PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Owners Manual

your brake system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well,
or won’t work
at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic
When your brake fluid falls
to a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on.
See “Brake System Warning
Light”
in the Index.
~~
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only,
and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing
it.
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With the wrong kind,of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes
may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all, This could cause a
crash. Always use the moper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system park.
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. Don’t
let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
your vehicle, If you do, wash it off immediately.
See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
i ‘I I .- ’;/
Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has front disc brakes and sear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound whew 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
(ex’cept when
you are pushing on.the brake pedal
firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner
or later your brakes wonY work well.
That could lead
to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
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NOTICE:
I I
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.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don't have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
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 ar
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
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up
'and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
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
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brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change -- for the worse. The braking performance . -
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways.if
someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one .of these. When it’s time
for
a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom@
battery. Get one that has the replacement number&own
on the original battery’s label. ‘. I:’.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take
off the black, negative (-> cable from the
battery. This
will help keep your battery from running
down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t
careful. See 6cJump Starting’’ in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
I
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in
the Index.
Jump Starting
For jump starting instructions, see “Jump Starting” in
the Index.
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Halogen Bulbs
’ I CAUTION:
I
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas-inside and
can
burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamp Bulb Replacement
When replacing the headlamp bulb, do not touch the
glass portion of the new halogen bulb. The oil from your
fingers
will shorten the life of your new halogen bulb.
For the type
of bulb, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the
Index.
1. On the driver’s side only, unscrew the butterfly
2. Remove the attachment bolts of the headlamp
fastener. Then
lift the plate.
support strap.
3. Remove the two headlamp assembly attachment
bolts.
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1
4. Lift the headlamp assembly out of the mounting
bracket
5. Twist the bulb assembly counterclockwise one-sixth
of a turn and pull out the bulb assembly.
6. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness.
7. Reverse Steps 1 through 5 to replace the bulb
assembly and headlamp housing.
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Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement
Don’t change your fog lamp bulbs unless you have the
proper aiming equipment. See your Pontiac dealer
if you
have any further questions.
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb, see “Replacement Bulbs’’ in the
Index.
1. Pull back the trunk trim.
2. Remove the four wing bolts which fasten the
taillamp lens
to the vehicle.
3. Carefully remove the taillamp lens from the body
and avoid scratching the paint or dropping it.
-
4. To remove a socket, push in the lock tab and turn the
socket counterclockwise
to pull it out.
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5. To remove a bulb, gently push in and turn the bulb
counterclockwise.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 5 to reassemble the
taillamp.
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
It may not be obvious how to change your dome lamp
bulb. Here’s
how: Grasp the center front and center rear
portion of the housing and squeeze firmly but gently.
The
housing should pop off.
If this doesn’t, work, you hay need to use a small
flat-head screwdriver under the side of the housing to
help pry it
off.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
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Replacement blades come in different types and are removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
type with a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper am away from the ‘
2. Lift the release clip with a screwdriver and pull the
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
For the proper type and size, see “Capacities and
Specifications”
in the Index.
windshield.
blade assembly
off the wiper arm.
Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new Pontiac comes with
highquality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If
you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where to obtain service, see your Pontiac Warranty
booklet for details.
.-
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are
dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as
a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index.
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, punctured or broken
by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your
tread is badly worn, or
if your tires have
been damaged, replace
them.
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Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Lo,ading Information label which is on the rear
edge
of the driver’s door shows the correct inflation
preissures for your tires when they’re
cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has
been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
~~ ~~ ~~
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. 1% your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation),, you can
get the following:
0 Too much flexing
0 Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
~~ ~~
NOTICE: (Continued)
If
your tires
have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:’
e Unusual wear
* Bad handling
* Rough ride
e Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should
be at
60 psi (420 Wa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply
by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure
to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
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