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1. e Iama How to Add Coolant to the Radiator LT1 Code P Engine Only NOTICE The Engine Code P has a specific radiator fill procedure Failure to follow this procedure could cause your engine to overheat and be severely damaged 8 Then replace the pressure cap At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the filler neck reinstall the pressure cap Be sure the arrows on the pressure cap line up like this A M 1 You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose is no longer hot Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops Don t press down while turning the pressure cap A CAUTION You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot 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 If you hear a hiss wait for that to stop A hiss means there is still some pressure left 2 Then keep turning the pressure cap but now push down as you turn it Remove the pressure 3 After the engine cools open the air bleed valves on the heater return hose and water pump inlet 5 2 E e NE 7 5 Close the bleed valves 6 Continue to fill t
2. 6 26 Aluminum Wheels Cleaning ae Adding Brake Fluid FARA 3 223 ee aja DATI Antenna Fixed Mast Kaka Rata rat DER Adding Electrical Equipment 6 55 Antenna Power Mast Care 3 17 Adding Engine 6 31 And ll wig cold a Gu ate ax A a a canvas 4 6 Adding Engine Oil Hes aes Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light 2 71 4 6 Adding Hydraulic Clutch Fluid pate pace see AF AntiLock Brakes aa hh eoe urne pe 4 6 Adding Manual Transmission Fluid M DAT ae ar er divas EDU pee TRI Ed UE TCI S 6 30 Adding Power Steering Fluid 6 35 Antifreeze Adding 6 31 Adding Sound Equipment i 004000545 6 14 Antifreeze Checking Adding Windshield Washer Fluid 1 44 6 35 Anti Theft Feature Thefilock 3 12 ECONTRA TUTTI V EY 1719 Appearance Care SECRET CER Air Bag Readiness Light 1 21 2 69 Appearance Care and Materials e s Air Bag System POR at pd C Ea ER z 1 19 Ashtray and Lighter 2 62 Air Bag How Does it Restrain opens 1723 Ashtray Front ATE Air Bag How it Works
3. cia Ad Convex Outside Mirror iore e elec genset es 2 54 6 30 Coolant Heater Engine ans see eg ees sree een pe Coolant Recovery Tank 5 20 Coolant Temperature Gage 2 73 Coolant How to Add to the Coolant Recovery Tank 8 20 Coolant How to Add to the Radiator LT1 Engine 5 26 Coolant How to Add t the Radiator V6 Engine 5 23 Coming SN or ola 5 18 Contesy Lamps ever er ee ee 2 52 Covered Visor Vanity Mimor 2 61 Cruise Control Erasing Speed Memory loe ee eee es 2 49 Geine Qut BE creer xen rre menn 2 48 Passing Another Vehicle While Using 2 48 Speed eee ercsesuecewseeanueds 2 47 BHUDA WAIN sy Gree mueren B EE Hydraulic Clutch Fluid 6 29 Manual Transmission Fluid 6 27 Power Steering Fluid oo goa een 6 34 Restraint Systems E 1 40 Things Under the Hood 6 8 Chemical Paint Spotting 2 6 63 CI eae eet ee Res Securing in a Rear Seat Position 1 33 Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1 34 AND IER de eee rv EE rk ER Y REDE o 1232 Where to P t 1 sce RA te 1 31 LIES Crew ROSA
4. 2 42 Lane Change Indicator URN 2 4 Larger Children Safety Belt Use ere n Latches Front Seathack 22222 1 6 Leaving Your Vehicle edie ieee ieee ede 2 4 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running 2 35 Lights Bag Readiness 1221 2 68 Anti Lock Brake System Warning 2 70 4 6 Brake System Warning 2 69 Check Gauges eee SUM src EVE 2 79 Coolant V8 Engine Only P E E NEVADA ROM Bub 2 73 ES ai wu er ale died Gale lene 2 72 Safety Belt Reminder 1 8 2 68 Service Engine SON eee nares 2 74 Traction Control System Warming 2 72 4 9 Low Cool ores Tuer 2 73 LIT EE MIO ETT TY ee ET SS 2 11 EN 2 12 d ua lx al 2 63 Limited Slip Differential VERAS aaa 6 29 Limited Slip Axle CARCER EAM YE AE 6 32 Loading Your Vehicle CONUAT PI e EET 4 29 Locks ET 2 3 Power a 2 4 Steering Colum zr 7 46 ene d MN MN MEE 2 35 Long Trip Before Leaving on a 4 22 Losgof Control 2222 2 22 4 Low Maintenance Battery 6 40 Lubri
5. 6 E EA 1 21 Audio System amp Lec ring heel Touch Controls 3718 Air Bag Location Audio System Tips About Your 3 14 Air Bag Servicing Vae we sor ain c SY SHINS curro ei Ure ERE ERE Se e E Rara OR 3 5 Air Bag What Makes it Inflate Ae CXII ROC e E Automatic Transmission red Air Bag What Will You See After It inflates Automatic Overdrive Position 2 25 Air Bag When Should it Inflate t5 ned wea 2 First Gear 1 2 26 Atr CAME S Wk scr aed EE EU Neutral M Position 22222 222 2 24 Air Conditioning ETC See era a ak Park P Postion cs ses cose te x chee eee eee Alignment and Balance Tires Reverse Position 2s Turre E y Second Gear 2 Position acere 2 25 PR ETE RO I RR ER TT OTT Third Gear 3 Position AMNES LL rese pz dua us ii packs 6 29 Battery wma app ARES eats T Replacement Remote Lock Control 2 8 WAIDIMES gt 5 gt Y EIER 3 2 5 4 Low Maintenance HEUTE Sete 6 40 BBB Auto Line CUSTOMS nie ace bee 8 3 Blizzard
6. 0 9461 Windshickd washing system Not recommended for pigskin suede leather See vour General Motors Paris Departments for these products See vour Maintenance Schedule for other products Also spot cleans vinyls Waosh Wax coc Vehicle Identification Number VIN SLU SAMPLEAUX ENGINE oM 72675 ASSEMBLY LANT _ 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 your vehicle The VIN also appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts labels and the certificates of title and registration Engine Identification The eighth 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 inside your console storage compartment It s very helpful if you ever need to order parts On this label is your VIN the model designation paint information and a list of all production options and special equipment Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle 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 damage wouldn t be covered by your warranty Some
7. 2 29 Right Front Passenger Position 1 26 Azukbimce amp rox Eas 8 6 Roadside Assistance Canadian MESA TEE 8 7 Rocking Your Vehicle ipa eee eta mee 5 44 Roo Panels erras 2 55 Rotation Tire 6 50 9 10 Safety Belt Extender ncs dB Safety Belt Reminder Light 178 Safety Belt Waming Light 2 68 Sue Ball rr ew s 4524 1 8 PUE 1 13 X RES SUE TES E ard 6 59 Driver Position 2 aon egy EX RH 1 13 CREE ER NT TIT ER TH PITT 1 40 How to Wear Properly 1 13 Incoreet Usage baie dew 1 15 1 39 Lap Shouldet eo rr rex 1 13 Lap Shoulder Belt ec cc ET 26 Questions People 1212 Rear Seat Passengers 1 26 Replacing After a Crash 1 40 Right Front Passenger Position 1 26 Use by Children ae ead tebe se een 1 29 Use by Larger Children 1 37 Use by Smaller Children and Babies 29 Use During Pregnancy 1 25 Win They Work 1 21 01s casia a he E EXER i 9 Safety Chains lS EUR EXE AU hae EO ETE T 4 35 Safety Defects 8 5 Reporting to General Motors TE FI MEE 8 5 Reporting
8. M E M 2 3 8L 1 36 Code K Oil Dipstick Location 3 4L L32 Code 5 Oil Dipstick Location 6 13 5 7L LTI Code P Oil Dipstick Location 3 4L 1 32 Code 5 3 81 L36 Code 5 7L LTI Code P 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 To Check 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 bL When to Add Oil If the oil is at or below the ADD line then you ll need to add some oil But you must use the right kind This part explains what kind of oil to use For crankcase capacity see Capacities and Specifications in the Index NOTICE Don t add too much oil If your engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross hatched area that shows the proper operating range your engine could be damaged Just 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 What Kind of Oil to Use Oils of the proper quality for your vehicle can be identified by looking for the Starburst symbol The Starburst symbol indicates that the oil has been certified
9. rc 3 13 CP PAVED naa P PET TU TENE 3 10 CD Player Anti Theft Feature Pee ane 12 Cemer cies eer ceret rosca eecem n 2 60 Center High Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb a vies sae 6 42 Certification Tire Label pe Chung Sal eer ree rmm aln en 4 35 Chairs TIR 1o aera re Dr EE as 6 55 Changing Flat 5 20 Check Gauges Light Checking Your Restraint Systems 1 40 Checking Automatic Transmission 6 22 Brake Fl ecce exem Engine Colmi sae 6 4 Cloth Setting qd eese erra aA Vea Close Qut celere rte 2 60 Clutch Adjustment scorre xw Rn 6 28 Clutch Hydraulic 0 0466 cece ee ete 6 28 Comfort Controls Leser eere rre eh nn 3 1 Compact Disc Care cip daB Compact Spare Tire T 5 42 Console Brant sca nnnm o ere 2 60 Control ofa Veluelit eese n ESTE 2e 4 3 Control Lou 4 14 Converbis TOD ir X e ECRIRE AER 2 80 Convertible Top Cleaning TTE eee 6 62 Convertible Top To Lower Your 2 80 Convertible Top To Raise
10. 4 EI REBIRD Y PONTIAC Y The 1995 Pontiac Firebird Owner s Manual How to Use This Manual IR RO OC CC DC E ee iii This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings and symbols Seats and Restraint Systems oo coe sence habui RR AREE Ada This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly It also explains the SIR system Fenturesand COMPS re 2 1 This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac Comfort Controls and Audio Systems sore 31 This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system Tour Driving and the 4 Here you ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions Problems on the Road SEU OR RUE 5 1 This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving such as flat tire or engine overheating etc Service and Appearance 6 1 Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good Maintenance Schedule TER xd suada aia This section tells you when t
11. E Boot Cover Installing 2 82 HL dered hese vig ver norem E PEG lr yu pura 6 39 6 38 Master Cylinder en rn 6 20 PUE Leer aea Aca Leu IS AT 2 32 Pedal Travel os vrais caca ua a dr gd ae 6 39 System Parts Replacing EROS 6 39 System Warming Light 2 69 LL ste pine oe yw rou ain Ea urs 2 24 6 33 Transmission Shift Interlock eae wale kaos ie ale ay ee ae 2 36 System Warning Light 2 69 Bue Anti Lock gies al 4 6 Dedi ee wee Lia e 4 35 BRE BAB apap pny 4 5 Braking In Emergencies Eme AEN victa 4 11 Hreak In New Vehicle 2 14 say Silat ig peeing Pte ene 6 71 Center High Mounted Stop Lamp esa Front Turn Signal Lamps NNUS ION I 6 43 ro repe hem S 6 40 Rear Lamps eoe reset n EE UST Rear Sidemarker Lamps 6 45 Canadian Roadside Assistance esses 8 7 Capacities and Specifications 6 72 Carbon Monoxide Y 4 28 4 44 CIBO LONGE va 6 62 Cassette Tape Errore so heey as enr Caste Tape Player cere hene rhe 2 9 Cassette Tape Player Care
12. Headlamp High Low Beam green arrow on the instrument panel will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high to low pull the turn signal lever all the way toward you Then release it When the high beams are on this blue light on the instrument panel also will be on To signal a lane change just raise or lower the lever until the green 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 don t flash but just stay on a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won t see your turn signal If a bulb is burned out replace it to help avoid an accident If the green arrows don t go on at all when you signal a turn check the fuse see Fuses in the Index PR E n RR Windshield Wipers You control the windshield wipers by turning the band with the wiper symbol on it For a single wiping cycle turn the band to MIST Hold it there until the wipers start then let go The wipers will stop after one cycle If you want more cycles hold the band on MIST longer You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes This can be very useful in light rain or snow Turn the band to choose the delay time The closer to LO the shorter the delay For steady wipi
13. 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 anything On city streets rural roads or freeways it means always expect the unexpected Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to 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 It s 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 Attentivencss 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 18 000 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
14. re ERE ades 4 4 16 Engine RENNES 27 a ee oon pis lg te ie e E 2 67 Off Road Recovery aif ahd alana Wied a dos RR RON EEE 4 13 Oil PRA a ad Ee CX a NTT 6 12 Light Low car 2 77 Pressure Gauge cia vet o ease ne reas 2 76 Ordering Owner Publications E 8 7 Service and Owner s Publications 44 Service Bulletins axe Es 8 7 Service Manuals Overdrive Position Automatic Transmisalon E I AES 2 25 Overhetied 5 16 Owner Checks and 7 45 Owner Publications Ordering 8 7 Pain Spotting Chemical 6 63 Park P Shifting Into 2 2 2 34 Park P Shifting Outof 2 36 Park Position Automatic Transmission 2 23 Parking Brake RRR AG E RN P Ae D esa pe E OR EE EROR 2 12 On Hills While Towing a Trailer 4 38 Over Things That Burn see nn 2 37 Your Vehicle Manual Transmission 2 36 HER Loren ERI a seers 2 32 BENI rao wp Eee EE EROR UR wit cK ra Ra 2 12 PASS Key II dele 2 12 PONG E EE EPI
15. A rear blowout particularly on a curve acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you d use in skid In any rear blowout 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 flat avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly ta a level place Turn on your hazard warning flashers CAUTION Changing a tire can cause an injury The vehicle ean 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 transmission shift lever in PARK P or shift manual transmission to FIRST 1 or 3 Turn off the engine be 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 See The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and First you must remove the close out panel See change a tire Close Out Panel in the Index The equipmen
16. You can read battery voltage on your voltmeter If it reads less than 11 volts or more than 16 volts while your engine is running and it stays there you may have problem with the electrical charging system Have it checked right away Driving with the voltmeter reading in a warning zone could drain your battery L If you idle your engine for a while the voltmeter reading might move into the yellow zone If the reading stays in the yellow zone while you are driving you may have a problem with the electrical charging system Have it checked While the voltmeter reads in the yellow zone your battery may not be able to power certain electrical accessories like ABS If this happens your ABS INOP light will come on See Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light in this part If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter reading in a warning zone turn off all your accessories including your comfort control and audio systems Check Gauges Light Fuel Gage This red warning light will come on briefly when you Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your are starting the engine If the light comes on and stays tank The gage works only when the ignition switch is in on while you are driving check your gages to see if they RUN position When the gage pointer first indicates are in the warning areas EMPTY E you still have a little fuel left about one
17. edu Eau 4 13 Performance Mode 2 20 Periodic Maintenance Inspections 1748 Power Antenna Mast Care 3 17 Power Door Locks zie dis 2 4 Power Seat Leere rera ora ex exorare E s eee ner ance ee Power Seat ees 172 Power eee e xara 4 11 Power Steering Fluid ABE Lollia mette qae menm e c EREEEREEE 6 35 6 34 Power Windows ERA Eu E RE NERA 2 39 Power Retained Accessory 2 16 Pregnancy Use of Safety Belts 1 25 Problems on the Road 5 Publications Service and Owner 8 7 dali 22 2 2 22 5 23 Radiator Pressure 6 32 Radio Reception Understanding 3 13 Badii akg ee ava dd a 3 5 AM SIEDO crude rane Xx a ia CERRO 3 14 koe ee enin anh ran 3 13 AM FM Siereo with Cassette or Compact Disc PIEVE wa sa ES E E CORR 3 5 To Puy 3 10 Ruin 4 17 Ru NES see 6 29 Rear Axle Limited Slip 2 32 Rear Lamps Replacement 6 44 Rear Seat Pa
18. i D F Tpm How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part is 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 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 ll start with the driver position Driver Position This part describes the driver s restraint system Lap 5houlder 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 Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you Don t let it get twisted On convertible models 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 4 Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks nA 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 d
19. wax may be applied NOTICE If you have aluminum wheels don t use an automatic car wash that has hard silicon carbide cleaning brushes These brushes can take the protective coating off your aluminum wheels Tires To clean your tires use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner When applying a tire dressing always take care to wipe off any overspray or splash from painted surfaces Petroleum based products may damage the paint finish Se 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 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 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 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 At least every spring flush these materials from the
20. AIR PUMP Air Pump Relay 8 PCM Powertrain Control Module INJECTOR Fuel Injectors INJECTOR Fuel Injectors IGNITION VIN Engine Code 5 Camshaft Position Sensor Crankshaft Position Sensor Ignition Control Module Automatic Transmission Ignition Coil V 8 Engine Ignition Coil Module V 8 Engine A C CRUISE Air Conditioning Compressor Relay Cruise Control Switches and Module Replacement Bulbs Air Automatic Indicator vir dE EROR 73 BSOEUB eR EROS X 1156 Center High Mounted Stoplamp 92 Chatter iore esa 161 Conse rrr rod ru DOE T ape nn 906 Door 74 A AIR 885 Front Parking and Signal SU a 3057 Glove BON MOV Headlamp FI 6545 Heater and A C 37 Indicator Lage PC74 Interior Door Handle 74 LIRE i IT bia ite 194 Reading ICE I E 212 2 ex fans eee cece a s 562 XR HAE RR 194 T Ow ence ala DUDEN mo Tail Stop Turn E E 2057 a e AAT AA aea DPA Turn Signal Indicators 161 Manual transmission only 6 71 Capacities and Specifications Compression Ratio
21. OOo D w Although the compact spare 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 your 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 posted speed limits 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 5 42 Don t take your compact spare 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 NOTICE If the compact spare is used as a rear tire do not drive faster than 50 mph 80 km h Damage to the rear axle may occur if the compact spare is driven faster than 50 mph This speed limitation does not apply when the compact spare is used as a front tire Don t usc your compact spare on some other vehicle And don t mix your compact spare or wheel with other wheels or tires They won t fit Keep your spare and its wheel together CAUTION If you let your tires spin at high speed they
22. carrv 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 use the recommended unleaded 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 2 Maintenance Schedule Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these 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 NOUIF Schedule I should also be followed if the vehicle 15 used for delivery service police taxi or other commercial application Schedule I Definition Schedule 1 Intervals Every 3 000 Miles 5 000 km or 3 Months Engine Oil and Filter Change Every 6 000 Miles 10 000 km or 6 months Chassis Lubrication At 6 000 Miles 10 000 km Then Every 12 000 Miles 25 000 km Tire Rotation Every 7 500 Miles 12 500 km Rear Axle Fluid Change Vehicles Towing Trailers At 7 500 Miles 12 504 km
23. l Using your old code follow the directions given under Shutting Off the Theft Deterrent Feature 2 Repeat directions of Setting Your Security Code with your new security code Understanding Radio Reception FM Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound But signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles 16 to 65 km And tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals causing the sound to come and go AM The range for most AM stations 18 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 3 13 AM Stereo This means the Delco system can receive C QUAM stereo broadcasts Many AM stations around the country use C QUAM to produce stereo though some do not C QUAM T 15 registered trademark of Motorola Inc If your Delco system can get C QUAM your STEREO light will come on when you re receiving 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 hefore your hearing adapts to it To help avoid hearing loss or damage Adjust the volume
24. rer 5 9 pt 2 8 L SiR oo ae evene 2 B pt 3 8 L Rear Axle Lubricant 38 Pl T 7L Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same If 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 Recheck fluid level after filling See Automatic Transmission Fluid or Manual Transmission Fluid in the Index Recheck the oil level after filling See Engine Oil in the Index 6 73 Vehicle Dimensions Wheelbase xe es 101 1 in 2 566 mm Front 60 7 in 1542 mm Rear Tread 60 7 in 1540 mm Length Firebird 195 6 in 4 968 mm NG AIR ree dS YS 197 in 5005 mm Width 745 1893 mm Height Firebird Formula 52 in 1321 mm Trans AM 5177 in 1312 mm Height Convertible Formula ein 92 7 in 1340 mm Trans AM 524 dn 1331 mm 6 74 Replacement Parts Air Cleaner Filter Bere Engine Oil Filter VIN Engine Code 5 and K VIN Engine Code P FUSEPIBEE Lerner rr PCV Valve VIN Engine Code 5 VIN Engine Code K Radiator Cap Spark Plug VIN Engine Code S VIN Engine Code K VIN Engine Code P Thermostat Temperature
25. symbol of the proper viscosity To determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle s engine see Engine Oil in the Index Engine Coolant 50 50 mixture of water preferably distilled and good quality ethylene glycol base antifreeze GM Part No 1052753 or equivalent conforming to GM Specification 1825M or approved recycled coalant conforming to GM Specification 1825M GM Part No 3634621 or equivalent Coolant supplement 2 2 USAGE FLUID LUBRICANT Hydraulic Brake Delco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid System GM Part No 1052535 or equivalent DOT 3 brake fluid Hydraulic Clutch Fluid GM Part No 12345347 or equivalent GM Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid GM Part No 1052884 or equivalent DEXRON III Automatic Transmission Fluid Automatic Transmission Fluid Hydraulic Clutch Power Steering System Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission Lubricate with Multi Purpose Lubricant GM Part No 12345120 or synthetic SAE 5W 30 engine oul Automatic Transmission Shift Linkage Clutch Linkage Pivot Points Engine oil _ _ _ MM FLUID LUBRICANT Engine oil Floor Shift Linkage Chassis lubricant GM Part No 1052497 or equivalent or lubricant meeting requirements of
26. 2 gear This helps you to get the best possible fuel economy This light will come on under these conditions The engine coolant temperature is greater than 170 77 C You are going 15 20 mph 24 32 km h and You are at 35 throttle or less 2 30 When this light is on the gear shift lever will let you shift from FIRST 1 to FOURTH 4 gears only Once you are in FOURTH 4 gear you can press the clutch again and shift into another gear Follow the shift speeds in this chart when the SKIP SHIFT light is on Computer Aided Manual Transmission Shift Speeds Ist to 4th 15 mph 24 km h Ath to 5th 25 mph 40 km h 5th to 6th 40 mph 64 km h Each time you come to a stop the engine s Electronic Control Module ECM determines when to activate the SKIP SHIFT upshift system Use SECOND 2 gear only when you accelerate very quickly from a stop You can then follow the full gear shift pattern 30 mph 48 km h when accelerating to highway speeds 45 mph 72 km h when accelerating to highway speeds Shift Speeds Manual Transmission This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear for best fuel economy MANUAL TRANSMISSION RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS ih MPH Acceleration Shift Speed 2103 aws 241132 13 15 32 37 45 47 e u di NOTICE If you skip more than one gear when you downshift or if you
27. 6 69 Pus BOE MISI a sinere hr Ra e cR 6 66 6 67 Fuses and Circuit Breakers 6 66 Gauge Engine Coolant Temperature 2 72 Gigs OE ere 2 19 Gasolines for Cleaner Air 6 5 GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating 4 30 Glane CUIRE wee RM Cer 6 59 COVER 2 60 GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 45 4 30 Halogen Bulbs REOR SOROR EEN EXE 5 40 Hatchback esis tices eae pee cee 2 9 Hazard Warning Flashers lia ARTE TAE rah alta 3 Head Resham aaa eb oe 1 6 aii yc as a eee aea 2 51 Headlamp High Low Beam C hanger ACUTE TELS 2 42 Hendlamp Wiring 6 67 ak Un Re 2 49 Headlamps Bulb Replacement PE PUN 6 40 Hearing or Speech Impaired Customer Assistance 8 2 Heating RIAM n RA CC ee RUE SIRE E ETEE DR 3 1 Highway 4 23 Hill and Mountain 5 4 23 Hitches Trailer MM ene en Me 4 34 Hood Release selbe 1 e To 6 8 EHI La pede 2 40 Hydraulic E sada silva sb ET 6 28 Hydraulic Clutch Fluid PTT ose oy pe te Re lal la oes kes 2 6 28 14 ERU amp 29 Hyd
28. If the boot cover is in place it must be removed first 3 Instal the middle section of the cover by sliding the tabs into the slots on right side cover Lower the cover and engage latch 4 Close the trunk 2 Open the trunk Remove the middle piece of the cover by pushing in on the latch and lifting up on the COVET 2 83 3 Remowe the two side pieces of the boot cover by 4 Store each piece of the cover in its separate lifting the rear cover and sliding them out of their compartment in the storage bag Store in the trunk slots and close the trunk Tap 5 Push and hold the top of the convertible top switch 6 Pull down on the latches and align hooks with holes Push forward on the larger part of the latch until it clicks Do not force the latch If it is hard to lack the top is not properly aligned If your vehicle suffers a power loss such as a dead battery you can still raise or lower the top manually by rotating the valve in the left side of the trunk Open the trunk and find the tab along the left side trim panel Lift up the tab and turn the valve clockwise to release the hydraulic pressure Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position You can now raise or lower your top manually Be sure to close the valve after installing your top so you can raise or lower it electronically later 2 85 NOTES
29. NLGI Grade 2 Category LB or GC LB Axle Lubricant GM Part No 1052271 or SAE 80W 90 GL 5 Gear Lubricant Axle Lubricant GM Part No 12345977 or SAE 80W 90 GL 5 Gear Lubricant and Limited Slip Differential Lubricant Additive GM Part No 1052558 or equivalent where required See Rear Axle in the Index GM Optikleen Washer Solvent GM Part No 1051515 or equivalent Chassis Lubrication Rear Axle Standard Differential Rear xle Limited Slip Differential Windshield Washer Solvent FLUID LUBRICANT Hood Latch Assembly a Pivots and Engine oil Spring Anchor b Chassis lubricant GM Part No 1052497 or equivalent or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI Grade 2 Category LB or GC LB b Release Pawl Hood and Door Hinges Fuel Door Hinge Rear compartment Lid Hinges Rear Folding Seat Engine oil or Lubri plate Lubricant GM Part No 1050109 Dielectric Silicone Grease GM Part No 12345579 or equivalent Weatherstrip Conditioning See Replacement Parts in the Index for recommended replacement filters valves and spark plugs J Part E Maintenance Record Any additional information from Owner Checks and Services or Periodic Maintenance can be added on After the scheduled services are performed record the the following record pages Also you s
30. Pontiac s Roadside Assistance toll free number 15 staffed by a team of technically trained advisors who available 24 hours a day 365 days a vear 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 years 36 000 miles at no expense to you Vehicle out of fuel Keys locked in vehicle Tow to nearest dealer for warranty Change a tire Jump starts Courtesy Transportation For warranty repairs during the Bumper to Bumper coverage period interim transportation may be available under the Pontiac Courtesy Transportation Program Please consult your dealer for details In Canada please consult your GM dealer for information on Courtesy Transportation We have quick easy access to telephone numbers of the following services depending on your needs Hotel Glass replacement Rental vehicles or taxis Police fire department or hospitals In many instances mechanical failures are covered under Pontiac s comprehensive warranty However when other outside services are utilized our advisors will explain any payment obligations you might incur For prompt and efficient assistance when calling please provide the following information to the advisor Location of vehicle Telephone number of your location Vehicle model year and color
31. The security light may remain on during this time If the starter still won t work and the key appears to be clean and dry wait about three minutes and try another ignition key At this time you may also want to check the fuses see Fuses and Circuit Breakers in the Index If the starter won t work with the other key your vehicle needs service If your vehicle does start the first ignition key may be faulty See your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service the PASS Key If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or missing resistor pellet the starter won t work and the security light will flash But you don t have to wait three minutes before trying another ignition key See your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service the PASS Key II to have new key made If you re ever driving and the SECURITY light comes on and stays on you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it off Your 55 system however is not working properly and must be serviced by your Pontiac dealer Your vehicle is not protected by the PASS Key Il system If you lose or damage a PASS Key Il ignition key see your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS Key to have a new key made In an emergency call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program at 1 800 ROADSIDE or 1 800 762 3743 2 13 New Vehicle Break In NOTICE Your modern Pontiac doesn t need an elaborate break in But it
32. 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 4 30 And if you do heavy load you should spread it out Don t carry more than 100 pounds 45 kg in your rear area CAUTION 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 1 ig can shorten the life of your If you put things inside your vehicle like suitcases tools packages or anything else they will go as fast as the vehicle goes If vou have to stop or turn quickly or if there is a crash they ll stop or turn quickly or if there is a crash they ll keep going Towing a Trailer CAUTION 5 Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in sudden stop or turn or in a crash CAUTION 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
33. damage a vehicle Damage can occur from vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel lift equipment contact help avoid damage install a towing dolly and raise vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained between the ground and or wheel lift equipment Attach a separate safety chain around outboard end of each lower control arm 5 12 gt 7 Rear Towing Hook Ups Attach T hook chains in front of rear wheels in bottom of frame rail on both sides NOTICE 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 SS 0 Ee 5 14 NOTICE Do not tow with sling type equipment or rear bumper valance will he damaged Use wheel lift or car carrier equipment Additional ramping may be required for car carrier equipment Use safety chains and wheel straps NOTICE Take care not to damage the brake pipes and cables NOTICE Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could damage a vehicle Damage can occur from vehicle to ground or vehicle to whecl lift equipment contact To help avoid damage install a towing dolly and raise vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained between the ground and or wheel lift equipment Attach separate safety chain around each outboard end of the rear axle Engine Overheating You will find a coolant temperature gage on your Pontiac s instrument panel You may a
34. gloss retention and durability Washing Your Vehicle The hest 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 a 100 cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac by hand may be 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 are non abrasive and made for a basecoat clearcoat paint finish NOTICE Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on 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 industr
35. it s better not to use FIFTH or SIXTH gear Just drive in FOURTH drive in FIFTH if you have a six speed manual transmission or as you need to a lower gear E 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 hill here s how to do it l Apply your regular brakes but don t shift into PARK P yet or into gear for a manual transmission 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 or REVERSE R for a manual transmission 5 Release the regular brakes When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you Start your engine e Shift into a gear and Release the parking brake 2 Let up on the brake pedal Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks 3 4 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 traile
36. or lower p Unlock the front of the convertible top by pushing on the smaller part of the latch then pulling down on the larger part of the latch sure the hook on the latch NOTICE dut into the hole at the windshield releases Before lowering the convertible top into the storage area be sure there are no objects in the way of the folded stored top The weight of a stored top on items in the storage area will cause the convertible top back glass to break m H 1 Installing the Boot Cover After lowering the convertible top you may want to install the boot cover The three piece boot cover is stored in a bag in the trunk 3 Be sure no one or nothing is on or around the top Push and hold the bottom of the convertible top switch The switch is on the left side of your console The top will automatically lower into the storage area I Open the trunk and remove the two side covers from the storage bag 2 Install the two side covers by engaging the tab into the front seatbelt cover Lower the covers onto the car 66 To Raise Your Convertible Top l Park on level surface Set the parking brake firmly If you have an automatic transmission shift into PARK P If you have manual transmission shift into REVERSE R The ignition must be in the ACC or RUN position Lower both sun visors Lower both windows at least three inches
37. 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 sensors and modules the wiring and the diagnostic module For more information on the air bag system see Air Bag in the Index AIR BAG You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you turn your ignition to RUN or START Then the light should go out This means the system is ready If the air bag readiness light doesn t come on when you start your vehicle or stays on or comes on when you are driving your air bag system may not work properly Have your vehicle serviced right away Brake Svstem 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 2009 braking though vou need both parts working well If the warning light comes on there could be brake problem Have your brake system inspected right away This light should come on briefly as you start the vehicle If it doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will he 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 or if the anti lock brake system wa
38. s aii VIN Engine Code Sand K 9 1 IN Engine Code P 10 5 1 VIN Engine Code Sand K 9 n con DM ev sette dl NES VIN Engine Code S and 1 2 3 4 5 6 Valve Krcane xuent l l i In Head VIN Engine Cop P s vices 0 aa Piston Displacement VIN Engine Code 5 207 CID 3 4L VIN Engine Code K 231 CID 3 8L Wheel Nuts VIN Engine Code P 350 CID 5 7L Wheel Nut Torque 6 72 Capacities Approximate The following approximate capacities are given in U S and metric conversions Air Conditioning See the refrigerant information label under the hood Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill IO 4 7 L Overhaul VIN Engine Code 5 and 17 6 pt 8 3 L VIN Engine Code P 2L6pt 10 2 L Cooling System VIN Engine Code 5 With Manual Transmission 12 5 qt 11 8 L With Automatic Transmission 12 3 qt 11 61 VIN Engine Code K With Manual Transmission 12 5 qt 11 8 L With Automatic Transmission 12 3 qt 11 6 L VIN Engine Code P With Manual Transmission With Automatic Transmission 15 3 qt 14 5 L 15 1 qt 14 3 L Crankcase Without Filter Change 4 0 qt 3 8 L With Filter Change 5 0 qt 4 7 L Fuel Tank erbe hac aon ad OF Manual Transmission
39. worse by 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 you are in a turn or curve Keep your 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 eyes be examined regularly Some drivers suffer from night blindness the inability to see in dim light and aren t even aware of it Driving in the Rain 4 17 Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble On a wet road you can t stop accelerate or turn as well because your tire to road traction isn t as good as on dry roads And if your tires don t have much tread left vou ll get even less traction It s always wise to go slower and be cautious if 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 wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show
40. 000 Miles 130 000 km C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 81 000 Miles 135 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Maintenance Schedule I _ 82 500 Miles 137 500 km 84 000 Miles 140 000 km 0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if C Change engine oil and filter or every vehicle is used to pull a trailer 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first SERVICED BY DATE ACTUALMILEAGE UAL MILEAGE SERVICED ISERVICED ACTUAL MILEAGE Maintenance Schedule I 87 000 Miles 145 000 km 90 000 Miles 150 000 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 the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage
41. 2 83 Circuit Breaker Power Windows and Other Power Options 2 FIRM MIS RAD EN PT 8 87 Canet Ar i eror nn mne VIS 6 19 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels 2222222 6 62 PAC RH UR Ee ERR e e 6 57 reni ac ao RR DERE aia Rn 6 59 ANE OE Leer e E NEN 6 59 Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades 6 60 Special Peoblems iis esis see ee Ii n 6 58 eee res mexicana Ro acm dn eror pde 6 58 The Inside of Your Pontiac 6 56 The Outside of Your Pontiac 6 60 TEES 5 62 Top of the Instrument Panel 6 59 Tour Convertible Tay Leere 6 62 Val E E E IQ UR RC ew RO ld 6 58 To Reduce Speed s vas vara eee In Blizzard tr 4 27 To Resume Set 8 2 7 In Foreign Countries E EA Leur acta sted MEG 2 46 In the Rain VOR taie roce METER RE FORERO SOC RA EROR Ea aa 2 48 Ou Curves eect oen IET DEA d E E 4 11 Customer Assistance for the Heari ngi or Speech On Hill and Mountain Roads 4 23 Impatred o eheee inre sos acci 2 On 5now and ieee e EC e 4 26 Customer Assistance Information Through Deep Stand
42. Dipstick if equipped 5 Air Cleaner 6 Oil Fill Cap 7 Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 Power Steering Reservoir 9 Windshield Washer Reservoir 10 Engine Fan 11 Clutch Fluid Reservoir if equipped i 5 71 LTI Code P When you open the hood you ll see Lap Battery Engine Coolant Reservoir Engine Oil Dipstick Automatic Transmission Dipstick if equipped Air Cleaner Oil Fill Cap Brake Fluid Reservoir Power Steering Reservoir Windshield Washer Reservoir Engine Fans Clutch Fluid Reservoir if equipped 6 Engine Oil A CAUTION Things that 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 burn onto a hot engine Before closing the hood be sure all the filler caps are on Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly If the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on it means you need to check your engine oil level right away For more information see LOW OIL in the Index You should check your engine oil level regularly this is an added reminder It s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel In order to get an accurate reading the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground pt
43. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want and then release the switch Toincrease your speed in very small amounts the switch to R A for less than half second and then Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed release it Each time you do this your vehicle will go and then you apply the brake or clutch peddle This of about 1 mph 1 6 km h faster course shuts off the cruise control But you don t need to reset it Once you re going about 25 mph 40 km h or more you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R A Resume Accelerate for about half a second You ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there 2 47 To Reduce Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control 1 Push the button at the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want then release it 2 To slow down in very small amounts push 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 steep hills you may
44. Index Put the restraint the seat Follow the instructions 5 Buckle the belt for the child restraint Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to 6 Then thread both lap and shoulder belt portions through the locking clip CAUTION If a locking clip is not used or is not installed properly the child restraint may move or tip over when your vehicle turns or stops quickly The child or others could be injured When you secure a child restraint with a lap shoulder belt always thread both the lap and shoulder belt portions through a locking clip Lap Belt portion Latch Plate Buckle Shoulder Belt portion Locking Clip Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it 1s secure aA To remove the child restraint just unbuckle the vehicle s Larger Children safety belt and remove the locking clip Let the safety belt zo back all the way CAUTION When not used with a child restraint seat a safety belt with a child restraint locking clip still ed can cause serious injury in a crash Always remove the clip when you are not using it The safety belt will move freely again and ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger Children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the vehicle s safety belts TT Ac
45. LAMPS ANT LOCK fj BRAKE 685 SPARK OR 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 net do with safety belts Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats how to adjust them and also about reclining front seatbacks seatback latches and the folding rear seatback Manual Front Seat N CAUTION You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a 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 Move the lever under the passenger s front seat to unlock 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 Be sure the lever returns to its original position after moving the seat Four Way Manual Seat There are two levers at the front of the seat The left lever adjusts the seat forward and back The right lever adjusts the angle of the front of the seat To Adjust the Seats Forward and Rearward Lift the lever under the left front of the seat Slide the seat to where you want it Then release the lever and try to move the
46. Rear Axle Fluid Change Limited Slip Differential Every 15 000 Miles 25 000 km Air Cleaner Filter Inspection if driving in dusty conditions Automatic Transmission Service severe conditions Every 30 000 Miles 50 000 km Air Cleaner Filter Replacement Spark Plug Replacement Except 5 7L Code P engine Spark Plug Wire Inspection Fuel Tank Cap and Lines Inspection Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection or every 24 months Cooling System Service or every 24 months Every 100 000 Miles 166 000 km Spark Plug Replacement 5 7L Code P engine only Automatic Transmission Service normal conditions Se Maintenance Schedule Schedule Definition E Schedule H Intervals em Follow Schedule II only if none of the conditions from Every 7 500 Miles 12 500 km Schedule 115 true Engine Oil and Filter Change or every 12 months Chassis Lubrication or every 12 months At 7 500 Miles 12 500 km Rear Axle Fluid Change Limited Slip Differential At 7 500 Miles 12 500 km Then Every 15 000 Miles 25 000 km Tire Rotation Automatic Transmission Service severe conditions Every 30 000 Miles 50 000 km Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection or every 24 months Cooling System Service or every 24 months Spark Plug Replacement Except 5 7L Code P engine Spark Plug Wire Inspection Air Cleaner Filter Replacement Fuel Tank Cap and Lines Inspection Every 100 000 Miles 166 000 km Sp
47. Scheduled Maintenance Services in the Index e e S Air Filter Replacement CAUTION 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 ai cleaner off remove the air filter NOTICE If the air cleaner is off backfire can cause 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 1 Remove the plastic pin by pulling it straight up n E m M 2 Disconnect the plastic clamp on the duct Pull apart 3 Pull the air cleaner straight up Unclamp the metal the connection clips 4 Open the air cleaner and remove the filter Automatic Transmission Fluid When to Check and Change good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level 1 when the engine oil is changed Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change your fluid See Scheduled Maintenance Services in the Index How to Check Because this operation can be a little difficult you may choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealer Service Department If you do it yourself be sure to follow all the i
48. Specification CV892C CV885C RASTSK 0 045 Gap AT 41 601 0 060 Gap RASLTSP 0 050 Gap 180 F 82 C Y Section 7 Maintenance Schedule IMPORTANT KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER LEVEL AND CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED This section covers the maintenance required for your Pontiac Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety dependability and emission control performance Protection Plan Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan The Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties See your Pontiac dealer for details 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 or the removal of important components can significantly affect the quality of the air we breathe Improper fluid levels or even the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions from your vehicle To help protect our environment and to help 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 equipm
49. Y Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems In this section you ll find out how to operate the comfort control systems and audio systems offered with your Pontiac Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle Comfort Controls With this system you can control the heating and ventilation in your Pontiac If you have the air conditioning option you can also control cooling Your vehicle also has the flow through ventilation system described later in this section Heater Controls Fan Control Knob 8 FAN Tum this knob to select the force of air you want Temperature Control Knoh Tum the knob to change the temperature of the air flowing from the heating system Turn it to the right for warmer air and to the left for cooler air The temperature of the air can not be less than the temperature of the outside air Air Control Knob OFF The system 1s off 7M VENT Air flows through the upper air vents SH BI LEVEL Air is directed through the upper air vents and the heater ducts 1 HEATER This setting directs most of the air through the heater ducts and some of the air through the windshield defroster vents Gs A BLEND Air is directed through the windshield defroster vents and the heater ducts DEFROST This setting directs most of the air through the windshield defroster vents and some of the air through the heater ducts Heating The heater works best if
50. a dime or similar object in the slot between the covers and twisting 2 Lift off the front cover bottom half first Hatch Release 3 Remove and replace the batteries Use two batteries type DL2016 or a similar type Put new batteries in printed side down Your door key opens the hatch 4 Replace the front cover Make sure the cover is on tightly so water won t get in 5 Check the transmitter s aperation Remote Hatch Release Option The switch only works when the ignition switch is in RUN or ACC or when RAP is present See Retained Accessory Power in the Index NOTICE If you put things in the hatchback area be sure they won t break the glass when you close it Never slam the hatch down You could break the glass or damage the defogger grid if equipped Press the switch under the lamp controls to unlock the hatch from inside your vehicle If you have an automatic transmission your shift lever must be in PARK P or NEUTRAL N to use the switch If you have a manual transmission and the ignition switch is in RUN you must set the parking brake before you can use the switch CAUTION It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch 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 hatch open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal betwe
51. after drinking For persons under 21 it s against the law in every U S state to drink alcohol There are good medical psychological and developmental reasons for these laws 4 2 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 e How much alcohol consumed The drinker s body weight The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking e The length of time it s taken the drinker to consume the alcohol According to the American Medical Association 1 80 pound 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 BAC 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 would be close to 0 12 percent A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC le
52. 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 but the part of the hag that comes into contact with you will not he hot to the touch There will he some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bags Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle nor will it stop people from leaving the vehicle 1 23 Your vehicle is equipped with a 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 Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag system Improper service can mean that your air hag system won t work properly See your dealer for service NOTICE If you damage the cover for the driver s or the right front passenger s air they may not In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag windshields are broken by vehicle deformation i oe Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the work property Yon have to repiice the alr right front passenger air bag air module and t trument panel for the right front passenger s air bag Do not open or break the air bag covers The air bags are designed to inflate only once After they i
53. 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 you 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 supported service people will perform the work using genuine GM parts 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
54. by the American Petroleum Institute APT and is preferred for use in your gasoline engine If you change your own oil be sure you use oil that has the Starburst symbol on the front of the oil container If you have your oil changed for you be sure the oil put into your engine is American Petroleum Institute certified for gasoline engines You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle as shown in the following chart ee 3 4L L32 Code 8 5 71 LTI Code As shown in the chart SAE 5W 30 is best for your vehicle However you can use SAE 10W 30 if it s going RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE 0115 to be F 18 C or above These numbers on an oil FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING SELECT THE LOWEST container show its viscosity or thickness Do not use SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W 50 IF NEITHER SAE SW SAE 100 30 GRADE DILE ARE AVAILABLE SAE 30 GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 40 DEGREES F 4 DEGREES DO USE SAE 40 SAE 20 50 OF ANY OTHER GRADE 011 NOT RECOMMENDED iij c Mr 3 8L L36 Code K As shown in the chart SAE 10W 30 is best for your vehicle However you can use SAE 5W 30 if it s going RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS to be colder than 60 F 16 C before your next oil FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD START
55. city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 F 32 C or higher hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing Maintenance Schedule I Uses such as found in taxi police or _ Replace spark plugs except 5 71 Code delivery service engine An Emission Control Service If you do not use your vehicle under any of O Inspect spark plug wires An Emission Control these conditions change the fluid and filter Service T at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control Manual transmission fluid doesn t require Service change C Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage Inspect engine accessory drive belt or or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any every 24 months whichever occurs first damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service CI Drain flush and refill cooling system every 24 months whichever occurs first See Engine 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 ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Maintenance Schedule 37 500 Miles 62 500 km 45 000 Miles 75 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every L Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first 12 mon
56. close the door Remote Lock Control Option 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 Y x X operation a Should interference to this system occur try this QOO ROM Seco SO ine i i resect Men Check to determine if battery replacement 15 necessary See the instructions on battery replacement Check the distance You may be too far from your vehicle This product has a maximum range If your Pontiac has this option you can lock and unlock Check the location Other vehicles or objects may be your doors or unlock your hatch up to about 30 feet 9 blocking the signal m using the key chain transmitter supplied with your RS See your Pontiac dealer or a qualified technician for service Your Remote Lock Control operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission FCC Rules Changes or modifications to this system by other than authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment Operation The driver s door will unlock automatically when UNLOCK is pressed If UNLOCK is pressed again within five seconds the passenger door will also unlock doors will lock when DOOR is pressed The hatch will unlock when the opened trunk sym
57. conditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change When doing frequent trailer towing 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first _ Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle 1s mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 F 32 C or higher n hilly or mountainous terrain ACTUAL MILEAGE ISERVICED BY RPSEMI P Maintenance Schedule 22 500 Miles 37 500 km Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first 0 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information 30 000 Miles 50 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n heavy
58. 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 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 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 e Watch for traffic signs pavement markings and lines If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate turn 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 double solid line even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic 453 4 14 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you re awaiting an opportunity For
59. control to the lowest setting Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly 3 14 Before you add sound equipment to your vehicle like a tape player CB radio mobile telephone or two way radio be sure you can add what vou 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 And 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 cause failure of the tape player Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time Always verify that the cassette tape is in good condition and that the tape player is clean before obtaining service on your tape player Your tape player should be cleaned with every 50 hours of use to provide optimum performance Your radio may display to indicate that your have used your tape player f
60. engine gets warm NOTICE Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause vour battery to be drained much sooner And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor 2 Ifit doesn t start within 10 seconds push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor while you hold the ignition key in START When the engine starts let go of the key and let up on the accelerator pedal Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery When starting your engine in very cold weather below or 18 C do this With your foot off the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to START and hold it there When the engine starts let go of the key Use the accelerator pedal to maintain engine speed if you have to until your engine has run for a while 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 If the car starts briefly but then stops again do the same thing but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds This clears the extra gasoline from the engine NOTICE Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in vour vehicle If you add electrical parts or accessories you could change the way the fuel injection system operates Before adding el
61. even if vou have an air bag Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it The air bag is only supplemental restraint That is it works with safety belts but doesn t replace them Air bags are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of vour vehicle hits something They aren t designed to inflate at all in rollover rear side or low speed frontal crashes Everyone in your vehicle including the driver should wear a safety belt properly whether or not there s an air bag for that person Z CAUTION 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 SS ee There is an air bag How the Air Bag System Works readiness light on the instrument panel which shows AIR BAG on it The system checks the air bag s electrical system for malfunctions The light tells you if there 15 an electrical problem See Air Bag Readiness Light in the Index for more information Where is the air bag The driver s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel The right front passenger s air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger s side 1 22 CAUTION Don t put anything on or attach anythin
62. filter or every _ Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 21 000 Miles 35 000 km 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED EY DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED 7 10 22 500 Miles 37 500 km 24 000 Miles 40 000 km _ Change the rear axle gear lubricant if 0 Change engine oil and filter or every vehicle is used to pull a trailer 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY SERVICED BY DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE yy 27 000 Miles 45 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 30 000 Miles 50 000 km 0 Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is use
63. have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed When going downhill vou may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down Of course applying the brake takes you out of cruise control Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and don t use cruise control on steep hills To Get Out of Cruise Control There are several ways to turn off the cruise control 1 Step lightly on the brake pedal or clutch pedal if you have a manual transmission 2 Mowe the cruise switch to OFF 2 48 To Erase Speed Memory When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition your cruise control set speed memory is erased Main Lamp Control The main lamp control is a knob that works these lamps Headlamps Taillamps Parking lamps License lamps Sidemarker lamps Instrument panel lights 5 This setting turns on your headlamps and other operating lamps P This setting turns on your parking lamps without your headlamps Turn the knob to OFF to turn off the lamps Brightness Control 7 This switch controls the brightness of your instrument panel lights Turn the switch to brighten or dim the lights If you turn the switch all the way up your courtesy lamps will come on e a Daytime Running Lamps Canada Daytime Running Lamps DRL make it easier to see the front of your vehicle during the day DRL can be helpful when it s raining and in the short periods after dawn and bef
64. is in the p bottom of the instrument panel near the steering column 2 8 Insert the other end of the fused jumper into terminal 4 Terminal 4 is the fourth terminal from the left in the top row You have grounded the program input line You should hear the door locks lock and unlock within one to three seconds When matching transmitters the first transmitter code matched will be stored in both memories until a second transmitter 18 matched This means that the second transmitter will not work until it is matched in step 5 Press any button on the first transmitter The door locks should lock and unlock Press any button on the second transmitter The door locks should lock and unlock Remove the fused jumper from the DLC The system will not work unless the jumper 18 removed Check that all the buttons on both transmitters work correetl v If the transmitters don t work or if you d rather not match the transmitters yourself see your Pontiac dealer Battery Replacement Under normal use the batteries in your key chain transmitter should last about two years You can tell the batteries are weak 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 batteries Use two batteries type DL2016 or similar type To replace batteries in the Remote Lock Control 1 Pop the cover off by inserting
65. key is turned to OFF and neither door is opened If a door is opened the audio system and power windows will shut off The power door locks electric mirrors and remote hatch release work until you shut the door Once you have shut the door these accessories will continue to work for approximately 35 seconds After this time you will not be able to use these accessories until the next time you open a door or turn the ignition 2 16 Starting Your Engine Engines start differently The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number VIN shows the code letter or number for your engine You will find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel See Vehicle Identification Number in the Index Follow the proper steps to start the engine Automatic transmission Move your shift lever to PARK P or NEUTRAL N Your engine won t start any other position that s a safety feature To restart when you re already moving use NEUTRAL N only NOTICE Don t try to shift to PARK P if your Pontiac is moving If you do you could damage the transmission Shift to PARK P only when your vehicle is stopped Manual transmission The gear selector should be in neutral Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine Your vehicle won t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down that s a safety feature To start your V6 engine 1 Without pushing the accelerator pedal turn your
66. on to the next exil The exit ramp can be curved sometimes quite sharply 4 21 The exit speed 15 usually posted Reduce your speed according to your speedometer not to your sense of motion After driving for any distance at higher speeds vou 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 a 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 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 4 22 Here are some things you can check before a trip Windshield Washer Fluid Is the reservoir full Are all windows clean inside and outside Wiper Blades Are they in good shape Fuel Engine Oil Other Fluids Have you checked all levels e 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 Weather Forecasts What s the weather outlook along your
67. passing the next vehicle Don t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly Even though the brake lights 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 vou can ease 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 tires 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 cornering force in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin cornering skid 18 best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal If you have the traction control system remember It helps avoid only the acceleration skid If you do not have traction control or if the system is off then
68. rear window 3 4 Audio Systems Your Delco audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure But 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 If you have power door locks your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory Power RAP With RAP you can play your audio system even after the ignition is off See the Index under Retained Accessory Power Setting the Clock The clock may be set with the ignition on or off 1 Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears 2 Press and hold MIN until the correct minute appears NOTE There will be a two second delay before the clock goes into the time set mode and the colon in the display will blink while in this mode AM FM Stereo Radios with Cassette Tape Player or Compact Disc Player If your Pontiac has a radio with either a cassette tape player a compact disc player or a graphic equalizer the instructions below will explain how to use the radio For other features see the instructions for the feature your radio has To Play the Radio Push POWER to turn the system on or off VOLUME Turn the VOLUME knob to adjust the sound RECALL Press RECALL to recall the station being played or the clock display You can also press
69. route Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system Maps Do you have up to date maps Highway Hypnosis I5 there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis 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 less than a second and you could crash and be injured What can you do about highway hypnosis First be aware that 1t 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 rest service or parking area and take nap get some exercise both For safety treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain 4 23 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 up S qu
70. 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 a 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 Unless you have traction control and the system is on adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places You can lose control 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 vou 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 o
71. seat with your body to make sure the seat 15 locked into place 1 2 Raise or Lower the Front of the Seats To tilt the entire seat lift the lever under the right front of the seat and lean forward or backward Six Way Power Seat Option The driver s seat has three controls on the left side The front control makes the front of the seat go up and down The back control makes the back of the seat go up and down The center control makes the whole seat go up and down or forward and backward Fully Articulating Sport Seat Option The switch pads on the outer side of the seats inflate and deflate parts of your seatback The two buttons that have dots inflate and deflate the outer parts of the seatback To inflate push the raised button To deflate push the indented button If your Pontiac has these seats the driver s seat has the four way manual seat adjuster See Four Way Manual Seat earlier in this part The passenger seat has the two way manual seat adjuster See Manual Front Seat earlier in this part The two buttons without dots inflate and deflate the lumbar lower part of the seatback support To inflate push the raised button To deflate push the indented button To adjust the thigh support pull up on the front of your seat cushion and move the support to the position you want To release the support continue pulling up To engage it again push down firmly
72. signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts Driving too fast through 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 18 more is low It can happen if a lot of water is standing on A CAUTION the road If you can see reflections from trees telephone poles or other vehicles and raindrops dimple the Wet brakes can cause accidents They won t work water s surface there could be hydroplaning well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds There side You could lose control of the vehicle just isn t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning The After driving through a large puddle of water or best advice is to slow down when it is raining wash apply your brake pedal lightly until Some Other Rainy Weather Tips your brakes work normally Turn on your low beam headlamps not just your parking lights to help make you more visible to Hydroplaning others Hydroplaning is dangerous So much water can build up Besides slowing down allow some extra following under your tires that they can actually ride on the water distance And be especially careful when you pass This can happen if the road is wet enough and you re another vehicle All
73. something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement Paying attention to your warning lights and gauges could also save you or others from injury Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem with one of your car s functions As you will see in the details on the next few pages some warning lights come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to let you know they re working If you are familiar with this section you should not be alarmed when this happens Gauges can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your car s functions Often gauges and warning lights work together to let you know when there s a problem with your car When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving or when one of the gauges shows there may be a problem check the section that tells you what to do about it Please follow the manual s advice Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even dangerous 5o please get to know your warning lights and gauges They re big help 2 67 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 is already buckled The safety belt light will also come on and stay on until the driver s belt is buckled Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
74. stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push 4 6 Anti Lock Brakes ABS Your Pontiac has an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a hraking skid This light on the instrument panel will come on briefly when you start your vehicle When you start your vehicle or when you begin to drive away you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise And you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on This is the ABS system testing itself If there s a problem with the anti lock brake system the anti lock brake system warming light wall stay on or flash See Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light in the Index 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 ront 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 separately 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 7 Remember Anti lock doesn t change the time you need
75. system on a modern 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 Vehicles we design and test have top quality GM brake parts in them as your Pontiac does when it is new 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 genuine 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 c 0 Battery Bulb Replacement Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom battery You For the proper type of replacement bulb see never have to add water to one of these When it s time Replacement Bulbs in the Index for a new battery we recommend a Delco Freedom gt battery Get one that has the replacement number shown Halogen Bulbs on the original battery s label CAUTION Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb You or others could be injured Take special care when handling and disposing of halogen bulbs Vehicle Storage If you re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more
76. take off the black negative cable from the battery This will help keep your battery from running down N CAUTION 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 tips on working around a battery without getting hurt Headlamps To replace a headlamp I Open the headlamp door by hand See Headlamp Doors in the Index Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle for longer storage periods L E ath an 2 Unscrew the bezel with a screwdriver and remove it 3 Remove the screws and pull out the bulb housing Center High Mounted Stoplamp 4 Pull out the bulb and disconnect the electrical connector To replace the bulb 5 Reverse the steps with a new bulb 1 Remove the two screws the stoplamp lens RAT 6 42 Front Turn Signal 2 Gently pull the assembly out and remove the bulb from the back of the assembly 3 Pavone th a neo bah Using a screwdriver remove the plastic screws from ay aa ee the deflector under the vehicle Move the deflector out of the way 6 43 _______ Ru M Rear Lamps To change any rear bulb you have to remove the entire housing 1 Remove the trim panel from the side that
77. the engine with the air system control off see the earlier Caution under Engine Exhaust Also idling in a closed in place can let deadly 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 Another closed in place can be a blizzard See Blizzard in the Index 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 Don t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to If you ve left the engine running the vehicle can move suddenly You or others could be injured To he sure vour vehicle won t move even when you re on fairly level ground always set your 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 a trailer also see Towing a Trailer in the Index Windows Manual Windows Rotate the window crank handle to open and close each door window Power Windows Option With power windows switches on the door control each window when the ignition is on or when RAP is present See Retained Accessory Power in the Index You can also open the passenger window any amou
78. the transmission to overheat or can cause other problems There could be an engine fire or other damage that you may not be able to see This damage could cause an accident later 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 Low Traction Light When your anti lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid the LOW TRAC light will appear on your instrument cluster If you have the traction control system this light will also come on when the system is limiting wheel spin Slippery road conditions may exist if this light comes on so adjust your driving accordingly The light will stay on for a few seconds after the anti lock system stops adjusting brake pressure or the traction control system stops limiting wheel spin The LOW TRAC light also comes on briefly as a bulb check when the engine is started If the light doesn t come on then have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the anti lock brake system or traction control system is active Engine Coolant Temperature Gage 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 stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soo
79. 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 Wherever you install it be sure to secure the child restraint properly Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle even when no child is in it 1 31 If your child restraint has a top strap it should be anchored If you need to have an anchor installed you can ask vour Pontiac dealer to put it in for you If you want to install an anchor yourself vour dealer can tell you how to do it If you have a convertible don t use a restraint that has a top strap in your vehicle because the top strap anchor cannot be installed properly For cars first sold in Canada child restraints with a top strap must be anchored according to Canadian Law Your dealer can obtain the hardware kit and install it for you or you may install it yourself using the instructions provided in the Kit Use the tether hardware kit available from the dealer The hardware and installation instructions were specifically designed for this vehicle 1 42 Securing a Chi
80. to get your foot up to the brake pedal 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 To Use 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 When your anti lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid the LOW TRAC light will come on See Low Traction Light in the Index 4 8 Traction Control System Option LT1 V8 Engine Your vehicle may have a traction control system 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 rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction When this happens the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine power by closing the throttle and managing engine spark to limit wheel spin The LOW TRAC light will come on when your traction control system is limiting wheel spin See Low Traction Light in the Index You may feel the system working or you may notice some noise but this is normal The traction control system may operate on dry roads under some conditions and you may notice a reduction in acceleration when this happens This is normal and doesn t mean there s a problem
81. to the Canadian Government S 5 Reporting to the United States Goverment amp 4 Safety Warnings and Symbols DE ii Scheduled Maintenance Services 7 3 Seat Fully Articulating Sport 613 Seat Manual Four Way 1 2 dest Ponti oer rt 1 2 SEN a necks og E VR ele ale 1 1 Seats and Restraint 1 1 Seat and Seat eee n 1 1 Seats Manual Front Seal gt 171 Seats Reclining 1 4 Seats Securing a Child Restraint Poe RARE Med 1 33 Second Gear 2 Automatic Transmission 2 25 Second Gear 2 Manual Five Speed 2 29 Second Gear 2 Manual Six Speed 2 20 Security Messages Salad RR NICK paca ers Second Gear Syl cece presen ees Security System PASS Key 2 12 Service and Appearance Care 6 1 Service and Owner Publications 8 7 Service Bulletins Ordering 8 7 Service Engine Soon 2 75 Service Manuals Ordering 8 7 Service Parts Identification Label 6 65 Servic PUuDICHIOUDE gence 8 7 Service Work Doing Your Own 6 2 Servicing Your Air Bag Equipped P
82. 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 vehicle washing system can do this for you Chemical Paint Spotting some weather and atmospheric conditions can create 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 comes first Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials You can get these from your GM Parts Department 2 NUMBER SIZE DESCRIPTION USAGE 12345343 16 oz 0 4731 Goodwrench Liquid Wix 12 az 03541 Tar und Road Ol Remover Spray A Squeak Silicone Grease Wentherstrips Stopa squeaks won White Sidewall Tire Cleaner Cleans white and black tires 6 Ibs 2 72kg Multi Purpose Powdered Cleaner Cleans vinyl and cloth also tines ard mats eem 12
83. vour vehicle Put things in the rear area of your vehicle Try to spread the weight evenly 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 to NOTICE Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result in costly 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 4 31 Your car can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the 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 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 e
84. washing the vehicle to help clean the headlamps You can open the headlamp doors manually 1 Open the hood 2 Remove the plastic cover from the retractor motor knob 3 Turn the retractor motor knob counterclockwise until the headlamp door is fully open The knob will get harder to turn when the headlamp door is all the way up 4 Replace the plastic cover on the retractor motor knob To manually close the headlamp doors turn the lamps off and turn the knob clockwise If the headlamp doors aren t working properly see your Pontiac dealer for help 2 51 Fog Lamps Option Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty conditions Your parking lamps must on or your fog lamps won t work To tum the fog lamps on push the right side of the fog lamp switch Push the left side to turn the fog lamps off A light on the switch will come on when the fog lamps are on Fog lamps will go off whenever your high beams come on When the high beams go off the fog lamps will come on again Interior Lamps Courtesy Lamps When any door is opened several interior lamps go on These lamps are courtesy lamps They make it easier for you to enter and leave your vehicle Courtesy lamps include the dome lamp and other lamps throughout the interior of your vehicle Front Map Lamps Your inside rearview mirror includes two map lamps Each lamp has its own switch Use the switch closest to the lamp to turn it on
85. when the vehicle begins to move After starting in second gear the vehicle will upshift normally This feature is only for improved traction when the road surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use Always use NORMAL for normal road conditions You may press ZND GEAR START again to turn off this feature Whenever you start your vehicle the transmission is in the NORMAL mode Engine Coolant Heater Option In very cold weather 0 F 18 C or colder the engine coolant heater can help You ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm up Usually the coolant heater should be plugged in minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle 2 21 use the coolant heater 1 Turn off the engine NOTICE 2 Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord After you ve used the coolant heater be sure to 3 Plug it into a normal grounded 110 volt outlet 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 coolant heater plugged in The answer depends on the weather 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 2 22 Automatic Transmission There are several different positi
86. 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 Steering Column Lock While parked and with the parking brake set try to turn the key to LOCK in each shift lever position With an automatic transmission the key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK P With a manual transmission 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 with the key button depressed On all vehicles the key should come out only in LOCK Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission PARK P Mechanism Check CAUTION When you are doing this check your vehicle could begin to move You or others could injured and property could be 4 sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case it begins to roll Be ready to apply the regular Dabo BE ROM VERI Degli tone Park on a fairly steep hill with the vehicle facing downhill Keeping your foot on the regular brake set the parking brake To check the parking brake With the engine running and transmission in NEUTRAL N slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only Tocheck the PARK P mechanism s ho
87. you don t shift your transmission into PARK P properly the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK P This is called torque lock To prevent torque lock 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 in the Index When you are ready to drive move the shift lever out of PARK P hefore 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 transmission so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK P Shifting out of PARK P Automatic Transmission Your Pontiac has a brake transmission shift interlack You have to fully apply your regular brake before you can shift from PARK P when the ignition is in the RUN position See Automatic Transmission 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 release the shift lever button as you maintain brake application Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish 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 Apply and hold the brake Shift to NEUTRAL N 4 Start the
88. 1 Inspect spark plug wires An Emission Control delivery service Service If you do not use your vehicle under any of 0 Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control these conditions change the fluid and filter Service at 100 000 miles 166 O00 km Inspect fuel tank cap and lines Inspect fuel Manual transmission fluid doesn t require cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as change needed An Emission Control Service 7 C Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 24 months whichever occurs first See Engine 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 ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 34 243 Maintenance Schedule 97 500 Miles 162 500 km Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 100 000 Miles 166 000 km C Replace spark plugs 5 7L Code P engine only An Emission Control Service C If you have not used your vehicle under 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first conditions of severe service and therefore have not changed your automatic transmission fluid change both the fluid 1 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and and filter Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern an
89. 27 First Gear 1 Manual Transmission Six Speed 2 28 Five Speed Manual Transmission 2 27 Fixed Mast Antenna peer rete 3 16 Flashers Hazard Warming 5 1 Flat Tire Changing aethere ex n 5 30 Flow Through Ventilation System 3 4 and Lobe eese nete erem 6 73 Mone Mate eek uud oec ROC eee eee eta 2 54 Lampe RR Rennen err he te 2 52 Falding Rear Seatback Foreign Countries Fuel 6 5 Four Way Manual Seat 1 2 Fourth Gear 4 Manual Transmission Five Speed 2 27 Fourth Gear 4 Manual Transmission Six Speed 2 29 French Language Manual ii Pront Ashay ERE 2 4 006 Fiat CORI ies oceans na re 2 60 Front Man see ene rnm ean 2 52 Front Seatback Latches ala ahem a 1 6 Front Towing Hookups 5 10 Front Turn Signal Lamps Replacement Perey eye 6 43 Fuel TAL Enge 5 4 Filing Your Dunk eee se aan mri 6 6 cic asics eO UC EM 2 79 In Foreign Countries Ree ry a es ete EM SAL and 3 8L Engines 6 3 Fully Articulating Sport Seat EE Fuse Block Engine Compartment 6 66
90. AGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 22 69 000 Miles 115 000 km 72 000 Miles 120 000 km 0 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 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 75 000 Miles 125 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer C Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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 7 24 Uses such as found in taxi police or delivery service If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change 0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions Replace filter if necessary An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED Maintenance Schedule I 78
91. COLD start your vehicle If the overheat warning continues there s one more thing you can try You can add the proper coolant mix directly to the radiator but be sure the cooling system is cool before vou do it OO A M M M How to Add Coolant to the Radiator V6 Engines 1 You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose is no longer hot Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops Don t press down while turning the pressure cap If you hear a hiss wait for that to stop hiss means there is still some pressure left ess 2 Then keep turning the pressure cap but now push down as you turn it Remove the pressure cap 3 Fill the radiator with the proper mix up to the base 4 Then fill the coolant recovery tank to FULL COLD of the filler neck GT M 5 Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank hut 6 Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the leave the radiator pressure cap off upper radiator hose getting hot Watch out for the engine fan s By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be lower If the level is lower add more of the proper mix through the filler neck until the level reaches the hase of the filler neck
92. CT will work with the ignition or radio off Press EJECT to load a disc when the audio system is off THEFTLOCK THEFTLOCK is a security feature for the cassette tape and compact disc player It can be used or ignored If ignored the system functions normally If it is used your system won t be usable if it s ever stolen When the system 15 active the indicator light will flash while the ignition 1s off Setting Your Security Code The instructions below tell you how to enter a security code into the system If your vehicle loses battery power for any reason you must enter the security code again before the system will turn on 1 Write down any number from 000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place 2 Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or RUN position 3 Turn the radio off 4 Press and hold pushbuttons 1 and 4 together until ad shows on the display You are now ready to enter your security code Don t wait more than 15 seconds between steps 3 12 5 Press MIN and 0007 will appear on the display 6 Press MIN again and hold until the last two digits of your code appear Release the button 7 Press HR until the first one or two digits of your code appears 8 Press AM FM rEP will appear on the display 9 Repeat steps 5 through 7 for verification 10 Press AM FM SEC will appear on the display This means that your audio system is secured Shutting Off the Theft Deterren
93. Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual Aux propri taires canadiens Vous pouvez vous procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en frangais chez votre concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd 1500 Bonhill Rd Mississauga Ontario L5T 1C7 Copyright General Motors Corporation 1994 All Rights Reserved TO How to Use This Manual Many people read their owner s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle This 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 the Index in the back of the manual It s an alphabetical list of all that 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 with gray background and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning In the gray 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 vou 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 iii Vehicle Damage Warnings Also in this book you wil
94. Check The proper fluid should be added if the level is below the STEP mark on the reservoir See the instructions on the reservoir cap Rear Axle When to Check and Change Lubricant Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the lubricant and when to change it See Periodic Maintenance Inspections in the Index How to Check Lubricant If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole you ll need to add some lubricant Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole What to Use Standard DilTerential Use Axle Lubricant GM Part 1052271 or SAE 80W 90 GL 5 gear lubricant Limited Slip Differential To add lubricant when the level is low use Axle Lubricant GM Part No 1052271 SAE 80W 90 GL 5 gear lubricant To completely refill after draining add 4 ounces 118 mI of Limited Slip Differential Lubricant Additive GM Part No 1052358 Then fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole with Axle Lubricant GM Part No 12345977 or SAE 80W 90 GL 5 gear lubricant 6 29 Engine Coolant The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low If you have a problem with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to vour radiator see Engine Overheating in the Index The proper coolant for your Pontiac will Give freezing protection down to 34 F 37 C Give boiling protection up to 262 F 128 C Protect agains
95. D 3 FOURTH 4 and FIFTH 5 the same way you for SECOND 2 Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal 2 27 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 NEUTRAL Use this position when you start or idle your engine REVERSE 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 R only after your vehicle is stopped Shifting to REVERSE R while your vehicle is moving could damage your transmission This is your shift pattern Here s how to operate your transmission FIRST 1 Press the clutch pedal and shift into Also use Reverse along with the perm brake for FIRST 1 Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as parking your vehicle you press the accelerator pedal 2 28 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 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 peda
96. Hold the wiper blade assembly with one hand and pull the element gently with the other hand Replacement blade elements have three plastic caps which retain two metal flexor strips Do not remove these caps before the element is installed At the heel end of the blade assembly notched end of blade element last slide the blade element into the blade claw sets The plastic retainer caps will be forced off as the element is fully inserted Make sure that all the claw sets are properly engaged in the slots of the blade element Install wiper blade assembly on wiper arm 6 47 Tires We don t make tires Your new vehicle comes with high quality tires made a leading tire manufacturer These tires are warranted by the tire manufacturers and their warranties are delivered with every new Pontiac If your spare tire 15 a different brand than your road tires vou will have a tire warranty folder from each of these manufacturers i d o M A CAUTION Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous as a result of too much friction You could have an air out and a serious accident See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index 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 your tires are cold Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut punct
97. ING SELECT THE LOWEST change When it s very cold you should use SAE SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE 5W 30 These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity or thickness Do not use other viscosity oils LOOK FOR such as SAE 20W 50 THIS SYMBOL 6 NOTICE Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines Starburst symbol Failure to use the proper oil can result in engine damage not covered hy your warranty GM Goodwrench ail in Canada GM Engine Oil meets all the requirements for your vehicle iF NEITHER SAE 5W 3 HOA SAE TUW Y GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE SAE 30 GRADE BE SED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 20 DEGREES F 4 DEGREES DO USE 20 50 OR OTHER GRADE GIL NOT RECOMMENDED 6 17 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 See if any one of these is true for you 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 car If any one of these is true for your vehicle then you need to change your o
98. If you don t have the traction control 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 Your anti lock brakes improve your ability to make 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 a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear If you see a patch of ice ahead of you brake before you it Try not to brake while you re actually on the ice and avoid sudden steering maneuvers If You re Caught in a Blizzard If you are stopped by heavy snow you could be in a serious situation You should probably stay with vour 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 summon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe Turn on your hazard flashers Tie red 4 27 cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you ve been stopped by t
99. It is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid NOTICE When using concentrated washer fluid follow the manufacturer s instructions for adding water Don t mix water with ready to use washer fluid Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage vour washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system Also water doesn t clean as well as washer fluid Fill your washer fluid tank only 3 4 full when it s very cold This allows for expansion which could damage the tank if it is completely full Don t use radiator antifreeze in your windshield washer It can damage There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in your master cylinder might go 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 washer system and paint won t work at all So it isn t a good idea to top off To Check Brake Fluid 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 You can check the brake fluid withou
100. It should be at 60 psi 420 kPa How to Check Use good quality pocket type gage to check tire pressure Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the pressure especially if you have radial tires which may look properly inflated even if they re underinflated your tires have valve caps be sure to put them back They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture 6 49 Tire Inspection and Rotation Tires should be inspected every 6 000 to 8 000 miles 10 000 to 13 000 km for any signs of unusual wear If unusual wear is present 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 Wheel 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 If you don t have P245 50ZR 16 Goodyear Eagle GS C tires use the rotation pattern shown above for your tires If you have P245 50ZR 16 Goodyear Eagle GS C tires they must roll in a certain direction for the best overall performance The direction is shown by an arrow on both sidewalls Because these tires are directional they should be rotated as shown here These tires should only be moved from front to rear and rear to front on the same
101. MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 28 Maintenance Schedule 60 000 Miles 100 000 km _ Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service _ Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first _ Change automatic transmission 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 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 change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change Inspect engine accessory drive or every 24 months whichever occurs first An Emission Contral Service L Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 24 months whichever occurs first See Engine Coolant in the Index for what to use Inspect hoses Clean radiator condenser pressure cap and neck Pressure test the cooling system and pressure An Emission Control Service Continued 7 39 Maintenance Schedule 60 000 Miles 100 000 km Continued Replace spark plugs except 5 7L Code P engine An Emission Control Service C Ins
102. Mask surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines Mix Multi Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the directions on the container label Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge Don t saturate the material Don t rub it roughly As soon as you ve cleaned the section use sponge to remove the suds Rinse the section with a clean wet sponge Wipe off what s left with a slightly damp paper towel ar cloth Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer or a heat lamp NOTICE Be careful A blow dryer may scorch the fabric Wipe with clean cloth Using Solvent Type Cleaner on Fabric First see if vou have to use solvent type cleaner at all Some spots and stains will clean off better with just water and mild soap If you need to use a solvent Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with clean dull knife or scraper Use very little cleaner light pressure and clean cloths preferably cheesecloth Cleaning should start at the outside of the stain feathering toward the center Keep changing to a clean section of the cloth When you clean a stain from fabric immediately dry the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring See the previous NOTICE 6 57 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
103. Mileage of vehicle Vehicle identification number 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 obsessive in frequency or type of occurrence While we hope that you never have the occasion to use our service it is added security while travelling for you and your family Remember we re only a phone call away Pontiac Roadside Assistance 1 800 ROADSIDE or 1 800 762 3743 Canadian Roadside Assistance Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere in Canada ar the United States Please refer to the separate brochure provided by the dealer or call 1 800 268 6800 for emergency services Service and Owner Publications Service manuals service bulletins owner s manuals and other service literature are available for purchase for all current and many past model General Motors vehicles Toll free telephone numbers for ordering information 1 800 551 4123 1 800 668 5539 United States Canada Service Manuals Service manuals contain diagnosis and repair information for all chassis and body systems They may be useful for owners who wish to get a greater understanding of their vehicle They are also useful for owners with the appropriate skill level or training who wish to perform do it yourself service These are authentic General Motors service manuals meant f
104. RECALL to display the time when the ignition is off Finding a Station Press AM FM to get AM 2 The lighted display shows your selection TUNE Press TUNE to release the knob Turn the knob to choose radio stations Push TUNE back in to store it when not tuning SEEK Press SEEK Y or A and the radio will tune to the next lower or higher station and stay there Preset The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations You can preset up to 18 stations 6 AM 6 and 6 FM2 1 Press AM FM to choose AM or FM2 2 Tune in the station 3 Press and hold one of the six pushbuttons until the display shows SET Whenever you press that button the preset station will return Repeat these steps for each pushbutton Adjusting the Speakers BAL Press this knob so it extends Turn the knob to move the sound between the right and left speakers The middle position is a detent and balances the speakers FADE Press this knob so it extends Turn the knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers The middle position is a detent and balances the speakers Push the knob back in when you re not using it Setting the Tone BASS Slide the lever to the right or left to increase or decrease the bass The middle position is a detent TREBLE Slide the lever to the right or left to increase or decrease the treble The middle position is a detent If a station is weak and n
105. Seatback Recliner MA PIA MA PLU i ria Ta P a If you have fully articulating sport seats your recliner lever looks like this To adjust the seatback lift the lever on the outer side of the seat Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it Pull up on the lever and the seat will go to its original upright position Z CAUTION 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 In a crash you could go into it receiving neck or other injuries The lap belt can t do its job either In 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 For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion have the seatback upright Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly Don t have the seatback reclined if your vehicle 15 moving Head Restraints Slide the head restraints up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash If you have the fully articulating sport seat you have a six way head restraint It can be adjusted up and down forward and rearward or tilted To adjust it forward
106. TESY Audio Alarm Module Courtesy Lamps Console Compartment Glove Box Dome Trunk Rear Courtesy Rearview Mirror Radio Theft Deterrent Module SECURITY Indicator Hatch Release Relay Keyless Entry Receiver GAGES Audio Alarm Module Daytime Running Lamps Module Canada Diagnostic Energy Reserve Module Instrument Cluster Keyless Entry Receiver Brake Switch Assembly Auxiliary Accessory Wire 10 11 TAIL LTS Exterior Lighting CIGAR HORN Cigarette Lighter Horn Relay Data Link Connector 12 DEFOG SEATS Power Seats Rear Defogger IP DIMMER Brightness Control WIPER WASH Windshield Wiper Washer WINDOWS Power Windows Convertible Top Switch Circuit Breaker Cooling Level Latching Module CRANK Diagnostic Energy Reserve Module RADIO Radio Amplifier Steering Wheel Controls Underhood Electrical Center Relays B Air Conditioning Compressor F Coolant Fan Number 2 C Anti Lock Brake System G Traction Control System D Coolant Fan Number 1 H Fog Lamps E Air Pump J Cooling Fan Number 3 re Fuses ME ABS BAT Electronic Brake Control Module LTS Fog Lamps R HDLP DR Headlamp Doors Module L HDLP DR Headlamp Doors Module ABS IGN Anti Lock Brake System FANS ACTR Coolant Fan Relays EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid Exhaust Gas Recirculation Reverse Lockout Solenoid Skip Shift Solenoid Heated Oxygen Sensors V8 Engine
107. The lamps will also go on when a door is opened 2 52 Mirrors Inside Day Night Rearview Mirror An inside rearview mirror is attached to your windshield The mirror has pivots so that you can adjust it You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare Push the tab for daytime driving Manual Outside Adjustable Mirror Adjust the passenger side outside mirror by hand so that you can just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable driving position Manual Remote Control Mirror Adjust the driver side outside mirror with the lever on the door Adjust the mirror so that you just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable driving position 2 53 Electric Mirror Control Option Convex Outside Mirror Your passenger s side mirror is convex convex 8 surface is curved so you can see more from the driver s seat The electric mirror control is on the driver s door To adjust either mirror move the center switch to LEFT L Floor Mats or RIGHT R Then use the touch pad to adjust the Your Firebirds floor mats are custom fitted to the floor mirror wells Be sure the driver s floor mat is in place If it The control only works when the ignition switch is in isn t it could interfere with the accelerator or brake RUN or ACC or when RAP is present See Retained pedal Accessory Power in the In
108. abies should always be restrained in a child or infant restraint The instructions for the restraint will say whether it is the right type and size for vour child 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 crash the belt would apply force right on the child s abdomen which could cause serious or fatal injuries So sure that any child small enough for one is always properly restrained in a child or infant restraint PB CAUTION Continued at only 25 mph 40 km h a 12 pound 5 5 kg baby will suddenly become 240 pound 110 kg force on your arms The baby would be almost impossible to hold Secure the baby in an infant restraint 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 1 3 Child Restraints Be sure to follow the instructions for the restraint You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet or 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
109. act 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 L S Department of Transportation Washington D C 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline NE SSS 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 K1G 3 2 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS In addition to notifying NHTSA or Transport Canada in a situation like this we certainly hope you ll notify us Please call us at 1 800 CARES or write Pontiac Division Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac MI 48340 2950 In Canada please call us at 1 800 263 3777 English or 1 500 263 7854 French Or write General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH 8P7 Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program Security While You Travel 1 800 ROADSIDE 1 800 762 3743 As 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
110. 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 5 65 Fuses and Circuit Breakers The other is in the engine corttpartment Open the cover on either of the boxes to expose the fuses The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from Look at the silver colored band inside the fuse If the short circuits by a combination of fuses circuit breakers and fusible thermal links in the wiring itself This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical problems If you ever have a problem on the road and don t have a spare fuse you can borrow one Just pick some feature of your car that you can get along without like the radio or cigarette lighter and use its fuse if it is the size you need Replace it as soon as you can band is broken or melted replace the fuse Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size There are two fuse centers on your vehicle One is in the left side of your instrument panel f P M r tl Headlamps The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go on and off or in some cases to remain off If this happens have your headlamp wiring checked right away Windshield Wiper
111. 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 a second skid if it occurs Of course traction is reduced when water snow ice gravel or other material is on the road For safety you ll want to slow down and adjust 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 best to avoid sudden steering acceleration 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 is slippery until your vehicle 18 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 vou have any doubt Remember Any anti lock brake system ABS helps avoid only the braking skid 4 15 Driving at Night Night driving 1s more dangerous than day driving One reason 15 that some drivers are likely to be impaired by alcohol or drugs with night vision problems or by fatigue Here are some tips on night driving Drive defensively e Don t drin
112. an have a lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock CAUTION Unlocked doors can be dangerous Passengers especially children can easily open the doors and fall out When a door is locked the inside handle won t open it your keys inside You may even have to damage your vehicle to get in So be sure you have extra keys Pontiac also supplies a key card that vou can use if you don t have vour keys so be sure to keep this key card with you at all times Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle This may not be 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 There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle Fram the outside Use your door key From the inside To lock the door move the lock control on the door back unlock the door move the lack control on the door forward 2 4 Power Door Locks Option Push the power door lock switch to lock or unlock both doors at Noe The switch only works when the ignition switch is in RUN or ACC or when RAP is present See Retained Accessory Power in the Index Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle take your keys open your door and set the locks from inside Then get out and
113. ant woman should wear a lap shoulder belt and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible throughout the pregnancy The best way to protect the fetus 1s to protect the Lap Shoulder Belt 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 1s wearing them properly The rear seats have lap shoulder belts Here s how to wear one 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 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 safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle crash And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you Don t let it get twisted On convertible models 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 2 Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks 3 To make the lap part tight pull down on the buckle If the belt stops bef
114. any People Ask About Safety Belts and the Answers Won t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I m wearing a safety belt You could be whether you re wearing a safety helt 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 Q Why don t they just put in air bags so people won t have to wear safety belts Air bags in many vehicles today and will be in more 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 If I m 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 beyond 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
115. any antenna by hand by carefully pressing the amt antenna down 4 Wipe dry with a clean cloth 5 Make the antenna go up and down by turning the If the mast portion of your antenna 1s damaged vou can radio off and on easily replace it See your Dealer for a replacement kit 6 Then repeat if necessary and follow the instructions in the kit NOTICE Don t lubricate the power antenna Lubrication could damage it Steering Wheel Touch Controls Option You can control certain audio system functions using the buttons on your steering wheel VOL Volume Press the up or down arrows to increase or decrease volume PLAY Press to play the CD or cassette instead of the MUTE Press to silence the system Press again to turn on the sound SEEK Press the up or down arrows to tune to the next or previous radio station If tape or compact disc is playing the player will advance or rewind PRESET Press to play a station you have programmed on the radio preset buttons AM FM Press to choose AM or 2 If a tape or compact disc is plaving it will stop and the radio will play 3 18 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 Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving 15 Drive defensively
116. ark Plug Replacement 5 7L Code P engine only Automatic Transmission Service normal conditions T5 Maintenance Schedule I 3 000 Miles 5 000 km The services shown in this schedule up to 100 000 miles Change engine oil and filter or every 166 000 km should be performed after 100 000 miles 3 months whichever occurs first 166 000 km at the same intervals An Emission Control Service Footnotes T 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 vehicle useful life We however urge that all recommended maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE 6 000 Miles 10 000 km 7 500 Miles 12 500 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first LI Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information 0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer or has limited slip differential ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY DATE ACTUALMILEAGE SERVICED BY 9 000 Mile
117. as follows Carefully scrape off excess stain Follow the solvent type instructions described earlier Shoe polish wax crayon tar and asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle 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 Carefully scrape off excess stain then sponge the soiled area with cool water Ifa stain remains follow the foam type instructions descrihed earlier odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine treat the area with a water baking soda solution teaspoon 5 ml of baking soda to 1 cup 250 ml of lukewarm water If needed clean lightly with solvent type cleaner Combination Stains Stains caused hy candy ice cream mayonnaise chili sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows e Carefully scrape off excess stain then clean with cool water and allow to dry stain remains clean it with solvent type cleaner Cleaning Vinyl Use warm water and a clean cloth Rub with a clean damp cloth to remove dirt You may have to do it more than once Things like tar asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you don t get them off quickly Use a clean cloth and salvent type vinyl cleaner 6 58 Clea
118. assenger type P Metric tires must conform to Federal safety requirements in addition to these grades 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 In most cases you will not need to have your wheels aligned again However if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or the other the alignment may need to be reset If you 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 See your Pontiac dealer if any of these conditions exist 6 54 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 whee 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 NOTICE The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life brake cooling speedometer odo
119. atisfaction 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 between you and Pontiac If this mediation is unsuccessful an informal hearing will be scheduled where eligible customers 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 bound by that decision The entire dispute resolution procedure should ordinarily take about forty 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 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 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 Safety Administration NHTSA in addition to notifying 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 cont
120. ave Eas EE AES eee 6 49 Inspection and Rotation 6 50 COOTAD ered ae e noces OP Temperature Tes ba dde s exitio qa CINE 6 53 ABB uli lau arg sl rr b eR e RADI en Roa ER 6 53 Uniform Quality Grading 6 53 Wear Indicators eaa Ea PER EA 6 51 Wheel Replacement 6 54 When It s Time for 6 51 To Lower Your Convertible Top 2 80 To Raise Your Convertible Top 2 83 To Start Your 5 71 Engine To Start Your V 6 Engine ater ghd 2 17 Top Strap EET aE SE 1 32 pops En TCI UE EEUU STUNT PPS 2 35 Torque Wheel Mat i uos EE een rue ate 5 40 6 72 Towing a Trailer c aam tert 4721 Towing Your Vehicle pee oe m FRONDS asa hehe aan a heer buns atonal 5 10 ES E EEA A EEA 5 13 Traction Control System Warning Light 2 72 4 9 Trailer Tongue Weight of 4 33 TUNE eae ead ee ER M EA X BEN Lisa oe ental RUP II TRIER BI ER Ps 4 35 Driving on Grades oo ee leader rra 4 37 Driving with a Trailer 4 35 FIRE ea ane ee 4 34 al ahi AA ETRAS 4 38 Parking Hills osc eee 4 38 Saf
121. be It should never weigh more than 1 500 pounds 680 kg under normal driving conditions It should never weigh more than 1 000 pounds 450 when driven on long grades at high ambient temperatures But even that can be toa heavy It depends on how you plan to use your rig For example speed altitude road grades outside temperature and how much your vehicle 18 used to pull a trailer are all important And it can also depend on any special equipment that vou have on your vehicle You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice or you can write us at Pontiac Division Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac MI 48340 2952 In Canada write to General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH 8P7 Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load A of any trailer 15 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 you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle s capacity weight because your vehicle will be carrying that weight too See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index for more information about your vehicle s maximum load capacity 4 33 If you re using dead weight hitch the trailer tongue A shoul
122. bol is pressed but only when the ignition switch is not in RUN and the transmission is in PARK P if you have an automatic transmission If you have a manual transmission the parking brake must be set The system will turn on the interior lamps for about 40 seconds or until the ignition switch is turned to RUN or if you unlock the doors or hatch The interior lamps will come on for about two seconds when you lock the doors Matching Transmitter s To Your Vehicle Each key chain transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle If a transmitter is lost or stolen a replacement can 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 the remaining transmitters must also be matched Once the new transmitter 18 coded the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle You can match a transmitter to as many different vehicles as you own provided they are equipped with exactly the same model system General Motors offers several different models of these systems on their vehicles Each vehicle can have only two transmitters matched to it g To match transmitters to your vehicle 2 Insert one end of a fused jumper into terminal 8 ES aes 207 Terminal 8 is the top terminal on the far right 1 Find the Data Link Connector DLC It
123. bout 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 answer What if there s an emergency a need to take sudden action as when a child darts into the street 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 that person s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make vour 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 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 vehicle 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 reacti
124. c i e Farii ELLE LI E 74 Keep your vehicle in good shape Check all fluid levels and also the brakes tires cooling system and transmission These parts can work hard on mountain roads Know how to go down hills The most important thing 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 Know how to go uphill You may want to shift down to lower gear The lower gears help cool your engine and transmission and you can climb the hill better In hilly terrain you may want to switch to the PERFORMANCE mode for better performance Stay in 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 Winter Driving Here are some tips for winter driving Have your Pontiac in good shape for winter Be sure your engine coolant mix 15 correct You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle 4 i ENS a 7r Ss Include an ice scra
125. can ee And y other parts of the vehicle can NOTICE Tire chains won t fit your compact spare Using them will damage your vehicle and destroy the chains too Don t use tire chains on vour compact spare Mobius That could cause an engine compartment fire or other damage When you re If You re Stuck In Sand Mud Ice or stuck spin the wheels as little as possible Don t Snow spin the wheels above 35 mph 55 km h as shown i on the speedometer 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 you get out when vou re stuck hut you must use caution 5 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 transmission back and forth you can destroy your transmission For information about using tire chains on your vehicle see Tire Chains in the Index 5 44 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 your vehicle has traction control vou should turn the system off See Traction Control System in the Index Then shift back and forth between REVERSE R and a forward gear or with a manual transmission between FIRST 1 or SECOND 2 gear and REVERSE spinning the wheels as littl
126. can spray out on you if you open the fuel 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 type Your dealer can get one for you If you get the wrong type it may not fit and your fuel tank and emissions system might be damaged 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 Checking Things Under the Hood Hood Release emu To open the hood first pull the handle inside the vehicle Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the hood release Lift the hood AN CAUTION An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running Keep hands clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan 3 4L L32 Code 8 When you open the hood you ll see p n m wm Battery Engine Coolant Reservoir Engine Oil Dipstick Automatic Transmission Dipstick if equipped Air Cleaner Oil Fill Cap Brake Fluid Reservoir Power Steering Reservoir Windshield Washer Reservoir Engine Fan Clutch Fluid Reservoir if equipped 6 9 3 8L L36 Code K When you open the hood you ll see Battery 2 Engine Coolant Reservoir 3 Engine Oil Dipstick 4 Automatic Transmission
127. cants and 6 73 Lubin NIU E SR 7 46 Man Foe Black 6 66 6 67 Maintenance Record 7 52 Maintenance Schedule Owner Checks and Services 7 45 Periodic Maintenance Inspections 7 48 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 7 30 Schedule cra vis d Schedule 1 Definition IER 2v P534 Schedule II Scheduled Maintenance Services 7 3 Maintenance Normal Replacement Parts 6 74 Maintenance Underbody 6 63 Maintenance When Trailer 4 38 Malfunction Indicator Lamp Service Engine Soon Light 2 74 Manual Adjust Mirror 2 53 Manual Fiont Seal htt eee I 1 Manual Remote Control 2 53 Manual Transmission 9 8 Fifth Gear 5 Five Jc dE Fifth Gear 5 Six Speed 2 29 First Gear 1 Five Speed NE 2 27 First Gear 1 Six 8 2 2 Fourth Gear 4 Five Speed 2 27 Fourth Gear 4 Six Speed Ge ae sie E CORE 2 20 Neutral Position Five Speed 2 28 Neutral Position Six Speed 2 29 Parki
128. cident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat But they need to use the safety belts properly Children who aren t buckled up can be thrown out in a crash Children who aren t buckled up can strike other people who are 1 38 A CAUTION md mare 2 Q What if a child is wearing 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 Z CAUTION Never do this Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap shoulder belt but the shoulder part is behind ihe child If the child wears the belt in this way in a crash the child might slide under the belt The helt s force would then be applied right on the child s abdomen That could cause serious or Wherever the child sits the lap portion of the belt 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 IMMM 1 Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle s safety belt will fasten around you you should use it But if safety belt isn t long enough to fasten your dealer will order you an extende
129. cking wheel nut by turning counterclockwise Using the wheel wrench loosen all the wheel nuts Don t remove them yet Position the jack under the vehicle There is a notch in the vehicle s rocker flange on the coupe model Raise the jack head until it fits firmly into the notch nearest the flat tire On convertible models place the jack in a similar location Stay away from the moldings or fender flanges to avoid damaging them CAUTION Getting under 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 NOTICE Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack Be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising your vehicle ee 80 3 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 the wheel nuts and take olf the flat tire N CAUTION Rust or dirt on the wheel or on the parts to which it is fastened can make 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 vou can use a cloth o
130. d 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 Keys CAUTION Leaving young children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons child or others could be badly injured or even killed They could operate power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move Don t leave the keys in a vehicle with young children The ignition keys are for the ignition only 2 2 The door keys are for the doors and all other locks When a new Firebird is delivered the dealer removes the plugs from the door keys and gives them to the first owner The ignition keys don t have plugs Instead they have bar coded key tags These tags may be removed by your dealer or even before the car is delivered to your dealer Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or a qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys Keep the plugs safe place If you lose your door keys you ll be able to have new ones made using these plugs If you need a new ignition key go to your Pontiac dealer who can obtain the correct key code In an emergency call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at 1 800 ROADSIDE Door Locks NOTICE Your Pontiac has a number of new features that can help prevent theft But vou c
131. d across the defogger grid e In 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 or other material may be on the blade or windshield Clean the outside of the windshield with GM Windshield Cleaner Bon Ami Powder GM Part No 1050011 The windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full strength windshield washer solvent Then rinse the blade with water Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and replaced when worn 6 60 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 Index Cleaning a Removable Roof Panel Special care is necessary when cleaning removing and or storing the roof panel Flush with water to remove dust and dirt then dry the panel Clean the panel with GM Glass Cleaner Leave the cleaner on the panel for one minute then wipe the panel with a soft lint free cloth Don t use abrasive cleaning materials Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty depth of color
132. d additional information 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 vour vehicle make sure they are the proper ones as shown in Part D At Each Fuel Fill It is important for you or service station attendant to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill Engine Oil Level Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary See Engine Oil in the Index for further details Engine Coolant Level Check the engine coolant level and add the proper coolant mix if necessary See Coolant in the Index for further details Windshield Washer Fluid Level 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 tire inflation Make sure tires are inflated to the pressures specified on the Tire Loading Information label located on the rear edge of the driver s door See Tires in the Index for further details Cassette Deck Clean cassette deck Cleaning should be done every 50 hours of tape play See Audio Systems in the Index for further details At Least Twic
133. d 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 Nail Polish Remover They can all be hazardous some more than others and they can all damage your vehicle too 6 56 Don t use any of these unless this manual says you can In many uses these will damage your vehicle Alcohol Laundry Soap e 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 leather with a clean damp cloth Your Pontiac dealer has rwo GM 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 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label Clean up stains 45 soon as you can before they set Useaclean cloth or sponge and change to a clean area often A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn Use solvent type cleaners in a well ventilated area only If you use them don t saturate the stained area forms after spot cleaning clean the entire area immediately or it will set Using Foam Type Cleaner on Fabric Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt Always clean a whole trim panel or section
134. d provide it when you have it serviced 3 10 7 RECALL Press this button to see what track is playing Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has been playing The track number also appears when the disc is inserted PREV Previous Press this button or SEEK W to hear the current track again If you press and hold this button or press it more than once the disc will return to previous tracks NEXT Press this button or SEEK to hear the next track now instead of waiting until the present track is finished If you press and hold this button or press it more than once the disc will advance further REV Reverse Press and hold this button to rapidly return to passage Release it to play the passage The radio will play during this operation and the display will show elapsed time FWD Forward Press and hold this button to quickly advance within a track Release it to resume playing The radio will play during this operation RDM Random Press this hutton to hear a random selection of tracks Press it again to turn off random play To Stop the Disc Player e Turn the power off or tum the ignition key off The disc stays in the player and will resume playing at the point where it stopped Press AM FM to stop playing the disc and switch to radio Press CD PLAY to restart the disc at the point where it stopped Press EJECT to eject the disc or stop the disc and switch to radio EJE
135. d to pull a trailer 0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt or every 24 months whichever occurs first An Emission Contro Service 0 Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 24 months whichever occurs first See Engine 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 Emission Control Service Replace spark plugs except 5 7L Code P When doing frequent trailer towing engine An Emission Control Service Uses such as found in taxi police or Inspect spark plug wires An Emission Control delivery service If you do not use your vehicle under any of CI Replace air cleaner filter Replace filter these conditions change the fluid and filter more often under dusty conditions at 100 000 miles 166 000 km An Emission Control Service Manual transmission fluid doesn t require Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage change or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed An Emission Control Service CI Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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 0 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and ad
136. d weigh 10 of the total loaded trailer weight B If you have a weight distributing hitch the trailer tongue A should weigh 12 of the total loaded trailer weight B After you ve loaded your trailer weigh the trailer and then the tongue separately to see if the weights are proper If they aren t you may be 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 recommended pressure for cold tires You ll find these numbers on the Certification 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 4 34 Hitches It s 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 e Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch If you do then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch If you don t seal them deadly carbon monoxide from your exhaust can get into your vehicle see Carbon Monoxide in the Index Dirt and water can too The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches Da not attach rental hitches or other bumper type hitches to them Use only frame mounted
137. deposit control additives and oxygenates and if they have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the U S or Canada unleaded fuel may be hard to find Do not use leaded gasoline If you use even one tankful your emission controls won t work well or at all With continuous use spark plugs can get fouled the exhaust system can corrode and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly Your vehicle s oxygen sensor will be damaged of that means costly repairs that 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 Overseas Distribution Corporation Morth American Export Sales NAES 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH 8P7 6 5 Filling Your Tank The cap is behind a hinged door on the left side of your vehicle To take off the cap turn it slowly to the left When you put the cap back on turn it to the right until counterclockwise you hear at least three clicks NOTICE If you need a new cap be sure to get the right A CAUTION If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it you could be badly burned Gasoline
138. dex Twin Lift Off Roof Panels Option If you have this option you can remove one or both lift off roof panels The door key unlocks the panels The lock is over the front door window Turn the key to the left to unlock the panel 2 55 Then push on the release handle to unlatch the panel Lift the pane i anter edge OF e pull it toward you the correct slot DRIVER or PASSENGER in the rear Open the close out panel completely Place the panel in area of your vehicle Make sure the handle is open and facing you when you put it in the storage slot Reverse the steps above to install the T top panels When installing panels be sure to align weatherstrips properly Panels incorrectlv installed may leak Push the handle closed to secure the panel in the slot To lock each panel in the storage area use your door key NOTICE High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle Never spray water directly at the roof panel joints This will cause leaks T Top Sunshades 2 With the top raised and resting on the center roof rail slide the flat edge of the sunshade panel with the vinyl side to the glass between the glass and plastic trim making sure the edge marked DRIVER FRONT is pointing to the front of the vehicle I Start with the panel marked DRIVER FRONT Unlatch the driver side T top raise it halfway and close the latch handle 3 Open the latch and clos
139. ditional information 33 000 Miles 55 000 km 36 000 Miles 60 000 km 1 Change engine oil and filter or every 1 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 the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERV ICED BY A ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 37 500 Miles 62 500 km 39 000 Miles 65 000 km C Change the rear axle gear lubricant if C Change engine oil and filter or every vehicle is used to pull a trailer 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 15 42 000 Miles 70 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information 45 000 Miles 75 000 C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer Cha
140. e a Year Hydraulic Clutch System Inspection 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 45 At Least Once a Year Key Lock Cylinders Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant specified in Part D Body Lubrication Lubricate all body door hinges Also lubricate all hinges and latches including those for the hood headlamp door assemblies rear compartment console doors and any folding seat hardware Part D tells you what to use More frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive environment Starter Switch When sonare doing this check the vehicle could raph pon rit or ashore By Before you start be sure you have enough room around the vehicle TM 2 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 3 On automatic transmission vehicles try to start the engine in each gear The starter should work only in PARK P or NEUTRAL N If the starter works in any other position your vehicle needs service On manual transmission vehicles put the shift lever in NEUTRAL N push the clutch down halfway and try to start the engine The starter should
141. e as possible Release the accelerator pedal while vou shift and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear If that doesn t get you out after a few tries you may need to he towed out If you do need to be towed out see Towing Your Car in the Index Section 6 Service and Appearance Here you will find information about the care of your We hope you ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM Pontiac This section begins with service and fuel Genuine GM parts have one of these marks information and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels There is also technical information about your vehicle and part devoted to its appearance care Li z Service Your Pontiac dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to he happy with 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 Doing Your Own Service Work If you want to do some of your own service work you ll want 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 manua see Service Publications in the Index 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 da
142. e level on the dipstick should be up to the HOT or a little higher 5 7L LT1 Engine Only LOW COOLANT If this light comes on it means you re low on engine coolant To Add Coolant to the Recovery Tank If you need more coolant add the proper mix ar coolant recovery tank but only when your engine is cool If the tank is very low or empty also add coolant to the radiator see Engine Overheating in the Index for information Radiator Pressure Cap All Engines CAUTION Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding liquids ta blow out and burn you badly Never turn the pressure cap even a little when the engine and radiator are hot NOTICE Your radiator cap is a 18 psi 124 kPa pressure type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the overflow tube on the radiator Add coolant mix at the recovery tank but be careful not filler neck to spill it When you replace your radiator pressure cap cap is recommended CAUTION p You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot 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 Thermostat Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat in the engine coo
143. e reels of the cassette player it will sense that the adaptor is a broken tape and eject it CLN Clean If this message appears on the display when you insert your cassette tape your cassette player needs to be cleaned It will still play cassette tapes but it should be cleaned to prevent damage to your cassette tapes and the cassette tape player See Care of Your Cassette Tape Player in the Index After you have cleaned the cassette tape player press and hold the EJECT button for 5 seconds to reset the CLN indicator The radio will display to show that the clean feature has been reset With the audio system on insert a disc into the slot with the label side up CD will appear on the display and track 1 will begin to play If the disc comes back out and ERR appears on the display it could be that The disc is upside down Itis dirty scratched or wet There s too much moisture in the air If so wait about an hour and try it again You are driving on a very rough road The temperature is too hot or too cold If you are driving on a very rough road the disc may not To Play a Compact Disc play and ERR may appear on the display The disc Your CD player will play the smaller 8 cm 3 2 inch DIR Wastes Me TOM compact discs No adapter is required for the smaller If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be CD s corrected write down the error message an
144. e the T top Check to see if there are any gaps showing Unlatch the T top and adjust the sunshade as required D it M 4 Once the sunshade is installed properly you can stick the velero buttons on the glass for a proper fit every time you install the sunshades To do this first remove the T top with the sunshade installed and place it upside down on a table or bench Take care nat to scratch the glass Ln Pull the sunshade back a little and remove the backing paper from the velero buttons Push the sunshade back into place sticking the velcro to the glass 6 Install the T tops close the latch and lock the T top Repeat the above steps for the passenger side sunshade You can store the sunshades two different ways 1 When the T tops are in use store the sunshades in their storage area in the rear of the car and make sure the close out panel is in its closed upright position H3 When you have the T tops off and in their storage slots store the sunshades on the T tops in their installed position N A0 Storage and Compartments Glove Box To open the glove box lift up on the lever Use your door key to lock and unlock it The glove box has a lamp inside Map Pocket Each door has a map pocket There may also be a map pocket on the back of the seats Front Console To use the storage area push the tab and pull up on the front end of the c
145. e to determine what kind of transmission fluid to use See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the Index Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid HOT COLD check 18 used only as a reference If the fluid level is low add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check It doesn t take much fluid generally less than pint Don t overfill We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON because fluid with that label is made especially for your automatic transmission Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON III is not covered by your new vehicle warranty After adding fluid recheck the fluid level as described under How to Check When the correct fluid level is obtained push the dipstick back in all the way Manual Transmission Fluid Then follow these steps How to Check Remowve the filler plug 1 i sh n is E Because this operation be difficult you may choose E Pieria Visage Up To tie SOROR Of to have this done at your Pontiac dealer Service udin Department 3 Tf the fluid level is good install the plug and he sure it is fully seated If the fluid level is low add more If you do it yourself be sure to follow all the fluid as described in the next steps instructions here or you could get a false reading How to Add Fluid NOTICE Here s how to add fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what ki
146. ead design the TPC number will be followed by an MS for mud and snow If you ever replace your tires with those not having TPC Spec number make sure they are the same size laad range speed rating and construction type bias bias belted or radial as your original tires I 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 Tread wear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on 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 variations in driving habits service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate Traction A B The traction grades from highest to lowest are B and C 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 mar
147. ectrical 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 Car in the Index 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 your 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 Performance Mode Switch This switch lets you change from a normal driving mode to a performance mode When you start the engine the switch will be in normal mode For general driving conditions use the normal mode It will remain in normal unless you select the PERFORM feature For firmer shift and increased performance you may choose the PERFORM mode The light in the center of the switch will light up when selected The switch will then remain in performance mode until the engine is shut off when it will go back to normal mode 2 20 Second Gear Start TRANSMISSION 2ND GEAR START Your vehicle may be equipped with a Second Gear Start feature Press 2ND GEAR START to provide more traction when you are starting on ice or other slippery surfaces The transmission will be in second gear
148. ee ES 6 12 Driving Hhgins OE ice aioe 22127222 6 12 no PM ee 4 16 ASIE Ll rrr bla rms ia des Oe adis 22 4 20 Addio d ei ERG 6 18 4 1 Checking 6 14 TAREN racer accorto PER What Kind to Use 3 4L 5 71 6 17 HIMMEL Sie ae sce RISO NR MORE di n a OR 4 2 What Kind to Use 3 8L 6 16 9 4 When io GChBnER ae se aka re ene ERAS 6 18 race EET 5 16 Running it While you re Parked 2 38 Specifications ve rale a Ee a RN 6 72 SUME Loos aaa ierra Ra s mu ECKE Vs 2 17 Ethanol In Fuel TIT 6 3 ENETH Lesern erar hes YACHT 2 37 Expectant Mothers Use of Safety Belts 1 25 Express Down Window zd res ay 2 39 Extender Safety cues 6 57 Fifth Gear 5 Manual Transmission Five Speed 2 27 Fifth Gear 5 Manual Transmission Six Speed 2 29 Pilling Your Dink aires ise ev Ru iuc 50 6 6 Filter AI UNDE 6 20 Ehpins Oll VITRE 6 18 Prado Me Race ORE RUE 6 61 5763 First Gear Automatic Transmission 2 26 First Gear 1 Manual Transmission Five Speed 2
149. eel spin when you press the button 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 asta 72 The light on the button should come on and the TCS OFF warning light should go off CN If your car is equipped with P245 50ZR 16 tires the traction control system will automatically turn off at ol speeds above 108 mph 174 km h The TCS OFF warning light will not come on When the vehicle speed drops below 103 mph 166 km h the system will automatically come on again 4 10 Braking in Emergencies Use your anti lock braking system when you need to 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 t 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
150. en the body and the hatch Make sure all windows are shut Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting That will force outside air into your vehicle See Comfort Controls in the If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel open them all the way See Engine Exhaust in the Index Theft 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 impossihle to steal However there are ways you can help Key in the Ignition If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside its an easy target for joy riders or professional thieves so don t do it When you park your Pontiac and open the driver s door you ll hear a tone 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 transmission taking your key out also locks your transmission And remember to lock the doors Ry Parking at Night Park im a lighted spot close all windows and lock your vehicle Remember to keep your valuables out of sight Put them in a 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 ignit
151. ended fuel that is no more than 10 ethanol is fine For your vehicle Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol NOTICE Fuel that is more than 5 methanol is bad for vour vehicle Don t use it It can corrode metal parts in vour fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts That damage wouldn t covered under your warranty And even at 5 or less there must be cosolvents and corrosion preventers in this fuel to help avoid these problems uj aM Gasolines for Cleaner Air Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system That helps keep your engine in tune and your emission control system working properly It s good for your vehicle and you ll be doing your part for cleaner air Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with these blending materials such as MTBE and ethanol By doing so you can help clean the air especially in those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels In addition some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated gasolines These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle emissions General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline By doing so you can help clean the air especially in those parts of the country that have high ozone levels You should ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain
152. ent you should let your dealer s service department or another qualified service center do these jobs CAUTION tede 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 you 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 You will find a list of publications and how to get them in this manual See Service Publications in the Index 7 2 Part B Owner Checks and Services tells you what should be checked whenever you stop for fuel It also explains what you can 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 products 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 1t down in this part This will help you determine when your next maintenance should
153. er in the Index Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher for best performance You may use middle grade or regular unleaded gasolines but your vehicle may not accelerate as well The gasoline you use should meet specifications ASTM 04814 in the United States and CGSB 3 5 92 in Canada These fuels should have the proper additives so you should not have to add anything to the fuel In the United States and Canada it s easy to be sure you get the right kind of gasoline unleaded You ll see UNLEADED right on the pump And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle s filler neck Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91 at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular 1f 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 91 octane or higher and you still 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 What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen oxygenates such as MTBE or alcohol MTBE is methyl tertiary butyl ether Fuel that is more than 15 MTBE is fine for your vehicle Ethanol 15 ethyl grain alcohol Properly bl
154. ety Chains ee ee ee ke 255 Total Weight on Your Vehicle 8 Tires I LEER 3 4 34 IEEE SER ETT 4 31 Tum RNAS hoe mcr dnd eda 4 37 Weisht of a Tr ller 2 4 33 Transmission Fluid Automatic 6722 Transmission Fluid 6 27 THp OU EE EE IIR ERE PY EIL a 2 67 Turn Signal and Lane Change 2 2 41 Turn Signal Headlamp Beam Lever 2 41 Turn Signal When Towing a 4 37 Twin Lift Off Roof Panels 2 55 Underbody Maintenance 6 63 V hicle Damage Warnings iv Vehicle Dimensions Chart 6 74 Vehicle Identification Number VIN wi 6 65 Vehicle Loading PEN ee neater es MP Vehicle Storage MAE tra MEM Vehicle Symboli crisci rr eeu vena UH Vehicle Control of a Cea AGREE E EAR A tee de Vehicle Leaving Volt s o erraren pr aA ears 2 4 Ventilation System Flow Through 3 4 Ventilation Tips pu Rer ee Sa eee 3 4 Vision sistas since eene te reet E 4 16 Visor Vanity Mines 52 12 12 uua ad su eee 2 62 aac en GRE ccc rrr ACER COUTE EE Eier ERES RAE 9 13 Warning see odie e vies ee eee CIS 5 2 Warning Flashers Ha
155. g a cold check you must perform a hot check before adding fluid This will give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level To check the fluid hot or cold 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 idle for three minutes or more Then without shutting off the engine follow these 5 7L Transmission Dipstick Location steps 3 4L Transmission Dipstick Location eE E _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 8L Transmission Dipstick Location 3 4L and 5 7L Transmission Dipstick I Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a cold paper towel check or in the HOT area for a cross hatch area for a hot 2 Push it back in all the way wait three seconds and check then pull it back out again 3 Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level 25 3 8L Transmission Dipstick ld de 4 ADO a AND 510 4 Ifthe fluid level is the acceptable range push the dipstick back in all the way 6 26 How to Add Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedul
156. g to the steering wheel or instrument panel Also don t put anything such as pets or objects between any occupant and the steering wheel or instrument panel If something is between an occupant and an air hag it could affect the performance of the air bag or worse it could cause injury When should an air bag inflate The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crashes 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 it can 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 It is possible that in a crash only one of the two air bags in your Pontiac will deploy This is rare but can happen in crash just severe enough to make an air bag inflate 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 the vehicle s deceleration Ve
157. ge your transmission Also if you stop when going uphill don t hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal This could overheat and damage the transmission Use your brakes or shift into FIRST 1 This position gives you even more power PARK to hold your vehicle in position but lower fuel economy than SECOND 2 You can on a hill use it on very steep hills or 1n deep snow or mud If the selector lever is put in FIRST 1 the transmission won t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough Maximum engine speed is limited to protect driveline components from improper operation 2X MM Manual Transmission This is your shift pattern Here s how to operate your transmission Five Speed 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 and let up on the clutch Press the clutch pedal back down Then shift into FIRST 1 e SECOND 2 Press the clutch pedal to the floor 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 FOURTH FIFTH 3 4 5 Gears Shift into THIR
158. he rear wheels don t go more than 35 mph 55 km h or farther than 50 miles 80 km or your transmission will be damaged If these limits must be exceeded then the rear wheels have to supported on dolly N CAUTION vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn t adequately secured This can cause a collision vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or steel cahles hefore it is transported Don t use substitutes ropes leather straps canvas webbing etc that can be cut by sharp T hooks inserted in the T hook slots Never use J hooks They will damage drivetrain and suspension components serious personal injury and vehicle damage The edges underneath the towed vehicle Always use 5 9 Front Towing Hook Ups NOTICE Do not attach winch cables or hooks to suspension components when using car carrier equipment Always use T hooks inserted in the T hook slots Attach T hook chains to slots in frame rearward of front wheels on both sides Ee NOTICE Do not tow with sling type equipment fascia fog light 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 MIMIM A 1 NOTICE Take care not to damage the brake pipes and hoses or the ABS sensor and wiring NOTICE Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
159. he radiator up to the base of the filler neck 7 Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine and compartment amp Start the engine and allow it to run in idle for approximately four minutes By this time the coolant level inside the radiator will be lower Add more of the proper mix through the filler neck until the level reaches the base of the filler neck 4 Fill with the proper mix Add coolant until you see steady stream of coolant coming from the bleed valves 5 28 See m M fA F T Ov 9 Shut the engine off and replace the pressure cap Be 10 Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the proper sure the arrows on the cap line up like this level For a complete drain flush and refill see your Pontiac dealer or a Pontiac Service Manual To purchase a service manual see Service Publications in the Index mM 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 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 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 then gently brake to stop well out of the traffic lane
160. he radio is off NOTE This radio has a broken tape feature that will eject broken or misfed tapes Because of this feature CD changers that plug into the tape deck will not work in this system Diagnostic Tape Error Indicator When the cassette player detects a problem with the cassette tape either just after itis loaded or while it 15 playing it will attempt to work around the error If the tape player cannot continue to play the cassette it will eject it and switch to the radio mode If E and number appears in the radio display an error has occurred and the cassette or compact disc will not play temporarily If the error occurred while trying to play a cassette tape the following conditions may have caused the error The cassette tape is tight and the cassette player cannot turn the hubs of the cassette tape E10 may be displayed e Hold the cassette with the open end down and try turning right hub counter clockwise with a pencil Flip the tape over and repeat same procedure If the hubs do not turn easily your cassette tape may be damaged and should not be used in the cassette player Try anew tape to make sure that your cassette player is Working properly If the cassette tape is broken E11 may be displayed Check to see if your tape ts broken Try anew cassette tape This feature may not work well with certain types of adaptors for add on CD players If there is not tension on th
161. he 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 CAUTION 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 he sure snow doesn t collect there Open a window just a little on the side of the vehicle that s away from the wind This will help keep CO out 4 28 Run your engine only as long as you must This saves fuel When you run the engine make it go 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 close 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 B
162. hen you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly NOTICE Continuing to drive with worn out brake pads could result in costly brake repair 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 If you have rear drum brakes they 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 brakes replaced have the rear brakes inspected too Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets 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 a few moderate brake stops about every 1 000 miles 1600 km so your brakes will adjust properly If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal your rear drum brakes may need adjustment Adjust them by backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times Replacing Brake System Parts The braking
163. hicle damage is only one indication of this What makes an air bag inflate In a frontal near frontal impact of sufficient severity the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash The sensing system triggers chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator The reaction produces nitrogen gas which inflates the air bag The inflator air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules packed inside 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 The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts Air bags distribute the force of the 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 and rear and side impacts primarily because an occupant s motion is not toward the air bag 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 the air bag inflates it quickly deflates This occurs so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated Some components of the
164. hild restraint in this seat Here s why AN CAUTION 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 A You ll be using the lap shoulder belt See the earlier part 3 Secure the child in the child restraint as the about the top strap if the child restraint has one instructions say You ll need a safety locking clip to properly secure a 4 Pick up the latch plate and run the lap and shoulder child restraint in this position You can get a locking clip portions of the vehicle s safety belt through or where child restraints are sold ar from you Pontiac around the restraint The child restraint instructions dealer GM Part No 94844571 The locking clip must will show you how be the same as the one shown here If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child s face or neck put it behind the child restraint Until you have this clip secure a child restraint only in the rear seat See the earlier part about securing a child restraint in the rear seat Once you have the clip follow these instructions 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
165. hitch that does not attach to the bumper 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 Instructions about safety 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 If your trailer weighs more than 1 000 pounds 450 kg loaded then it needs its own brakes and they must be adequate Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you ll be able to install adjust and maintain them properly Because you have anti lock brakes do nat 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 pla
166. hould 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 MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SERVICED BY ODOMETER DATE READING Maintenance Record lopowErER ag DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED Maintenance Record MAINTENANCE PERFORMED Section 8 Customer Assistance Information Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac 1f vou need assistance This section also tells you how to obtain service publications and how to report any safety defects This section includes information Customer Satisfaction Procedure Customer Assistance for Hearing or 5peech Impaired BBB Auto Line Alternative Dispute Resolution Program Reporting Safety Defects Roadside Assistance and Service Publications Customer Satisfaction Procedure Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and Pontiac Normally any concern with the sales transaction or the operation of your vehicle will be resolved by your dealer s Sales or Service Departments Sometimes however despite the best intentions of all concerned misunderstandings can occur If your concern has not been resolved to your satisfaction the following steps should be taken STEP ONE Discuss your concern with a member of dealership management Normall
167. ial chimneys etc can damage your vehicle s finish if they remain on painted surfaces Wash the vehicle as soon as possible If 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 TMMMM tR o L A 2 ARARtRnR R R LEA S41 Cleaning Your Convertible Top NOTICE When using an automatic car wash set your heating or cooling system to VENT with the fan speed set to the second highest speed This will prevent high pressure water from entering around your top Your convertible top should be cleaned often Use a mild soap lukewarm water and a soft brush Don t use any harsh cleaners or bleaching agents on the top They can damage the material When the top is really dirty use a mild foam type cleaner Use a cloth or sponge to remove the dirt Thoroughly rinse the top and dry it before lowering it damp top causes wrinkles Aluminum Wheels If So Equipped Your aluminum wheels have a protective coating similar to the painted surface of your car Don t use strong soaps chemicals chrome polish abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage this coating After rinsing thoroughly
168. 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 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 M LL M 2 17 If your engine 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 If the car starts briefly but then stops again do the same thing but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds This clears the extra gasoline from the engine NOTICE Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle If you add electrical parts or accessories you could change the way the fuel injection system 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 Car in the Index a To start your 5 7 Liter LT1 engine 1 Without pushing the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to START When the engine starts let go of the key The idle speed will go down as your
169. il and filter every 3 000 miles 5 000 km or 3 months whichever comes first If none of them is true change the oil and filter every 7 500 miles 12 500 km or 12 months whichever comes first Engine Coolant Heater An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in very cold weather 0 F 18 C or colder If your vehicle has this option see Engine Coolant Heater in the Index What to Do with Used Oil Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer Don t let used oil stay on your skin for very long Clean your skin and nails with soap and water or good hand cleaner Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags containing used engine oil See the manufacturer s warnings about the use and disposal of oil products Used oil can be a real threat to the environment If you change your own oil be sure to drain all free flowing oil from the filter before disposal Don t ever dispose of oil by putting it in the trash pouring it on the ground into sewers or into streams or bodies of water Instead recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil If you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil ask your dealer a service station or a local recycling center for help 6 18 Air Cleaner V6 Engines Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air filter See
170. ilter 100 000 Miles 166 000 km DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY y Maintenance Schedule II The services shown in this schedule up to 100 000 miles 166 000 km should performed after 100 000 miles 166 000 km at the same intervals Footnotes t 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 vehicle useful life We however urge that all recommended maintenance services be performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded 7 32 7 500 Miles 12 500 km Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first O Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle has limited slip differential C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information ACTUAL MILEAGE Maintenance Schedule 15 000 Miles 25 000 km _ Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever Occurs first Uses such as found m taxi police An Emission Control Service delivery service If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
171. ing Water PA UM Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8 1 RT we mike wis aue sir ee a Eis sed 4 25 Will a TREE 4 35 Dronken Driving ra reme eee 4 2 Damage Fins c urna ed n a a eee ca 6 63 Damage Sheet Metal 2 2 2 6 63 Daytime Running Lamps 2 50 Mirror Control 2754 Dead Battery eO Re PES 5 2 Electrical Equipment Adding 6 65 Defects tace ere cues 8 4 Engine Compartment Fuse Block 6 66 6 69 Defensive DUVInE i s ied ase ade dae eE causes 4 1 Engine E Ra uA EFE 6 30 Defogger Rear Window 3 4 PARERE aac RE RAs YO E 6 31 Defogging eR RENS Bee ee pees ee 3 3 Checking WWE ENTE SE en tees ees 6 31 ECA dun vhs al a dA S raa nrc Els drea Pee cara rex 2 21 Differential Limited 5 6 29 Temperature 2 72 Dolby Noise Reduction 3 8 Engine DNE LONE TE E 2 3 Exhaust eem vmi eu ORM 2 37 Dp POHDOR 1 13 Identifiuliem 6 65 Driving On Grades With a 4 37 DAE CLE ERR CK Ar EE Pace saa d
172. ings that burn into 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 your ashtray If you do cigarettes or other smoking materials could set them on fire causing damage Cigarette Lighter If you plug accessories into your cigarette lighter such as heating devices or air compressors these accessories should have a rated current of less than 15 amps Exceeding this limit will result in a blown fuse To use the lighter push it in all the way and let go When it s ready it will pop back by itself Instrument Panel Fog Lamp Switch if equipped Main Lamp Control Side Upper Air Vent Instrument Cluster Horn Center Upper Air Vent Audio System Glove Box Comfort Controls Cigarette Lighter Parking Brake Lever Cupholder Storage Console and Cassette Tape Compact Disc Storage as equipped Transmission Mode Switch Automatic Transmission Shift Lever Ashtray Automatic Transmission Rear Window Defogger Switch Steering Wheel Controls Remote Hatch Release Convertible Top Switch if equipped Traction Control System Switch 1f equipped 2 65 Instrument Panel and Cluster Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a Speedometer and Odome
173. ion key What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle Put your valuables in a storage area like your glove box Lock the glove box Lock all the doors except the driver s Then take the door key with you PASS Key TI Your vehicle is equipped with the 55 Personalized Automotive Security System theft deterrent system PASS Key II is a passive theft deterrent system This means you don t have to do anything different to arm or disarm the system It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition 55 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key that matches a decoder in your vehicle E When the PASS Key system senses that someone is using the wrong key it shuts down the vehicle s starter and fuel systems For about three minutes the starter won t work and fuel won t go to the engine If someone tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key during this time the vehicle will not start This discourages someone from randomly trying different keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make a match The ignition key must be clean and dry before it s inserted in the ignition the engine may not start If the engine does not start and the SECURITY light stays on when you try to start the car the key may be dirty or wet Turn the ignition off Clean and dry the key Wait about three minutes and try again
174. is and some have been blinded Use a flashlight if you 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 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 shock The vehicles could be damaged too Before you connect the cables here are some basic things you should know Positive will go to positive and negative will go to negative a metal engine part Don t connect to or you ll get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too AN CAUTION Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engines are running 7 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 metal Connect it to the positive terminal of the good battery Use a remote po
175. ise shift to the highest gear while driving AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE 2 or DRIVE 0 for automatic transmissions If you no longer have the overheat warning you can drive Just to he safe drive slower for about ten 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 while you re parked to see if the warning stops But then if you still have the warning turn off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away 5 17 Cooling System V8 Engine n ESSE When you decide it s safe to lift the hood here s what you ll see 1 Coolant recovery tank 2 Radiator pressure 2 3 Electric engine fan 5 18 V6 Engines When you decide it s safe to lift the hood here s what y 2 3 ou ll see Coolant recovery tank Radiator pressure cap Electric engine fan CAUTION An electric fan under the hood can start up even you Keep hands clothing and tools away from If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank 15 boiling don t do anything else until it cools down When it 15 cool remove the coolant recovery tank cap and look at the dipstick The coolant level should be FULL COLD If it isn t you ma
176. k and drive e 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 e 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 safe place and rest Night Vision No one can see as well at night 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 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 mght 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 of things invisible ji You can temporarily blinded by approaching lights It can take 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 lights Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean inside and out Glare at night is made much
177. ked C may have poor traction performance Warning The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking straight ahead traction tests and does not include cornering turning traction Temperature A B C The temperature grades are the highest B and 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 represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law Warning The temperature grade for this tire is 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 buildup and possible tire failure These grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger car tires While the tires available as standard or optional equipment on General Motors vehicles may vary with 6 53 respect to these grades all such tires meet General Motors performance standards and have been approved for use on General Motors vehicles All p
178. l THIRD FOURTH FIFTH and SIXTH 3 4 5 and 6 Gears Shift into THIRD 3 4 FIFTH 5 and SIXTH 6 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 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 If you shift from SIXTH 6 into REVERSE R the shift lever must be first placed in the NEUTRAL position centered between SECOND 2 and THIRD 3 prior to shifting into REVERSE R Your six speed manual transmission has a feature that allows you to safely shift into REVERSE R while the vehicle is rolling at less than 5 mph You will be if you try to shift into REVERSE R while your vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph If you have turned your ignition off and wish to park your vehicle in Reverse you will have to move the shift lever quickly to the right crashing through the high load spring and then into gear Skip Shift Light 5 7L LT1 Engine SKIP SHIFT When this light comes on you can only shift from FIRST 1 to FOURTH 4 gear instead of FIRST 1 to SECOND
179. l 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 yellow for cautions blue for notices and the words CAUTION or NOTICE Vehicle Symbols These symbols Here are some are used on other symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle warning and you may sec indicator lights Fuse V For example These symbols These symbols These symbols these symbols are important have t do with arc on some of ENGINE are used on an for you and your lights your controls COOLANT original battery your passengers gt en MASTER Ele WINDSHIELD CAUTION driven LIGHTING WIPER BATTERY CHARGING INJURY FoU OR SYSTEM DOOR LOCK WINDSHIELD PROTECT nest oJ GA 1 SHIELDING WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER CAUSTIC AMPS p BATTERY ACID COULD REAR Per HAZARD WINDOW POWER 1 WARNING DEFOGGER wwoow f FLASHER AVOID SPARKS OF FLAMES LAMPS OR 2 d HIGH BEAM ENGINE OIL AIRBAG Y TEMP ak FOG
180. lant system The thermostat stops the flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant reaches preset temperature When you replace your thermostat an AC thermostat is recommended Ou ES o Power Steering Fluid 3 8 L 1 36 Engine 3 4 L L32 Engine 5 7 L LTI Engine How To Check Power Steering Fluid When the engine compartment is cool 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 FULL COLD mark Add enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem Have the system inspected and repaired d e When the engine compartment 15 hot the level Windshield Washer Fluid To Add should be at the H or HOT mark When engine compartment is cool the level should he at C or FULL COLD mark What to Add Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of fluid to use See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the Index NOTICE When adding power steering fluid or making a complete fluid change always use the proper fluid Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals t 0 Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY Add Brake Master Cylinder washer fluid until the tank is full Your brake master cylinder is here
181. ld Restraint in a Rear Seat Position You ll be using the lap shoulder belt See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one 1 Put the restraint on the seat Follow the instructions for the child restraint Secure the child in the child restraint as the instructions say 4 Buckle the belt Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the 3 Picku atch plate a lap and 5 ick up the latch plate and run the lap and shoulder safety belt quickly if you ever had to portions of the vehicle s safety belt through or around the restraint The child restraint instructions will show you how Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child s face or neck put it behind the child restraint T REEEeme 71 22 5 To tighten the belt pull up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint 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 34 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag Never put a rear facing c
182. lding ability Shift to PARK P Then release all brakes Underbody Flushing 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 TU Part 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 Restraint Systems Now and then make sure all your belts buckles latch plates retractors anchorages and reminder systems are working properly Look for any loose parts or damage If you see anything that might keep a restraint system from doing its job have it repaired Steering and Suspension Inspection Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged loose or missing parts signs of wear or lack of lubrication Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for proper hookup binding leaks cracks chafing etc 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 i
183. led up Always fasten your safety belt and check that your passengers belts Er uiia aha te Your car has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up See Safety Belt Reminder Light in the Index In many 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 crash you don t know if it will be a bad one A few crashes are mild and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn t survive But most crashes are in between In many of them people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed After more than 25 years of safety belts in vehicles the facts are clear In most crashes buckling up does matter a lot Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything you go as fast as it goes Put someone on It Take the simplest vehicle Suppose it s just a seat on wheels Get it up to speed Then stop the vehicle The rider The person keeps going until stopped hy something VNLT In real vehicle it could be the windshield ar 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 Here Are Questions M
184. lso find low coolant warning light on your Pontiac instrument panel If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine 5 16 CAUTION Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly even if you 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 opening the hood If you keep driving when your engine is 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 be covered hy 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 be 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 Idle for long periods in traffic Tow a trailer If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam try this for a minute or so 1 If vou have an air conditioner turn it off 2 Turn 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 otherw
185. mage or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage Replace parts as needed Emission Control Service 0 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Maintenance Schedule I 93 000 Miles 155 000 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 96 000 Miles 160 000 km 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY H ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 29 ee SS Maintenance Schedule I 97 500 Miles 162 500 km 99 000 Miles 165 000 km _ Change the rear axle gear lubricant if L Change engine oil and filter or every vehicle is used to pull a trailer 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service a DATE ACTUALMILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE BY _ Replace spark plugs 5 7L Code P engine only An Emission Control Service LJ If you have not used your vehicle under conditions of severe service and therefore have not changed your automatic transmission fluid change both the fluid and f
186. meter calibration headlamp aim bumper height vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain clearance to the body and chassis Used Replacement Wheels CAUTION Putting used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous You can t know how it s been used or how many miles it s been driven It could fail suddenly and cause an accident If you have to TIME EN wheel use a new GM original Tire Chains NOTICE If your Pontiac has P235 55RI6 or P245 50ZR16 size tires don t use tire chains they can damage vour vehicle If you have other tires use tire chains only where legal and only when you must Use only SAE Class 5 type chains that are the proper size for your tires Install them on the rear 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 your vehicle stop and retighten them 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 a container to clean your Pontiac be sure to follow the manufacturer s warnings and instructions An
187. n as possible In Problems on the Road this manual shows what to do See Engine Overheating in the Index 2 72 Low Coolant Light V8 Engine m Driving with the LOW light on could cause your Pontiac to overheat See Engine Overheating in the Index Your Pontiac could be damaged and it wouldn t be covered by your warranty LOW COOLANT This red warning light should come on while you are starting your engine If the light doesn t come on have it repaired The light also comes on when the coolant in your radiator is low You may need to add coolant See Engine Coolant in the Index TU 2 73 Malfunction Indicator Lamp Service Engine Soon Light SERVICE ENGINE SOON A computer monitors operation of your fuel ignition and emission control systems This light should come on when the ignition is on but the engine is not running as check to show you it is working If it does not come on at all have it fixed right away If it stays on or il comes on while you are driving the computer is indicating that you have a problem You should take your vehicle in for service soon NOTICE If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on after a while the emission controls wont work as well your fuel economy won t be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly This could lead to costly repairs not covered by your
188. n t be covered by your warranty Trving to start vour Pontiac by pushing pulling it could damage your vehicle even if you have a manual transmission And if vou have an automatic transmission it won t start that way To Jump Start Your Pontiac 1 Check the other vehicle It must have a 12 volt battery with negative ground system NOTICE If the other system isn t a 12 volt system with a negative ground both vehicles can be damaged 2 Getthe 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 3 Turn off the ignition on both vehicles Turn off all lights that aren t needed and radios This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries And it could save vour radio NOTICE vou leave your radio on it could badly damaged The repairs wouldn t be covered by your warranty 4 Open the hoods and locate the batteries CAUTION 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 CAUTION Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode People have been hurt doing th
189. ncies og eee cease rrt mnn 4 12 Steering Power QUAE A Steering Tips Dea Se 4 11 Storage Of Your Vehicle 8 40 UIS eee REMY 5 43 Suc VENAE ES 2 62 poe ee CERE 2 58 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint rrr rr 1 19 Symbols ll eerie rnm mh v Sunshides crece 2 58 JBchomeper cee E Tamper Resistant Odometer 2 67 ET OT TET 3 15 a s ae ea DIA 22 2 11 Tu DM Thermostat paces ES Ee aa EM 6 32 Third Gear Automatic Transmission 2 25 Third Gear 3 Manual Five Speed 2 27 Third Gear 3 Manual Six Speed 2 29 Tilt Steering Wheel 2 40 Time Setting 3 3 Tips About Your Audio System 3 14 Tue Cal UR LAW 6 55 Tire Inspection and Rotation TT TTE E 6 50 9 12 Tire TTE S 4 29 JR dia talala weet cru S ks d auo 6 48 d lianment and Balanee 54 Bust Mew cech o oo DER Hu leere 5 30 ala Sh
190. nd of fluid to use See Too much or too little fluid can damage your Recommended Fluids and Lubricants in the Index transmission Too much can mean that some of z Remove the filler plug Add fluid at the filler plug hole Add only enough 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 vour fluid to bring the fluid level up to the bottom of the transmission fluid filler plug hole 3 Install the filler plug Be sure the plug is fully seated Check the fluid level only when your engine is off the vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the transmission case 6 27 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 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 6 28 How to
191. nd the key is in the ignition RUN D 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 you can use RUN to operate your electrical power accessories and to display some instrument panel warning and indicator lights START E Starts the engine When the engine starts release the key The ignition switch will return to RUN for normal driving Nate that even if the engine is not running ACC and RUN allow you to operate your electrical accessories such as the radio and ventilation fan Key Release Button If you have a manual transmission your ignition lock has a key release button You must press the button before you can take your key out af the ignition lock NOTICE If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can t turn it be sure it is 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 Retained Accessory Power RAP If you have power door locks your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory Power RAP With RAP your power door locks electric mirrors power windows audio system and remote hatch release will continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition
192. nflate you ll need some new parts for your air bag system If you don t get them the air bag system won t be there to help protect you in 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 Servicing Your Air Bag Equipped Pontiac 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 Pontiac dealer and the 1995 Service Manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system To purchase a service manual see Service Publications in the Index The air bag system does not need regular maintenance N CAUTION For up to 2 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 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 A pregn
193. ng Your Vehicle 2 36 Reverse R Position Five Speed 2 28 Reverse Position Six Speed 2 29 Second Gear 2 Five 227 Second Gear 2 Six Speed 2 29 Sf Cr eee CIE ER a t 2 31 cR gees ee ewes 2 27 2 28 Sixth Gear 6 Six SUN Les VERE ELA 2 29 Starting Your 2 17 Third Gear 3 Five Speed Edu is po ess 2 27 Third Gear 3 Six Speed 2 29 Mats Float seen 2 54 Manual Windows 2 39 Map 2 60 Memanol In Poael carnem mm manm nm 6 3 Mirrors Conimil Blectne reve 2 54 Covered Visor Vanity 2 62 COUVEX DUBIE saosan EN 2 54 Inside Day Night Rearview 2 53 Manual Adjust An Rte lacur oaa 2 53 Manual Remote Contral 2 2253 Power Remote Control 2 54 WERE oer ree cine HR RE n CUN a 2 62 MTHE Qn Piel 6 3 8 Position Automatic Transmission 2 24 Neutral N Position Manual Transmission Five Speed 2 28 Neutral Position Manual Transmission nes nem 2 29 New Vehicle Break In 2714 Night Vii n 5 rri
194. ng at low speed turn the band away from you to the LO position For high speed wiping turn the band further to HI To stop the wipers move the band to OFF Damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing well enough to drive safely To avoid damage be sure to clear ice and snow from the wipers blades before using them If they re frozen to the windshield carefully loosen or thaw them If your blades do become damaged get new blades or blade inserts Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers circuit breaker will stop them until the motor cools Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload SSS Windshield Washer NOTICE When using concentrated washer fluid follow the manufacturer s instructions for adding water Don t mix water with ready to use washer fluid Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system Also At the top of the turn signal lever there s a paddle with the word PUSH on it To spray washer fluid on the windshield just push the paddle for less than a second water doesn t clean as well as washer fuid The washer will continue to spray until you release the Fill your washer fluid tank only 3 4 full paddle The wipers will clear the window and wipe a when it s very cold This allows for few more times before stopping or returning to the expansion which could damage the tank if previous setting i
195. ng the amount of cargo being hauled or trailered avoiding hard acceleration or by avoiding steep uphill grades If these actions are effective the light will stop flashing and remain on steady Drive the vehicle to a dealer for service If the light continues to flash stop the vehicle Wait for steady light to come on then drive the vehicle to the nearest dealer for service These following conditions also may cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light to come on Low Fuel Out of Fuel As the vehicle starts to run out of fuel the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light may come on as a result of an engine misfire Filling your gasoline tank should correct this condition Make sure to install the gas cap fully It will require a few driving trips to turn the light off Poor Quality Fuel Be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel Your engine may not run efficiently on poor fuel Poor fuel may cause stalling hesitation or misfire These conditions may go away when the engine is warmed up However poor quality fuel may cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light to come on Have a dealer check the vehicle If no problems are found you may want to change to another brand of fuel Driving Through Standing Water Driving your vehicle through puddles of deep standing water may result in a temporary misfire condition This condition will usually correct itself shortly after the electrical system dries out It will require a few driving trips to tu
196. nge automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n 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 ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 16 48 000 Miles 80 000 km Uses such as found in taxi police or L Change engine oil and filter or every delivery service 3 months whichever occurs first If you do not use your vehicle under any of An Emission Control Service these conditions change the fluid and filter _ Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the at 100 000 miles 166 000 km transmission shift linkage or every Manual transmission fluid doesn t require 6 months whichever occurs first change L Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions Replace filter if necessary An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY M 7 17 51 000 Miles 85 000 km 0 Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 52 500 Miles 87 500 km 0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer SERVICED BY 54 000 Miles 90 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 mo
197. ngine transmission rear axle 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 increasing the pulling requirements 4 3 If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do here are some important points There are 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 good source for this information can be state or provincial police Consider using sway control You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls Don t tow a trailer at all during the first 1000 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 55 mph 90 km h to save wear on your vehicle s parts Three important considerations have to do with weight Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely
198. ning Leather Use soft cloth with lukewarm water and mild soap or saddle soap For stubborn stains use a mild solution of 10 isopropyl alcohol rubbing alcohol and 90 water Never use oils varnishes solvent based or abrasive cleaners furniture polish or shoe polish on leather Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately If dirt is allowed to work into finish it can harm the leather 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 N CAUTION Do not bleach or 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 Glass Glass should be cleaned GM Glass Cleaner GM Part No 1050427 or a liquid household glass cleaner 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 attache
199. nsmission caused by shifting out of PARK P or NEUTRAL N with the engine racing isn t covered by your warranty AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE D This position is for normal driving If you need more power for passing and you re Going less than about 35 mph 56 km h push your accelerator pedal about halfway down Going about 35 mph 56 km h or more push the accelerator all the way down You ll shift down to the next gear and have more power THIRD 3 This is like D but you never go into Overdrive Here are some times you might choose THIRD instead of OVERDRIVE When driving on hilly winding roads When towing a trailer so there is less shifting between gears When going down a steep hill 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 2 25 NOTICE Don t drive in SECOND for more than 5 miles 8 km or at speeds over 55 mph 88 km h or you can damage your transmission Use OVERDRIVE or THIRD as much as possible Don t shift into SECOND unless you are going slower than 65 mph 105 km h or you can damage your engine NOTICE If your rear 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 dama
200. nstructions here or you could get a false reading on the dipstick NOTICE Too much too little fluid can damage your transmission 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 vou check your transmission fluid 6 22 Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission 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 To get the right reading the fluid should be at normal operating temperature which is 1807 to 200 F 82 C to 93 C To check transmission fluid hot Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles 24 km when outside temperatures are above 50 F 10 C If its colder than 50 F 10 C drive the vehicle in DRIVE D until the engine temperature gage moves and then remians steady for ten minutes Then follow the hot check procedures To check transmission fluid cold A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used only as a reference Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures are 50 F 10 C or more If it s colder than 50 F 10 C you may have to idle the engine longer Should the fluid level be low durin
201. nt by pressing the switch and releasing it when the window has lowered to the position you want The switch for the driver s window has an Express Down feature Quickly press and release the switch for the driver s window and the window will lower completely You can also open the driver s window any amount by pressing the switch again while the window is in the Express Down mode when it has lowered to the position you want Horn Tilt Wheel To sound the horn press either horn symbol on your A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering steering wheel 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 2 40 The Turn Signal Headlamp Beam Lever The lever on the left side of the steering column includes your Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator Headlamp High Low Beam and Passing Signal Windshield Wipers Windshield Washer Cruise Control Option Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator The turn signal has two upward for Right and two downward for Left positions These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change To signal a turn move the lever all the way up or down When the turn is finished the lever will return automatically
202. nths whichever occurs first 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 57 000 Miles 95 000 km Emission Control Service Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first _ Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 19 Maintenance Schedule I 60 000 Miles 100 000 km C Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first 0 Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer 0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter 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 7 20 Uses such as found in taxi police or delivery service If vou do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change Inspect engine accessory drive or every 24 months whiche
203. nto the vehicle See Engine Exhaust in the Index 7 48 Throttle Linkage Inspection Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding and for damaged or missing parts Replace parts as needed Manual Transmission Check the transmission fluid level add if needed See Manual Transmission in the Index A fluid loss may indicate a problem Check the system and repair if needed Rear Axle Service Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add if needed See Rear Axle in the Index fluid loss may indicate a problem Check the axle and repair it if needed Brake System Inspection Inspect the complete system Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hookup 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 The parking brake is self adjusting and no manual adjustment is required You may need to have your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking T 49 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 USAGE FLUID LUBRICANT Engine Oil Engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines Starburst
204. o perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use Customer Assistance Information CIE ETT eee ree 4 8 1 This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service publications It also gives you information on Reporting Safety Defects on page 8 4 Index eR SOA ree ore rere SEA l Here s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual You can use it to quickly find something you want to read aM GENERAL MOTORS GM and the Emblem PONTIAC and the PONTIAC Emblem Firebird and the Firebird Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors 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 Motor 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 No 10254416 First Edition We support voluntary technician certification WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH Partir inizi AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE For
205. 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 still hear heavy knocking your engine needs service But don t warry if you hear 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 What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen oxygenates such as MTBE or alcohol is methyl tertiary butyl ether Fuel that 18 no more than 15 MTBE is fine for your vehicle Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol Properly blended fuel that is no more than 10 ethanol is fine for your vehicle Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol NOTICE Fuel that is more than 5 methanol is bad for your vehicle Don t use it It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts That damage wouldn t be covered under your warranty And even at 5 or less there must be cosolvents and corrosion preventers in this fuel to help avoid these problems T a Fuel 5 7L LT1 Code P The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number VIN shows the code letter for your engine You will find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel See Vehicle Identification Numb
206. 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 The shoulder belt is worn under the arm It should be worn over the shoulder at all times en Q What s wrong with this The belt is twisted across the body 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 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System SIR Air Bag System This part explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint SIR 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 a A A CAUTION Air bags inflate with great force faster than the blink of an eye If you re too close to an inflating air hag it could seriously injure you Safety belts help keep you in position for an air bag inflation in a crash Always wear your safety belt even with an air bag The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle CAUTION You can be severely injured or killed in crash if you aren t wearing your safety belt
207. oisy slide TREBLE to the left to reduce the noise setting the Tone Use the levers to set the bass midrange and treble until you get the sound you want The 40 100 250 and 625 levers adjust the bass 1 6K is midrange and 4K and 12K control the treble We suggest setting the 1 6K lever in the middle position and then moving the other levers up or down until you get the amount of bass and treble you like 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 A cassette symbol will appear in the upper left comer of the display whenever a tape is inserted The longer side with the tape visible goes in first If vou hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound it may not be in squarely Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over Once the tape is playing use VOLUME FADE TREBLE and BASS just as you do for the radio The arrows show which side of the tape is playing Your tape player will automatically adjust the equalization for high bias metal and CrO 2 tapes PREY Previous Press this button or SEEK Y to play a selection again For PREV to work properly vour tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection The radio will not play during this operation NEXT Press this button or SEEK to hear the next selection instead of waiting until the current
208. on 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 icy tire tread and the condition of your brakes 4 5 Avoid needless heavy braking Some people drive in spurts heavy acceleration followed heavy braking rather than keeping pace with traffic This is a mistake Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops Your brakes 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 you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking That means better braking and longer 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
209. onditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change ACTUAL MILEAG ISERVICED BY j Maintenance Schedule 82 500 Miles 137 500 km 90 000 Miles 150 000 km _ Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service LI Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first C Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information O Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first Inspect engine accessory drive belt or every 24 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90 F 32 C or higher ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 7 42 Maintenance Schedule II In hilly or mountainous terrain Replace spark plugs except 5 7L Code P When doing frequent trailer towing engine An Emission Control Service Uses such as found in taxi police or
210. one thing following too closely reduces your area of vision especially if you re following a larger velucle 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 15 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 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 e 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 you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two lane roads Reconsider before
211. ons for your shift lever PARK P This locks your rear wheels It s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can t move easily Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK P range before starting the engine Your Pontiac has a brake transmission 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 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 on floor shift console models See Shifting Out of PARK P in this part REVERSE R Use this gear to hack up NOTICE Shifting to REVERSE R while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transmission 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 transmission see Stuck In Sand Mud Ice or Snow If You re in the Index NEUTRAL N 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 NOTICE Damage to your tra
212. onsole There is a cupholder and lamp in the console The console will also have a storage area for either cassette tapes or compact discs There is also an extra wiring harness that can be used for addition electrical devices See your dealer for more information Close Out Panel The close out panel can he closed for hidden storage in the rear area of your vehicle 2 60 To remove the close out panel I Close the panel If the close out panel is not closed and resting on the trim panel it cannot be removed 2 Pull the panel toward you to unsnap it Then slide the close out panel along the groove in the trim panel Reverse the steps to install the panel SS When carrying large or heavy items it is a good idea to open the panel and place the items in the rear area 2 61 Sun Visors To block out glare you can swing down the visors You can also swing them to the side The elastic bands on your visor provide extra storage for maps or papers Covered Visor Vanity Mirror Pull down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose the vanitv mirror 2 62 Ashtray and Lighter Front Ashtray Lift up the cover to open the ashtray To remove it lift up on either side of the ashtray If you have an automatic transmission the ashtray is near the front of your console If you have a manual transmission the ashtray is near your cupholder NOTICE Don t put papers and other th
213. ontiac 1 25 Sheet Metal Damage 6 63 Shift Speeds Manual Transmission 4414 21 Shifting Five Speed Manual Transmission 2 27 Shitting Into Park D oor er n 2 34 Shifting Out of Park Otek 2 36 Shifting Six Speed Manual Transmission 2 28 Shifting Automatic Transmission 2 23 Signaling bee ee des bebe ie 2 41 5ix Speed Manual Transmission CURE NOISE UP Ux eret M NR Six Way Pawer Seal 1 2 Sixth Gear Manual Transmission Six Speed 2 29 aro ADIRE 4 14 Skip Shift Light 2 cer RI GRAVE 2 30 Sound Equipment Adding 314 Spare Tire Compact 3 42 Spesdomeler oc eee ate satin i a 2 66 Stans Cleaning gt gt gt gt 4 SUITS iu 255 7 46 Starting Your Engine Automatic Transmission 2 17 Manual Transmission 2 17 Steam If Coming From Your Engine 5 16 SEHR ora se eke eee eee ie vada daas a iA ii 4 11 Steering Column Lock oka aate Steering Wheel Touch Controls Audio System EP EES 3 18 Steering Wheel TU i ree reir rnm 2 40 Steering In Emerge
214. or professional qualified technicians In some cases they refer to specialized tools equipment and safety procedures necessary to service the vehicle Service Bulletins Service bulletins covering various subjects are regularly sent to all General Motors dealerships retail facilities GM monitors product performance in the field When service methods found which promote better service on GM vehicles bulletins are created to help the 8 8 technician perform better service Service bulletins may involve any number of vehicles Some will describe Inexpensive service others will describe expensive service Some will advise new or unexpected conditions and others may help avoid future costly repairs An important reminder service bulletins are meant for qualified technicians Since these bulletins are issued throughout the model year and beyond an index is required and published quarterly to help identify specific bulletins Subscriptions are available You can order an index at the toll free numbers listed previously or ask a GM dealer retailer to see an index or individual bulletin Owner Publications Owner s manuals warranty folders and various owner assistance booklets provide owners with general operation and maintenance information NOTES NOTES eee M H mm Y Section 9 INDEX PER ___ __ _ EE Sa SE Adding Automatic Transmission
215. or 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer If you notice a reduction in sound quality regardless of when the tape player was last cleaned try playing a different cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault If the second cassette results in no improvement in sound quality try cleaning the tape player Proper tape player cleaning should be done with a scrubbing action nonabrasive cleaner cassette This is cleaning system that uses a cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette To properly clean your tape player follow the instructions with the cleaning cassette If you use this type of cleaner the radio may display an error and eject the cartridge This is normal and 18 the result of an added feature in the tape player that detects broken tapes If an error occurs you will need to insert the cleaning cassette at least three times to thoroughly clean the tape player 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 It may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner A scrubbing action cleaner is available through your dealer GM Part No 12344600 Note Tape adapter kits for portable CD players will not work in your cassette player These adapters will cause the radio to display an error message and the adapte
216. or every 6 months whichever occurs first Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer Change automatic transmission 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 ACTUAL MILEAGE 32 C or higher In hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing Continued A 90 000 Miles 150 000 km Continued Uses such as found in taxi police or prinspeet spark plug wires An Emission Control delivery service Service T If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change C Inspect engine accessory drive belt or every 24 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service _ Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 24 months whichever occurs first See Engine Coolant in the Index for what to use Inspect hoses Clean radiator condenser pressure cap and neck Pressure lest the cooling system and pressure cap An Emission Control Service 1 Replace spark plugs except 5 7L Code P engine An Emission Control Service TUM ee C Replace air cleaner filter Replace filter more often under dusty conditions An Emission Control Service _ Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for da
217. ore it reaches the buckle tilt the end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it Pull up on the latch plate ta make sure it is secure If the belt is not long enough see Safety Belt Extender at the end af this section Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if vou ever had to 1 27 likely to slide under the lap belt If you slid under it the belt 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 On convertible mbdels the safety belt also lacks if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor 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 To unlatch the belt just push the button on the buckle Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size In fact the law m every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in vehicle Smaller Children and Babies N CAUTION Smaller children and b
218. ore sunset Several countries including Canada require DRL A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the DRL work so be sure it isn t covered The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps come on when The ignition is on The headlamp switch is off and The parking brake is released 2 50 When the DRL are on only your front turn signal lamps will be on The taillamps sidemarker and other lamps won t be on Your instrument panel won t be lit up either When it s dark enough outside your front turn signal lamps will go out and your headlamps will come on The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will also come on When it s bright enough outside the regular lamps will go off and your front turn signal lamps come on As with any vehicle you should turn on the regular headlamp system any time you need it Lamps On Reminder If you turn the ignition OFF and leave the lamps on you will hear a chime when you open the driver s door Headlamp Doors m 3 TD Jo T The headlamp doors are designed to open when vou turn the headlamps on and close when you turn the headlamps otf The headlamp doors can be opened without turning on the headlamps by turning the headlamps on then turning in the switch back to the parking lamps position The headlamp doors should be open when driving in icy or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from freezing closed and when
219. ow vourself more clear room going fast enough When your vehicle is hydroplaning ahead and be prepared to have your view restricted it has little or no contact with the road by road spray Hydroplaning doesn t happen often But it can if your e Have good tires with proper tread depth See tires haven t much tread or if the pressure in one or Tires in the Index 4 19 City Driving Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving Know the best way to get to where you are going i Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown ua MR part of the city just as you would for a cross country Tom trip Hy In Y z T Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most lmg fos eg o 1 large cities You ll save time and energy See the next part Freeway Driving Treat a green light as a warning signal 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 runping the red light 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 41 Freeway Driving Mile for mile freeways also called thruways parkways expressways tu
220. own on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt 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 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 lacks if there s a sudden stop or crash On convertible models the safety belt also locks if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor What s wrong with this A CAUTION You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is much which could increase injury The shoulder belt should fit against your body The shoulder belt is too loose It won t give nearly as much protection this way 99 53 Q What s wrong with this The belt is buckled in the wrong place M s L J XP WM ni amp U What s wrong with this Z CAUTION You can he 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
221. pect spark plug wires An Emission Control Service 67 500 Miles 112 500 km 0 Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service C Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first Inspect fuel tank cap and lines for damage L Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and or leaks Inspect fuel cap gasket for any Rotation in the Index for proper rotation damage Replace parts as needed pattern and additional information An Emission Control Service C Replace air cleaner filter An Emission Control Service ns m DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Maintenance Schedule 75 000 Miles 125 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle 1s mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n 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 c
222. per a small brush or broom a supply of windshield washer fluid rag some winter outer clothing small shovel a flashlight a red cloth and couple of reflective warning triangles And if you will be driving under severe conditions include a small bag of sand a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle Driving on 5now 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 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 07 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 traction control keep the system on It will improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road Even though your vehicle has a traction control system you ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions See Traction Control System in the Index
223. program Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed t making sure you are completely satisfied with your new vehicle Our experience has shown that if situation arises where vou feel your concern has not been adequately addressed the Custamer Satisfaction Procedure described earher in this section is very 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 disputes between customers and automobile manufacturers This program is available free of charge to customers who currently own or lease GM vehicle If you are not satisfied after following the Customer Satisfaction Procedure you may contact the BBB using the toll free telephone number or write them at the following address BBB AUTO LINE Council of Better Business Bureaus 4200 Wilson Boulevard Suite 500 Arlington VA 22203 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 other factors We prefer you utilize the Customer S
224. pull the restraint forward To adjust it rearward pull the restraint forward all the way to release it Then move it to the position you want Front Seatback Latches The front seatback folds forward to let people get into the back seat To fold a seatback forward push the seatback toward the rear as you lift this latch Then the seatback 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 Folding Rear Seatback The rear seatback in your Pontiac folds down to provide more storage space To fold the seatback down 1 Pull forward on both levers 2 Fold the seatback down To raise the seatback 1 Pull it up to the locked upright position 2 Be sure both latches hold the seatback in place Have them fixed if they don t pu 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 Inflatable Restraint or air bag system CAUTION 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 buck
225. r It s free When you 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 fit To wear it just attach it to the regular safety belt Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then make sure all your belts buckles latch plates retractors anchorages and reminder systems are working properly Look for any other loose or damaged restraint system parts If you see anything that might keep a restraint system from doing its job have it repaired Torn or frayed belts may not protect you in a crash They can rip apart under impact forces If a belt is torn or frayed get a new one right away Replacing Seat and 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 a 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 time of the collision 1 40 Y Section 2 Features amp Controls IMEEM Here you can learn about the many standard an
226. r aperation are automatic transmission fluid don t overfill engine oil axle lubricant belts 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 it 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 Y Section 5 Problems on the Road Mii id Here you ll find what to do about some problems that Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others They can occur on the road also let police know you have a problem Your front and rear turn signal lights will flash on and off Hazard Warning Flashers Press the button in to make your front and rear turn signal lights 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 turn off the flashers pull out on the collar 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 your vehicle Jump Starting If your battery has run down vou may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your Pontiac But please follow the steps below to do it safely 5 2 NOTICE Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to your vehicle that would
227. r cassette will be ejected 3 15 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 1s 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 disces Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge 3 16 Fixed 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 out by hand If the mast is badly bent as it might be by vandals vou should replace it Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still tightened to the fender Power Antenna Mast Care Your optional power antenna will look its best and work NOTICE well if it s cleaned from time to time To clean the Before entering an automatic car wash turn off antenna mast your radio to make the power antenna go down 1 Turn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna This will prevent the mast from possibly getting damaged If the antenna does not go down when you turn the radio off it may be damaged or need to be cleaned In either case lower the 2 Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or equivalent solvent 3 Wipe the cloth over the mast sections removing
228. r 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 It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision Then steer around the problem to the left or right depending on the space available 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 turn 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 SS 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 If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement recovery should be fairly easy 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 turn the steering wheel up to 1 4 turn until the right front tire
229. r a paper towel to do this but be sure to use a seraper or wire brush later if you need to to get all the rust or dirt off Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts mounting surfaces and spare wheel Place the spare on the wheel mounting surface A CAUTION 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 3 Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench toward the wheel Tighten each nut by hand until the counterclockwise Lower the jack completely wheel is held against the hub 39 Tighten the wheel nuts Don t try to put a center cap on your compact spare tire firmly in a criss cross It won t fit Store the center cap in the rear area until sequence as shown you have the flat tire repaired or replaced NOTICE Center caps won t fit on your compact spare If you try to put a center cap on your compact spare you could damage the cover or the spare Replace the jack wheel wrench and flat tire using the storage instructions When you replace the trim panel be sure to tuck it under the weatherstrip I Trim Panel Bolt Cover Jack Wing Nut Adapter Compact Spare Tire Full Size Tire Carpet Flap Tire Storage Balt Trunk Access Panel Convertible Only M
230. r all the way down 2 33 Shifting Into PARK P Automatic Transmission Models Only 1 Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake n3 Move the shift lever into PARK P position like this Hold in the button on the lever and push the lever all the way toward the front of your car 3 Move the ignition key to LOCK 4 Remove the key and take it with you If you walk away from your car with the ignition key in your hand your car is in PARK P Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running Automatic Transmission Models Only VM dispone to leave 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 Bee ane en ron are 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 P without first pushing the button If you can it means that the shift lever wasn t fully locked into PARK Torque Lock Automatic Transmission If you are parking on a hill and
231. race the engine when you If your speed drops below 20 mph 30 km h or if the yon damage the clutch or engine is not running smoothly you should downshift to transmission the next lower gear You may have to downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for 2008 performance 2 M Limited Slip Rear Axle If you have this feature your rear axle can give you additional traction on snow mud ice sand or gravel It works like a standard axle most of the time but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the other does the limited slip feature will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle Parking Parking Brake The parking brake uses the brakes on the rear wheels 2 32 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 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 If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill See Towing a Trailer in the Index That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving Hold the brake pedal down Pull the parking brake lever up until you can push in the release button Hold the release button in as you move the brake leve
232. re you do anything turn on the hazard warning flashers When you call tell the towing service That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or rear with sling type equipment That your vehicle has rear 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 lt lt CAUTION 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 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 AER mee M n nl I H r When your vehicle is being towed have the ignition key off The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight ahead position with clamping device designed for towing service Do not use the car s steering column lock for this The transmission should be in Neutral and the parking brake released Don t have your vehicle towed on the rear wheels unless vou must If the vehicle must be towed on t
233. rn the light off 2 75 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge 3 8L Engine Only This gage tells you if there could be a problem with your engine oil pressure The engine oil pressure gauge shows the engine oil pressure in psi pounds per square inch in the U S or kPa kilopascals in Canada when the engine is running Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi 140 to 550 kPa It may vary with engine speed outside temperature and oil viscosity but readings above the red area show the normal operating range Readings in the red area tell you that the engine is low on oil or that you might have some other oil problem See Engine Oil in the Index 2 76 NOTICE Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be costly and is not covered by your warranty Low Oil Light Your vehicle is equipped with an oil level monitoring system When you start vour engine the red warning light will come on briefly If the light doesn t come on have it repaired If the light stays on after starting your engine your engine oil level may be too low You may need to add oil See Engine Oil in the Index NOTICE The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil level when vou are starting your engine It does not keep monitoring the level once your engine is running Also the oil level check only works when the engine has been turned off long enough for the oil to drain back into the oil pan 2 77 Voltmeter
234. rning light is flashing have the vehicle towed for service See Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light and Towing Your Car in the Index CAUTION 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 or if the anti lock brake system warning light is flashing after you ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully have the vehicle towed for service The brake system warning light will also come on when you set your parking brake and it 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 2 69 Anti Lock Brake System Warning Light With the anti lock brake system this light will come on when you start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds That s normal If the light doesn t come on have it fixed so it will be ready to you if there 15 a problem If the light flashes when you re driving you don t have anti lock brakes and there could be problem with your regular brakes 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 Have the vehicle towed for service See Towing Your Car in the Index 2 70 CAUTION Your regular brake system may not be working p
235. rnpikes or superhighways are the safest of all roads But they have their own special rules The most important advice on freeway driving is Keep up with traffic and keep to the 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 your 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
236. rols Option The air conditioning systern uses the same controls as the heating system except that the air control knob has two extra settings described below For an explanation of all the controls see Heater Controls earlier in this part MAX Provides maximum cooling or quick cool down on very hot days This setting recirculates most of the air inside your vehicle If it is used for long periods of time the air may become dry This setting directs air through the upper air vents A C Use for normal cooling on hot days This setting cools outside air and directs it through the upper air vents The air conditioner compressor operates in MAX A C BI LEVEL BLEND and DEFROST when the outside temperature is above freezing When the air conditioner is on vou may sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle s engine speed and power This is normal because the system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the desired cooling and help fuel economy Cooling The air conditioner works best if you keep your windows closed On very hot days open the windows just long enough for the hot air to escape 1 Turn the air control knob to A C for normal cooling For faster cooling move the knob to MAX 2 Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable setting 3 Move the fan control knob to the desired speed 3 3 Rear Window Defogger Option NOTICE Don t use a razor blade or something else
237. rompt attention However if you wish to write Pontiac write to United States Pontiac Division Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac 48340 2952 8 2 Canada General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Assistance Centre 163 005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa Ontario LIH 8P7 Refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information hooklet for addresses of Canadian and GM Overseas offices When contacting Pontiac please remember that your concern will likely be resolved in the dealership using the dealership s facilities equipment and personnel That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if you have concern Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech Impaired TDD To assist customers who have hearing difficulties Pontiac has installed special TOD Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf equipment at its Customer Assistance Center Any hearing or speech impaired customer who has access to a TDD or a conventional teletypewriter TTY can communicate with Pontiac by dialing 1 800 TDD PONT TDD users in Canada can dial 1 800 263 3830 GM Participation in BBB AUTO LINE Alternative Dispute Resolution Program This program may not be available in all states depending on state law Canadian owners refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet General Motors reserves the right to change eligibility limitations and or to discontinue its participation in this
238. roperly if the anti lock brake system warning sci imr Aa Mae the anti lock brake Stopped ast fase the edle loved If the anti lock brake system warning light stays on longer than normal after you ve started your engine turri the ignition off Or if the light comes on and stays on when you re driving stop 25 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 the light is on but not flashing and the regular brake system warning light isn t on you still have brakes but you don t have anti lock brakes Traction Control System Warning Light Option This light will also come on for three seconds each time you start your vehicle as a bulb check and if there s a system failure See Traction Control System in the Index When the traction contral system is off the TCS OFF light will stay on The traction control system will shut down partially due to brake overheating but the TCS OFF light will not come on If there is throttle overheating the TCS OFF light will illuminate and the system will shut down Once everything cools off the system will operate normally again LN CAUTION If you let your tires spin at high speed when the TCS OFF warning light is on your tires can explode and you or others could be injured And spinning your tires with this warning light on can cause
239. roplmdng ceca scenic be wie a 4 19 I You re Stuck In Sand Mud Ice or Snow 5 43 Ignition Key 2 14 Ignition Switch wea tI dea dai 2 14 Inside Day Night Rearview Br 2 53 Inspections SEMEL oou cinere bI ee ERR RI 7 49 Le eee eser 7 48 Manual Transmission 1749 Rear Axle Servn sae eye COCHE I xoa 7 49 Restraint System 1 48 Steering and Suspensi n 7 48 Throttle Linkage 2s 1 49 Installing Boot Cover sco rn 2 82 Instrument Panel 1 serre TEE Instrument Panel Brightness Control 2 49 Instrument Panel Cluster 2 56 Instrument Panel Cleaning 6 59 Interior LAMPE ere eee E Jack rie 11122000 5 3 Jump Starting t a aaa Woes Bock Cylinders 7 46 Key Releusse Button esee erre 2 15 Lane MEER seas 2 49 Lamps On Reminder 2 50 Campi urs 2 52 Lamps Daytime Running 2 50 Lamps Fog She s 2 52 Lamps Front Map cl ila rea pad 2 52 PEE
240. s 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 Tf the overload is caused by some electrical problem and not snow etc be sure to get it fixed Power Windows and Other Power Options Circuit breakers 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 or goes away Main Fuse Block 4 RADIO ACCY IBN AIR BAG FWA COURTESY _ y tal 11 12 c TAIL LTS CIGARIHGRAN pie LE IP DLMMER WIPER WASH BATT CRANK ACCY Appi 3 SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR MORE INFORMATION PRINTED ELERE AIR BAG SIR Components 2 TURN B U Backup Lamps Daytime Running Lamps Module Canada Turn Flasher Transmission Range Switch Traction Control Switch 3 HVAC Heat Control Selector Switch Heater Air Conditioner Rear Defogger 4 RADIO ACCY Power Antenna Disc Changer m REG PCM IGN Powertrain Control Module Fuel Pump Relay Theft Deterrent Module Engine Mass Air Flow Sensor V8 Engine STOP HAZARD Brake Light Cruise Release Switch Hazard Flasher PWR ACCY Power Door Locks Power Mirrors Hatch Release Switch Auxiliary Accessory Wire COUR
241. s 15 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY 12 000 Miles 20 000 km 0 Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first Maintenance Schedule I 15 000 Miles 25 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions Replace filter if necessary An Emission Control Service IE Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions n 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 _ DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE Uses such as found in taxi police delivery service If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change SERVICED BY 7 9 18 000 Miles 30 000 km Change engine oil and
242. selection 15 finished 3 7 For NEXT to work properly your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection The radio will not play during this operation FWD Forward Press this button to rapidly advance to another part of the tape Press PROG or FWD again to stop it The radio will play during this operation REV Reverse Press this button to rapidly rewind the tape Press PROG or REV again to stop it The radio will play during this operation To Play the Next Selection The radio will not play during this operation PROG Program Press this button to switch from one side of the tape to the other or to stop the tape from searching Noise Reduction Press this button to reduce background noise This symbol will appear in the display Dolby B Noise Reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Dolby and the DO symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation 3 8 To Stop the Tape Player Turn the power off or turn the ignition key off The cassette stays in the player and will resume playing at the point where it stopped Press AM FM to stop playing the cassette and switch to the radio Press TAPE PLAY to restart the cassette at the point where it stopped Press EJECT to remove the cassette or stop the cassette and switch to radio EJECT will work with the ignition or radio off Press to load a cassette when t
243. sharp on the inside of the rear window If you do you cut or damage the warming grid and the repairs wouldn t be covered by your warranty Flow Through Ventilation System Your Pontiac s flow through ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the blower fan is running The rear window defogger uses warning grid to Ventilation Tips remove fog from the rear window ne T 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 Press the switch to turn on the defogger An indicator light will come on to remind you that the defogger is on The defogger will turn off automatically after about ten minutes of use If you turn it on again the defogger will operate for about five minutes only You can also turn When you enter a vehicle in cold weather turn the the defogger off by pressing the switch again fan control knob to the right for a few moments before driving off This helps clear the intake ducts of 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 to circulate throughout your vehicle Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license or a decal across the defogger grid on the
244. side of the vehicle 6 50 After the tires have been rotated adjust the front and When it s Time for New Tires rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire Loading Information label Make certain that all wheel nuts are One way to tell when it s properly tightened See Wheel Nut Torque in the time for new tires is to check the treadwear Index indicators which will when your tires have only 1 16 inch 1 6 mm or less of tread remaining 6 51 You need a new tire if You can see the indicators at three or more places around the tire You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire s 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 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 tr
245. sitive terminal if the vehicle has one But don t use the junction block on your Pontiac Now connect the black negative cable to the good battery s negative terminal 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 a heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery Attach the cable at least 18 inches 45 cm away from the dead battery but not near engine parts that 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 won t start after a few tries it probably needs service 5 6 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 Car Try to have GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your Pontiac The usual towing equipment is a sling type A or a wheel lift B or car carrier C tow truck 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 Befo
246. ssengers asser ntm 1 26 Rear Seatback Folding 1 7 Rear Sidemarker Lamps nc arae UA poe 6 45 Rear Towing Hookups Fate sacks 5 13 Rear Window Defogger X WIE RC MIA ERE A Rearview Mirror Inside Day Night SHE E HIC PEN Tun 2 53 Reclining Front Seatbacks back 71 4 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ERR Ed EDU 7 50 MER LLL e oe een rrt oes 2 9 Release Remote Haleh 2 10 Remote Hatch Release 2 10 Lock Control aa 2 5 Remote Lock Control Battery Replacement 2 8 Remote Lock Control Matching Transmitters ee a Remote Lock Control Operation 2 6 Repacement Bolbe 6 71 Replacement Paris cell erra Rn X er 6 74 Replacement Wheel oa caisi eene arre 6 54 Replacing Safety Belts 1 40 Replacing Seat and Restraint bum Parts After a Crash x d AD Restraints Checking Your Pcr ere a 1 40 Restraints Child IPIS EI Xe Fara c d Iran Head 15 1 eed cua agr rt rns 1 6 Restraints Replacing Parts After Crash 1 40 Retained Accessory 2 16 Reverse Position Automatic Transmission 2 24 Reverse R Position Manual Five Speed 2 28 Reverse Position Manual Six Speed
247. t Feature If your audio system is secured SEC shows on the display and you wish to disable it enter your security code as follows pausing no more than 15 seconds between steps 1 Turn the ignition Make sure the audio system is off The time will show on the display 2 Press pushbuttons 1 and 4 together until SEC shows on the display 3 Press MIN 70007 will appear on the display 4 Press MIN again and hold until the last two digits of your code appear Release the button 5 Press HR until the first one or two digits of your code appear 6 Press AM FM If shows you have shut off the theft deterrent feature If SEC shows your audio system is still secured Note If you lose or forget vour security code see your dealer for assistance Unlocking the Audio System after a Power Failure If power is disrupted to the audio system while in the SEC mode the unit will not work and LOC will show on the display whenever the ignition is on To unlock the unit 1 Press MIN 000 will appear on the display 2 Press MIN again and hold until the last two digits of your code appear Release the button 3 Press until the first one or two digits of your code appear 4 Press AM FM SEC will appear on the display and the unit will work If LOC shows the numbers did not match and the umt is still locked How to Change Your Security Code You can change your security code by following these steps
248. t rust and corrosion Help keep the proper engine temperature Let the warning lights work as they should What to Use Use a mixture of one half clean water preferably distilled and one half antifreeze that meets GM Specification 1825 M which won t damage aluminum parts You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to GM Specification 1825 M with a complete coolant flush and refill If you use this mixture you don t need to add anything else CAUTION Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous Plain water or some other liquid like alcohol can boil before the proper coolant mix will Your vehicle s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mix With plain water or the wrong mix your engine could get too hot but you wouldn t get the overheat warning Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned Use a 50 50 mix of clean water and a proper antifreeze NOTICE If you use an improper coolant mix your engine could overheat and be badly damaged The repair cost wouldn t covered hy your warranty Too much water in the mix can freeze and crack the engine radiator heater core and other parts M Adding Coolant To Check Coolant When your engine is cold check the dipstick on the cap of the coolant recovery tank The coolant level should be at COLD or a little higher When your engine is warm th
249. t taking off the cap Just look at the brake fluid reservoir The fluid level should be above the plastic seam in the reservoir If it isn t have your brake system checked to see if there is a leak Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check your brake fluid See Periodic Maintenance Inspections in the Index After work is done on the brake hydraulic system make sure the level is above the plastic seam near the base of the filler neck 6 37 What to Add When you do need brake fluid use only DOT 3 brake fluid such as Delco Supreme 117 GM Part No 1052535 Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only and always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap before removing it NOTICE e Don t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid For example just a few drops of mineral based oil such as engine oil in your brake system can damage brake system parts so badly that they ll have to be replaced Brake fluid can damage paint so be careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle If you wash it off immediately See Appearance Care in the Index Brake Wear Unless you have the four wheel disc brake option your Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes Disc brake pads have built in wear indicators that make high pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed The sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving except w
250. t you ll need is in the right passenger rear area behind the trim panel 5 31 On convertible models you must also remove the trunk access panel It s at the upper back of the trunk Turn the two screw knobs under the trunk edge quarter turn counterclockwise to remove the panel Use a coin or a key to turn the screw heads until the slots point front and back Gently lift the trim pane and move it out of the way If you have speakers in the trim panel the speaker wire should be long enough to remove the trim panel without disconnecting the wire To remove the jack and wheel wrench loosen and remove the bolt and remove the plastic cover 53 Remove the wing nut and adapter and pull out the spare Start with the jack A and wheel wrench B The jack has a bolt at the end Attach the wheel wrench to the jack bolt Turn the wheel wrench to the right to raise the lift head a little If your wheel has a bolt on center cap loosen the plastic caps using the wheel wrench 5 34 Then pry off the center cap with the wheel wrench If your vehicle has optional alloy wheels each wheel may have one locknut in place of the standard wheel nut special wheel lock key removal tool and instructions are located in the center console Attach the wheel lock key to the sacket of the wheel wrench Remove the lo
251. te of any service work you perform See Maintenance Record in the Index 6 2 Z CAUTION You can be injured if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it Besure you have sufficient knowledge experience and 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 you use the wrong fasteners parts can later break or fall off You could be hurt NOTICE If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough about it your vehicle could be damaged Fuel AAL L32 Code 8 and 3 8L 1 36 Code The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number VIN shows the code letter lor your engine You will find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel See Vehicle Identification Number in the Index Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the United States and CGSB 3 5 92 in Canada These fuels should have the proper additives so you should not have to add anything to the fuel In the United States and Canada it s easy to be sure you get the right kind of gasoline unleaded You ll see UNLEADED right on the pump And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle s filler neck Be sure the posted octane is at least 87 If the
252. ter glance how your car 15 running You ll know how fast you re going about how much fuel you have left and Your speedometer lets TOL SEC Ata speed n both miles many other things you ll need to know to drive safely per hour mph and kilometers per hour km h Your and economically odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven in either miles used in the U S or kilometers used in Canada Your Pontiac s odometer is tamper resistant If you can see silver lines between the numbers probably someone has tried to turn it back The numbers may not be true You may wonder what happens if your Pontiac needs a new odometer installed If possible the new one has to be set to the same reading the old one had If it can t be then it s set at zero but a label on the driver s door must show the old reading and when the new one was installed Trip Odometer The trip odometer can tell you how far your car has been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero To set the trip odometer to zero press the knob Tachometer The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute rpm NOTICE Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in the red area or engine damage may occur Warning Lights Gauges and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gauges that may be on your vehicle The pictures will help you locate them Warning lights and gauges can signal that
253. tform 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 be 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 return to your lane 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
254. ths whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service An Emission Control Service _ Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the C Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first 12 months whichever occurs first Ll Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and C Change automatic transmission fluid and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation filter 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 pattern and additional information Maintenance Schedule In hilly or mountainous terrain When doing frequent trailer towing Uses such as found in taxi police or delivery service If vou do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions change the fluid and filter at 100 000 miles 166 000 km Manual transmission fluid doesn t require change Maintenance Schedule 52 500 Miles 87 500 km Ll Change engine oil and filter or every 12 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 12 months whichever occurs first DATE ACTUAL
255. tis completely full Don t use radiator antifreeze in your windshield washer It can damage your washer system and paint 2 44 i Cruise Control Option When you apply your brakes or push the clutch pedal if vou have a manual transmission the cruise control shuts off With cruise control you 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 If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional traction control system begins to limit wheel spin the cruise control will automatically disengage See Traction Control in the Index When road conditions allow you to safely use it again you may turn the cruise back on To Set Cruise Control l Move the cruise control switch to ON 2 Get up ta the speed you want 3 Push in the set button at the end of the lever and release it 4 Take your foot off the accelerator pedal 2 46 To Resume a Set Speed To Increase Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to go to a higher speed Here s the first 1 Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed 2 Push the button at the end of the lever then release the button and the accelerator pedal You ll now cruise at the higher speed Here s the second way to go to a higher speed Move the Cruise switch from ON to
256. to two gallons but you need to get more right away 2 79 Here are four concerns some owners have had about the Convertible Top fuel gage All these situations are normal and do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage The following procedures explain the proper operation E of your convertible top At the gas station the gas pump shuts off before the gage reads FULL F To Lower Your Convertible Top It takes more or less gas to fill up than the gage reads For example the gage reads 1 2 full hut it took more or less than half of the tank s capacity to NOTICE fill it Don t leave your convertible out with the top down for any long periods of time The sun and the rain can damage your seat material and other things inside your car The gage moves a little when you turn stop or speed up e When you turn the engine off the gage doesn t go back to EMPTY E Park on a level surface Set the parking brake firmly shift an automatic transmission into PARK P or manual transmission into REVERSE R The ignition must be in the ACC or RUN position Lower both sun visors EEE NOTICE Don t lower the tap if it is damp or wet When the top is down trapped water can cause stains mildew and damage to the inside of your car Be sure to dry off the top before vou lower it NOTICE It is not recommended to lower the top if your car is out in cold weather 0 F 18 C
257. ured 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 your tires have been damaged replace them See Inflation Tire Pressure in this section for inflation pressure adjustment for higher speed driving Inflation Tire Pressure The Tire Loading Information label which is on 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 more than a mile If you ll be driving at speeds higher than 100 mph 160 km h where it is legal raise the cold inflation pressure of each tire to 35 240 When vou end this very high speed driving reduce the cold inflation pressures to those listed on the tire loading information label NOTICE Don t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right It s not If your tires don t have enough air underinflation you can get Too much flexing Too much heat Tire overloading Bad wear Bad handling Bad fuel economy Continued NOTICE Continued If your tires have too much air overinflation you can get Unusual wear e Bad handling e Hough ride Needless damage from road hazards When to Check Check your tires once a month or more Don t forget your compact spare tire
258. ut 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 Loading Your Vehicle TIRE LOADING INFORMATION ll OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP WT FRT CTR RR TOTAL LBS KG MAX LOADING amp GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE RTG PSUKPa FRT RR SPA IF TIRES ARE HOT ADD 4PSI 28KPa SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry The Tire Loading Information label found on the driver s door tells you the proper size speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your vehicle It also gives you important information ahout 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 nonfactory installed options Aaa MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP DATE GVWR 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 GVWR Gross
259. vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you want 5 Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can 2 36 Parking Your Vehicle Manual Transmission Before you get out of your vehicle put your manual transmission in REVERSE R and firmly apply the parking brake If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer see Towing a Trailer in the Index Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust EL Z CAUTION 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 Your exhaust system sounds strange or different Your vehicle gets rusty underneath Your vehicle was damaged in a collision Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris Repairs weren t done correctly Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modified improperly CAUTION If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust vehicle parts under your vehicle and ignite Don t park Drive it only with all the windows down to over papers leaves dry grass or other things that blow out any CO and can burn Have your vehicle fixed immediately Running Your Engine While You re Parked Automatic Transmission It s better not to park with the engine running But if you ever have to here are some things to know CAUTION Idling
260. vel There is a gender difference too Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men Since alcohol is carried 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 1s 0 08 percent In some other countries it s even lower The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the U S 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 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 driver with a BAC level of 0 06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision Ata BAC level of 0 10 percent the chance of this driver having a collision is twelve times greater at level of 0 15 percent the chance is twenty five times greater The body takes a
261. ver occurs first An Emission Control Service 0 Drain flush and refill cooling system or every 24 months whichever occurs first See Engine 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 63 000 Miles 105 000 km Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first 0 Inspect spark plug wires An Emission Control Emission Control Service Service 0 Replace spark plugs except 5 7L Code P engine An Emission Control Service LI Replace air cleaner filter Replace filter more often under dusty conditions 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 t ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY Maintenance Schedule 1 66 000 Miles 110 000 km 67 500 Miles 112 500 km 0 Change engine oil and filter or every 3 months whichever occurs first An Emission Control Service O Lubricate the steering linkage Lubricate the transmission shift linkage or every 6 months whichever occurs first 0 Rotate tires See Tire Inspection and Rotation in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information CI Change the rear axle gear lubricant if vehicle is used to pull a trailer ACTUAL MILE
262. warranty OBD II 3 8L Engine Code K Certain vehicles are equipped with a new emission diagnostic system You can tell whether your vehicle has this system by reading our tune up label located under the hood If the label says OBD on it the following instructions apply Your Pontiac Firebird is equipped with an onboard computer which monitors operation of the emission control system This system is called I On Board Diagnostics Second Generation and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle helping to produce a cleaner environment The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on to indicate when service is required Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system 2 74 before any prablem is apparent which may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle The system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light should come on as a check to show you itis working when the ignition is on and the engine is not running This light will also come on during a malfunction in one or two ways e Light on steady indicates a system malfunction has been detected Drive the vehicle to the dealer for service at your first opportunity e Light Flashing indicates a misfire has been detected which may damage the emission control system The damage may be reduced by lowering the vehicle speed reduci
263. will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines Keep your speed at 55 mph 88 km h or less for the first 500 miles 804 km Don t drive at any one speed fast or slow for the first 500 miles 804 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 linings Don t tow a trailer during break in See Towing a Trailer in the Index for more information Ignition Switch With the ignition key in the ignition switch you can turn the switch to five positions ACC A Position in which you can operate your electrical power accessories Press in the ignition switch as you turn the top of it toward you LOCK B The only position in which you can remove the key This locks your steering wheel ignition and automatic transmission If you have an automatic transmission the ignition switch can t be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in the PARK P position OFF C Unlocks the steering wheel ignition and automatic transmission but does not send electrical power to any accessories Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed A warning tone will sound if you open the driver s door when the ignition is OFF a
264. with your vehicle Examples of these conditions include a hard acceleration in a turn or an abrupt upshift or downshift your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins to limit wheel spin the cruise control will automatically disengage When road conditions allow you to safely use it again you may re engage the cruise control See Cruise Control in the Index When the system is on the TCS OFF warning light will come on to let vou know if there s a problem with your traction control system See Traction Control System Warning Light in the Index When this warning light is on the system will not limit wheel spin Adjust your driving accordingly The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle To limit wheel spin especially in slippery road conditions you should always leave the system on But you can turn the traction control 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 9 Automatic To turn the system off press the button located on Transmission the center of the console behind the shift lever m E Automatic Transmission or in front of the shift boot TRACTION Manual Transmission The light on the button will go off and the TCS OFF warning light will come on and stay on If the traction control system is limiting wh
265. won t strike soft shoulders curbs road signs trees or other objects Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers Signal well in advance 4 36 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer When you tow a trailer your vehicle has to have a different turn signal flasher and extra wiring 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 about 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 they not It s important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working Driving On Grades 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 transmission overheating If you are towing a trailer and you have an automatic transmission with Overdrive you may prefer to driving in THIRD D instead of OVERDRIVE or as you need to a lower gear Or if you have a manual transmission with FIFTH or SIXTH gear and you are towing a trailer
266. y 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 a member of dealership management it appears your concern cannot be resolved 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 Assistance Center in Oshawa by calling 1 800 263 3777 English or 1 800 263 7854 French In Mexico call 525 254 3777 In Puerto Rico call 1 800 496 9992 English or 1 800 496 9993 Spanish In the U S Virgin Islands call 800 496 9994 In other overseas locations contact GM North American Export Sales in Canada by calling 1 905 644 4112 SS nl t M E a Ql 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 left top of the instrument panel and visible through the windshield Dealership name and location Vehicle delivery date and present mileage e Nature of concern We encourage you to call the toll free number listed previously in order to give your inquiry p
267. y have a leak in the radiator hoses heater hoses radiator water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system AN 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 vou run the engine it could lose all coolant That could cause an engine fire and you could be burned Get any leak fixed hefore you drive the vehicle 19 NOTICE Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn t covered by your warranty If there seems to be no leak check to see if the electric engine fans are running If the engine is overheating both fans should be running If they aren t vour vehicle needs service How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank If you haven t found a problem yet but the coolant level isn t at FULL COLD add 50 50 mixture of clean water preferably distilled and a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank Sce Engine Coolant in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix 5 20 NOTICE In cold weather water can freeze and crack the engine radiator heater core and other parts Use the recommended coolant CAUTION You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough Don t spill coolant on a hot engine When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank 15 at FULL
268. you are replacing the bulb 2 Pull the carpet back 2 Turn and pull out the socket and the bulb 3 Pull out the bulb 4 Reverse the steps with a new bulb A MH Rear Sidemarker 4 Pull off the assembly from the outside 5 To remove socket with a tab press the and To replace a rear sidemarker bulb the socket counterclockwise To remove a socket P without a tah turn the socket counterclockwise 1 Remove the screw from the sidemarker assembly 6 To remove the bulb push in and turn it 2 To pull out the bulb housing tilt the housing to counterclockwise then pull it out remove the tabhed end 7 Reverse the steps with a new bulb Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement 3 Turn counterclockwise and pull out the socket and the bulb ee Replacement blades come in different types and are Pull out the bulb removed in different ways 5 Reverse the steps with a new bulb To remove the wiper blade assembly 1 Lift the wiper arm until it locks into an upright position 2 Press the locking tab down while sliding the blade assembly down 46 ee Wiper Blade Element Replacement replace the wiper blade element refer to the wiper blade assembly replacement instructions To replace the element follow these steps l Locate the heel end of the wiper blade assembly that has the two notches held by the wiper blade claw
269. you keep your windows closed while using it 1 Turn the air control knob to HEATER 2 Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed 3 Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable setting During initial start up only if your vehicle is equipped with an optional engine coolant heater you can use it in cold weather around 20 F 8 C or lower to improve heater performance on start up Because an engine coolant heater warms the engine coolant your vehicle s heating system can more efficiently provide heat for the passenger area of your vehicle See Engine Coolant Heater in the Index Bi Level Heating You may want to use bi level heating on cool but sunny days This setting directs cool air toward your body and warmer air toward your feet 1 Turn the air control knob to BI LEVEL 2 Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable setting 3 Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed Ventilation For mild outside temperatures when little heating or cooling is needed you can still direct outside air through your vehicle 1 Turm the air control knob to VENT 2 Turn the temperature control knob to a comfortable setting 3 Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed Defogging and Defrosting the Windshield 1 Turn the air control knob to DEFROST 2 Turn the temperature control knob to the desired setting 3 Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed Air Conditioner Cont
270. zard 5 1 Warning Lights Gauges and Indicators 2 67 Washing Your Vehicle cnra MUR Water Driving Through Deep Standing 2 20 Westbenunps eT ca EE SEE 6 60 Wheel Nut Tongi EORR 5 40 6 72 Wiel Renlacenent eret tne rere enn men 0 54 Wheel Replacement Used 6 55 Window Express Down 2 39 WINDOWS pae a ER 2 39 Windows Mamial erronee re ree mcr nne 2 39 Window POWE 2 oe So oe ae ats 2 39 Windshield Washer 2 44 6 35 Windshield Washers 2 44 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement 6 46 Windshield Wiper Circuit Breaker 6 67 E Mes VER ep ak os xc SUB Winter Driving in apie ete ieee E 4 25 Bell errare rmt mr mmenm rni 6 67 Wrecker aas 9 14 1995 in PONTIAC le Cu

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