run flat PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

{ The 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner’s Manual
SeatsandRestraintSystems ............................................................. 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts prop\
erly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort co\
ntrols and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
overheated engine, etc. Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running pr\
operly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what \
fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service and owner pubiications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”\
on page
8-9.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to qbickly find
something you want to read.
Features and Controls ................................................................... 2-1
ComfortControlsandAudioSystems ..................................................... 3-1
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
Service and Appearance Care. ........................................................... 6-1
Maintenanceschedule .................................................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
......... 9-1
i
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Convenience Net (Option)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it
on
the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, in the net. It can help
keep them from falling
over during sharp turns or quick
starts and
stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you’re
not using it.
Ashtrays and Lighter
The center front ashtray may be on the instrument panel
or on the console. To remove the console ashtray, open
the lid and lift out the ashtray using the snuffer.
For the instrument panel ashtray, open it, push down on
the locking tab and pull out the ashtray.
To remove the rear console ashtray, open it, push down
on the snuffer and pull the ashtray out of the console. To
remove the rear door ashtray, open and pull up on the
ashtray
door.
NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays.
If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them
on fire,
causing damage,
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine,.
make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater
run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine
off and 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. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm,'you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
.
Loading Your Vehicle
TI!RE-LBADING INFORMATION
VEHICLE
CAP. WT.
FRT, CTR. RR TOTAL LBS.
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY
WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG ' PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PW28KPa
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION k
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly
carry, The Tire-Loading Information label
is
on the inside of the trunk lid. The label tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important
irmformation about the numb'er of people that
can be
in your vehicle and the total weight you can
carry.
This weight is called' the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight
of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
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If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should 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 &e tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label (found
on the inside of the trunk
lid) or see “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index. Then be sure you don’t
go over
the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of
the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads
are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0
0 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
(CO) 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.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches
to tlfem. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
4-33
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9. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly in a crisscross
sequence
as shown.
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
'
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure
to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as,you can and have
the nuts tightened with
a torque wrench to
100 lb-ft (140'N.m).
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and
to the proper
torque specification.
Don't
try to put the wheel cover on your compact spare
tire.
It won't fit. Store the wheel cover in the trunk until
you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
I NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare,
you could damage the cover or the spare.
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Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury.
In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
Put the flat tire in the trunk so the side that faces out
when it is on the vehicle is facing down. The full-size
tire will not fit down into the well. Place it
so the front is
in the well and the rear is out
of the well.
I
Put the bolt through one of the wheel nut holes, install
the retainer over the bolt, then install the wing nut. Put
the spacer and nut next to the tire in the well. Store the
cover as far forward as possible.
5-31
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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.
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.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
InflatiIn -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading rnrormation label, located on the
inside of the trunk lid, 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 1 mile (1.6 km).
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 the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
6-49
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Engine .................................... 6.8. 6.9
Coolant ..................................... 6-20
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-13
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-36
Cmhzt Temperatere Gage ..................... 2-5 1
Coolant Temperature Light ..................... 2-50
Exhaust ..................................... 2-23
Identification ................................ 6#-64
Overheating ................................. 5-12
Specifications ................................ 6-74
Starting Your ................................ 2- 11
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives ................................ ; .. 6-14
Checking ................................... 6-11
LevelCheck ................................. 7-36
Used ....................................... 6-15
Whentochange .............................. 6-15
Ew~l 6-3 Exhaust, Engine ................................ 2-23
Fan Knob, Climate Control System .................. 3-1
Filter, Engine Oil ............................... 6- 15
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-17
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
FlatTue, Changing ............................. 5-23 Fluids and Lubricants ............................. 7-41
Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement ................ 6-42, 6-43
Fog Lamps ..................................... 2-33
Running While Parked ......................... 2-24
........................................
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-57
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-16
Finishcare ..................................... 6-61
FinishDmage
................................. 6-62
Foreign Countries. Fuel ......................... 6-4
French Language Manual ........................... ii
Front Lamp
Bar Bulb Replacement ................. 6-38
Front Sidemarker Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
FrontTowing ................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank ............................... 6-4
Gage ....................................... 2-56
Canadian .................................... 6-3
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ..................... 6-65
bages
Engine Coolant Temperature ................ 2-51
Fuel
....................................... 2-56
GAM ....................................... 4-29
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-14
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Ratmg ...................... 4-29
Guide en Francpis .................. ............ ii
GVWR
......................... ....... 4-29
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-1
Headlamps ..................................... 2-32
Bulb Replacement ........................ 6-31 6-34
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-27
Wiring ..................................... 6-65
GloveBox .................................... 2-38
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
HeadRestraints ................................. 1-5
Aiming ..................................... 6-35
OnReminder ................................. 2-32
9-4 --
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Head-Up Display ............................. 2-58
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-27
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Release
.................................... 6-7
Horn
.................. .................. 2-25
HUD .................. .................. 2-58
Hydroplaning
........... .................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 10
Inflation, Tire .................................. 6-49
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
.................. 2-37
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7- 40
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-40
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-40
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-40
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-40
Steering
.................................... 7-40
Suspension
.................................. 7-40
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-40
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-43
Brightness Control
............................ 2-34
Cleaning
.................................... 6-59
Cluster
..................................... 2-44
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-65
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-34 Jack. Tire
..... ... ..... 5-23
Jump Starting
... ................ 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-37
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-11
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Labels Certification
................................. 4-29
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-64
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-28
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-64
Lamps
........................................ 2-32
Courtesy
..................................... 2-34
Dome
...................................... 2-36
Interior
..................................... 2-34
OnReminder
................................ 2-32
Sustained Interior Illumination
.................. 2-34
Latches. Seatback ................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-21
Lighter
....................................... 2-41
Lights
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-25. 2.47
Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2.50. 4.8
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.49. 4.7
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-48
Charging System
............................. 2-47
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-50
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Low Coolant Warning
......................... 2-51
LowFuel
................................... 2-57
9-5
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