicle emissions and may damage the emission control system on your vehicle Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service is required Light On Steady An emission control system malfunction has been detected on your vehicle Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required If the Light Is Flashing The following may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle Reducing vehicle speed Avoiding hard accelerations Avoiding steep uphill grades If you are towing a trailer reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible If the light stops flashing and remains on steady see If the Light Is On Steady following If the light continues to flash when it is safe to do so stop the vehicle Find a safe place to park your vehicle Turn the key off wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine If the light remains on steady see If the Light Is On Steady following If the light is still flashing follow the previous steps and drive the vehicle to your dealer or qualified service center for service 2 73 If the Light Is On Steady You may be abl
68. snow and moisture and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of your windows Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects This helps air circulate throughout your vehicle Defogging and Defrosting Windows Your system has two settings for clearing the front and side windows To defrost the windows quickly use DEFROST with the temperature knob all the way in the red area To warm passengers while keeping the windows clean use DEFOG To defog the side windows set the right control to BI LEVEL and the fan control to the highest setting To defog the side windows while using the air conditioner set the right control to BI LEVEL the fan control to the highest setting and press the A C button For both systems aim the side vents toward the side windows For increased airflow to the side vents close the center vents Rear Window Defogger If Equipped The rear window defogger uses warming grid to remove fog from the rear window Press the button to turn the defogger on It will tum itself off after about 10 minutes If you turn it on again the defogger will only run for about five minutes before turning off You can also turn it aff by pressing the button again Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the defogger grid on the rear window NOTICE Don t use a razor blade or something else sharp on the inside of the rear window If you do you could cut or damage the wa
69. socket by lifting the plastic locking tab 5 Snap a new bulb into the socket 6 Replace the bulb assembly by reversing Steps through 3 making sure the lower leg of the headlamp bracket is properly seated into the wedge shaped retainer Pull the carpet away from the rear of the trunk 2 Remove the taillamp bulb assembly by turning it one quarter of a turn counterclockwise d 4 5 remove the bulb pull it out Push in a new bulb Reverse all steps to replace the taillamp assembly Back Up Lamps Sedan If you have a four door sedan do the following to replace a back up lamp Use a torx screwdriver to unscrew the back up lamp assembly from the fascia Gently pull the bulb assembly from the fascia Remove the bulb from the socket by turning it one quarter turn counterclockwise Replace the bulb and bulb assembly by reversing these steps Back Up Lamps Coupe If you have a two door coupe do the following to replace a back up lamp 1 ba Open the trunk lid and locate the back up lamp assembly on the trunk lid Gently remove the bulb from the socket by turning it counterclockwise and pulling it out Replace the bulb in the socket by aligning the tabs and turning clockwise Center High Mounted Stoplamp Models Without a Spoiler To change the bulb do the following 1 Open the trunk and view the access hole under the rear shelf Remove the bulb sockets
70. the Index in the back of the manual It s an alphabetical list of what s in the manual and the page number where you ll find it Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people In the caution area we tell you what the hazard is Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard Please read these cautions If you don t you or others could be hurt You will also find a circle with a slash through it in this book This safety symbol means Don t Don t do this or Don t let this happen e a ms Vehicle Damage Warnings Also in this book you will find these notices NOTICE These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle In the notice area we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle Many times this damage would not be covered by your warranty and it could be costly But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage When you read other manuals you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words You ll also see warning labels on your vehicle They use the same words CAUTION or NOTICE Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle For example The
71. the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the engine or comes on when you are driving your air bag system may not work properly Have your vehicle serviced right away The air bag readiness light should flash for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN If the light doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there 1s a problem 2 67 Battery Light The battery light will come on when you turn on the ignition and the engine 1s not running as check to show you it is working Then it should go out when the engine starts If it stays on or comes on while you are driving you may have a problem with the electrical charging system It could indicate that you have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical problem Have it checked right away Driving while this light is on could drain your battery If you must drive a short distance with the light on be certain to turn off all your accessories such as the radio and air conditioner 2 68 Brake System Warning Light Your Pontiac s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts If one part isn t working the other part can still work and stop you For good braking though you need both parts working well If the warning light comes on there could be a brake problem Have your brake system inspected right away OGC United States Canada This light should come on briefly when you turn the igniti
72. the sound to the front or rear speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers AM FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player If Equipped Playing the Radio VOL Push this knob to turn the system on and off To increase volume turn the knob clockwise Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume RECALL Display the time with the ignition off by pressing this knob When the radio 1s playing press this knob to recall the station frequency Finding a Station AM F M Press this button to switch between AM and 2 The display shows your selection TUNE Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to choose radio stations Push the knob back into its stored position when you re not using it SEEK Press the up or down arrow to go to the next higher ar lower station and stay there PUSHBUTTONS The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations You can set up to 18 stations six AM six and six 2 Just 1 Tum the radio on Press AM FM to select the band Tune in the desired station Pa 4 me Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until SET appears on the display Whenever you press that numbered button the station you set will return 5 Repeat the steps for each pushbutton 3 10 Setting the Tone BASS Slide the lever to the right or left to increase or decrease bass TREBLE Slide the lever to the right or left to increase or d
73. the wheel nuts become loose after a time The wheel could come off and cause an accident When you change a wheel remove any rust or dirt from the places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle In an emergency you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later if you need to to get all the rust or dirt off Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts If you do the nuts might come loose Your wheel could fall off causing a serious accident 9 Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held against the hub 10 Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench counterclockwise Lower the jack completely 5 29 11 Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in criss cross sequence as shown Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and even come off This could lead to an accident Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts If vou have to replace them be sure to get new GM original equipment wheel nuts Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 104 lb ft 140 Nm 5 30 NOTICE Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage To avoid expensive brake repairs evenly tighten the wheel nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque specification
74. to get the proper Pontiac Service Manual It tells you much more about how to service your Pontiac than this manual can To order the proper service manual see Service and Owner Publications in the Index 6 2 Your vehicle has an air bag system Before attempting to do your own service work see Servicing Your Air Bag Equipped Pontiac in the Index You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work you amp bi perform See Maintenance Record in the Index You can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it Be sure you have sufficient knowledge experience the proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any vehicle maintenance task Be sure to use the proper nuts bolts and other fasteners English and metric fasteners can be easily confused If vou use the wrong fasteners parts can later break or fall off You could be hurt Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can affect the airflow around it This may cause wind noise and affect windshield washer performance Check with your Pontiac dealer before adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle Fuel Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher At a minimum it should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the United States and
75. variations in driving habits service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate Traction A B C The traction grades from highest to lowest are A B and C and they represent the tire s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete A tire marked C may have poor traction performance Warning The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking straightahead traction tests and does not include comering turning traction Temperature A B C The temperature grades are A the highest B and C representing the tire s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No 109 Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law Warning The temperature grade for this tire 15 established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded Excessive speed underinflation or excessive loading either separately or in combination can cause heat b
76. vehicle Be sure to use the same size and type tires on all wheels It s all right to drive with your compact spare though It was developed for use on your vehicle 6 43 Uniform Tire Quality Grading The following information relates to the system developed by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires by treadwear traction and temperature performance This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car tires The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not apply to deep tread winter type snow tires space saver or temporary use spare tires tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches 25 to 30 cm or to some limited production tires While the tires availahle on General Motors passenger cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these grades they must also conform to Federal safety requirements and additional General Motors Tire Performance Criteria TPC standards 6 44 Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course For example a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half 1 1 2 times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100 The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use however and may depart significantly from the norm due to
77. vehicle It also gives you important information about the number of people that can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can carry This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants cargo and all nontactory installed options 4 33 MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP DATE GVWR GAWRFRT RR THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI CABLE U S FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY BUMPER AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE The other label is the Certification label found on the rear edge of the driver s door It tells you the gross weight capacity of your vehicle called the GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle all occupants fuel and cargo Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR for either the front or rear axle And if you do have a heavy load you should spread it out Don t carry more than 132 Ibs 60 in your vehicle s trunk 4 34 Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or either the maximum front or rear GAWR If you do parts on your vehicle can break or it can change the way your vehicle handles These could cause you to lose control Also overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle If you put things inside your vehicle like suitcases tools packages or anything else they will go as fast as the
78. why should I have to wear safety belts Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future But they are supplemental systems only so they work with safety belts not instead of them Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts Even if you re in a vehicle that has air bags you still have to buckle up to get the most protection That s true not only in frontal collisions but especially in side and other collisions Q A If Tm a good driver and I never drive far from home why should I wear safety belts You may be an excellent driver but if you re in an accident even one that isn t your fault you and your passengers can be hurt Being a good driver doesn t protect you from things heyond your control such as bad drivers Most accidents occur within 25 miles 40 km of home And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph 65 km h Safety belts are for everyone 1 13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part 1s only for people of adult size Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children And there are different rules for smaller children and babies If a child will be riding in your Pontiac see the part of this manual called Children Follow those rules for everyone s protection First you ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has We
79. will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films Don t use abrasive cleaners on glass because they may cause scratches Avoid placing decals on the inside rear window since they may have to be scraped off later If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear window an electric defogger element may be damaged Any temporary license should not be attached across the defogger grid Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer or if the wiper blade chatters when running wax sap or other material may be on the blade or Windshield Clean the outside of the windshield with GM Windshield Cleaner Bon Ami Powder non scratching glass cleaning powder GM Part No 1050011 The windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades and affect their performance Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full strength windshield washer solvent Then rinse the blade with water Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary replace blades that look worn Weatherstrips Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer seal better and not stick or squeak Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six months During very cold damp weather more frequent application may be required See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the
80. window vents SI DEFROST This setting directs most of the air through the defroster and side window vents Some of the air goes to the floor ducts The air conditioning compressor will run automatically in this setting when it is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle Air Conditioning Compressor Button Press the A C button to operate the air conditioner compressor The indicator light above the button will glow when the compressor is running You don t have to press the button to run the compressor in MAX or DEFROST Air Conditioning If Equipped On very hot days open the windows long enough to let hot inside air escape This reduces the time it takes for your vehicle ta cool down which should help fuel economy For quick cool down on very hot days use MAX with the temperature knob all the way in the blue area If this setting is used for long periods of time the air in your vehicle may become too dry For normal cooling on hot days use VENT with the temperature knob in the hlue area and the A C button pushed in The system will bring in outside air and coal it On cool but sunny days the sun may warm your upper body but your lower body may not be warm enough You can use BI LEVEL with the temperature knob in the middle and the A C button pushed in The system will bring in outside air and direct slightly warmer air to your lower body You may notice this temperature difference more at some times than athers
81. wouldn t be covered under your warranty 6 4 Fuels Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the United States or Canada the proper fuel may be hard to find Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended the previous text on fuel Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel wouldn t be covered by your warranty To check on fuel availability ask an auto club or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you ll be driving You can also write us at the following address for advice Just tell us where you re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number VIN General Motors International Product Center 908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH 8P7 Filling Your Tank The cap is behind a hinged door on the right side of your vehicle While refueling hang the cap inside the fuel door by placing the fuel cap strap in the strap hanger To take off the cap turn it slowly to the left Gasoline vapor is highly flammable It burns counterclockwise The cap has a spring in it if you let go of the cap too soon it will spring back to the right violently and that can cause very bad injuries Don t smoke if you re near gasoline or refueling your vehicle Keep sparks flames and smoking materials away from gasoline If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it you could be badly burned Gasoline can spray out
82. you how to use the jack and FIRST 1 or REVERSE R change a tire 3 Turn off the engine To he even more certain the vehicle won t move you can put blocks at the front and rear of the tire farthest away from the one being changed That would be the tire on the other side of the vehicle at the opposite end 5 23 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools Lift and remove the tire cover See Compact Spare Tire later in this section for more information about the The equipment you ll need compact spare is in the trunk Turn the center retainer nut on the compact spare cover counterclockwise to remove it 5 24 Bl Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it Then lift off the adapter and remove the spare tire Remove the jack and the wheel wrench from the trunk Your vehicle s jack and wheel wrench are stored in a foam tray Remove the band around the Jack The tools you ll be using include the jack A and wheel wrench Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 4 Near each wheel well is a notch in the frame which the jack head fits in The front notch is 9 inches 23 cm back from the front wheel well The rear 1 Using the wheel wrench remove the plastic nut caps notch is 8 inches 20 cm forward from the rear if equipped wheel well If your vehicle has flared side moldings both front and rear notches are 18 inches 46 cm from the wheel wells Posit
83. you spill coolant on hot engine parts Coolant contains ethylene glvcol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough Don t spill coolant on a hot engine When replacing the pressure cap make sure it is tight Surge Tank Pressure Cap NOTICE Your surge tank cap is a 15 psi 105 kPa pressure type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating When you replace your surge tank pressure cap a GM cap 15 recommended Thermostat Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat in the engine coolant system The thermostat stops the flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant reaches a preset temperature When you replace your thermostat an AC thermostat is recommended 6 27 Power Steering Fluid When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or you hear an unusual noise A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem Have the system inspected and repaired 6 28 How To Check Power Steering Fluid When the engine compartment is cool wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean then unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag Replace the cap and completely tighten it Then remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick The level should be at the C mark If necessary add enough f
84. Body Lubrication Service Lubricate all body door and rear compartment hinges Also lubricate all hinges and latches including the primary and secondary hood latch glove box door console door and any folding seat hardware Part D tells you What to use More frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to corrosive environment Starter Switch Check When vou are doing this check the vehicle could move suddenly IF it does vou or others could be injured Follow the steps below Lad Before vou start he sure you have enough room around the vehicle Firmly apply both the parking brake see Parking Brake in the Index if necessary and the regular brake NOTE Do not use the accelerator pedal and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts On automatic transaxle vehicles try to start the engine in each gear The starter should work only in PARK P NEUTRAL If the starter works in any other position your vehicle needs service On manual transaxle vehicles put the shift lever in NEUTRAL N push the clutch down halfway and try to start the engine The starter should work only when the clutch is pushed down all the way to the floor If the starter works when the clutch isn t pushed all the way down your vehicle needs service 7 43 Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock BTSI Check Automatic Transaxle When you are doing this check the vehicle could move suddenly If it does yo
85. Driver Position 1 49 Safety Belt Extender 1 22 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy 1 49 Checking Your Restraint Systems 1 23 Right Front Passenger Position 1 49 Replacing Restraint System Parts After 1 23 Supplemental Restraint System SRS a Crash 1 1 Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats how to adjust them and also about reclining seatbacks and head restraints Manual Front Seats You can lose control of the vehicle if you trv to adjust manual driver s seat while the vehicle is moving The sudden movement could startle and confuse you or make you push a pedal when you don t want to Adjust the driver s seat only when the vehicle is not moving Lift the lever under the driver s seat to unlock it Slide the seat to where you want it Then release the lever and try to move the seat with your body to make sure the seat is locked into place Your Sunfire will be equipped with one of the following passenger seat adjusters Slide the lever under the passenger s seat to the right to If your Sunfire is equipped with seats this is unlock it Slide the seat to where you want it Then your front passenger seat adjuster Pull up on the lever release the lever and try to move the seat with your at the front of the seat to unlock it Slide the seat to a body to make sure the seat is locked into place comfortable position Release the lever and try to move the seat with your
86. H 5 Shift into THIRD 3 FOURTH 4 AND FIFTH 5 the same way you do for SECOND 2 Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal To stop let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal Just before the vehicle stops press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal and shift to NEUTRAL N 2 24 NEUTRAL N Use this position when you start or idle your engine REVERSE R To back up press down the clutch pedal and shift into REVERSE R Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal NOTICE Shift to REVERSE K only after your vehicle is stopped Shifting to REVERSE R while vour vehicle is moving could damage vour transaxle Also use REVERSE R along with the parking brake for parking your vehicle Shift Speeds Up Shift Light Manual Transaxle If you have a manual transaxle you have an UP SHIFT light This light will show you when to shift If you skip more than one gear when you to the next higher gear for downshift you could lose control of your vehicle best fuel economy And you could injure yourself or others Don t shift from FIFTH 5 to SECOND 2 or from FOURTH 4 to FIRST 1 When this light comes on you can shift to the next higher gear if weather road and traffic conditions let you For the best fuel economy accelerate slowly and shift when the light comes on While you accelerate it is normal for the light to go
87. Index Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty depth af color gloss retention and durability Washing Your Vehicle The best way to preserve your vehicle s finish is to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water Don t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun Don t use strong soaps or chemical detergents Use liquid hand dish or car washing mild detergent soaps Don t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based or that contain acid or abrasives All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface or they could stain Dry the finish with a soft clean chamois or an all cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle Cleaning Exterior Lamp Lenses Use lukewarm or cold water soft cloth and a liquid hand dish or vehicle washing mild detergent soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses Follow instructions under Washing Your Vehicle 6 51 Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac by hand may necessary to remove residue from the paint finish You can get GM approved cleaning products from your dealer See Appearance Care and Materials in the Index Your Pontiac has a basecoat clearcoat paint finish The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat Always use waxes and polishes that a
88. L Coane Bo D 3057 After Complete Overhaul 10 quarts 9 5 L Center High Mounted Stoplamp When draining or replacing torque converter more Yaxide har ovem 1141 fluid may be needed s if d DVETE IIa pee eset uua ais Manual Transaxle Sec ceder Sanna e 98 Complete Drain and Refill 2 0 quarts 1 9 L Halogen Headlamps Cooling System High Low Beam 9007 ee res 10 3 quarts 9 8 L Tail Rear Turn Signal anos GTI TITIUS 3057 aps RE UE 10 7 quarts 10 1 L INSIDE LAMPS BULB Refrigerant R 134a Pome Lamp becca anaes eae eee Oe Air Conditioning See refrigerant charge label under the hood Capacities and Specifications Fuel Tank 15 2 gallons 57 5 1 The following approximate capacities are given in English Tite eee es an and melie conversions Please refi to Beeccamended Information label on driver s door Wheel Nut Torque Tb ft 140 N m Fluids and Lubricants in the Index for more information NOTE All capacities are approximate When adding be sure to fill to the appropriate level as recommended in this manual 6 61 Air Conditioning Refrigerants Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same lf the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs refrigerant he sure the proper refrigerant is used If you re not sure ask your Pontiac dealer Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Air Cleaner
89. Mast Antenna The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes without being damaged If the mast should ever become slightly bent you can straighten it by hand If the mast is badly bent as it might be by vandals you should replace it Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still tightened to the fender NOTES 0 NOTES Y Section 4 Your Driving and the Road Here you ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions We ve also included many other useful tips on driving 4 2 Defensive Driving 4 2 Drunken Driving 4 6 Control of a Vehicle 4 6 Braking 4 11 Steering 4 13 Off Road Recovery 4 13 Passing 4 15 Loss of Control 4 16 Driving at Night 4 18 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads 4 21 City Driving 4 22 Freeway Driving 4 23 4 24 4 24 4 26 4 31 4 33 4 35 Before Leaving a Long Trip Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads Winter Driving Recreational Vehicle Towing Loading Your Vehicle Towing a Trailer Models with 2 4L Engine and 4 Speed Automatic Transaxle Towing A Trailer Except Models with 2 4L Engine and 4 Speed Automatic Transaxle Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is Drive defensively Please start with a very important safety device in your Pontiac Buckle up See Safety Belts in the Index Defensive driving really means be ready for anyt
90. Rad EF ER Starting Your Engine elt 9 gt Methanol CP aie NEU ee rae aint 6 4 Brake Mechanism Check See a e Mt MHIOD Vui wee RU ale 2 45 TT UC SML RE 2 11 Convex Outside 2 46 Over Things That B es LE 2 29 Inside Day Night Rearview es 2245 Your Vehicle Manual Transaxle 2 29 Manual Remote Control 2 45 Passenger Position 222 2 222 2 1 23 Power Remote Control POETS 2 46 LOS TU 4 13 Mountain Roads Sce es 4 24 E 22 ua quia vaut dre 4 39 Midtifuneten Lever eea ay nee remm 2 13 ql IR ER ERR EET Red 2 1 Passlock Warning Light RETE hie eee 2 76 Neutra Automatic Transaxle scs Neutral Manual 2 2 Power New Vehicle HieskeIm tects heed 2222 12 Dione ees essere th ER 2 5 DEE VD oe ans yea Tee cent 4 17 Option Fuses sc 6 37 Remote Control Mirror 2 46 GL eee een T 2 65 Steering 4 4 teers 4 11 6 28 Odometer VEG E UE mur c MEE Steering PRA
91. Rear Folding Seat Weatherstrip Dielectric Silicone Grease GM Conditioning Part No 12345579 or equivalent See Replacement Parts in the Index for recommended replacement filters and spark plugs 7 49 Part E Maintenance Record Any additional information from Owner Checks and Services or Periodic Maintenance can be added After the scheduled services are performed record the the following record pages Also you should retain all date odometer reading and who performed the service maintenance receipts Your owner information portfolio in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval is a convenient place to store them Maintenance Record ODOMETER l DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED See N D 7 50 Maintenance Record ODOMETER m DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ODOMETER READING Y Section 8 Customer Assistance Information Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance This section also tells you how to obtain service publications and how to report any safety defects 8 2 Pontiac Cares 5 10 8 3 What Makes up Pontiac Cares 8 10 8 3 Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8 5 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone 8 11 TTY Users 8 6 Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program 8 11 8 8 Canadian Roadside Assistance 8 11 8 8 Pontiac Courtesy Transportation 8 9 GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute
92. Resolution Program Warranty Information Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada 8 1 Pontiac Cares The PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes you as a valuable customer appreciates your purchase decision and is dedicated to taking care of the most important person YOU PONTIAC CARES is A valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac a feature that offers a multitude of benefits that can give you sufety security comfort and convenience With PONTIAC CARES you are never more than a phone call away from having your concern taken care of What makes up Pontiac Cares A3 year 36 000 mile 60 000 km Bumper to Bumper Warranty Customer Assistance b Roadside Assistance Courtesy Transportation All of these elements combine to make your driving experience an enjoyable one and are discussed in greater detail further in your owner s manual Pontiac is focusing on the changing needs of our customers and is committed to giving you an exceptional level of customer care throughout the ownership experience Our goal is to create total customer enthusiasm in our product and our services and make you the most satisfied customer in the world Customer Satisfaction Procedure Pontiac dea
93. aa 2 70 4 10 Hxhanst Engine ais sas cle obese acs ees dh bene ees 2 30 9 4 Fabric CHANG erie a eet ee da ae ee 6 48 Fifth Gear Manual Transaxle 2 2 FARA DORIS RODE gcse ae tis rre np OY oe aaa ow T 6 5 Filter Air esae aora eae d aa ice Ce dp ecce EA Fil 6 52 Finish EET 6 54 First Gear Automatic Transaxle 2 2 2 23 First Gear Manual 2 24 Flashers Hazard Warning 5 2 Bist Tiss CIMANDE 4 1423 Fluids and 7 48 Forigi Countd s eee noeh but 6 4 Fourth Gear Manual Transaxle 2 24 French Language Manual ii Front Reading Lampa il aasar kahina h re 2 44 Pront TAA sacer ee eoe wie ener 5 10 a ee hare E erp ale wot ERE 6 3 VOU ERE caeco re en sien ee einen 6 5 a a eee 2 77 In Foreign 5 4 Fuses and Circuit Breakers 6 57 Gages Engine Coolant Temperature 2 71 eee waa lv EE EQ ax EE AB MG ge arte d 2 77 sed eh ECCE ad CI EUM e Vcr L AA FOE He 2 65 Cr Lente a uisa a re 2 66 GAWR 4 34 Gear Positions Automatic Transaxle Gear Positions Manual Transaxle
94. able to open the rear door from the inside You should let adults and older children know how to cancel the locks To cancel the rear door lock 1 Unlock the door from the inside and open the door from the outside 2 Use a key to move the lock all the way down 3 Do the same for the other rear door The rear door locks will now work normally Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle open your door and set the locks from inside Then get out and close the door 2 6 Remote Keyless Entry If Equipped If your Pontiac has this option you can lock and unlock your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet 1 m up to 30 feet 9 m away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle In addition the system illuminates the interior lights for a set period of time The Remote Keyless Entry system consists of a receiver which is located in the vehicle and two hand held transmitters Your Remote Keyless Entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission FCC Rules and with Industry and Science Canada This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 this device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry and science Canada Oper
95. aces ae Mannal Frente esae rra iuc Manual Lumbar Support EGG US RUE S RE E EErEE 1 4 BENI Ka Pee T LA WI TE ET 1 7 Restraint Systeme ea ke eee ae dax aaa alan 1 1 Best CODO 1 2 Securing a Child Restraint VERRE Pe 40 1 42 1 44 Second Gear Automatic Transaxle 2 21 2 2 Second Gear Manual Transaxle 2 24 Sy RON LIII eas Gane RR 2 11 Selecting the Right Schedule 1 4 SERVING LL bee ve REC ERR ces 6 2 Bulletins Ordering Manuals Ordering 8 12 Parts Identification Label 408 3 2 574 Work Doing Your OWN cire eee RUNI 2 Service and Appearance Care 6 1 Service and Owner Publications 8 12 Ordering Canada esis gre bee bn 8 11 Service Publications 8 12 Servicing Your Air Bag Equipped Doni 1 28 Sheet Metal Damage 6 53 hh ed ERR Ra E E 2 19 2 23 Shift Speeds Gn e RP 2 25 Shifting Tr nsaxle sene rtm 2 19 Dto Perk e dd 2 27 co i pP 2 23 M Co ade osa mmt Rm Shoulder Belt Height 1 17 SENTRA aeta wm cece tree oe TEETAN 2 33 SITE seater a a hes xxx Re 4 15 Sound
96. adio It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or ignored If ignored the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature If THEFTLOCK is activated your radio will not operate if stolen When THEFTLOCK is activated the radio will display LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery power is removed If your battery loses power for any reason you must unlock the radio with the secret code before it will operate Activating the Theft Deterrent Feature The instructions which follow explain how to enter your secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system It is recommended that you read through all nine steps before starting the procedure NOTE If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between any steps the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4 1 Write down any three or four digit number from 000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from the vehicle x Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN Turn the radio off Press the and 4 buttons together Hold them down until shows on the display Next you will use the secret code number which you have written down j Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display 6 Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree with your code 7 Press HR to make the first one or two dig
97. adly that they ll have to be replaced Don t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid If you spill brake fluid on vour vehicle s painted surfaces the paint finish can he damaged Be careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle If you do wash it off immediately See Appearance Care in the Index Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it This will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake system your brakes may not work well or they may not even work at all This could cause a crash Always use the proper brake fluid 6 31 Brake Wear Your Pontiac has front dise brakes and rear drum brakes Disc brake pads have built in wear indicators that make a high pitched warning sound when the brake pads are wom and new pads are needed The sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly The brake wear warning sound means that soon your brakes won t work well That could lead to an accident When you hear the brake wear warning sound have your vehicle serviced NOTICE Continuing to drive with worn out brake pads could result in costly brake repair 6 32 Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes See
98. air bag inflates there is dust in the air This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble To avoid this everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so If you have breathing problems but can t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates then get fresh air by opening a window or door In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag windshields are broken by vehicle deformation Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the night front passenger air bag Air bags are designed to inflate only once After they inflate you ll need some new parts for your air bag system If you don t get them the air bag svstem won t be there to help protect you m another crash A new system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts 1 27 Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing Servicing Your Air Bag Equipped Pontiac und diagnostic module which records information about the air bag system The module records information about the readiness of the system when the sensors are activated and driver s safety belt usage at deployment Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced There are parts of the air bag system in several places around your vehicle You don t want the system to inflate while someone is working on your vehicle Your Pon
99. ak if the transmitter won t work at the normal range in any location If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works it s probably time to change the battery NOTICE When replacing the battery use care not to touch any of the circuitry Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter Replacing the Battery in the Remote Keyless Entry System Transmitter To replace the battery in the keychain transmitter 1 Use a small coin or flathead screwdriver to separate the bottom half from the top half of the transmitter 2 Remove the battery and replace it with the new one Make sure the positive side of the battery faces down For battery replacement use a 3 volt battery type CR2032 or equivalent 3 Read the instructions inside the case 4 Put the two halves back together Make sure the cover is on tightly so water won t get in 5 Check the operation of the transmitter with your vehicle If the transmitter does not work try synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver Synchronization Your Remote Keyless Entry system is equipped with a security system that prevents anyone from recording and playing back your signal The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to the receiver The receiver will not respond to a signal that has been sent to it more than once To resynchronize your transmitter and receiver follow these directions
100. an air bag and don t attach or put anything on the steering wheel huh or on or near any other air bag covering When should an air bag inflate An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash The air bag will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system s designed threshold level If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn t move or deform the threshold level is about 9 to 15 mph 14 to 24 km h The threshold level can vary however with specific vehicle design so that 1 26 it can be somewhat above or below this range If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform such as a parked car the threshold level will be higher The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers side impacts or rear impacts because inflation would not help the occupant In any particular crash no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or near frontal impacts What makes an air bag inflate In an impact of sufficient severity the air hag sensing system detects thal the vehicle is in a crash The sensing system triggers a relcase of gas from the inflator which inflates the air bag The inflator air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules insid
101. and Specifications This is where you add oil if you have a 2 2L engine in the Index 6 12 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 APT Do not use any oil which does not carry this Starburst symbol If vou 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 This is where you add oil if you have 2 4L engine Be sure to 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 y ugh You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle as shown in the following chart z 6 13 As shown in the chart SAE 5W 30 is best for your eee ae ee eee vehicle However you can use SAE 10W 30 if it s going FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING SELECT THE LOWEST F 18 C or above The ps on iei SHE DEADE OAL FOR EXPEURED TENPERITUEE RANGE to be O 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 5 NOTICE Use only engine oil with the American Petr
102. ant Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed and counterclockwise to decrease fan speed To turn the fan off turn the mode knob all the way counterclockwise In any other setting the fan will run continuously The fan must be on to run the air conditioning compressor Temperature Knob The center knob changes the temperature of the air coming through the system Turn this knob toward the clockwise for warmer air Turn it toward blue counterclockwise for cooler air Mode Knob The right knob has several settings to control the direction of airflow For each setting set the temperature to a comfortable setting MAX This setting recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel outlets The air conditioning compressor will run automatically in this setting when it is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle vf VENT This settin g brings in outside air and directs it through the instrument panel BI LEVEL This setting brings in outside air and directs it two ways Some air is directed through the instrument panel outlets Most of the air is directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost and side window vents 3 4 oJ FLOOR This setting sends most of the air through the ducts near the floor The rest comes out of the defroster and side window vents DEFOG This setting allows half of the air to go to the floor ducts and half to the defroster and side
103. are tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new it can lose air after a time Check the inflation pressure regularly It should be 60 psi 420 kPa After installing the compact spare on vour vehicle you should stop as soon as possible and make sure your spare tire is correctly inflated The compact spare is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph 105 km h for distances up to 3 000 miles 5 000 km so you can finish your trip and have your full size tire repaired or replaced where you want Of course it s best to replace your spare with a full size tire as soon as you can Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in case you need it again NOTICE When the compact spare is installed don t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with guide rails The compact spare can get caught on the rails That can damage the tire and wheel and maybe other parts of your vehicle Don t use your compact spare on other vehicles And don t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with other wheels or tires They won t fit Keep your spare tire and its wheel together NOTICE Tire chains won t fit your compact spare Using them can damage your vehicle and can damage the chains too Don t use tire chains on your compact spare 5 33 If You re Stuck In Sand Mud Ice or Snow What you don t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels too fast The method known as rocking can help y
104. arted If the engine stalls and the THEFT SYSTEM light flashes wait until the light staps flashing before trying to restart the engine Remember to release the key from the START position as soon as the engine starts If you are driving and the THEFT SYSTEM light cornes on you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off However your Passlock system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time You may also want to check the fuses see Fuses and Circuit Breakers in the Index See your Pontiac dealer for service If the THEFT SYSTEM light comes on while the engine is running a problem has been detected and the system may need service See your dealer for service In an emergency call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Center at 1 800 ROADSIDE or 1 800 762 3743 2 11 New Vehicle Break In Ignition Positions NOTICE Your modern Pontiac doesn t need an elaborate break in But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines Don t drive at any one speed fast or slow for the first 500 miles 805 km Don t make full throttle starts Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles 322 km or so During this time your new brake linings aren t yet broken in Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement Follow this breaking in guideline every time you get new brake li
105. as the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may have developed Oil Pressure Warning Light If you have a low engine oil pressure problem this light will stay on after you start your engine Or Come on when you are driving This indicates that your engine is not receiving enough oil The engine could be low on oil or could have some other oil problem Have it fixed immediately The oil light could also come on in three 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 V you re idling at a stop sign the light may blink on and then off l you make a hard stop the light may come on for moment This is normal Don t keep driving if the oil pressure is low If you do your engine can become so hot that it catches fire You or others could be burned Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced NOTICE Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be costly and is not covered by your warranty 2 75 Passlock Warning Light This light will come on briefly when you turn the key toward the START position THEFT SYSTEM If the light flashes t
106. as this system you ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions See Enhanced Traction System in the Index If you don t have the Enhanced Traction System accelerate gently Try not to break the fragile traction If you accelerate too fast the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more 4 27 Your anti lock brakes improve your vehicle s stability If You re Caught in a Blizzard when you make a hard stop on a slippery road Even though you have the anti lock braking system you ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement See Anti Lock in the Index Allow greater following distance on any slippery road Watch for slippery spots The road might be fine until you hit a spot that s covered with ice On an otherwise clear road ice patches may appear in shaded areas where the sun can t reach around clumps of trees behind buildings or under bridges Sometimes the surface of curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear If you see a patch of ice ahead of vou brake before you are on it Try not to brake while you re actually on the ice and avoid sudden steering maneuvers 4 28 If you are stopped by heavy snow you could be in a serious situation You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help and you can hike through the snow Here are some things to do to sum
107. at the pelvic bones This could cause serious internal injuries Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you The belt is buckled in the wrong place 1 19 0 What s wrong with this The shoulder belt is worn under the arm It should be worn over the shoulder at all times 1 20 You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm In a crash your body would move too far forward which would increase the chance of head and neck injury Also the belt would apply too much force to the ribs which aren t as strong as shoulder bones You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen 0 What s wrong with this You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt In a crash you wouldn t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces If a belt is twisted make it straight so it can work properly or ask your dealer to fix it The belt is twisted across the body 1 21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone including pregnant women Like all occupants they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don t wear safety belts To unlatch the belt just push the button on the buckle The belt should go back out of the way Before you close the door be sure the belt is out of the way If you slam the door on it you can damage both the belt and your vehicle A pregnant woman should wear a la
108. at three or more places around the tire You can see cord or fabric showing through the tires rubber The tread or sidewall is cracked cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric The tire has a bump bulge or split The tire has a puncture cut or other damage that can t be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage 6 42 Buying New Tires To find out what kind and size of tires you need look at the Tire Loading Information label The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had a Tire Performance Criteria Specification TPC Spec number on each tire s sidewall When you get new tires get ones with that same TPC Spec number That way your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed to give proper endurance handling speed rating traction ride and other things during normal service on your vehicle If your tires have an all season tread design the TPC number will be followed by an MS far mud and snow If you ever replace your tires with those not having a TPC Spec number make sure they are the same size load range speed rating and construction type bias bias belted or radial as your origimal tires Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving If you mix tires of different sizes or types radial and bias belted tires the vehicle may not handle properly and you could have a crash Using tires of different sizes may also cause damage to your
109. ater 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 coolant If you use an improper coolant mix your engine could overheat and be badly damaged The repair cost wouldnt 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 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 6 25 Checking Coolant Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly Never turn the surge tank pressure cap even a little when the engine and radiator are hot When your engine is cold the coolant level should be at the FULL COLD mark If the low coolant light comes on it means you re law on engine coolant The surge tank is located on the passenger s side of the See Low Coolant Light in engine compartment the Index 6 26 Adding Coolant If you need more coolant add the proper DEX COOL coolant mixture ar the surge tank but only when the engine 15 cool You can be burned if
110. ating the fan should he running If it isn t your vehicle needs service 5 17 How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank If you haven t found a problem yet but the coolant level isn t at the FULL COLD mark add a 50 50 mixture of clean water preferably distilled and DEX COOL coolant at the coolant surge tank but be sure the cooling system including the coolant surge tank pressure cap is cool before you do it See Engine Coolant in the Index for more information Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can hlow out and burn you badly They are under pressure and if you turn the coolant surge tank pressure cap even a little they can come out at high speed Never turn the cap when the cooling system including the coolant surge tank pressure cap is hot Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure cap to cool if vou ever have to turn the pressure cap In cold weather water can freeze and crack the engine radiator heater core and other parts So use the recommended coolant 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
111. ation is subject to the following two conditions 1 this device may not cause interference and 2 this device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device This system has a range of about 3 feet 1 m up to 30 feet 9 m At times you may notice a decrease in range This is normal for any remote keyless entry system If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work try this Check to determine if battery replacement or resynchronization is necessary See the instructions that follow Check the distance You may be too far from your vehicle You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather Check the location Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal Take a few steps to the left or right hold the transmitter higher and try again If you re still having trouble see your Pontiac dealer or a qualified technician for service Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment Operation The following functions are available with the Remate Lock Control system LOCK All doors will automatically lock when the LOCK button on the transmitter is pressed The interior lamps stay on for two seconds after all of the doors are closed UNLOCK The driver s door will unlock automatically whe
112. below 20 F 7 C The cold can cause cracks and other damage to the top as it is being lowered or raised Don t raise or lower the convertible top while the vehicle is moving The wind could damage the top Bring the vehicle to a complete stop before attempting to raise or lower the top Always make sure that the top is securely latched before driving the vehicle Lowering Your Convertible Top 1 Set the parking brake and shift your automatic transaxle to PARK or your manual transaxle to NEUTRAL N 2 Turn the ignition to the RUN position 3 Lower the side door windows to avoid wear to the weatherstrips 4 Push the button in the latch handle and turn or rotate the handle down to unhook the latch pins from the holes over the windshield 2 51 5 Pull the latch handle rearward away from the 6 Rotate the latch handle up to the locked position windshield and hold it until the convertible top is fully lowered 2 52 Installing the Boot I From inside the vehicle pull the tab on the rear seat to fold down the seat See Fold Down Rear Seat in the Index 2 Open the trunk and remove both boot side covers Leave the trunk open Install the boot side cover by inserting the tab A on the underside of the cover into the slot B at the top of the quarter trim panel Place the rear flap of the boot side cover in the trunk lid opening aligning the eyelet C over the boot snap ball stud D
113. ck set the parking brake and then shift into PARK P properly before you leave the driver s seat To find out how see Shifting Into PARK P in the Index When vou are ready to drive move the shift lever out of PARK P before you release the parking brake If torque lock does occur you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK P Shifting Out of PARK P Automatic Transaxle Your Pontiac has a brake transaxle shift interlock You have to fully apply your regular brakes before vou can shift from PARK P when the ignition is in the RUN position See Automatic Transaxle in the Index If you cannot shift out of PARK P ease pressure on the shift lever push the shift lever all the way into PARK P and also release the shift lever button on floor shift console models as you maintain brake application Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish Press the shift lever button before moving the shift lever If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can t shift out of PARK P try this 1 Turn the key to OFF 2 Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4 Shift to NEUTRAL Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear VOU want Bow 5 Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can Parking Your Vehicle Manual Transaxle Models Only Before you get out
114. coolant heater plugged in The answer depends on the outside temperature the kind of oil you have and some other things Instead of trying to list everything here we ask that you contact your Pontiac dealer in the area where you ll be parking your vehicle The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area Automatic Transaxle Operation Your Pontiac may be equipped with a three speed automatic or a four speed automatic transaxle The shift lever is located on the console between the seats There are six different positions for the shift lever on the three speed automatic transaxle and seven positions for the four speed automatic transaxle While PARK P REVERSE R and NEUTRAL operate identically for both transaxles the forward gear positions represent different gearing and operation See Forward Gears 3 5peed or Forward Gears 4 Speed later in this section 2 18 PARK P This locks your front wheels It s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can t move easily It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK P with the parking brake firmly set Your vehicle can roll Don t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless vou have to If you have left the engine running the vehicle can move suddenly You or others could be injured To be sure your vehicle won t move even when you re on fairly level ground a
115. d A belt must be used by only one person at a time Q What if a child is wearing a lap shoulder belt but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child s face or neck Move the child toward the center of the vehicle but be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child s shoulder so that in a crash the child s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position see Rear Safety Belt Comtort Guides in the Index If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child s face or neck you might want to place the child in the center seat position the one that has only a lap belt 1 47 Never do this Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap shoulder belt but the shoulder part is behind the child If the child wears the belt in this way in a crash the child might slide under the belt The belt s force would then be applied right on the child s abdomen That could cause serious or fatal injuries Wherever the child sits the lap portion of the bell should be worn low and snug on the hips just touching the child s thighs This applies belt force to the child s pelvic bones in a crash Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle s safety belt will fasten around you you should use it But if a safety belt isn t long enough to fasten your dealer will order you an extender It s free When y
116. d amount by pressing the rear of the switch to the first detent For the auto down feature press the rear of the switch all the way down The window will continue down until it is fully open To stop the window while it is lowering briefly press the switch forward then release To raise the window press and hold the switch forward Lockout Switch In a sedan model you also have a lockout switch Press the lockout switch to disable the rear passenger s power window switches This will prevent rear passengers from opening and closing the windows The driver can still control all windows with the switch in the lock position Press the lockout switch again to unlock the passenger s window switches Horn You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your steering wheel Tilt Wheel If Equipped A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before you drive You can also raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle To tilt the wheel hold the steering wheel and pull the lever Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level then release the lever to lock the wheel in place Turn Signal Multifunction Lever The lever on the left side of the steering column includes your Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator Headlamp High Low Beam Changer Cruise Control If Equipped Turn and Lane Change Signals The tum signal has two upward
117. d additional information See footnote Short Trip City Maintenance Schedule 48 000 Miles 80 000 km 50 000 Miles 83 000 km 1 Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 1 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 F 32 C or higher In hilly or mountainous terrain _ Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation When doing frequent trailer towing pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 16 51 000 Miles 85 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first If you do not use your vehicle under any of these An Emission Control Service conditions the fluid and filter do not require changing Manual transaxle fluid doesn t require change Uses such as found in taxi police or delivery service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 17 54 000 Miles 90 000 km 5 7 000 Miles 95 000 km 1 Change engine oil and filter or every LI Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 m
118. dicator arrow is lit selections listed on the bottom side of the cassette are playing When the up arrow is lit selections listed on the top side of the 3 14 cassette are playing The tape player automatically begins playing the other side when it reaches rhe end of the tape If E and a number appear on the radio display the tape won t play because of an error e The tape is tight and the player can t turn the tape hubs Remove the tape Hold the tape with the open end down and try to tum the right hub counterclockwise with a pencil Turm the tape over and repeat If the hubs do not turn easily your tape may be damaged and should not be used in the player Try a new tape to make sure your player is working properly Ell The tape is hroken Try a new tape If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can t be corrected please contact your dealer If your radio displays an error number write it down and provide it to your dealer when reporting the problem PREV 1 Press this button or the SEEK down arrow to search for the previous selection on the tape Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection for PREY or SEEK to work The tape direction arrow blinks during PREV or SEEK operation Press PREV or the SEEK down arrow to stop searching The sound will mute during PREV or SEEK operation NEXT 2 Press this button or the SEEK up arrow to search for the next selection on the tape I
119. dle for three to five minutes Then without shutting off the engine follow these steps 3 Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level The fluid level must be in the cross hatched ares The handle on the transaxle dipstick is a red ring 4 If the fluid level is in the acceptable range push the dipstick back in all the way Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or l paper towel at Push it back in all the way wait three seconds and then pull it back out again 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 dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level It doesn t take much fluid generally less than one pint 0 5 L Don t NOTICE We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON IIL because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transaxle Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON 1II is not covered by your new vehicle warranty 6 20 3 After adding fluid recheck the fluid level as described under How to Check 4 When the correct fluid level is obtained push the dipstick back in all the way Automatic Tran
120. do it 1 Apply your regular brakes but don t shift into PARK P vet 2 Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels 3 When the wheel chocks are in place release the regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load 4 Reapply the regular brakes Then apply your parking brake and then shift to PARK P 5 Release the regular brakes 4 41 When You Are Ready to Leave After Towing A Trailer Except Models Parking on a Hill with 2 4L Engine and 4 Speed Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down Automatic Transaxle while you 532 TUE Do not tow a trailer with a Sunfire if your vehicle is Start your engine aconvertible model Shift into a gear and ift into a gear an equipped with a 2 2L Code 4 engine Release the parking brake equipped with a manual transaxle or a three speed Let up on the brake automatic transaxle Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you re pulling a trailer See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid don t overfill engine oil belt cooling system and brake adjustment Each of these is covered in this manual and the Index will help you find them quickly If you re trailering i
121. e treal the area with a water baking soda solution teaspoon 5 ml of baking soda to 1 cup 250 ml of lukewarm water 4 If needed clean lightly with solvent type cleaner Combination 5tains Stains caused by candy ice cream mayonnaise chili sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows 1 Carefully scrape off excess stain 2 Clean with cool water and allow to dry 3 Ifa stain remains clean it with solvent type cleaner 6 49 Cleaning Vinyl Lise warm water and a clean cloth e Rub with a clean damp cloth to remove dirt You may have to do it more than once e Things like tar asphalt and shoe polish will stain if vou don t get them off quickly Use a clean cloth and a vinyl leather cleaner See your dealer for this product Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces of the instrument panel Sprays containing silicones or waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield and even make it difficult to see through the windshield under certain conditions Care of Safety Belts Keep belts clean and dry 6 50 Do not bleach ar dye safety belts If you do it may severely weaken them In a crash they might not be able to provide adequate protection Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water Cleaning Glass Surfaces Glass should be cleaned often GM Glass Cleaner GM Part No 1050427 or a liquid household glass cleaner
122. e a chemical fallout Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle This damage can take two forms blotchy ringlet shaped discolorations and small irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface Although no defect in the paint job causes this Pontiac will repair at no charge to the owner the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within 12 months or 12 000 miles 20 000 km of purchase whichever occurs first Appearance Care Materials Chart 7050008 275 o A p essor Chrome Cleaner and Polish 050174 Pee oF White Sidewall Tire Cleaner Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish Vinyl Cleaner 5 02 m GisClaer Cleans grease grime and smoke film 1052870 160z 0473L Wash and Wax Concentrate 1052918 Armor Protector Protects vinyl leather and rubber 1052925 16 oz e 473 L Cleans TES cloth tires and mats ee Mica E 1052930 8 oz 0 237 L Capture Dry Spot Remover Attracts and absorbs soils 12345002 Cleans vinyl katie and rubber 12545725 eo a Wax Protects finish and removes fine scratches Finish Enhancer See your General Motors Parts Department for these products See Fluids and Lubricants in the Index USAGE Wax Treated E Exterior Polish Shines vehicle without scratching DESCRIPTION Polishing Cloth Also removes old waxes and polishes Remove
123. e is in a seat and using been badly hurt or killed safety belt properly After more than 25 years of safety belts in vehicles the facts are clear most crashes buckling up does matter a lot Your vehicle has a light that comes on reminder to buckle up See Safety Belt Reminder Light in the Index Why Safety Belts Work When you nde in or on anything you go as fast as i goes Put someone on it Take the simplest vehicle Suppose it s just a scat on wheels 1 10 Get it up to speed Then stop the vehicle The rider The person keeps going until stopped by something doesn t stop In a real vehicle it could be the windshield E M I or the instrument panel or the safety belts With safety belts you slow down as the vehicle does You get more time to stop You stop over more distance and your strongest bones take the forces That s why safety belts make such good sense 1 12 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts and the Answers 0 Won t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if l m wearing a safety belt You could be whether you re wearing a safety belt or not But you can unbuckle a safety belt even if you re upside down And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident so you can unbuckle and get out is much greater if you are belted If my vehicle has air bags
124. e oil and filter or every Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service _ Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 27 000 Miles 45 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE pU BY 30 000 Miles 50 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control Service O Inspect Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system 2 2L Code 4 engine only An Emission Control Service See footnote 33 000 Miles 55 000 km LJ Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage Change engine oil and filter or every or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any 3 months whichever occurs first damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service See footnote 7 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation
125. e sure that the load is secure and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns Passing You ll need more passing distance up ahead when you re towing a trailer And because you re a good deal longer you ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can retur to your lane 4 39 Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand Then to move the trailer to the left just move that hand to the left To move the trailer to the right move your hand to the right Always back up slowly and if possible have someone guide you Making Turns NOTICE Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle Your vehicle could be damaged Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering When you re turning with a trailer make wider turns than normal Do this so your trailer won t strike soft shoulders curbs road signs trees or other objects Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers Signal well in advance 4 40 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change Properly hooked up the trailer lamps will also flash telling other drivers you re abou
126. e the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger How does an air bag restrain In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel Air hags supplement the protection provided by safety belts Air bags distribute the force of ihe impact more evenly over the occupant s upper body stopping the occupant more gradually But air bags would not help you in many types of collisions including rollovers rear impacts and side impacts primarily because an occupant s motion is not toward those air bags Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions What will you see after an air bag inflates After an air bag inflates it quickly deflates so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated Some components of the air bag module in the steering wheel hub for the driver s air bag or the instrument panel for the right front passenger s bag will be hot for a short time The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm but not too hot to touch There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents the deflated air bags bag inflation doesn t prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle When an
127. e to adjust rhe belt if needed If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child s face or neck put it behind the child restraint 4 Buckle the belt Make sure the release button is 5 To tighten the belt pull up on the shoulder belt while positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the you push down on the child restraint safety belt quickly if you ever had to 6 Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure To remove the child restraint just unbuckle the vehicle s safety belt and let it go back all the way The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger 1 41 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position You ll be using the lap belt See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one 2 Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt Put the restraint on the seat Follow the instructions for the child restraint Secure the child in the child restraint as the instructions say Run the vehicle s safety belt through or around the restraint The child restraint instructions will show you how 1 42 6 To tighten the belt pull its free end while you push down on the child restraint 7 Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to he sure it is secure If it isn t secure the restraint in a different place in
128. e to correct the emission system malfunction by considering the following Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle If so reinstall the fuel cap making sure to fully install the cap The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the light off Did vou just drive through a deep puddle of water If so your electrical system may be wet The condition will usually be corrected when the electrical system dries out A few driving trips should turn the light off 2 74 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 one or more of these conditions 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 h
129. e what kind of fluid to use See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the Index 1 Remove the dipstick by flipping the handle up and then pulling the dipstick out Add fluid at the dipstick hole Add only enough fluid to bring the fluid level up to the FULL mark on the dipstick 3 Push the dipstick back in all the way then flip the handle down to lock the dipstick in place Hydraulic Clutch The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is self adjusting The clutch master cylinder reservoir is filled with hydraulic clutch fluid It isn t a good idea to top off your clutch fluid Adding fluid won t correct a leak pa A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem Have the system inspected and repaired When to Check and What to Use Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often you should check the fluid level in your clutch master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid See Owner Checks and Services and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the Index How to Check You do not need to check the fluid level unless you suspect a clutch problem To check the fluid level take the cap off If the fluid reaches the step inside the reservoir the fluid level is correct Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX COOL engine coolant This coolant is designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150 000 miles 240 000 km whichever occurs first
130. e wouldn t be covered by your warranty Some add on electrical equipment can keep other components from working as they should Your vehicle has an air bag system Before attempting to add anything electrical to your Pontiac see Servicing Your Air Bag Equipped Pontiac in the Index Headlamp Wiring The headlamp wiring is protected by fuses Should your headlamps fail to function have your headlamp fuses checked right away Windshield Wipers The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit breaker and a fuse If the motor overheats due to heavy snow etc the wiper will stop until the motor cools If the overload is caused by some electrical problem have it fixed Power Windows and Other Power Options Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power windows and other power accessories When the current load is too heavy the circuit breaker opens and closes protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed Fuses and Circuit Breakers The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination of fuses circuit breakers and fusible thermal links This greatly reduces the chance of damage caused by electrical problems Look at the silver colored band inside the fuse If the band is broken or melted replace the fuse Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size and rating If you ever have a problem on the road and don t have spare fuse you can borr
131. e you re parked to see if the warning stops But then if you still have the warning turn off the engine and get everyone af the vehicle until it cools down You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away 5 15 When you decide it s safe to litt the hood here s what you Il see 2 4L Engine Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap 2 21 Engine B Electric Engine Fan 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 5 16 If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling don t do anything else until it cools down The coolant level should be at the FULL COLD line 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 NOTICE N CAUTION 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 fire and you could be burned Get any leak fixed before vou drive the vehicle Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn t covered by your warranty If there seems to be no leak with the engine on check to see if the electric engine fan is running If the engine ts overhe
132. ear worn or damaged or that streak or miss areas of the windshield Also see Wiper Blades Cleaning in the Index Manual Transaxle Check Check the transaxle fluid level add if needed See Manual Transaxle in the Index Check for leaks A fluid loss may indicate a problem Have the system inspected and repaired if needed Automatic Transaxle Check Except 2 4L Code T Engine Check the transaxle fluid level add if needed See Automatic Transaxle in the Index fluid loss may indicate a problem Check the system and repair if needed Automatic Transaxle Inspection 2 4L Code T Engine Onlv If you have the optional 2 4L Code T engine see Engine Identification in the Index and an automatic transaxle it is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss Check for leaks If a leak occurs take the vehicle to your Pontiac dealership Service Department and have it repaired as soon as possible You may also have your fluid checked by your dealer or service center when you have your engine oil changed Hydraulic Clutch System Check Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir See Hydraulic Clutch Fluid in the Index A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem Have the system inspected and repaired at once 7 42 s At Least Once a Year Key Lock Cylinders Service Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Part D
133. eck parking brake adjustment You may need to have your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking Caliper Knuckle Maintenance Inspection If you operate your vehicle in a highly corrosive environment as indicated by the shaded areas on the map following this text your vehicle may require additional brake service Refer to the appropriate GM Service Bulletin for the proper caliper inspection procedure As necessary caliper pins and knuckle brake pad abutments should be lubricated at every other tire rotation Also see your GM dealer s service department or qualified service center for additional information 7 47 Part D Recommended Fluids and Lubricants NOTE Fluids and lubricants identified below by name part number or specification may be obtained from your GM dealer Engine Coolant Coolant Supplement Sealer 7 48 FLUID LUBRICANT Engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines Starburst symbol of the proper viscosity To determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle s engine see Engine Oil in the Index 50 50 mixture of clean water preferably distilled and use only GM Goodwrench DEX COOL or Havoline DEX COOL coolant See Engine Coolant in the Index GM Part No 3634621 or equivalent with a complete flush refill USAGE Hydraulic Brake System Hydraulic Clutch
134. ecrease treble If a station is weak or noisy vou may want to decrease the treble Adjusting the Speakers BAL Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn this knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers FADE Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn this knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you re not using them Playing a Cassette Tape Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are 30 to 45 minutes long on each side Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player While the tape is playing use the VOL FADE BAL BASS and TREB controls just as you do for the radio The display will show an arrow to show which side of the tape is playing When the down indicator arrow is lit selections listed on the bottom side of the cassette are playing When the up arrow is lit selections listed on the top side of the cassette are playing The tape player automatically begins playing the other side when it reaches the end of the tape If E and a number appear on the radio display the tape won t play because of an error e E10 The tape is tight and the player can t turn the tape hubs Remove the tape Hold the tape with the open end down and try to tum the right hub counterclockwise with a penc
135. ehicle 4 6 Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time First you have to decide to push on the brake pedal That s perception time Then you have to bring up your foot and do it That s reaction time Average reaction time is about 3 4 of a second But that s only an average It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another Age physical condition alertness coordination and eyesight all play a part So do alcohol drugs and frustration But even in 3 4 of a second a vehicle moving at 60 mph 100 km h travels 66 feet 20 m That could be a lot of distance in an emergency so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important And of course actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road whether it s pavement or gravel the condition of the road wet dry tire tread the condition of your brakes the weight of the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied Avoid needless heavy braking Some people drive in spurts heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking rather than keeping pace with traffic This is a mistake Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops Your hrakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances vou will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking That means better braking and lon
136. ehicle with the keys inside it s an See Engine Exhaust in the Index easy target for joy riders or professional thieves so don t do it 2 10 When you park your Pontiac and open the driver s door you ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you Always do this Your steering wheel will be locked and so will your ignition If you have an automatic transaxle taking your key out also locks your transaxle And remember to lock the doors Parking at Night Park in a lighted spot close all windows and lock your vehicle Remember to keep your valuables out of sight Put them in storage area or take them with you Parking Lots If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle it s best to lock it up and take your keys But what if you have to leave your key What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle Put your valuables in a storage area like your trunk or glove box Lock the glove box Lock all the doors except the driver s Passlock Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock theft deterrent system Passlock is a passive theft deterrent system The system 18 armed once the key 15 removed from the ignition Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is tumed with a valid key If a correct key is not used fuel is disabled During normal operation the THEFT SYSTEM light will go off after the engine 15 st
137. ek RR 2 14 Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6 62 Ali tand B Er RAMS eal euo eye A 6 45 AAA seat et erii MERE Back up Lamp Bulb Replacement 6 37 6 57 Antenna Fixed uolon eee ensis 3e24 Battery 6 33 Anti Lock Jump Starting e RC DUE Brake System eee eer eee E 2 69 4 7 Light 2 c spect ee tees e eer errs rng eee 2 68 Brakes 22 f Sa ae MD B Keplacement Remote Keyless Entry fede eee Anti Theft Bab M aig SOMNI TET an e PETRUM cet UE ANE pe Appearance Came 2 cae OA LEE 6 47 MUER A i Appearance Care Materials 6 586 Auto Line p petreee tee nemen 8 9 Arbitration Program up Sure 8 9 Better Business Bureau 8 9 Mein 2 49 Blizzard 4 26 9 1 Brake Li coi ER RW AIC pia 6 33 Pull ee areca pak gece toes FE IMPER DC RERO 6 30 Master Cylinder 6 30 HUE ez PI EIE EROS IO AM WIR E E VE YR 2 26 Pedi 6 33 Replacmg System Parts eccesso ren 6 33 System Warning Light alere 2 68 Transaxle Shift Interlock 7 44 Biakes Anti Lock P E ett traits UMANE C Braking in Emergencies
138. em by backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking Your vehicle was designed and tested with top quality GM brake parts When you replace parts of your braking system for example when your brake linings wear down and you have to have new ones put in be sure you get new approved GM replacement parts If you don t your brakes may no longer work properly For example if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle the balance between your front and rear brakes can change for the worse The braking performance you ve come to expect can change in many other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts Battery Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom battery You never have to add water to one of these When it s time for a new battery we recommend a Delco Freedom battery Get one that has the replacement number shown on the original battery s label 6 33 Vehicle Storage If you re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more take off the black negative cable from the battery This will help keep your battery from running down Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that can explode You can be badly hurt if you aren t careful See Jump Starting in the Index for
139. er An Emission Control Service Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing Continued 7 39 Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 150 000 Miles 240 000 km 100 000 Miles 166 000 km Continued a Uses such as found in taxi police or O Drain flush and refill cooling system delivery service or every 60 months since last service If you do not use your vehicle under any of these whichever eens first See Engine conditions the fluid and filter do not require changing Coolant in the Index for what to use Inspect hoses Clean radiator condenser pressure cap and neck Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap An Emission Control Service Manual transaxle fluid doesn t require change ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 40 Part B Owner Checks and Services Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety dependability and emission control performance of your vehicle Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once Whenever any fluids 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 vou or a service station attendant to perform these underhood checks t each
140. er rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVIC ED BY Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 22 500 Miles 37 500 km O Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote 1 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 30 000 Miles 50 000 km 1 Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emisston Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote 1 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote Continued 7 31 30 000 Miles 50 000 km Continued Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control Service C Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service See footnote Y LJ Inspect Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system 2 2L Code 4 engine only An Emission Contral Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 32 Long Trip High
141. ervice 12 months whichever occurs first If you do not use your vehicle under any of these An Emission Control Service conditions the fluid and filter do not require changing C Lubricate chassis components or every Manual transaxle fluid doesn t 12 months whichever occurs first require change Sce footnote _ Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 60 000 Miles 100 000 km LJ Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service _ Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote L Inspect engine accessory drive belt An Emission Control Service C Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Contral Service L Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service See footnote Inspect Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system 2 2L Code 4 engine only An Emission Control Service See footnote DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
142. es if you have a four speed CLS PCM This will keep your battery from draining automatic or a five speed manual transaxle Follow while towing these steps 3 Turn the ignition key to OFF to unlock the steering wheel 4 Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL N 5 Release the parking brake When you are finished towing make sure you replace the CLS PCM fuse in the instrument panel fuse block Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed 65 mph 108 km h or your vehicle could be badly damaged For vehicles with a three speed transmission make sure that the towing speed does not exceed 35 mph 58 km h and that the distance traveled does not exceed 0 miles 83 km 4 32 Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear NOTICE Do not tow vour vehicle from the rear Your vehicle could be badly damaged and the repairs would not be covered hy your warranty Loading Your Vehicle mi TIRE LOADING INFORMATION EJ OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP WT FRT CTR RR TOTAL LBS KG MAX LOADING amp GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT COLD TIRE TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE RTG PSi KPa FRT RR SPA IF TIRES ARE HOT ADD 4PSI 28KPa SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION J Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry The Tire Loading Information label found on the rear edge of the driver s door tells you the proper size speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your
143. ety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions Lap Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap shoulder belts Here s how to wear one properly 1 Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you Don t let it get twisted The shoulder belt may lack if you pull the belt across you very quickly If this happens let the belt go back slightly to unlock it Then pull the belt across you more slowly 2 Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks 1 29 If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure If the belt is not long enough see Safety Belt Extender at the end of this section Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to 1 30 3 To make the lap part tight pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part would apply force at your abdomen This could cause serious or even fatal injuries The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces The safety belt locks if there s a sudden stop or a crash or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the re
144. ext higher or lower station and stay there PUSHBUTTONS The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations You can set up to 18 stations six AM six and six FM2 Just 1 Turn the radio on 2 Press AM FM to select the band 3 Tune in the desired station 4 Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until SET appears on the display Whenever you press that numbered button the station you set will return 5 Repeat the steps for each pushbutton 3 13 Setting the Tone EQUALIZER A seven band equalizer is part of your audio system Slide the levers up to boost or down to reduce frequency range Adjusting the Speakers BAL Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to move the sound to the left or right speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers FADE Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to move the sound to the front or rear speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you not using them Playing a Cassette Tape Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are 30 to 45 minutes long on each side Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player While the tape is playing use the VOL FADE and BAL controls just as you do for the radio The display will show an arrow to show which side of the tape is playing When the down in
145. f the engine is not running the positions ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you to operate your electrical accessories such as the radio On manual transaxle vehicles turning the key to LOCK will lock the steering column and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle This could cause a collision If you need to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving turn the key only to OFF Don t press the key release button while the vehicle is moving NOTICE If your key seems stuck in LOCK and vou can t turn it be sure you are using the correct key if so is it all the way in If it is then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard But turn the key only with your hand Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch If none of this works then your vehicle needs service 2 13 Key Release Button Manual Transaxle I The ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the key release button is used To remove the key turn the key to the OFF position Press the key release button while turning the key from OFF to LOCK Keeping your finger on the button pull the key straight out 2 14 Starting Your Engine Automatic Transaxle Move your shift lever to PARK P or NEUTRAL Your engine won t start in any other position that s a safety feature To restart when you re already moving use NEUTRAL N only NOTICE
146. f you hold the button the player will continue moving forward through the tape Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection for NEXT or SEEK to work The tape direction arrow blinks during NEXT or SEEK operation Press NEXT or the SEEK up arrow to stop searching The sound will mute during NEXT or SEEK operation PROG 3 Press this button to play the other side of ihe tape 4 Press this button to reduce background noise Note that the double D symbol will appear on the display Dolby IL Noise Reduction is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Dolby and the double D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation REV 5 Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly Press it again to return to playing speed The radio will play the last selected station while the tape reverses You may select stations during REV operation by using SEEK or TUNE FWD 6 Press this button to advance quickly to another part of the tape Press the button again to return to playing speed The radio will play the last selected station while the tape advances You may select stations during FWD operation by using SEEK or TUNE AM FM Press this button to play the radio when a tape is in the player TAPE PLAY Press this button to change to the tape function when the radio is on The tape symbol with an arrow will appear on the display when the tape
147. for damaged loose or missing parts signs of wear or lack of lubrication Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for proper hook up binding leaks cracks chafing etc Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for damage tears or leakage Replace seals if necessary 7 46 Exhaust System Inspection Inspect the complete exhaust system Inspect the body near the exhaust system Look for broken damaged missing or out of position parts as well as open seams holes loose connections or other conditions which could cause a heat build up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into the vehicle See Engine Exhaust in the Index Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are cracked swollen or deteriorated Inspect all pipes fittings and clamps replace as needed Throttle Linkage Inspection Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding and for damage or missing parts Replace parts as needed Replace any cables that have high effort or excessive wear Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables Brake System Inspection Inspect the complete system Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hook up binding leaks cracks chafing etc Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks Inspect other brake parts including drums wheel cylinders calipers parking brake etc Ch
148. for right and two downward for left positions These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change To signal a tum move the lever all the way up or down When the tum is finished the lever will return automatically An arrow on the instrument panel will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change To signal a lane change just raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash Hold it there until you complete your lane change The lever will return by itself when you release it As you signal a turn or a lane change if the arrows flash rapidly signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won t see your turn signal bulb is burned out replace it to help avoid an Windshield Wipers accident H the arrows don t go on at all when you signal a turn check the fuse see Fuses and Circuit Breakers in the Index and for burned out bulbs Headlamp High Low Beam Changer To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high beam to low pull the turn signal lever all the way toward you Then release it When the high beams are on this light on the instrument panel also will be on You control the windshield wipers by moving the stalk with the windshield wiper symbol on it up or down For a single wiper cycle press the stalk down until the kin Pace wipers start then let go The wipers will stop after Flash to Pass one cycle For more cycles hold the wiper stalk This feature lets yo
149. ge the transaxle Use your brakes or shift into PARK P to hold your vehicle in position on a hill 88 km h or you can damage your transaxle Use DRIVE D as much as possible Don t shift into SECOND 2 unless you are going slower than 65 mph 105 km h or you can damage your engine 2 21 Forward Gears 4 Speed AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D This position is for normal driving with the four speed automatic transaxle If you need more power for passing and you re e Going less than about 35 mph 56 km h push your accelerator pedal about halfway down e Going about 35 mph 56 km h push your accelerator all the way down THIRD 3 This position is also used for normal driving however it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D Here are some times you might choose THIRD 3 instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D e When driving on hilly winding roads e When going down a steep hill 2 22 SECOND 2 This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy You can use SECOND 2 on hills It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on NOTICE Don t drive in SECOND 2 for more than 25 miles 41 km or at speeds over 55 mph 88 km h or you can damage your transaxle Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D or THIRD 3 as much as possible Don t shift into SECOND 2 unless you are going slower than
150. ger brake life If your engine ever stops while you re driving brake normally but don t pump your brakes If you do the pedal may get harder to push down If your engine stops you will still have some power brake assist But you will use it when you brake Once the power assist is used up it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push Anti Lock Brakes Your vehicle has anti lock brakes ABS ABS is an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a braking skid When you start your engine or when you begin to drive away your anti lock brake system will check itself You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is going on and you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little This is normal If there s a problem with the anti lock brake system this warming light will stay on See Anti Lock Brake System Warming Light in the Index 4 7 The anti lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions Here s how anti lock works Let s say the road is wet You re driving safely Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you You slam on the brakes Here s what happens with ABS A computer senses that wheels are slowing down If one You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard of the wheels is about to stop rolling the computer will separa
151. ght as in the daytime But as we get older these differences increase A 50 year old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20 year old What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision For example if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night But if you re driving don t wear sunglasses at night They may cut down on glare from headlamps but they also make a lot af things invisible You can be temporarily blinded by approaching headlamps It can take a second or two or even several seconds for your eyes to readjust to the dark When you are faced with severe glare as from a driver who doesn t lower the high beams or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps slow down a little Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamps Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean inside and out Glare at night is made much worse hy dirt on the glass Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a roadway when vou are in a turn or curve Keep vour eyes moving that way it s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects Just as your headlamps should be checked regularly for proper aim so should your e
152. goes out of a tire it s much more likely to leak out slowly But if you should ever have a blowout here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do 5 22 If a front tire fails the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly Steer to maintain lane position and then gently brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane A rear blowout particularly on a curve acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you d use in a skid In any rear hlowout remove your foot from the accelerator pedal Get the vehicle under control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go It may be very bumpy and noisy but you can still steer Gently brake to a stop well off the road if possible If a tire goes flat the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely Changing a Flat Tire If a tire goes fat avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place Turn on your hazard warning flashers Changing a tire can cause an injury The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you or other people You and they could be badly injured Find a level place to change your tire To help prevent the vehicle from moving 1 Set the parking brake firmly 2 Put an automatic transaxle shift lever in PARK or shift a manual transaxle to The following steps will tell
153. he Passlock system has entered a tamper mode If the vehicle fails to start see Passlock in the Index If the light comes on continuously while driving stays on there may be a problem with the Passlock system Your vehicle will not be protected by Passlock and you should see your dealer 2 76 Up Shift Light Manual Transaxle This light comes on when you need to shift to the next higher gear See Manual Transaxle in the Index Check Gages Light This light will come on briefly when vou are starting the engine If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving check your various gages lo see if they are in the warning zones Fuel Gage When the ignition is on your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have lett UNLEADED FUEL ONLY When the indicator nears EMPTY you still have a little fuel left but you should get more soon Here are four things that some owners ask about None of these show a problem with your fuel gage Atthe gas station the gas pump shuts off before the gage reads FULL P Ittakes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage indicated For example the gage may have indicated the tank was half full but it actually took a little more or less than half the tank s capacity to fill the tank The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or speed up The gage doesn t go back to EMPTY E when yo
154. he regular brake system warning light isn t on you still have brakes but you don t have anti lock brakes If the regular brake system warning light is also on you don t have anti lock brakes and there s a problem with your regular brakes See Brake System Warning Light earlier in this section The anti lock brake system warning light should come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN If the light doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem 2 69 Enhanced Traction System Warning Light If Equipped With the Enhanced Traction System ETS this warning light should come on briefly as you start the engine If the warning light doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there s a problem If it stays on or comes on when you re driving there may be a problem with your Enhanced Traction System and your vehicle may need service When this warning light is on the system will not limit wheel spin Adjust your driving accordingly The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come on for the following reasons If you turn the system off by pressing the button on the shift lever knob the warning light will come on and stay on To turn the system back on press the button again The warning light should go off See Enhanced Traction System in the Index for more information The waming light will come on when you set your par
155. he right Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving Too fast or too slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp you should begin to check traffic Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed Switch on your turn signal check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow Once you are on the freeway adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it s slower Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass Before changing lanes check vour mirrors Then use your turn signal Just before you leave the lane glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn t another vehicle in your blind spot Once you are moving on the freeway make certain you allow a reasonable following distance Expect to move slightly slower at night When you want to leave the freeway move to the proper lane well in advance If you miss your exit do not under any circumstances stop and back up Drive on to the next exit The exit ramp can be curved sometimes quite sharply The exit speed is usually posted Reduce your speed according to your speedometer not to your sense
156. he trunk compartment Safety Belts They re for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System SRS or air bag system Don t let anyone ride where he or she can t wear safety belt properly If you are in a crash and you re not wearing a safety belt your injuries can be much worse You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it You can be seriously injured or killed In the same crash you might not be if you are buckled up Always fasten your safety belt and check that your passengers belts are fastened properly too In most states and Canadian provinces the law says to wear safety belts Here s why They work You never know if you ll be in a crash If you do have a It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area crash you don t know if it will be a bad one inside or outside of a vehicle In a collision A few crashes are mild and some crashes can be so people riding in these areas are more likely to be serious that even buckled up a person wouldn t seriously injured or killed Do not allow people to survive But most crashes are in between In many ride in any area of your vehicle that is not of them people who buckle up can survive and equipped with seats and safety belts Be sure sometimes walk away Without belts they could have everyone in your vehicl
157. heel Replacement later in this section for more information The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle The first rotation is the most important See Scheduled Maintenance Services in the Index for scheduled rotation intervals When rotating your tires always use the correct rotation pattern shown here Don t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation After the tires have been rotated adjust the front and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire Loading Information label Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened See Wheel Nut Torque in the Index 6 41 When It s Time for New Tires way to tell when it s time for new tires is to check the treadwear indicators which will appear when your tires have only 1 16 inch 1 6 mm or less of tread remaining Rust or dirt on a wheel or on the parts to which it is fastened can make wheel nuts become loose after a time The wheel could come off and cause an accident When vou change a wheel remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle In an emergency you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later if you need to to get all the rust or dirt off See Changing a Flat Tire in the Index You need a new tire if any of the following statements are true You can see the indicators
158. hing On city streets rural roads or freeways il means always expect the unexpected Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes Anticipate what they might do Be ready for their mistakes Rear end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents Yet they are common Allow enough following distance It s the best defensive driving maneuver in both city and rural driving You never know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy Its the number one contributor to the highway death toll claiming thousands of victims every year Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle Judgment Muscular Coordination Vision Attentiveness Police records show that almost half of all motor vehicle related deaths involve alcohol In most cases these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving In recent years some 17 000 annual motor vehicle related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol with more than 300 000 people injured Many adults by some estimates nearly half the adult population choose never to drink alcohol so they never drive after drinking For persons under 21 it s against the law every L S state to drink alcohol There are good medical psychological and developmenta
159. hing to know is this let your engine do some of the slowing down Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill If vou don t shift down your brakes could get so hot that they wouldn t work well You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill You could crash Shift down to let your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL N or with the ignition off is dangerous Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down They could get so hot that they wouldn t work well You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill You could crash Always have vour engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill Know how to go uphill You may want to shift down to lower gear The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle and you can climb the hill better Stay m your own lane when driving on two lane roads in hills or mountains Don t swing wide or cut across the center of the road Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane As you go over the top of a hill be alert There could be something in your lane like a stalled car or an accident You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems Examples are long grades passing or no passing zones a falling rocks area or winding roads Be alert to these and take appropriate action 4 25 Winter Driving Include an ice scraper a small brush
160. ice See footnote See footnoteT C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 22 Short Trip City Maintenance Sc 81 000 Miles 135 000 km 84 000 Miles 140 000 km _ Change engine oil and filter or every _ Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote 3t Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 23 87 000 Miles 145 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 90 000 Miles 150 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote s C Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control Service C Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed An Emissi
161. igh points on the road or over road debris Repairs weren t done correctly Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modified improperly If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle Drive it only with all the windows down to blow out any CO and e Have your vehicle fixed immediately Windows vehicle with manual windows use the window crank to open and close each window N CAUTION It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if m the shift lever is not fully in PARK P with the Power Windows If Equipped parking brake firmly set Your vehicle can roll Don t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless vou have to If you ve left the engine running the vehicle can move suddenly You or others could be injured To be sure your vehicle won t move even when you re on fairly level ground always set vour parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK P Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won t move See Shifting Into PARK P in the Index If you are parking on a hill and if you re pulling trailer also see Towing a Trailer in the Index With power windows switches on the center console control each of the windows only when the ignition is on In addition in four door models each rear passenger door has a control switch for its own window 2 31 The driver s window switch has an auto down feature The driver s window can be opened to the desire
162. il Turn the tape over and repeat If the hubs do not turn easily your tape may he damaged and should not be used in the player Try a new tape to make sure your player is working properly Ell The tape is broken Try a new tape If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can t be corrected please contact your dealer If your radio displays an error number write it down and provide it to your dealer when reporting the problem PREV 1 Press this button or the SEEK down arrow to search for the previous selection on the tape Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection for PREV or SEEK to work The tape direction arrow blinks during PREV or SEEK operation Press PREV or the SEEK down arrow to stop searching The sound will mute during PREV or SEEK operation NEXT 2 Press this button or the SEEK up arrow to search for the next selection on the tape If you hold the button the player will continue moving forward through the tape Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection for NEXT or SEEK to work The tape direction arrow blinks during NEXT or SEEK operation Press NEXT or the SEEK up arrow to stop searching The sound will mute during NEXT or SEEK operation PROG 3 Press this button to play the other side of the tape 4 Press this button to reduce background noise Note that the double D symbol will appear on the display 3 11 Dolby N
163. ine Code T When you open up the hood you ll see A Coolant Surge Tank 2 Brake Fluid Reservoir Air Cleaner Engine Oil Fill Cap 4 Hydraulic Clutch Fluid L Windshield Washer C Engine Oil Dipstick Reservoir If Equipped Fluid Reservoir D Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 3 Battery 6 10 Engine Oil 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 Check the oil here if you have a 2 2L engine If you have a 2 4L engine the dipstick handle is a yellow ring 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 I MM 77 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 NOTICE Don t add too much oil If your engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper mark that shows the proper operating range your engine could be damaged 1 f uh a Sf GU a ie ee Le When to Add Oil If the oil 15 at or below the ADD mark then you ll need to add at least one quart of oil But you must use the right kind This part explains what kind of oi to use For Joe crankcase capacity see Capacities
164. ion the jack under the vehicle Raise the jack head until it fits firmly into the notch in the vehicle s frame nearest the flat tire 3 Then use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel Put the compact spare tire near you nuts Don t remove them yet 2 On some models a cover plate must be removed to find the wheel nuts Carefully use the wedge end of the wheel wrench to pry it off 5 26 E Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous If the vehicle slips off the jack you could be badly injured or killed Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned can damage the vehicle and even make the vehicle fall To help avoid personal injury and vehicle damage be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising the vehicle NOTICE Do not jack or lift the vehicle using the oil pan Pans could crack and begin to leak fluid Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench clockwise Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire to fit Remove all of the wheel nuts 5 27 8 Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts mounting surfaces and spare wheel 7 If you have a wheel cover use your fingers to carefully pull the wheel cover from the wheel Then remove the flat tire Rust or dirt on the wheel or on the parts to which it is fastened can make
165. ions about satety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer Follow the manufacturer s recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig And never allow safety chains to drag on the ground Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes Be sure to read and follow instructions for the trailer brakes so you ll be able to install adjust and maintain them properly Because you have anti lock brakes do not try to tap into your vehicle s brake system If you do both brake systems won t work well or at all Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience Before setting out for the open road you ll want to get to know your rig Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself Before you start check the trailer hitch and platform and attachments safety chains electrical connector lamps tires and mirror adjustment If the trailer has electric brakes start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time During your trip check occasionally to b
166. is active To return to playing the radio press the AM FM button EJECT Press this button to remove the tape The radio will play ETECT may be activated with either the ignition or radio off Cassettes may be loaded with the radio off if this button is pressed first If you leave a cassette tape in the player while listening to the radio it may become warm CLN If this message appears on the display the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned It will still play tapes but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player See Care of Your Cassette Tape Player in the Index After you clean the player press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator The radio will display to show the indicator was reset 3 15 CD Adapter Kits It is possible to use a CD adapter kit with your cassette tape player after activating the bypass feature on your tape player To activate the bypass feature the ignition must be on Tum your radio off Press TAPE PLAY and hold for three seconds After three seconds the tape symbol in the display will flash for two seconds indicating the feature is active Turn the radio on and insert the adapter This override feature will remain active until EJECT is pressed 3 16 AM FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer If Equipped SSS eS FA DN B E m m Em Playing the Radio VOL
167. its agree with your code 8 Press AM FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code you have written down The display will show REP to let you know that you need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your secret code 9 Press AM FM and this time the display will show SEC to let you know that your radio is secure Mote that with the ignition aff the THEFTLOCK indicator will flash indicating a secured radio Unlocking the Theft Deterrent Feature After Power Loss Enter your secret code as follows pause no more than 15 seconds between steps LOC appears when the ignition is on Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display 5 Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree with your code 4 Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree with your code 5 Press AM FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code you have written down The display will show SEC indicating the radio is now operable and secure If you enter the wrong code eight times INOP will appear on the display You will have to wait an hour with the ignition on before you can try again When you try again you will only have three more chances eight tries per chance to enter the correct code before INOP appears If you lose or forget your code contact your Pontiac deuler Disabling the Theft Deterrent Feature Enter your secret code as follows pause no more than 15 seconds between steps
168. ive environment your eile abe i brake calipers may require additional inspection and Lum i pee EMAI service at every other tire rotation See Caliper Knuckle Footnotes Maintenance Inspection under Periodic Maintenance Inspections in Part C of this schedule 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 7 500 Miles 12 500 km L Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 15 000 Miles 25 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for prop
169. k out by itself NOTICE Don t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand while it is heating If you do it won t be able to back away from the heating element when it s ready That can make it overheat damaging the lighter and the heating element NOTICE Don t put papers and other things that burn into your ashtrays If vou do cigarettes or other smoking materials could set them on fire causing damage 2 49 Sun Visors To block out glare you can swing down the visors You can also swing them to the side Sunroof If Equipped the switch and the glass panel will open to the i vent position Open the sunshade by hand 2 50 Press and release the rear of when using the vent position Press and release the rear of the switch again to open the glass panel and the sunshade Press the front of the switch to stop the panel in any position Press and hold the front of the switch to close the glass panel The sunshade can only be closed by hand The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if your Pontiac has an electrical failure Convertible Top If Equipped The following steps explain the proper operation of your convertible top NOTICE Remove any items from the convertible top storage area before vou lower the top Even small items in the storage area can damage the top or other parts of the system Don t raise or lower the convertible top when the temperature is
170. king brake with the engine running and it will stay on if your parking brake doesn t release fully If the system is turned on and the warning light stays on after your parking brake 1s fully released it means there s a problem with the system If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes on and stays on for an extended period of time when the system is turned on and the parking brake is fully released vour vehicle needs service C 2 5 2 Enhanced Traction System Active Light When your Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin this light will come on Slippery road conditions may exist if the Enhanced Traction System active light comes on so adjust your driving accordingly LOW TRAC The light will stay on for a few seconds after the Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN If the light doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the system is active Engine Coolant Temperature Gage With the ignition in the RUN position this gage shows the engine coolant temperature If the gage pointer moves into the red area your engine is too hot It means that your engine coolant has overheated If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions you should pull off the road
171. l reasons for these laws The obvious way to solve this highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive But what if people do How much is too much if the driver plans to drive It s a lot less than many might think Although it depends on each person and situation here is some general information on the problem The Blood Alcohol Concentration BAC of someone who is drinking depends upon four things The amount of alcohol consumed The drinker s body weight The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol According to the American Medical Association a 180 Ib 82 kg person who drinks three 12 ounce 355 ml bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0 06 percent The person would reach the same by drinking three 4 ounce 120 ml glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1 1 2 ounces 45 ml of a liquor like whiskey gin or vodka It s the amount of alcohol that counts For example if the same person drank three double martinis 3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each within an hour the person s BAC would be close to 0 12 percent A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC level There is a gender difference too Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men 4 4 Since alcohol is carried
172. l stay on for an additional four seconds before fading off These lamps will also go on when you press the DOOR or UNLOCK button on the optional Remote Keyless Entry transmitter 2 43 Front Reading Lamps If Equipped These lamps arc located on the rearview mirror Turn each one on and off by pressing its switch Map Lamps If Equipped These lamps are located forward of the dome lamp To turn on press the switch Press the switch again to turn off 2 44 Battery Saver Your Pontiac is equipped with a battery saver feature designed to protect your vehicle s battery When any interior lamp trunk reading dome glove box etc is left on and the ignition is turned OFF the battery saver system will automatically turn the lamp off after 20 minutes This will avoid draining the battery This system does not protect against leaving on the headlamps or parking lamps To reactivate the interior lamps either The ignition must be turned on The activated lamp switch must be turned off then on OR A front door must be opened The battery saver feature will also be activated when any door is left open If your vehicle is left with the ignition off for over 24 days the battery power to the clock and audio system will turn off to reduce the battery drain When the ignition is turned on again battery power will be resupplied Under these conditions it will be necessary to reset the clock and audio systern setti
173. le for current and past model GM vehicles To request an order form please specify year and madel name of the vehicle OR ORDER TOLL FREE 1 800 782 4356 Monday Friday 8 00 AM 6 00 PM Eastern Time For Credit Card Orders Only VISA MasterCard Discover NOTES 8 14 Y Section 9 Index CD 3 12 3 16 Audio Controls Steering Wheel 3 21 PE BEL Serratus tat mined E TIT RAW TINTE ERI 1 23 Audio Equipment Adding 37222 How Does it Restrain Soe eateries EE AES 1 27 GIGS System ao ala quA FE ale ns 37 FON E WOES Lua Lr TR 1 25 Auto Down 2 32 1729 Automatic Overdrive errr PR os 2 92 Readiness Light ERE a EN 1 24 2 67 Automatic Transaxle PREVI e re Ead ev ace ca awe a a ea i 1 28 Ub a t Sere cing We ee IE PETIT 7 42 What Makes it Inflate este ee ete ac rer Torte 6 17 6 20 What Will You Sec After it aes cs 1 27 CH PUIHI e eee eee dee pe see epee pisces 2 19 When Should it Inflate sare s DRO wns TE uda la ee Y 2 18 Air Bag Readiness Light eee LU T a Park Mechanism Check 7 45 At CSE erro rri pac REALE ea Es She a ats 6 16 Shifting 6 case acs Ecce 2 19 Air Conditioning 22 222 22222222 2 3 3 3 5 Starting Your ae rane en
174. lers have the facilities trained technicians and up to date information to promptly address any concerns you may have However if a concern has not been resolved to your complete satisfaction take the following steps STEP ONE Discuss your concern with a member of dealership management Normally concerns can be quickly resolved at that level If the matter has already been reviewed with the sales service or parts manager contact the owner of the dealership or the General Manager STEP TWO If after contacting member of dealership management it appears your concern cannot be resalved by the dealership without further help contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center by calling 1 800 PM CARES In Canada contact GM of Canada Customer Communication Centre in Oshawa hy calling 1 800 263 3777 English or 1 800 263 7854 French 8 4 For help outside of the United States and Canada call the following numbers as appropriate Mexico 525 625 3256 In Puerto Rico 1 800 496 9992 English or 1 800 496 9993 Spanish Inthe U S Virgin Islands 1 800 496 9994 Inthe Dominican Republic 1 800 751 4135 English or 1 800 751 4136 Spanish In the Bahamas 1 800 389 0009 In Bermuda Barbados Antigua and the British Virgin Islands 1 800 534 0122 In all other Caribbean countries 809 763 1315 Inother overseas locations call GM International Product Center in Canada at 905 644 4112
175. ll start with the driver position Driver Position This part describes the driver s restraint system Lap Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap shoulder belt Here s how to wear it properly 1 Close and lock the door 2 Adjust the seat to see how see Seats in the Index so you can sit up straight 1 14 3 Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you Don t let it get twisted The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly If this happens let the belt go back slightly to unlock it Then pull the belt across you more slowly Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle the belt Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure If the belt isn t long enough see Safety Belt Extender at the end of this section Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to 5 To make the lap part tight pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt 1 15 The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips just touching the thighs crash this applies force to the strong pelvic bones And you d be less likely to slide under the lap belt If you slid under it the belt would apply force at your abdomen This could cause serio
176. lt 22 222 22 22 2 222 2 45 Reclining Front Seatbacks 1 4 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 7 48 Recreational Vehicle Towing Ez EY ERE Yo 4 31 Refrigerants Air Conditioning 6 62 Remote Keyless Entry System E an Remote Trunk Release 2 10 Removing the 2 55 Replacement PS SILET RR ra eee wie o ORCI 53 6 61 DNE o LL IRA qu EIER E EE AES pry Irae cin ts ML eke 6 45 Replacing Safety Belts AAEREN 1 49 Reporting Safety 8 10 Restraints CHORE roerien eriei as cast bear ria rn 1 49 Cd 6a 2k 3239 9 9 3E RTT CCCII 9 1 38 LS LT fi grils a ed an e P e e t A ie e p AELIAN De L PART 1 6 Replacing Parts Aflera Crash 1 49 System la aa a 7 42 Reverse Automatic Transaxle 2 20 Reverse Manual Transaxle SHEER 2 24 Right Front Passenger Position 1 23 Roadside Assistance Sa aie Chore B 6 Roadside Assistance Canadian T ROS OR 8 8 Rocking Your VOR nie cree Sty bon ee 5 34 Dr S St area els 6 41 9 8 Safety Det BROWSE naa 1 49 SATO Bells or asia aa aa ee at de ORA 1 8 PATTI GL nurse vue Ergo
177. luid to bring the level up to the mark What to Use To determine what kind of fluid to use see Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the Index Always use the proper fluid Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals Windshield Washer Fluid NOTICE What to Use When you need windshield washer fluid be sure to read When using concentrated washer fluid the manufacturer s instructions before use If you will be follow the manufacturer s instructions for operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature adding water may fall below freezing use a fluid that has sufficient Don t mix water with ready to use washer protection against freezing fluid Water can cause the solution to freeze Ini and damage your washer fluid tank and Adding Washer Fluid other parts of the washer system Also COEM AN Open the cap labeled water doesn t clean as well as washer fluid Head WASHER FLUID ONLY Fill your washer fluid tank only Add washer fluid until the three quarters full when it s very cold This tank is full allows for expansion if freezing occurs which could damage the tank if it is completely full Don t use radiator antifreeze in your windshield washer It can damage your washer system and paint Brakes Brake Fluid Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here It is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might g
178. lways set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK P See Shifting Into PARK P in the Index If you re pulling a trailer see Towing a Trailer in the Index 4 Speed Automatic Transaxle Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK P range before starting the engine Your Pontiac has brake transaxle shift interlock You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK P when the ignition key is in the RUN position If you cannot shift out of PARK ease pressure on the shift lever push the shift lever all the way into PARK P and also release the shift lever button on floor shift console models as you maintain brake application Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish Press the shift lever button before moving the shift lever See Shifting Out of PARK P in the Index REVERSE R Use this gear to back up NOTICE Shifting to REVERSE R while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transaxle Shift to REVERSE R only after your vehicle is stopped To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow ice or sand without damaging your transaxle see If You re Stuck In Sand Mud Ice or Snow in the Index 2 20 NEUTRAL In this position your engine doesn t connect with the wheels To restart when you re already moving use NEUTRAL N only Also use NEUTRAL N when your vehicle is being towed Shifting out of PARK P
179. me of the collision If an air bag inflates you ll need to replace air bag system parts See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section 1 49 NOTES 1 50 Y Section 2 Features and Controls Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Pontiac and information on starting shifting and braking Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly and what to do if you have a problem 2 2 Keys 2 29 Parking Over Things That Burn 2 4 Door Locks 2 30 Engine Exhaust 2 6 Remote Keyless Entry 2 30 Kunning Your Engine While You re Parked 2 10 Trunk Automatic Transaxle 2 10 Theft 2 31 Windows 2 11 Passlock 2 33 Turn Signal Multifunction Lever 2 12 New Vehicle Break In 2 41 Exterior Lamps 2 12 Ignition Positions 2 43 Interior Lamps 2 14 Starting Your Engine 2 45 Mirrors 2 17 Engine Coolant Heater 2 47 Storage Compartments 2 18 Automatic Transaxle Operation 2 50 Sunroof If Equipped 2 23 Manual Transaxle Operation 2 51 Convertible Top 2 26 Parking Brake 2 62 The Instrument Panel Your 2 27 Shifting Into PARK P Information System Automatic Transaxle Models Only 2 66 Warning Lights Gages and Indicators 2 28 Shifting Out of PARK P Automatic Transaxle 2 1 Keys Leaving young children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons A child or others could be badly injured or even killed The
180. mon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe Turn on your hazard flashers e Tie ated cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you ve been stopped by the snow Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you If you have no blankets or extra clothing make body insulators from newspapers burlap bags rags floor mats anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm You can run the engine to keep warm but be careful 4 29 Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle This can cause deadly CO carbon monoxide gas to get inside CO could overcome you and kill you You can t see it or smell it so you might not know it is in your vehicle Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle especially any that is blocking your exhaust pipe And check around again from time to time to be sure snow doesn t collect there Open window just a little on the side of the vehicle that s away from the wind This will help keep CO out 4 30 Run your engine only as long as you must This saves fuel When you run the engine make it go a little faster than just idle That is push the accelerator slightly This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the battery charged You will need a well charged battery to restart the vehicle and possibly for signaling later on with your headlamps Let the heater run for awhile Then shut the engine off and clo
181. n or overinflation is all right It s not If your tires don t have enough air underinflation you can get the following Too much flexing Too much heat Tire overloading Bad wear Bad handling Bad fuel economy If your tires have too much air overinflation you can get the following Unusual wear Bad handling Rough ride Needless damage from road hazards Inflation Tire Pressure The Tire Loading Information label which is on the rear edge of the driver s door shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires when they re cold Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no mare than 1 mile 1 6 km 6 40 When to Check Check your tires once a month or more Don t forget your compact spare tire It should be at 60 psi 420 kPa How to Check Use a good quality pocket type gage to check tire pressure You can t tell if your tires are properly inflated simply by looking at them Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they re underinflated Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture Tire Inspection and Rotation Tires should be rotated every 6 000 to 8 000 miles CIO QUO to 13 000 Km Any time you notice unusual wear rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment Also check for damaged tires or wheels See When It s Time for New Tires and W
182. n t start after a few tries it probably needs service 13 Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical shorting Take care that they don t touch each other or any other metal A Heavy Metal Engine Part B Good Battery C Dead Battery Towing Your Vehicle Try to have a Pontiac dealer or a professional towing service tow your Sunfire They can provide the right equipment and know how to tow your vehicle without damage See Roadside Assistance in the Index If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it was factory new by adding aftermarket items like fog lamps aero skirting or special tires and wheels these instructions and illustrations may not be correct Before you do anything turn on the hazard warning flashers When you call tell the towing service o e o o6 That your vehicle cannot be towed with sling type equipment That your vehicle cannot be towed from the rear with the front wheels on the ground That your vehicle has front wheel drive The make model and year of your vehicle Whether you can still move the shift lever If there was an accident what was damaged When the towing service arrives let the tow operator know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations The operator may want to see them 5 8 2 2222 22 2 5 5 2 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 22 2 gt gt gt gt gt gt gt gt gt gt gt
183. n the UNLOCK button on the transmitter is pressed If the UNLOCK button is pressed again within five seconds all remaining doors will unlock The interior lamps will stay on for 40 seconds or until the ignition is turned on Trunk Release The trunk will unlock anytime when the vehicle symbol on the transmitter is pressed and the ignition is OFF The interior lamps will come on for 40 seconds or until the ignition switch is turned on 2 7 Matching Transmitter s To Your Vehicle Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle If a transmitter is lost or stolen a replacement be purchased through your dealer Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle any remaining transmitters must also be matched Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle Each vehicle can have only two transmitters matched to it You can match your transmitter to as many 1997 General Motors vehicles as you own as long as they have the same Remote Keyless Entry system Contact your dealer for assistance with this Battery Replacement Under normal use the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about two years You can tell the battery is we
184. n unlocked door when you slow down or stop vour vehicle This may not he so obvious You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren t locked Wear safety belts properly lock your doors and you will be far better off whenever you drive your vehicle To unlock the door pull the locking lever backward 24 a S A Power Door Locks If Equipped You can lock or unlock all doors of your vehicle from the driver s or front passenger s door lock switch Push the lower portion of the switch to lock your doors Push the upper portion of the switch to unlock your doors The lever on each rear door works only that doors lock It won t lock or unlock all of the doors that s a safety feature Rear Door Security Lock 4 Door Models Your Pontiac is equipped with rear door security locks that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors of your car from the inside To use one of these locks Use a key to move the lock all ihe way up ba Close the door aed Do the same thing to the other rear door lock The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from inside when this feature is in use If you want to open a rear door when the security lock is on 1 Unlock the door from the inside 2 Then open the door from the outside If you don t cancel the security lock feature adults or older children who ride in the rear won t be
185. nd low beam headlamps will be on at a reduced brightness The taillamps sidemarker and other lamps won t be on Your instrument panel won t be lit up either When you turn on the headlamp switch your high and low beam headlamps will go out and your regular headlamps will come on The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will also come on When you turn off the headlamp switch the regular lamps will go off and your high and low beam headlamps will come on to the reduced brightness To idle your vehicle with the DRL off set the parking brake The DRL will stay off until you release the parking brake As with any vehicle you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it Interior Lamps Instrument Panel Intensity Control You can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights by turning the dial left or right Turn the dial up all the way to the right to tum on the interior courtesy lamps Illuminated Entry When you open either front door or open a rear door the lamps inside your vehicle will go on These lamps will fade off after about 40 seconds or when the ignition is turned on after all of the doors have been closed If the ignition has been off for less than two minutes the lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about 15 seconds to provide an illuminated exit when you remove the key from the ignition After you exit the vehicle and all of the doors have been closed the lamps wil
186. ne the cause of failure In the event it is determined that the cause of the condition is the type of fuels used repairs may not be covered by your warranty Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions contain an octane enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl MMT ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel contains MMT General Motors does not recommend the use of such gasolines If fuels containing MMT are used spark plug life may be reduced and your emission control system performance may be affected The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn on If this occurs return to your authorized Pontiac dealer for service To provide cleaner air all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system allowing your emission control system to function properly Therefore you should not have to add anything to the fuel In addition gasolines containing oxygenates such as ethers and ethanol and reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to help clean the air General Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they comply with the specifications described earlier NOTICE Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol Don t use it It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts That damage
187. ngs Mirrors Manual Remote Control Mirror The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you can just see the side of your vehicle when vou are sitting in a comfortable driving position Inside Day Night Rearview Mirror Adjust the driver s side outside mirror with the control lever on the driver s door To adjust your passenger s side mirror sit in the driver s To reduce glare from lamps behind you move the lever seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror for you toward you to the night position 2 45 Power Remote Control Mirror If Equipped The mirror control is located on the driver s door Rotate the control clockwise or counterclockwise to choose the mirror you want to adjust Then move the control in the direction you want the mirror to move Adjust each mirror so you can just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable driving position The mirror is a spring loaded breakaway design 2 46 Convex Outside Mirror Your passenger s side mirror is convex A convex mirror s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver s seat A convex mirror can make things like other vehicles look farther away than they really are If you cut too sharply into the right lane you could hit a vehicle on your right Check your inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes Storage Compartments Center Console Cupholders Center Console Storage Area
188. nings Don t tow a trailer during break in See Towing a Trailer in the Index for more information With the ignition key in the ignition switch you can turn the switch to five positions ACCESSORY A This is an on position in which you can operate your electrical power accessories Press in the ignition switch as you turn the top of it toward you 2 12 LOCK This is the only position in which you can remove the key This locks your steering wheel ignition and transaxle OFF C This position unlocks the steering wheel ignition and transaxle but does not send electrical power to any accessories In the OFF position the instrument cluster and the automatic transaxle gear shift indicator have electrical power Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed but never try to push start your vehicle A warning chime will sound if you open the driver s door when the ignition is off and the key is im the ignition RUN D This is an on position to which the switch returns after you start your engine and release the switch The switch stays in the RUN position when the engine is running But even when the engine is not running vou can use RUN to operate your electrical power accessories and to display some instrument panel warning lights START E This position starts the engine When the engine starts release the key The ignition switch will return to RUN for normal driving Note that even i
189. nly driven under one or more of these conditions In hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing Continued 100 000 Miles 166 000 km Continued Uses such as found in taxi police or delivery service If you do not use your vehicle under any af these conditions the fluid and filter do not require changing Manual transaxle fluid doesn t require change ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 150 000 Miles 240 000 LI Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 60 months since last service whichever occurs first See Engine Coolant in the Index for what to use Inspect hoses Clean radiator condenser pressure cap and neck Pressure test cooling system and pressure cap An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SEKVICED BY Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule The services shown in this schedule up to 100 000 miles Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage 166 000 km should be performed after 100 000 miles 4 good time to check your brakes is during tire 166 000 km at the same intervals The services shown pte NIE NER ES at 150 000 miles 240 000 km should be performed at tation Sec Brake System Inspection under Periodic old nca nS HOMIE S Maintenance Inspections in Part of this schedule the same interval after 150 000 miles 240 000 km Shere Sar ae If you drive in a highly corros
190. nob selects the force of air you want Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed and counterclockwise to decrease fan speed To turn the fan off turn the mode knob all the way counterclockwise In any other setting the fan will run continuously Temperature Knob The center knob changes the temperature of the air coming through the system Turn this knob toward red clockwise for warmer air Turn it toward blue counterclockwise for cooler air Mode Knob The right knob has several settings to control the direction of airflow For each setting set the temperature to a comfortable setting vf VENT This setting brings in outside air and directs it through the instrument panel outlets yd BI LEVEL This setting brings in outside air and directs it two ways Some air is directed through the instrument panel outlets Most of the air is directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost and side window vents vJ FLOOR This setting sends most of the air through the ducts near the floor The rest comes out of the defroster and side window vents DEFOG This setting allows half of the air to go to the floor ducts and half to the defroster and side window vents WY DEFROST This setting directs most of the air through the defroster and side window vents Some of the air goes to the floor ducts Climate Control System with Air Conditioning If Equipped Fan Knob The left knob selects the force of air you w
191. ntiac But please follow the steps below to do it safely NOTICE Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to your vehicle that wouldn t be covered hy your warranty Trying to start your Pontiac by pushing or pulling it could damage your vehicle even if you have a manual transaxle And if vou have an automatic transaxle it won t start that way Batteries can hurt you They can be dangerous because They contain acid that can burn you They contain gas that can explode or ignite They contain enough electricity to burn you If you don t follow these steps exactly some or all of these things can hurt vou 1 Check the other vehicle It must have a 1 2 volt battery with a negative ground system NOTICE If the other system isn t a 12 volt system with a negative ground both vehicles can he damaged 5 3 5 4 2 Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach but be sure the vehicles aren t touching each other If they are it could cause a ground connection you don t want You wouldn t be able to start your Pontiac and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling set the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in the jump start procedure Put an automatic transaxle in PARK P or a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake Tum off the ignition on both vehicles Unplug
192. o EEEN 6 43 Pere nee ee ERU E RT 4 39 EIS 552 AES oot er He 6 47 Driving on Grades 4 4 Changing css ies ics era 5 23 Following Distance 4 29 CIE Leer rcr Heer er cee 6 53 Hab See 4 38 Compact Spare P TED MEE CE M 5 33 Maintenance When Towing 4 42 Inflation UP DECEM aye esheets 6 40 MAk EMEP OR os cig gy a AR ERR RC 4 40 Inflation Be ER aps Set 7 41 Parking Ons 4 41 Inspection and Rotation 6 41 Passing Pet pap oC eme Lu E e a et rere e SOR EN nad adea n 4 33 Safety Chains i aeu ese an eta wine an 4539 PERIE ee e e XO EA enn 2 5 40 longue 4 gt 4 4 37 RO enm d Total Weight on es 4 38 TP IU NI Een RETE ERIT 8 44 aii pres ERI EO EY IS 4 35 arid aa EHI Push ae T E Nds 6 44 Turn Signals fel vate ia Sis fe ae Uniform Quality Grading 6 44 Weight CY33 25 4 37 Used Replacement Wheel 6 46 Transaxle Wear Indicators 6 42 Automaltit 2 14 2 18 6 17 6 20 BART Beem emer
193. o a tow truck be sure to read all the information in Towing Your Vehicle earlier in this section 5 10 NOTICE Do not tow with sling type equipment or fascia fog lamp damage will occur Use wheel lift or car carrier equipment Additional ramping may be required for car carrier equipment Use safety chains and wheel straps Towing over rough surfaces could damage a vehicle Damage can occur from vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel lift equipment To help avoid damage install a towing dolly and raise vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained between the ground and or wheel lift equipment Do not attach winch cables or J hooks to suspension components when using car carrier equipment Always use T hooks inserted in the T hook slots Attach a separate safety chain around the outboard end of each lower control arm 5 11 Rear Towing Before hooking up to tow truck be sure to read all the information in Towing Your Vehicle earlier in this section Also be sure to use the proper hook up for your particular vehicle Attach T hook chains on both sides in the slotted holes Towing dolly required under front wheels when in the bottom of the frame rail just ahead of the rear equipped with automatic transaxle or damage wheels These slots are to be used when loading and will occur securing to car carrier equipment NOTICE Place the front wheels on a towing dolly or place the vehicle on car carrier
194. o down The first is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear When new linings are put in the fluid level goes back up The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake system If it is you should have your brake system fixed since a leak means that sooner or later your brakes won t work well or won t work at all 6 30 50 it isn t a good idea to top off your brake fluid Adding brake fluid won t correct a leak If you add fluid when your linings are worn then you ll have too much fluid when you get new brake linings You should add or remove brake fluid as necessary only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system If you have too much brake fluid it can spill on the engine The fluid will burn if the engine is hot enough You or others could be burned and your vehicle could be damaged Add brake Muid only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system When your brake fluid falls to a low level your brake warning light will come on See Brake System Warning Light in the Index What to Add When you do need brake fluid use only DOT 3 brake NOTICE fluid such as Delco Supreme 117 GM Part No 12377967 Use new brake fluid from a sealed Using the wrong fluid can badly damage container only brake system parts For example just a few drops of mineral based oil such as engine oil in your brake system can damage brake system parts so b
195. of motion After driving for any distance at higher speeds you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are Before Leaving on a Long Trip Make sure you re ready Try to be well rested If you must start when you re not fresh such as after day s work don t plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily drive in Is your vehicle ready for a long trip If you keep it serviced and maintained it s ready to go If it needs service have it done before starting out Of course you ll find experienced and able service experts in Pontiac dealerships all across North America They ll be ready and willing to help if you need it Here are some things you can check before a trip e Windshield Washer Fluid Is the reservoir full Are all windows clean inside and outside e Wiper Blades Are they in good shape Fuel Engine Oil Other Fluids Have you checked all levels Lamps Are they all working Are the lenses clean Tires They are vitally important to a safe trouble free trip Is the tread good enough for long distance driving Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure e Weather Forecasts What s the weather outlook along your route Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid major storm system e Maps Do you have up to date maps 4 23 Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as highway hypn
196. of your vehicle put your manual transaxle in REVERSE R and firmly apply the parking brake If vou are parking on a hill or if your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer see Towing a Trailer in the Index Parking Over Things That Burn Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust paris under vour vehicle and ignite Don t park over papers leaves dry grass or other things that can burn 2 29 Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You re Parked Automatic Transaxle It s better not to park with the engine running But if you ever have to here are some things to know Engine exhaust can kill It contains the gas carbon monoxide CO which you can t see or smell It can cause unconsciousness and death You might have exhaust coming in if Idling the engine with the climate control system off could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle see the earlier Caution under Engine Exhaust Also idling in a closed in place can let deadly e Your exhaust system sounds strange or dilTerent e Your vehicle gets rusty underneath Your vehicle was damaged in a collision Your vehicle was damaged when driving over carbon monoxide CO into your vehicle even if the fan switch is at the highest setting One place this can happen is a garage Exhaust with CO can come in easily NEVER park in a garage with the engine running Another closed in place can be a blizzard See Blizzard in the Index h
197. oise Reduction is manufactured under a license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Dolby and the double D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation REV 5 Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly Press it again to return to plaving speed The radio will play the last selected station while the tape reverses You may select stations during REV operation by using SEEK or TUNE FWD 6 Press this button to advance quickly to another part of the tape Press the button again to return to playing speed The radio will play the last selected station while the tape advances You may select stations during FWD operation by using SEEK or TUNE Press this button to play the radio when a tape is in the player TAPE PLAY Press this button to change to the tape function when the radio is on The tape symbol with an arrow will appear on the display when the tape 15 active To return to playing the radio press the AM FM button EJECT Press this button to remove the tape The radio will play EJECT may be activated with either the ignition or radio off Cassettes may be loaded with the radio and ignition off if this button is pressed first If 3 12 you leave a cassette tape in the player while listening to the radio it may become warm CLN If this message appears on the display the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned It will still play tapes but you should clean it as soon as possible
198. ol switch off until you want to use it 1 Move the cruise control switch to ON 3 Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and 2 Get up to the speed you want poesie t release it 4 Take your foot off the accelerator pedal Resuming a Set Speed You ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there If you hold the switch at R A longer than half a second the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the switch or apply the brake or clutch pedal You could be startled and even lose control 5o unless you want to go faster do not hold the switch at R A Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to go to a higher speed Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed Press the SET button at the end of the lever then release the button and the accelerator pedal You ll now cruise at the higher speed Move the cruise switch from ON to Hold it Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed there until you get up to the speed you want and and then you apply the brake or clutch pedal This of then release the switch To increase your speed in course shuts off the cruise control But you don t need very small amounts move the switch to R A for to reset it Once you re going about 25 mph 40 km h less than half a second and then release it Each or more you can move the cruise control switch from time you do this your vehicle will go about 1 mph ON
199. oleum 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 meets all the requirements for your velucle 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 0W 30 oil Both will provide easier cold starting and better protection for your engine ar extremely low temperatures DO MOT USE SAE 20W 50 ANY OTHER GRADE DIL NOT RECOMMENDED 6 14 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 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 your vehicle The vehicle is used for delivery service police taxi or other commercial application 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 whicheve
200. on Control Service See footnote T 93 000 Miles 155 000 km Inspect Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR Change engine oil and filter or every system 2 2L Code 4 engine only 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service See footnote An Emission Control Service _ Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote DAT ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 96 000 Miles 160 000 km CI Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote ff Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote 99 000 Miles 165 000 km C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 100 000 Miles 166 000 km L Inspect spark plug wires except 2 4L Code In heavy city traffic where the outside T engine An Emission Control Service temperature regularly reaches 90 F _ Replace spark plugs 32 C or higher An Emission Control Service _ Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mai
201. on key to RUN If it doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there s a problem If the light comes on while you are driving pull off the road and stop carefully You may notice that the pedal is harder to push Or the pedal may go closer to the floor It may take longer to stop If the light is still on have the vehicle towed for service See Towing Your Vehicle in the Index Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake system warning light is on Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead to an accident If the light is still on after you ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully have the vehicle towed for service When the ignition is on the brake system warning light will alsa come on when you set your parking brake The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn t release fully If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released it means you have a brake problem Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light With the anti lock brake system this light will come on when vou start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds That s normal If the light stays on turn the ignition to OFF Or if the light comes on when you re driving stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off Then start the engine again to reset the system If the light still stays on or comes on again while you re driving your Pontiac needs service If t
202. on you if you open the fwel filler cap too quickly This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full and is more likely in hot weather Open the fuel filler cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise to stop Then unscrew the cap all the way Be careful not to spill gasoline Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as soon as possible See Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac in the Index When you put the cap back on turn it to the right clockwise until you hear a clicking sound Make sure you fully install the cap The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed This would allow fuel to evaporate inta the atmosphere See Malfunction Indicator Lamp in the Index NOTICE If you need a new cap be sure to get the right tvpe Your dealer can get one for you If you get the wrong type it may not fit properly This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light and your fuel tank and emissions system may be damaged See Malfunction Indicator Lamp in the Index 6 6 Checking Things Under the Hood Hood Release The following sections tell you how to check fluids lubricants and important parts underhood To open the hood first pull the handle An electric fan under the hood can start up and enr gp inside the vehicle injure you even when the engine is not running Keep hands clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan Things that
203. onths whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 18 60 000 Miles 100 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate chassis components or every 6 months whichever occurs first See footnote _ Inspect engine accessory drive belt Emission Control Service Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control Service Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service See footnote Inspect Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system 2 2L Code 4 engine only An Emission Control Service See footnote C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 19 Short Trip City Maintenance Schedule 63 000 Miles 105 000 km 66 000 Miles 110 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every Change engine oil and filter or
204. ontral Fuse L HDLP INST LPS STOP HAZ PWR WINDOW PCM IGN INT LAMP IGN R HDLP Usage Left Headlamp Cigarette Lighter Horn Diagnostic Connector Instrument Panel Lights Warning Chimes Exterior Lamps Anti Lock Brakes Cruise Control Power Windows Power Sunroof Top Controls Convertible Models Circuit Breaker Powertrain Control Module Alarm Module Hluminated Entry Warning Chimes Overhead Lamps Map Reading Lamps Glove Box Lamp Trunk Lamp Radio Power Mirrors Remote Keyless Entry Engine Ignition Right Headlamp 6 59 Steering Wheel Controls If Equipped Fuse Panel Your steering wheel radio controls are protected by fuses For service contact your Pontiac Service Department Engine Compartment Fuse Block Fuse IGN BATT BATT 2 ABS COOLING FAN BLO The engine compartment fuse block is located on the driver s side of the engine compartment Lift the cover ABS to check the fuses GEN Usage Ignition Switch Circuits Power ACC Stoplamp Circuits Lighting Circuits Anti Lock Brake System Engine Cooling Fan Heater and A C Blower Powertrain Control Module AJC Compressor Anti Lock Brake System Gen Voltage Sensor 2 2L Engine Replacement Bulbs Engine Crankcase 4 quarts 3 8 L OUTSIDE LAMPS BULB Automatic Transaxle 4 Speed Automatic a Transaxle Not Owner Serviceable Back Up Lamps E wo C 3156 Pan Removal and Replacement 7 4 quarts 7 0
205. or NEUTRAL N while your engine is racing running at high speed is dangerous Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal your vehicle could move very rapidly You could lose control and hit people or objects Don t shift out of PARK P or NEUTRAL while your engine is racing NOTICE Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out of PARK P or NEUTRAL N with the engine racing isn t covered by your warranty Forward Gears 3 Speed FIRST 1 This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than SECOND 2 You can use it on very steep hills or in deep snow or mud DRIVE D This position is for normal driving SECOND 2 This position gives you more power but If the selector lever is put in FIRST 1 the transaxle lower fuel economy You can use SECOND 2 on hills won t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going It can help control your speed as you go down steep slowly enough mountain roads but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on NOTICE NOTICE Don t drive in SECOND 2 for more than 25 miles 41 km or at speeds over 55 mph If your front wheels can t rotate don t try to drive This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object You could damage your transaxle Also if you stop when going uphill don t hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal This could overheat and dama
206. or broom a supply of windshield washer fluid rag some winter outer Here are some tips for winter driving clothing a small shovel a flashlight a red cloth and a couple of reflective warming triangles And if you will be driving under severe conditions include a small bag You may want to put winter emergency supplies in of sand a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags your trunk to help provide traction Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle Have your vehicle in good shape for winter 4 26 Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction However if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road you can have a very slippery situation You ll have a lot less traction or grip and will need to be very careful What s the worst time for this Wet ice Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all You can get wet ice when it s about freezing 32 F 0 C and freezing rain begins to fall Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there Whatever the condition smooth ice packed blowing or loose snow drive with caution If you have the Enhanced Traction System keep the system on It will improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road Even though your vehicle h
207. or warranty service It applies to any repair covered under the 3 year 36 000 mile 60 000 km limited warranty and to any 1997 Pontiac requiring repair as a result of product recall or special policy situations For same day service you are entitled to one way shuttle service of up to 100 miles 16 km If the vehicle requires multiple day repairs you re entitled to either a Pontiac loaner or reimbursement for a rental car up to 30 day for up to five days Some state insurance regulations make tt impractical to rent vehicles to people under 21 years of age If you are under 21 and have difficulty renting a vehicle Pontiac will reimburse you up to 30 day for any documented transportation you receive In Canada please consult vour GM dealer for information on Courtesy Transportation GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program This program is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia Canadian owners refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet for information on the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan CAMVAP General Motors reserves the right to change eligibility limitations and or to discontinue its participation in this program Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed to making sure you are completely satisfied with your new vehicle Our experience has shown that if a situation arises Where you feel your concern has not been adequately addressed
208. osis Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel Call it highway hypnosis lack of awareness or whatever There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery along with the hum of the tires on the road the drone of the engine and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy Don t let it happen to you If it does your vehicle can leave the road in fess than a second and you could crash and be injured What can you do about highway hypnosis First be aware that it can happen Then here are some tips Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated with a comfortably cool interior Keep your eyes moving Scan the road ahead and to the sides Check your rearview mirrors and your instruments frequently If you get sleepy pull off the road into a rest service or parking area and take get some exercise or both For safety treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency 4 24 Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain If you drive regularly in steep country or if you re planning to visit there here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable Keep your vehicle in good shape Check all fluid levels and also the brakes tires cooling system and transaxle These parts can work hard on mountain roads Know how to go down hills The most important t
209. ou do if this ever happens Ease up on the accelerator pedal steer the vehicle the way you want it to go and slow down Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed Of course the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions Under less favorable conditions you ll want to go slower If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve do it before you enter the curve while your front wheels are straight ahead Try to adjust your speed so you can drive through the curve Maintain a reasonable steady speed Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve and then accelerate gently into the straightaway 4 11 Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking For example you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you You can avoid these problems by braking if you can stop in time But sometimes you can t there isn t room That s the time for evasive action steering around the problem Your Pontiac can perform very well in emergencies like these First apply your brakes See Braking in Emergencies earlier in this section It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision Then steer around the problem to the left or night depending on the space available 4 12
210. ou get out when you re stuck but you must use caution If you let your tires spin at high speed they can explode and you or others could be injured And the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can overheat That could cause an engine compartment fire or other damage When you re stuck spin the wheels as little as possible Don t spin the wheels above 35 mph 55 km h as shown on the speedometer 5 34 NOTICE Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well as the tires If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back and forth you can destroy your transaxle For information about using tire chains on your vehicle see Tire Chains in the Index Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out First turn your steering wheel left and right That will clear the area around your front wheels If vour vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System you should turn the system off See Enhanced Traction System in the Index Then shift back and forth between REVERSE R and a forward gear or with a manual transaxle between FIRST 1 or SECOND 2 and REVERSE R spinning the wheels as little as possible Release the accelerator pedal while you shift and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear If that doesn t get you out after a few tries you may need to be towed out If you do need to be towed out see Towing Your Vehicle in the Index NOTES 0
211. ou go in to order it take the heaviest coat you will wear so the extender will be long enough for you The extender will be just for you and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose Don t let someone else use it and use it only for the seat it is made to To wear it just attach it to the regular safety belt Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts buckles latch plates retractors and anchorages are working properly Look for any other loose or damaged safety helt system parts If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job have it repaired Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in crash They can rip apart under impact forces If a helt is torn or frayed get a new one right away Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers and have them repaired or replaced The air bag system does not need regular maintenance Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash If you ve had a crash do you need new belts After a very minor collision nothing may be necessary But if the belts were stretched as they would be if worn during more severe crash then you need new belts If belts are cut or damaged replace them Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt wasn t being used at the ti
212. ough large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems too The water may affect your brakes Try to avoid puddles But if you can t try to slow down before you hit them 4 19 Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water This can happen if the road is wet enough and you re going fast enough When your vehicle is hydroplaning it has little or no contact with the road Hydroplaning doesn t happen often But it can if your tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road If you can see reflections from trees telephone poles or other vehicles and raindrops dimple the water s surface there could be hydroplaning Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds There just isn t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning The best advice is to slow down when it is raining 4 20 Driving Through Deep Standing Water NOTICE If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water water can come in through your engine s air intake and badly damage vour engine Never drive through water that is slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle If you can t avoid deep puddles or standing water drive through them very slowly Some Other Rainy Weather Tips Tum on your low beam headlamps not just your parking lamps
213. ow one that has the same amperage Just pick some feature of your vehicle that you can get along without like the radio or cigarette lighter and use its fuse if it is the correct amperage Replace it as soon as you can There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle the instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment fuse block 66 57 Instrument Panel Fuse Black Fuse TURN B U The fuse panel is located under the left end of the E P INJ instrument panel To open push the tab on the access door to the left and pull the door forward Make sure to CLUSTER insert the tabs first when replacing the cover CLS PCM RR DFOG i di 2 a Usage Exterior Lamps Back up Lamps Fuel Pump Fuel Injectors Instrument Cluster Anti Lock Brake System Instrument Cluster Powertrain Control Module Daytime Running Lamps Rear Window Defogger Rear Sensor Heater Fuse WIPER ERLS AIR BAG EXT LAMP PWR ACC HVAC RADIO ALARM CRUISE Usage Windshield Wipers Windshield Washers Automatic Transaxle Brake Transaxle Shift Interlock A C Compressor Cruise Control Exhaust Gas Recirculation Canister Purge Valve A C Compressor Air Bag System Exterior Lamps Instrument Panel Lights Power Door Locks Convertible Top Convertible Model Heater and A C Control Anti Lock Brake System Radio Remote Keyless Entry Interior Lamps Alarm Module Warning Chimes Cruise C
214. p shoulder belt and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible below the rounding throughout the pregnancy 1 22 The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother When a safety belt is worn properly it s more likely that the fetus won t be hurt in a crash For pregnant women as for anyone the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly Right Front Passenger Position The right front passenger s safety belt works the same way as the driver s safety belt See Driver Position earlier in this section Supplemental Restraint System SRS This part explains the Supplemental Restraint System SRS or air bag system Your Pontiac has two air bags one air bag for the driver and another air bag for the right front passenger Here are the most important things to know about the air bag system You can be severely injured or killed in crash if you aren t wearing your safety belt even if you have air bags Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it Air bags are supplemental restraints to the safety belts All air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don t replace them Air bags are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your vehicle hits something Thev aren t designed to inflate at all in rollover rear side or low speed frontal crashes Ever
215. perty could be damaged Make sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case it begins to roll Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move Park on a fairly steep hill with the vehicle facing downhill Keeping your foot on the regular brake set the parking brake Tocheck the parking brake s holding ability With the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only e To check the PARK P mechanism s holding ability With the engine running shift to PARK P Then release all brakes Underbody Flushing Service At least every spring use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can collect 7 45 Part C Periodic Maintenance Inspections Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year for instance each spring and fall You should let your GM dealer s service department or other qualified service center do these jobs Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once Proper procedures to perform these services may be found in GM service manual See Service and Owner Publications in the Index Steering Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
216. play PRESET Press this button to play a station you have programmed on the radio preset buttons PLAY Press this button to play a cassette tape or compact disc when the radio is playing MUTE Press this button to silence the system Press it again or any other radio button to turn on the sound VOL Press the up or down arrow to increase or decrease volume 3 21 Understanding Radio Reception FM Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles 16 to 65 km Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals causing the sound to come and go AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM especially at night The longer range however can cause stations to interfere with each other AM can pick up noise from things like storms and power lines Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it Tips About Your Audio System Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it is too late Your hearing can adapt to higher volumes of sound Sound that seems normal can be loud and harmful to your hearing Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it 3 22 To help avoid hearing loss or damage Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly NOTICE Before you add anv sound eq
217. pots and stains will clean off better with just water and mild soap If you need to use a solvent 1 Gently scrape excess soil from the tim material with clean dull knife or scraper 2 Use very little cleaner light pressure and clean cloths preferably cheesecloth Cleaning should start at the outside of the stain feathering toward the center 3 Keep changing to a clean section of the cloth 4 When you clean a stain from fabric immediately dry the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring Special Cleaning Problems Greasy or Oily Stains Stains caused by grease oil butter margarine shoe polish coffee with cream chewing gum cosmetic creams vegetable oils wax crayon tar and asphalt can be removed as follows Carefully scrape off excess stain 2 Follow the solvent type instructions described earlier Shoe polish wax crayon tar and asphalt will stain if left vehicle s seat fabric They should be removed as soon as possible Be careful because the cleaner will dissolve them and may cause them to spread Non Greasy Stains Stains caused by catsup coffee black egg fruit fruit juice milk soft drinks wine vomit urine and blood can be removed as follows I Carefully scrape off excess stain then sponge the soiled area with cool water ba If a stain remains follow the foam type instructions described earlier 3 If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urin
218. r occurs first If none of them is true use the long trip highway maintenance schedule Change the 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 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 vour 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 vou 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 6 15 Air Cleaner To check or replace the filter remove the screws that hold the cover on and lift the cover Be sure to reinstall The air cleaner is located on the driver s side of the the air cleaner filter and replace the cover tightly engine compa
219. r both These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury The instructions that come with the infant or child restraint will show you how to do that Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat We at General Motors therefore recommend that you put your child restraint in the rear seat Never put a rear facing child restraint in the front passenger seat Here s why A child in a rear facing child restraint can be seriously injured if the right front passenger s air bag inflates This is because the back of a rear facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag Always secure a rear facing child restraint in the rear seat You may however secure a forward facing child restraint in the right front seat Before you secure forward facing child restraint always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go Or secure the child restraint in the rear seat Wherever you install it be sure to secure the child restraint properly Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in vour vehicle even when no child is in it Top Strap If your child restraint has a top
220. ra aCe QU 7 41 Identification Number Sipe 6 56 Windshield Wipers Pathe est 2 34 6 57 4 33 See A qe DU au drea t 6 34 Blade Replacement 6 39 6 37 Ventilation System on ners a 5 Winter Driving 22 4 26 Visors eR I rte it 3 50 Wiring Pom 6 57 Wrecker Towing a ere ae aea a arae E 5 8 Wyench WD loca ea EEA UE ICE RT RECHTS 5 25 9 11 Service Station Checkpoints COOLANT 2 41 ENGINE SURGE TANK OIL DIPSTICK P 25 QI en 221 ENGINE f OIL DIPSTICK P8 11 FUEL DOOR SECONDARY HOOD RELEASE WINDSHIELD FLUID RESERVOIR BATTERY 33 REMOTE TRUNK RELEASE IF EQUIPPED P2 10 For detailed information refer to the page number listed or see the Index in the back of the owner s manual 9 12 1997
221. rake and shift your automatic transaxle to PARK P or your manual transaxle to NEUTRAL 2 Turn the ignition to RUN 3 Lower the door windows to avoid wear to the weather strips 6 Lift the side cover eyelet C at the rear of the side boot cover from the snap ball stud 0 Raise the back of the boot side cover to unhook the tab A from the slot B in the quarter trim panel Do the same on the other side 7 Store both boot side covers in the trunk 8 Close the trunk 4 Push the button in the latch handle and rotate the handle down 9 Raise the rear seatback to the up position Push the seat back to make sure it is latched 2 57 5 Push the handle forward toward the windshield and Lowering the Top Manually hold it until the convertible top is fully raised and the latch pins are all the way in the holes above the windshield NOTICE Do not attempt to lower the top manually as damage to the vehicle will occur If the top fails to raise or lower completely see Raising the Top Manually following 6 Rotate the latch handle up to lock the top Be sure the top is securely latched Raising the Top Manually If your vehicle loses power or something else happens that prevents you from raising the top electrically you may need to raise the top manually This will allow you to safely drive the vehicle until you can get the top repaired Raising the convertible top manually should onl
222. re non abrasive and made for a basecoat clearcoat paint finish 1 NOTICE Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat clearcoat paint finish may dull the finish or leave swirl marks Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts ice melting agents road oil and tar tree sap bird droppings chemicals from industrial chimneys etc can damage your vehicle s finish if they remain on painted surfaces Wash the vehicle as soon as possible If 6 52 necessary use non abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging weather and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period of years You can help to keep the paint finish looking new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered whenever possible Cleaning Your Convertible Top Your convertible top should be cleaned often If you use an automatic car wash use one with water jets and hanging cloths High pressure cur washes may cause water to enter your vehicle When you hand wash the top do it in partial shade Use a mild soap lukewarm water and a soft sponge A chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top and a brush can chafe the threads in the top fabric Don t use detergents harsh cleaners solvents or bleaching agents When you clean the top put one hand under it to support it Wet the entire vehicle and wash the top evenly to avoid spots or ring
223. re are some basic things you should know Positive 4 will go to positive and negative will go to negative or a metal engine part Don t connect positive 4 to negative or you ll get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engines are running Don t let the other end touch metal Connect it lo the positive terminal of the good battery Use a remote positive 4 terminal if the vehicle has ene Now connect the black negative cable to the good battery s negative terminal 7 Remowe the red plastic cap and connect the red positive cable to the positive terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery Use a remote positive terminal if the vehicle has one Don t let the other end touch anything until the next step The other end of the negative cable doesn t go to the dead battery It goes to heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery 5 6 Attach the cable at least 18 inches 45 em away from the dead battery but not near engine parts thal move The electrical connection is just as good there but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery If it wo
224. rming grid and the repairs wouldn t be covered by your warranty Audio Systems Your Delco audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first Find out what your Delco system can do and how to operate all its controls to be sure you re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it Setting the Clock for AM FM Stereo Press SET Within five seconds press and hold the SEEK down arrow until the correct hour appears on the display Press and hold the SEEK up arrow until the correct minute appears on the display Setting the Clock for All Systems Except AM FM Stereo Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears Press and hold MIN until the correct minute appears There will he a two second delay before the clock goes into time set mode and the colon on the display will blink while in this mode 3 7 AM FM Stereo a ee 1 E IM Playing the Radio VOLUME Push this knob to turn the system on and off To increase volume turn the knob clockwise Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume RCL PROG Press this button to recall the station being played or to display the clock 3 8 Finding a Station AM FM Press this button to switch between AM and FM The display shows your selection TUNE Turn the lower knob to choose radio stations SEEK
225. rocedure 8 3 Damage reece are eae DER 6 54 Damage Sheet Metal 6 53 Daytime Running Lamps 2 41 Ead GUE zia DU 2 ad Defects Reporting Shfely coercere 8 10 Defensive DIVINE serora eat eet m eee reer 4 2 Defogger Rear Window 3 7 i RENAL TIC TRES SS ET ON X ROCA ORO D 3 6 Defodlif xao ee ER Dimensions pesa 6 62 Dolby B Noise Reduction 3 11 3 15 Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement 6 38 e T I 2 4 Drive Automatic Transaxle 2 21 Dimer eee 1 14 Driving EXPL HOON A UNTER ECOL 4 21 Dense eo EY bea Rr UR ERI 4 2 OEE eee ge FON acs saat Sd eae pe Pera sie eer arr 4 22 Ina Blizzard eae eI 4 38 In Foreign Countries 2 6 4 Ins Bim cs 4 18 NIB ia alata 4 16 bie 4 11 On Hill and Mountain PEP 2 5 Divi 4 24 On Suow and leg scare en nra RR Cep ne 4 27 Lilla caters ete oleae ee CM 4 20 Wet M Nd 5 ered ara O 4 18 MEI nee oL Eee Am Ta a e ATENE ie E IY OF UN 4 26 Wibx INHER
226. rol set speed memory is erased Exterior Lamps The band on the turn signal multifunction lever controls your vehicle s lamps Parking Lamps P This position will turn on the following e Parking Lamps Sidemarker Lamps Tullamps Instrument Panel Lights Headlamps This position will turn on the following Headlamps Parking Lamps Sidemarker Lamps Taillamps Instrument Panel Lights Turn the band clockwise all the way to turn the lamps off Lamps On Reminder If you open the driver s door with the ignition off and the lamps on you will hear a warning chime Daytime Running Lamps Daytime Running Lamps DRL can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset 2 41 The DRL system will make your high and low beam headlamps come on at a reduced brightness in daylight when The ignition is on with the engine running The headlamp switch is OFF The parking brake is released and The transaxle is not in PARK P on models with an automatic transaxle only This indicator light on your instrument panel comes on when DRL on A flashing DRL light indicates a possible burned out headlamp or that the vehicle may need service to repair a stuck DRL relay 2 42 When the DRL are on only your high a
227. rotect our environment and to keep your vehicle in good condition please maintain your vehicle properly How This Section is Organized The remainder of this section is divided into five parts Part A Scheduled Maintenance Services shows what to have done and how often Some of these services can be complex so unless you are technically qualified and have the necessary equipment you should let your dealer s service department or another qualified service center do these jobs Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be dangerous In trying to do some jobs you can be seriously injured Do your own maintenance work only if you have the required know how and the proper tools and equipment for the job If vou have any doubt have a qualified technician do the work if you are skilled enough to do some work on your vehicle you will probably want to get the service information GM publishes See Service and Owner Publications in the Index Part B Owner Checks and Services tells you what should be checked and when It also explains what you cun easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition Part C Periodic Maintenance Inspections explains important inspections that your Pontiac dealer s service department or another qualified service center should perform Part D Recommended Fluids and Lubricants lists some products GM recommends to help keep your vehicle properly maintained These product
228. rted service people will perform the work using genuine GM parts 7 4 The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Part D Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these All parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle These schedules are for vehicles that amp carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits You will find these limits on your vehicle s Tire Loading Information label See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal driving limits usethe recommended fuel See Fuel in the Index Selecting the Right Schedule First you ll need to decide which of the two schedules is right for your vehicle Here s how to decide which schedule to follow Maintenance Schedule Short Trip City 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 vour vehicle With some models you should never tow a trailer See Towing a Trailer in the Index Ifthe vehicle is used for delivery service police ta
229. rtible top Be sure the top is securely latched Press the bypass switch up to the NORMAL OPERATION position Close the trunk 2 61 The Instrument Panel Your Information System Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle 1s running You ll know how fast you re going how much fuel is left in the tank and many other things you ll need to drive safely and economically The main components of your instrument panel are l Instrument Panel Intensity Control 7 Cupholder Ashtray 2 Turn Signal Multifunction Lever 8 Climate Controls and Rear Window Defogger 3 Hazard Warning Flashers Switch 9 Parking Brake Lever 4 Ignition Switch 10 Tilt Steering Wheel Lever If Equipped 5 Windshield Wiper Washer Controls I1 Hood Release Lever 6 Audio System 12 Fuse Panel 2 63 Instrument Panel Cluster BAAKE Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour mph and kilometers per hour km h Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven in either miles used in the United States or kilometers used in Canada Your Pontiac has a tamper resistant odometer If you see silver lines between the numbers you ll know that someone has probably tried to turn it back so the numbers may not be true You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer installed If the new one can be set to the mileage total of
230. rtment near the battery Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air filter See Scheduled Maintenance Services in the Index 6 16 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 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 Except 2 4L Code T Engine 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 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 F 32 C or higher e In hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing e 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 How to Check Becau
231. s Let the soap remain on the fabric for a few minutes When the top is really dirty use mild foam type cleaner Thoroughly rinse the entire vehicle then let the top dry in direct sunlight To protect the convertible top After you wash the vehicle make sure the top is completely dry before you lower it Don t get any cleaner on the vehicle s painted finish it could leave streaks e If you decide to go through an automatic car wash ask the manager if the equipment could damage your top Before entering a car wash set the climate control to VENT and the fan control to the highest speed This will help to prevent water under high pressure from entering around the convertible top Cleaning Aluminum Wheels If Equipped Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water Rinse with clean water After rinsing thoroughly dry with a soft clean towel A wax may then be applied The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of your vehicle Don t use strong soaps chemicals abrasive polishes abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage the surface Don t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes These brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels Cleaning Tires To clean your tires use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner NOTICE When applying a tire dressing always take
232. s or their equivalents should be used whether you do the work yourself or have it done Part E Maintenance Record provides a place for you to record the maintenance performed on your vehicle Whenever any maintenance is performed be sure to write it down in this part This will help you determine when your next maintenance should be done In addition it is a good idea to keep your maintenance receipts They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for warranty repairs Part A Scheduled Maintenance Services Using Your Maintenance Schedule We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition But we don t know exactly how you ll drive it You may drive very short distances only a few times a week Or you may drive long distances all the time in very hot dusty weather You may use your vehicle in making deliveries Or you may drive it to work to do errands or in many other ways Because of all the different ways people use their GM vehicles maintenance needs vary You may even need more frequent checks and replacements than you ll find in the schedules in this section So please read this section and note how you drive If you have any questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition see your Pontiac dealer This part tells vou the maintenance services you should have done and when you should schedule them If you go to your dealer for your service needs you ll know that GM trained and suppo
233. s Corporation This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without further notice For vehicles first sold in Canada substitute the name General Motors of Canada Limited for Pontiac Division whenever it appears in this manual Please keep this manual in your Pontiac so it will be there if you ever need it when you re on the road If you sell the vehicle please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it Litho in U S A Part 10273367 B First Edition We support voluntary technician certification WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TEGHAIGIAN CEATFIGATION THAOLESH miae tor AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE For Canadian Owners Who Prefer French Language Manual Aux propri taires canadiens Vous pouvez vous procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en francais chez votre concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd 1500 Bonhill Rd Mississauga Ontario LST Copyright General Motors Corporation 1996 All Rights Reserved How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle If you do this it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle In this manual you ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly Index A good place to look for what you need is
234. s meet the road to do what the driver has asked In any emergency don t give up Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger Skidding In a skid a driver can lose control of the vehicle Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions and by not overdriving those conditions But skids are always possible The three types of skids correspond to your Pontiac s three control systems In the braking skid your wheels aren t rolling In the steering or cornering skid too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose comering force And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal If you have the Enhanced Traction System remember It helps avoid only the acceleration skid If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System or if the system is off then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal If your vehicle starts to slide ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go If you start steering quickly enough your vehicle may straighten out Always be ready for second skid if it occurs Of course traction is reduced when water snow gravel or other material is on the road For safety you ll want to slow down and adj
235. s rust and corrosion Removes soil and black marks Exterior cleaner and polish Spot and stain removal Spot cleans paint and gives high luster Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl 6 55 Vehicle Identification Number VIN M UL LL SAMPLE4UXVMO072675 45074 C ASSEMBLY ENGINE MODEL YEAR PLANT CODE This is the legal identifier for your Pontiac It appears on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel on the driver s side You can see it if you look through the windshield from outside vour vehicle The VIN also appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts labels and the certificates of title and registration Engine Identification The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code This code will help you identify your engine specifications and replacement parts Service Parts Identification Label You ll find this label on your spare tire cover It s very helpful if you ever need to order parts On this label is your VIN 0 56 the mode designation paint information and a list of all production options and special equipment Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle Electrical System Add On Electrical Equipment NOTICE Don t add anything electrical to your Pontiac unless you check with your dealer first Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and the damag
236. saxle Fluid 2 4L Code T Engine Only If you have the optional 2 4L Code T engine see Engine Identification in the Index and an automatic transaxle it is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss If a leak accurs take the vehicle to your Pontiac dealership Service Department and have it repaired as soon as possible You may also have your fluid level checked by your dealer or service center when you have your oil 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 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 F 32 C or higher In hilly or mountainous terrain 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 NOTICE We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON III because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transaxle Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON IH is not covered by your new vehicle warranty Manual Transaxle Fluid When to Check A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is changed However the fluid in your manual transaxle doesn t require changing How to Check Because this operation can be a little
237. se symbols These symbols These symbols These symbols Here are some these symbols are important have te do with ire on some of re used an other symbols are weed on an for you ond your lamps your controls wimning and you see original battery your passengers indicator lights whenever your MASTER WINDSHIELD vehicle 18 LIGHTING WIPER CAUTION driven POSSIBLE SWITCH z p J INJURY COOLANT s i PROTECT WINDSHIELD EYES BY SIGNALS 5 gt WASHER BATTERY SHIELDING CHARGING PARKING pz CAUSTIC LAMPS BATTERY i AM pa DEFROSTER BRAKE T CAUSE HAZARD BURNS WARNING FLASHER d a REAR COOLANT Ll SPEAKER Y AVOID WINDOW SPARK ee power 7 DAYTIME DEFOGGER wwpow L RUNNING D ENGINE 011 a LAMPS f i PRESSURE FUEL FLAME Be l VENTILATING bs AIR BAG ri 2 FAN ANTI LOCK Ges BATTERY BRAKES j NOTES Y Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Here you ll find information about the seats in your Pontiac and how to use your safety belts properly You can also learn about some things you should nor do with air bags and safety belts 1 2 Seats and Seat Controls 1 29 Rear Seat Passengers 1 8 Safety Belts They re for Everyone 1 34 Center Passenger Position 1 13 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About 1 36 Children Safety Belts and the Answers 1 38 Child Restraints 1 14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 1 46 Larger Children 1 14
238. se the window almost all the way to preserve the heat Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold But do it as little as possible Preserve the fuel as long as you can To help keep warm you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes You can tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for use Put the front wheels a dolly at your destination Be sure to use proper towing 2 Set the parking brake equipment designed for recreational towing Follow the 3 i E gt 3 fuse Lon iver s side of th instructions for the towing equipment Open the fuse panel an the driver s side 5 instrument panel Remove the fuse labeled Towing Your Vehicle from the Front CLS PCM This will keep your battery from draining With a Dolly nile ewig 4 Turn the ignition key to OFF to unlock the steering wheel see Ignition Positions in the Index 5 Clamp the steering wheel in straight ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing 6 Release the parking brake When you are finished towing make sure you replace the CLS PCM fuse in the instrument panel fuse block Towing Your Vehicle From the Front Set the parking brake Without a Dolly 2 Open the fuse panel on the driver s side of the You may tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the Instrument panel Remove the fuse labeled ground for unlimited mil
239. se this operation can be a little difficult you may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealership 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 flnid can damage your transaxle Too much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust svstem parts starting a fire Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your transaxle fluid Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle fluid level if you have been driving When outside temperatures are above 90 F 32 C Athigh speed for quite a while In heavy traffic especially in hot weather While pulling a trailer 6 18 get the right reading the fluid should be at normal operating temperature which is 180 to 200 F 82 C to 93 Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles 24 km when outside temperatures are above 50 F 10 C Hf it s colder than 50 F 10 C you may have io drive longer Checking the Fluid Level Park your vehicle on a level place Keep the engine running With the parking brake applied place the shift lever in PARK P With your foot on the brake pedal move the shift lever through each gear range pausing for about three seconds in each range Then position the shift lever in PARK P Let the engine run at i
240. ss cee iaa e Rear as 6 28 Off Road Recovery mmy nen 4 13 Windows Fem d ceu Oil Engine cr eq TTE i RU Pre nancy Use of Safety Belts ae ee xad i MUS a Dil Pressure Warning Light eee ere EE EE Or 2 75 Problems on the Road 5 Overdrive Automatic Transaxle 2 22 Publications Service and Owner 8 12 Overheating Engine YER STE IS 5 14 R Owner Checks and Services 0 eee eee tate ea 7 41 dev 234 Owner Publications Ordering ss ssecsccveess 812 Radios e Rain In ucc 4 18 i ins Chen esl 1 1 6 Raising the Convertible Top Manually Chem i is RAE Your Convertible Top 2 AEREI 2 87 Automatic Transaxle sree 2 19 VR Shifting Into E 2 27 Door Security Locks 2 3 Shifting Chit Of iy 2 28 Cxitside Seat POSOD esente 1 29 Parking Safety Belt Comfort Guides 1 32 At Night arroari seto 2 22 11 Soat Passengers 2 192555 1 29 2 26 Window Defogger 3 7 9 7 Roc TIE ova isis ep lacs eco ease Baddeley a Gia 5 12 Rear Turn Signal Bulb Replacement 6 36 6 57 Rearview Mirror DawvNig
241. stomers may present their case to an impartial third party arbitrator The arbitrator will make a decision which you may accept or reject If you accept the decision GM will be hound by that decision The entire dispute resolution procedure should ordinarily take about 40 days from the time you file a claim until a decision is made some state laws may require you to use this program before filing a claim with a state run arbitration program or in the courts For further information contact the BBB at 1 800 955 5100 or the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 1 800 PM CARES Warranty Information Your vehicle comes with a separate warranty booklet that contains detailed warranty information REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Sulety Administration NHTSA in addition to natifying General Motors If NHTSA receives similar complaints it may open an investigation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you your dealer or General Motors To contact NHTSA you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll free at 1 800 424 9393 or 366 0123 in the Washington D C area or write to NHTSA U S Department of
242. strap it should be anchored If you have a convertible don t use a restraint like that in your vehicle because the top strap anchor cannot be installed properly You shouldn t use this type of restraint without anchoring the top strap If your vehicle is not a convertible and you need to have an anchor installed you can ask your Pontiac dealer to put one in for you If vou want to install an anchor vourself vour dealer can tell you how to do it Canadian law requires that child restraints have a top strap and that the strap be anchored If your child restraint has a top strap vour dealer can obtain a kit with anchor hardware and installation instructions specifically designed for this vehicle The dealer can then install the anchor for you In Canada this work will be done for you free of charge Or you may install the anchor yourself using the instructions provided in the kit 1 39 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position WL You ll be using the lap shoulder belt See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one 19 r2 Tad Put the restraint on the seat Follow the instructions for the child restraint Secure the child in the child restraint as the instructions say Pick up the latch plate and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle s safety belt through or around the restraint The child restraint instructions will show you how Tilt the latch plat
243. swer What if there s an emergency a need to take sudden action as when a child darts into the street A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision There s something else about drinking and driving that many people don t know Medical research shows that alcohol in a person s system can make crash injuries worse especially injuries to the brain spinal cord or heart This means that when anyone who has been drinking driver or passenger is in a crash thal person s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking Drinking and then driving is very dangerous Your reflexes perceptions attentiveness and judgment can he affected by even a small amount of alcohol You can have a serious or even fatal collision if vou drive after drinking Please don t drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking Ride home in a cab or if you re with a group designate a driver who will not drink 4 5 Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go They are the brakes the steering and the accelerator All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road cos Sometimes as when you re driving on snow or ice it s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide That means you can lose control of your v
244. t prevent damage to the tapes and player See Care of Your Cassette Tape Player in the Index After you clean the player press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator The radio will display to show the indicator was reset CD Adapter Kits It is possible to use a CD adapter kit with your cassette tape plaver after activating the bypass feature on your player To activate the bypass feature the ignition must be on Tum your radio off Press TAPE PLAY and hold for three seconds After three seconds the tape symbol in the display will flash for two seconds indicating the feature is active Turn the radio on and insert the adapter This override feature will remain active until EIECT is pressed Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer If Equipped Playing the Radio VOL Push this knob to turn the system on and off To increase volume turn the knob clockwise Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume RECALL Display the time with the ignition off hy pressing this knob When the radio is playing press this knob to recall the station frequency Finding a 5tation Press this button to switch between AM FMI and FM2 The display shows your selection TUNE Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to choose radio stations Push the knob back into its stored position when you re not using it SEEK Press the up or down arrow to go to the n
245. t lever positions But the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position you ve chosen so you should use the lower gears only when necessary See Automatic Transaxle in the Index When the system is on and the parking brake is fully released this warning light will come on to let ETS you know if there s a problem with the system OFF See Enhanced Traction System Warning Light in the Index When this warning light is on the system will not limit wheel spin Adjust your driving accordingly To limit wheel spin especially in slippery road conditions you should always leave the Enhanced Traction System on But you can turn the system off if you ever need to You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand mud ice or snow See Rocking Your Vehicle in the Index 4 10 To turn the system on or off press the button on the side of the shift lever knob When you turn the system off the Enhanced Traction System warning light will come on and stay on If the Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin when you press the button to turn the system off the warning light will come on but the system won t turn off right away It will wait until there s no longer a current need to limit wheel spin You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the button again The Enhanced Traction System warning light should go off Braking in Emergencies
246. t s a good idea to review these sections before you start your trip Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight 42 NOTES 4 43 40 NOTES 4 44 Y Section 5 Problems on the Road Here you ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road 5 2 Hazard Warning Flashers 5 22 If a Tire Goes Flat 5 3 Other Warning Devices 5 23 Changing a Flat Tire 5 3 Jump Starting 5 33 Compact Spare Tire 5 8 Towing Your Vehicle 5 34 If You re Stuck In Sand Mud 5 14 Engine Overheating Ice or 5now 5 1 Hazard Warning Flashers Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others They also let police know you have a problem Your front and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off Move the switch to the right to make your front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in and even if the key isn t in To turn off the flashers move the switch to the left When the hazard warning flashers are on your turn signals won t work Other Warning Devices If you carry reflective triangles you can set one up at the side of the road about 300 feet 100 m behind vour vehicle Jump Starting If your battery has run down you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your Po
247. t to turn change lanes or stop When towing a trailer the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out Thus you may think drivers behind you are seeing your signal when thev are not It s important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working Driving On Grades Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding 6 miles 9 6 km Extended higher than normal engine and transaxle temperatures may result and damage your vehicle Frequent stops are very important to allow the engine and transaxle to cool Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade If you don t shift down you might have to use your brakes so much that they would get hot and no longer work well On a long uphill grade shift down and reduce your speed to around 45 mph 70 km h to reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating Pay attention to the engine coolant gage If the indicator is in the red area turn off the air conditioning if you have this option to reduce engine load see Engine Overheating in the Index Parking on Hills You really should not park your vehicle with a trailer attached on a hill If something goes wrong your rig could start to move People can be injured and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill here s how to
248. te has no improvement in sound quality clean the tape player Cleaning may be done with a scrubbing action non abrasive cleamng cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn It is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning Insert the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough cleaning A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is available through your Pontiac dealer You may also choose a non scrubbing action wet type cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head This type of cleaning cassette will not eject and it may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner After you clean the player press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator The radio will display to show the indicator was reset Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time Always make sure the cassette tape is in good condition before you have your tape player serviced Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust If the surface of a disc is soiled dampen a clean soft cloth in a mild neutral detergent solution and clean it wiping from the center to the edge Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge 3 24 Fixed
249. tely work the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels As you brake your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly 4 8 Remember Anti lock doesn t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you you won t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops Always leave enough room up ahead to stop even though you have anti lock brakes Using Anti Lock Don t pump the brakes Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti lock work for you You may feel the system working or you may notice some noise but this is normal Enhanced Traction System If Equipped If your vehicle has the optional four speed automatic transaxle it also has an Enhanced Traction System ETS that limits wheel spin This is especially useful in slippery road conditions The system operates only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning ta lose traction When this happens the system reduces engine power and may also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin This light will come on when your Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin See Enhanced Traction System Active Light in the Index You may feel or hear the system working but this is normal LOW TRAC The Enhanced Traction System operates in all transaxle shif
250. the old odometer then it must be But if it can t then it s set at zero and a label must be put on the driver s door to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer was installed Trip Odometer The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has heen driven since you last reset the trip odometer to zero To set the trip odometer to zero press the knob to the left of it 2 65 Tachometer The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute rpm NOTICE Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in the red area or engine damage may occur Warning Lights Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle The pictures will help you locate them 2 66 Warning lights and gages signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement Paying attention to your warning lights and gages could also save you or others from injury Warning lights come on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle s functions As you will see in the details on the next few pages some warning lights come on briefly when you start the engine just to let you know they re working If you are familiar with this section vou should not be alarmed when this happens Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle s functions Often gages and warning
251. the Customer Satisfaction Procedure described earlier in this section is successful There may be instances where an impartial third party can assist in arriving at a solution to a disagreement regarding vehicle repairs or interpretation of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty To assist in resolving these disagreements Pontiac voluntarily participates in BBB AUTO LINE BBB AUTO LINE is an out of court program administered by the Better Business Bureau system to settle automotive disputes This program is available free of charge to customers who currently own or lease a GM vehicle If you are not satisfied after following the Customer Satisfaction Procedure you may contact the using the toll free telephone number or write them at the following address BBB AUTO LINE Council of Better Business Bureaus Inc 4200 Wilson Boulevard Suite 800 Arlington VA 22203 1804 Telephone 1 800 955 5100 To file a claim you will be asked to provide your name and address your Vehicle Identification Number VIN and a statement of the nature of your complaint Eligibility is limited by vehicle age and mileage and ather factors We prefer you utilize the Customer Satisfaction Procedure before you resort to AUTO LINE but you may contact the BBB at any time The BBB will attempt to resolve the complaint serving as an intermediary If this mediation is unsuccessful an informal hearing will be scheduled where eligible cu
252. the speakers FADE Press this knob lightly so it extends Turn it to move the sound to the front or rear speakers The middle position balances the sound between the speakers Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you not using them Playing a Compact Disc The integral CD player can play cm single mini discs Full size compact discs and mini discs are loaded in the same manner Insert a disc partway into the slot label side up The player will pull it in If the ignition and the radio are on the disc will begin playing If you want to insert a disc when the ignition is off first press EJECT If you re driving on a very rough road or if it s very hot the disc may not play and E error and a number may appear on the radio display If the disc comes out it could be that The disc is upside down It is dirty scratched or wet The air is very humid If so wait about an hour and try again If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can t be corrected please contact your dealer If your radio displays an error number write it down and provide it to your dealer when reporting the problem PREV 1 Press this button or the SEEK down arrow to go to the start of the current track if more than eight seconds have played If you hold the button or press it more than once the player will continue moving back through the disc NEXT 2 Press this button or the SEEK up arro
253. the vehicle and contact the child restraint maker for their advice about how to attach the child restraint properly To remove the child restraint just unbuckle the vehicle s safety belt It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger 5 Buckle the belt Make sure the release button 15 positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to 1 43 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right You ll be using the lap shoulder belt See the earlier part Front Seat Position about the top strap if the child restraint has one 1 Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward facing child restraint See Seats in the Index 2 Put the restraint on the seat Follow the instructions for the child restraint 3 Secure ihe child in the child restraint as the instructions say Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag Never 4 dp reges sic Pick up the latch plate and the lap and should put a rear facing child restraint in this seat Here s why dps Peppe ce eode teri quia d portions of the vehicle s safety belt through or around the restraint The child restraint instructions will show you how A child in a rear facing child restraint can be seriously injured if the right front passenger s air bag inflates This is because the back of a rear facing child restraint wo
254. the weights are proper If they aren t you may be able to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer Total Weight on Your Vehicle s Tires Be sure your vehicle s tires are inflated to the upper limit for cold tires You ll find these numbers on the Tire Loading Information label at the rear edge of the driver s door or see Loading Your Vehicle in the Index Then be sure you don t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle including the weight of the trailer tongue Hitches Its important to have the correct hitch equipment Crosswinds large trucks going by and rough roads are few reasons why you ll need the right hitch Here are some rules to follow The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper type hitches to them Use only a frame mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch If you do then he sure to seal the holes later when vou remove the hitch If you don t seal them deadly carbon monoxide CO from your exhaust can get into your vehicle see Carbon Monoxide in the Index Dirt and water can too Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch Instruct
255. the window and then either stop or return to your preset speed If you had no pre set speed selected the wipers will stop In freezing weather don t use your washer until the windshield is warmed Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield blocking your vision To wash your windshield pull the stalk with the wiper symbol on 1t toward you one time The wipers will clear 2 36 Cruise Control If Equipped When you apply your brakes or the clutch pedal the cruise control shuts off Cruise control can be dangerous where you can t drive safely at a steady speed So don t use your cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads On such roads fast changes in tire traction can cause needless wheel spinning and you could lose control Don t use cruise control on slippery roads With cruise control vou can maintain a speed of about 25 mph 40 km h or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator This can really help on long trips Cruise control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph 40 km h 2 37 Setting Cruise Control If you leave your cruise control switch on when you re not using cruise you might hit a button and go into cruise when you don t want to You could be startled and even lose control Keep the cruise contr
256. ther with a clean damp cloth Your Pontiac dealer has two cleaners a solvent type spot lifter and a foam type powdered cleaner They will clean normal spots and stains very well Do not use them on vinyl or leather Here are some cleaning tips 1 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label 2 Clean up stains as soon as you can before they set 3 Use a clean cloth or sponge and change to a clean area often A soft brush may be used if stains re stubborn 6 48 uh Ln 4 Use solvent type cleaners in a well ventilated area only If you use them don t saturate the stained area If a ring forms after spot cleaning clean the entire area immediately or it will set Using Foam Type Cleaner on Fabric 1 Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt 2 Always clean a whole trim panel or section Mask surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines 3 Mix Multi Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the directions on the container label 4 Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge Don t saturate the material and don t rub it roughly As soon as you ve cleaned the section use a sponge to remove the suds 6 Rinse the section with a clean wet sponge 7 Wipe off what s left with a slightly damp paper towel or cloth 8 Dry it immediately with a blow dryer 9 Wipe with a clean cloth Using Solvent Type Cleaner on Fabric First see if you have to use solvent type cleaner at all Some s
257. tiac dealer and the Sunfire Service Manual have Let only qualified technicians work on your air information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag bag system Improper service can mean that your system purchase a service manual see Service and air bag system won t work properly See your dealer Owner Publications in the Index for service NOTICE If vou damage the covering for the driver s or the right front passenger s air bag the bag may not work properly You may have to replace the air bag module in the steering wheel or both the air bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger s air hag Do not open or break the air bag coverings For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected an air bag can still inflate during improper service You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inflates Avoid wires wrapped with vellow tape or yellow connectors They are probably part of the air bag system Be sure to follow proper service procedures and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so The air bag system does not need regular maintenance 1 28 E Rear Seat Passengers It s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts Rear passengers who aren t saf
258. tips on working around a battery without getting hurt Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle for longer storage periods Also for your audio system see Theft Deterrent Feature in the Index Bulb Replacement The following procedure tells you how to replace your headlamp bulbs For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this section contact your Pontiac dealer s service department Halogen Bulbs Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb You or others could be injured Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the bulb package Front Exterior Bulbs For the type of bulb to use see Replacement Bulbs in the Index 6 34 Headlamps To replace one of your headlamps do the following 2 Remove the bolt that anchors the headlamp assembly Pull the headlamp assembly toward the front of the vehicle to access the bulb assembly Ladi Remove the first bolt and carefully pry up the shield 3 Twist the bulb retainer one eighth of a tum that covers the headlamp assembly Be careful not to counterclockwise and pull the bulb assembly out break the fasteners that hold the shield in place 6 35 Rear Exterior Bulbs The following instructions explain how to change each bulb Taillamps and Rear Turn Signal Lamps For the type of bulb to use see Replacement Bulbs in the Index 4 Disconnect the bulb base from the
259. tly repairs not covered by your warranty To pull a trailer correctly follow the advice in this part and see your Pontiac dealer for important information about towing a trailer with your vehicle Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a 2 3L Code 4 engine You also cannot tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a manual or a three speed automatic transaxle or is a convertible model Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with proper trailer towing equipment To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle you should read the information in Weight of the Trailer that appears later in this section But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself Trailering means changes in handling durability and fuel economy Successful safe trailering takes correct equipment and it has to be used properly 4 36 That s the reason for this part In it are many time tested important trailering tips and safety rules Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer Load pulling components such as the engine transaxle wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads generating extra heat What s more the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance
260. to R A for about half a second 1 6 km h faster 2 39 Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control Press the button at the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want then release it e To slow down in very small amounts press the button for less than half a second Each time you do this you ll go about 1 mph 1 6 km h slower Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed When you take your foot off the pedal your vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier Using Cruise Control on Hills How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed load and the steepness of the hills When going up a steep hill you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed When going downhill you may have to brake or shift to lower gear to keep your speed down Of course applying the brake or clutch pedal takes you out of cruise control Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and don t use cruise control on steep hills Ending Cruise Control There are several ways to tum off the cruise control e Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch pedal if you have a manual transaxle OR Move the cruise switch to OFF Erasing Cruise Speed Memory When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition your cruise cont
261. tractor You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose In a crash vou would move forward too much which could increase injury The shoulder belt should fit against your body The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips just touching the thighs In a crash this applies force to the strong pelvic bones And you d be less likely to slide under the lap belt If you slid under it the belt 1 31 There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seat To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and for smaller adults the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts Here s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt To unlatch the belt just push the button on the buckle Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and for small adults When installed on a 1 Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of shoulder belt the comfort guide pulls the belt away the seatback and the interior body to remove the from the neck and head guide fram its storage clip 1 32 3 Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat Slide the guide under past the belt The elastic The elastic cord must be under the belt and the cord must be under the
262. u turn off the ignition For your fuel tank capacity see Capacities and Specifications in the Index 2 77 NOTES NOTES 2 79 NOTES 2 80 Y Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems In this section you ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with vour Pontiac Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle 3 2 Comfort Controls 3 13 Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and 3 5 Air Conditioning Equalizer 3 5 Heating 3 16 AM FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and 3 5 Ventilation System Equalizer 3 6 Defogging and Defrosting Windows 3 19 Theft Deterrent Feature 3 7 Audio Systems 3 22 Understanding Radio Reception 3 7 Setting the Clock for AM FM Stereo 3 22 Tips About Your Audio System 3 7 Setting the Clock for All Systems Except 3 23 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player AM FM Stereo 3 24 Care of Your Compact Discs 3 8 AM FM Stereo 3 24 Fixed Mast Antenna 3 9 AM FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player 3 1 Comfort Controls This section tells you how to make your air system work for you The optional climate control system with air conditioning uses ozone friendly 134 refrigerant With these systems you can control the ventilation and heating in your vehicle Your vehicle also has the flow through ventilation system described later in this section Standard Climate Control System Fan Knob The left k
263. u add electrical parts or accessories you could change the way the engine operates Before adding electrical equipment check with your dealer If you don t your engine might not perform properly If you ever have to have your vehicle towed see the part of this manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle See Towing Your Vehicle in the Index 2 4L Code T Engine TET In very cold weather 18 C or colder the engine 2 21 Cade 4 Engine coolant heater can help You ll get easier starting Po better fuel economy during engine warm up Usually the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle Hion o To Use the Coolant Heater 1 Turn off the engine 2 Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord 3 Plug it into a normal grounded 110 volt AC outlet Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock Also the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a fire You could be seriously injured Plug the cord into a properly grounded three prong 110 volt AC outlet If the cord won t reach use a heavy duty three prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps 4 Betore starting the engine be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts If you don t it could be damaged How long should you keep the
264. u or others could be injured Follow the steps below 1 Before you start be sure you have enough room around the vehicle It should be parked on a level surface TE 2 Firmly apply the parking brake see Parking Brake in the Index if necessary NOTE Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if the vehicle begins to move 3 With the engine off turn the key to the RUN position but don t start the engine Without applving the regular brake try to move the shift lever out of PARK with normal effort If the shift lever moves out of PARK P your vehicle s BTSI needs service 7 44 Ignition Transaxle Lock Check While parked and with the parking brake set try to turn the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position e With an automatic transaxle the key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK P e With a manual transaxle the key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in REVERSE R On vehicles with a key release button try to turn the key to LOCK without pressing the button The key should turn to LOCK only when you press the key button On all vehicles the key should come out only in LOCK Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right It should only lock when turned to the right Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK P Mechanism Check When you are doing this check your vehicle could begin to move You or others could be injured and pro
265. u use your high beam headlamps to down longer signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass To use it pull the turn signal multifunction lever toward you until the high beam headlamps come on then release the lever to tum them off 2 34 For fixed delay wiper cycles move the wiper switch to DELAY for wiper cvcles with a fixed time delay between them For steady wiper cycles move the wiper stalk up to either 1 or 2 depending on the wiper speed you want To turn wipers off move the stalk down to OFF Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing well enough to drive safely To avoid damage be sure to clear and snow from the wiper hlades hefore using them If they re frozen to the windshield carefully loosen or thaw them If your blades do become damaged get new hlades or blade inserts Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers A circuit breaker will stop them until the motor cools Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload Controlled Cycle Wipers If Equipped If your vehicle has variable controlled cycle windshield wipers you can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes This can be very useful in light rain OF snow Move the stalk to DELAY then rotate the band to choose the delay you want Rotate the band up for shorter delay times between wiper cycles Rotate the band down for longer delay times between wiper cycles 2 35 Windshield Washer
266. uces the chance of a neck injury in a crash Seatback Latches 2 Door Models 1 6 In two door models the front seatback folds forward to let people get into the back seat To fold a front seatback forward lift the latch located on the lower backside of the seatback Then the seat will fold forward When you return the seatback to its original position make sure the seatback is locked The latch must be down for the seat to work properly Easy Entry Seat 2 Door Models Rear Seats If an easy entry right front seat isn t locked it can move In a sudden stop or crash the person sitting there could be injured After you ve used it be sure to push rearward on an easy entry seat to be sure it is locked Folding the Rear Seat The right front seat of two door vehicles makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat Tilt the right front seatback completely forward and the whole seat will slide forward Move the right front seatback to its original position after someone gets into the rear seat area Then move To open the fold down rear seat pull forward on the the seat rearward until it locks seat tab Tilt the seatback completely forward again to get 1 7 To close the seat push the seatback up to its original position Check to ensure the seatback 15 its original position and securely latched by pulling forward on the top of the seatback Move any obstructions in t
267. uildup and possible tire failure Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not needed However if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or the other the alignment may need to be reset If vou notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road your wheels may need to be rebalanced Wheel Replacement Replace any wheel that is bent cracked or badly rusted or corroded If wheel nuts keep coming loose the wheel wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced If the wheel leaks air replace it except some aluminum wheels which can sometimes be repaired 5ee vour Pontiac dealer if any of these conditions exist Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity diameter width offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces If you need to replace any of your wheels wheel bolts or wheel nuts replace them only with new GM original equipment parts This way you will be sure to have the right wheel wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your Pontiac model 6 45 Using the wrong replacement wheels wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous It could affect the braking and handling of your vehicle make your tires lose air and make
268. uipment to your vehicle like a tape plaver CB radio mobile telephone or two way radio be sure you can add what you want If you can it s very important to do it properly Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle s engine Delco radio or other systems and even damage them Your vehicle s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added improperly So before adding sound equipment check with your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules covering mobile radio and telephone units Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality ruined cassettes or a damaged mechanism Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants direct sunlight and extreme heat If they aren t they may not operate properly or may cause failure of the tape player Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every 50 hours of use Your radio may display CLN to indicate that you have used your tape player for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer If this message appears on the display your cassette tape player needs to he cleaned It will still play tapes but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and player If you notice a reduction in sound quality try a known good cassette to see if it is the tape or the tape player at fault If this other casset
269. ulb s 6 36 6 57 When It s Time for New 6 42 a eae alas 3 23 EL nd co tea aka nA ahaa ara a Mall rafal gia wand Oat 1 39 WW A a Rom nl ale t 2 10 Tots Lil oos cer oer eg 2 28 Theft Deterrent Feature PDT SERIE eer te a 3 19 Torque Wheel 5 30 6 61 Ir GG A rere 3 19 Towing PH 6 27 From the 4 31 4 32 Third Gear Automatic Transaxle 2 22 From the Rear 4 33 Third Gear Manual Transaxle 2 24 voor ae A E eee Peer Gro Te 5 10 Tilt Steering Wheel soci sees be 2 32 Mid eo laur a AR hae E E Te QU 5 12 TMe E oa NITE ESO T DECITA DX IU 3 7 Recreational 4 31 dn waa al 6 47 Towing Your Vehicle 5 8 To ORE 4 33 Towing Your Vehicle From the Front 4 31 4 32 Tire Loading Information Label 4 33 Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear 4 33 PEE ru dede e CR bee Ra iR RAE 6 30 Trailer Alignment and ean m qd Sd ae 6 45 Backing Up 2 44 4 4 Him Naw 2 ed
270. uld be very close to the inflating air bag Always secure a rear facing child restraint in the rear seat Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed 5 Buckle the belt Make sure the release button is If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child s face or Poel Hic so yon would 1 45 6 To tighten the belt pull up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint 7 Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure To remove the child restraint just unbuckle the vehicle s safety belt and let it go back all the way The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger 1 46 Larger Children Children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the vehicles safety belts If you have the choice a child should sit next to a window so the child can wear a lap shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat But they need to use the safety belts properly e Children who aren t buckled up can he thrown out in Never do this a crash Here two children are wearing the same belt The Children who aren t buckled up can strike other belt can t properly spread the impact forces In a people who are crash the two children can be crushed together and seriously injure
271. us or even fatal injuries The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces The safety belt locks if there s a sudden stop or crash or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor 1 16 Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster 4 Door Models To move it down squeeze the release button and move the adjuster to the desired position You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide After you move the adjuster to where you want it try to move it down without squeezing the release button to make sure it has lacked into position Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder The belt should be away from your face and neck but not falling off your shoulder Before you begin to drive move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you 1 17 Q What s wrong with this You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose In a crash you would move forward too much which could increase injury The shoulder belt should fit against your hody The shoulder belt is too loose It won t give nearly as much protection this way 1 18 0 What s wrong with this You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this In a crash the belt would go up over vour abdomen The belt forces would be there not
272. ust your driving to these conditions It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited While driving on a surface with reduced traction try your hest to avoid sudden steering acceleration or braking including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide You may not realize the surface i5 slippery until your vehicle is skidding Learn to recognize warning clues such as enough water ice or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored surface and slow down when you have any doubt Remember Any anti lock brake system ABS helps avoid only the braking skid 4 15 Driving at Night Here are some tips on night driving Drive defensively e Don t drink and drive Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you Since you can t see as well you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles Slow down especially on higher speed roads Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead In remote areas watch for animals If you re tired pull off the road in a safe place and rest Night driving is more dangerous than day driving One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired by alcohol or drugs with night vision problems or by fatigue 4 16 Night Vision No one can see as well at ni
273. vehicle goes If you have to stop or turn quickly or if there is a crash they ll keep going Towing a Trailer Models with 2 4L Engine and 4 Speed Automatic Transaxle Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn or in a crash Put things in the trunk of your vehicle In a trunk put them as far forward as you can Try to spread the weight evenly If you have fald down rear seats you ll find four anchors on the back wall of your trunk You can use these anchors to tie down lighter loads They re not strong enough for heavy things however so put them as far forward as you can in the trunk Never stack heavier things like suitcases inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats Don t leave an unsecured child restraint in your vehicle When you carry something inside the vehicle secure it whenever you can Don t leave a seat folded down unless you need ta If you don t use the correct equipment and drive properly you can lose control when you pull a trailer For example if the trailer is too heavy the brakes may not work well or even at all You and your passengers could be seriously injured Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this section Ask your Pontiac dealer for advice and information about towing a trailer with your vehicle 4 35 NOTICE Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result in cos
274. ven tn a dusty area or used off paved roads Use the Short Trip City schedule for these conditions Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to break down slower 7 6 Long Trip Highway Intervals 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 whichever occurs first Tire Rotation Every 30 000 Miles 50 000 km Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR System Inspection 2 2L Code 4 engine only 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 Every 100 000 Miles 166 000 km Spark Plug Wire Inspection Spark Plug Replacement Every 150 000 Miles 240 000 km Cooling System Service or every 60 months whichever occurs first These intervals only summarize maintenance services Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on the following pages The services shown in this schedule up to 100 000 miles 166 000 km should be performed after 100 000 miles 166 O00 km at the same intervals The services shown at 150 000 miles 240 000 km should be performed at the same interval after 150 000 miles 240 000 km See Owner Checks and Services and Periodic Maintenance Inspections following
275. vice Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check money order or credit card information to Helm Incorporated address below CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1997 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUALS Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information on engines transmission axle suspension brakes electrical steering body etc RETAIL SELL PRICE 90 00 TRANSMISSION TRANSAXLE TRANSFER CASE UNIT REPAIR MANUAL This manual provides information on unit repair service procedures adjustments and specifications for the 1997 GM transmissions transaxles and transfer cases RETAIL SELL PRICE 40 00 SERVICE BULLETINS Service Bulletins give technical service information needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDEH FORM SHOWN ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE AND MAIL TO Helm Incorporated 07130 Detroit 48207 OWNER S INFORMATION Owner publications are written directly for Owners and intended to provide basic operational information about the vehicle The owner s manual will include the Maintenance Schedule for all models In Porttolio Includes a Portfolio Owner s Manual and Warranty Booklet RETAIL SELL PRICE 15 00 Without Portfolio Owner s Manual only RETAIL SELL PRICE 10 00 CURRENT amp PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS Service Publications are availab
276. w to go to the start of the next track if more than eight seconds have played If you hold the button or press it more than once the player will continue moving forward through the disc 3 18 RDM 3 Press this button to hear the tracks in random rather than sequential order The display will show RDM Press RDM again to turn off random play REV 5 Press and hold this button to quickly reverse within a track Release it to play the passage You will hear sound at a reduced volume The display will show elapsed time FWD 6 Press and hold this button to quickly advance within a track You will hear sound at a reduced volume The display will show elapsed time RECALL Press this button to see what track is currently playing Press RECALL again within five seconds to sec how long the track has been playing When a new track starts to play the track number will also appear Press RECALL a third time and the time of day will b displayed Press this button to play the radio when a disc is playing The dise will stop but remain in the player CD PLAY Press this button to change to the disc function when the radio is on EJECT Press this button to remove the disc or stop the disc and switch to the radio EJECT will work with the radio off If you leave a compact disc in the player while listening to the radio it may become warm Theft Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCK is designed to discourage theft of your r
277. way Maintenance Schedule 37 500 Miles 62 500 km C Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Q Lubricate chassis components or every 12 months whichever occurs first See footnote Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 45 000 Miles 75 000 km 50 000 Miles 83 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter 12 months whichever occurs first if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or An Emission Control Service more of these conditions Lubricate chassis components or every In heavy city traffic where the outside 12 months whichever occurs first temperature regularly reaches 90 F See footnote s 32 C or higher 1 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and In hilly or mountainous terrain Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information See footnote Also see footnote When doing frequent trailer towing ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Continued 7 33 Long Trip Highway Maintenance Schedule 50 000 Miles 83 000 km Continued 52 500 Miles 87 500 km Uses such as found in taxi police or Change engine oil and filter or every delivery s
278. will explain any payment obligations you might incur For prompt and efficient assistance when calling please provide the following information to give the advisor Location of vehicle Telephone number of your location Vehicle model year and color Mileage of vehicle Vehicle Identification Number VIN Vehicle license plate number Pontiac reserves the right to limit services or reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac s judgement the claims become excessive in frequency or type of occurrence While we hope that you never have the occasion to use our service it 1s added security while traveling for you and your family Remember we re only a phone call away Pontiac Roadside Assistance 1 K M ROADSIDE or 1 800 762 3743 8 7 Canadian Roadside Assistance Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere in Canada or the United States Please refer to the separate brochure provided by the dealer or call 1 800 268 6800 for emergency services Pontiac Courtesy Transportation 8 8 Pontiac strives to give you a worry free ownership of your vehicle and we realize the inconvenience of being without a car So Pontiac has come up with a way to eliminate any frustrations you might have when trying to get a ride to work or wondering how vou will get home Well your worries are over Pontiac provides no cost transportation when you bring your 1997 Pontiac in f
279. xi or other commercial application One of the reasons vou should follow this schedule if you operate vour vehicle under any of these conditions is that these conditions cause engine oil to break down sooner 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 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 Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR System Inspection 2 2L Code 4 engine only 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 Every 100 000 Miles 166 000 km Spark Plug Wire Inspection Spark Plug Replacement Every 150 000 Miles 240 000 km Cooling System Service or every 60 months whichever occurs first These intervals only summarize maintenance services Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on the following pages 7 5 Maintenance Schedule Long Trip Highway Definition Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the conditions from the Short Trip City Maintenance Schedule is true Do not use this schedule if the vehicle is used for trailer towing dri
280. y be done in an emergency and requires two people Before you do these steps check to make sure that the bypass switch in the trunk is switched up to the NORMAL OPERATION position If it is not switch it to the NORMAL OPERATION position and see if the power top works Set the parking brake and shift your automatic transaxle to PARK P or your manual transaxle to NEUTRAL N Turn the engine off 2 Push the button in the latch handle and rotate the Convertible Bypass Switch handle down 3 Open the trunk 2 59 4 Press the bypass switch down to the EMERGENCY OVERRIDE position The switch is located under the shelf panel on the driver s side in the trunk 5 Remove the top boot as described in steps 4 through Removing the Boot earlier in this section 6 Lower the door windows completely If the power windows do not work leave the doors open 7 Position one person on each side of the vehicle Carefully lift the top by grasping the front corners of the top not the linkage 2 60 Do not attempt to force the top up if it does not move freely The top or its linkage can be damaged Make sure both sides are being lifted together to avoid twisting See your dealer if you still can t move the top easily 8 Raise the top until it is all the way up Line up the top so the pins are even with the holes 10 ii Pull down on the top and rotate the latch handle up to lock the conve
281. y could operate power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move Don t leave the kevs in a vehicle with voung children One key is used for the ignition the doors and NOTICE all other locks Your Pontiac has a number of new features that can help prevent theft But you can have a lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock your keys inside You may even have to damage your vehicle to get in So be sure you have extra keys When a new Pontiac is delivered the dealer removes the key tag from the key and gives it to the first owner Keep the tag in a safe place If you lose your key you ll be able to have a new one made easily using the tag If you need a new key contact your Pontiac dealer who can obtain the correct key code Remember to carry the pre cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery In an emergency call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program at 1 800 ROADSIDE or 1 800 762 3743 Door Locks There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle Use your key to lock and unlock your vehicle from the outside You can also use the optional Remote Keyless Entry system to lock and unlock your vehicle Unlocked doors can be dangerous To lock the door from the inside push the locking lever forward Passengers especially children can easily open the doors and fall out When a door is locked the inside handle won t open it Outsiders can easily enter through a
282. yes be examined regularly Some drivers suffer from night blindness the inability to see in dim light and aren t even aware of iL 4 17 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet toads can mean driving trouble On a wet road you can t stop accelerate or turn as well because 4 18 your tire to road traction isn t as good as on dry roads And if your tires don t have much tread left you ll get even less traction It s always wise to go slower and be cautious 1f rain starts to fall while you are driving The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement The heavier the rain the harder it is to see Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals pavement markings the edge of the road and even people walking It s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled with washer fluid Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts Wet brakes can cause accidents They won t work as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side You could lose control of the vehicle After driving through a large puddle of water or car wash apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally Driving too fast thr
283. yone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly whether or not there s an air bag for that person Air bags inflate with great force faster than the blink of an eye If you re too close to an inflating air bag it could seriously injure vou Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash Always wear your safety belt even with air bags The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle An inflating air bag can seriously injure small children Always secure children properly in your vehicle To read how see the part of this manual called Children and the caution label on the right front passenger s safety belt There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel which shows AIR BAG The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions The light tells you if there is an electrical problem See Air Bag Readiness Light in the Index for more information 1 24 How the Air Bag System Works The right front passenger s air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger s side Where are the air bags The driver s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel 1 25 If something is between an occupant and an air bag the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person The path of an inflating air bag must kept clear Don t put anything between an occupant and
284. your engine still won t start or starts but then stops it could be flooded with too much gasoline Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in M 2 15 Starting Your 2 4 Liter Engine 1 Without pushing the accelerator pedal turn your ignition key to START When the engine starts let go of the key The idle speed will go down as your engine gels warm Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to he drained much sooner And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor 2 fit doesn t start right away and if the weather is very cold below 20 F or 29 push the accelerator pedal about one quarter of the way down while you tum the key to START Do this until the engine starts As soon as it does let go of the key 2 16 3 If your engine still won t start or starts but then stops it could be flooded with too much gasoline Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds This clears the extra gasoline from the engine If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again do the same thing but this time keep the pedal about one quarter of the way down for five or six seconds NOTICE Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle If yo

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