PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1997 Owners Manual

Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire 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.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory
to give you the longest tire life
and
best overall performance. Scheduled wheel
alignment and wheel balancing
are not
needed. However,
if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset.
If 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.
Your dealer will
how the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and
be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts.
This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your
Pontiac model.
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Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control.
You could have a collision in
which
you or others could be injured. Always
use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
i
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel’can also cause problems with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more imfQmation.
Used Replacement Wheels
I A CAUTION:
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Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how
far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
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Tire Chains
I NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly
as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast
or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike
a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from
a container to clean your
Pontiac, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings and
instructions.
And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicl’e:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
rn Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any
of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
rn Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
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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 two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on vinyl
or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
only. If you
use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
3. Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
surrounding trim along
stitch or welt lines.
directions
on the container label.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you 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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
a 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.
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Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish,
coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2, Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if left
on a vehicle's seat fabric. They should be removed
as
soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner will
dissolve
them and may cause them to spread.
Non-Greas'y Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, hit, fruit
juice, milk, soft drinks, wine,
vomit, urine and blood can
be removed as follows:
1. Casefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge th'e
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
described earlier.
.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat
the area with a waterbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry.
3. If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
e Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have
to do it more than once.
e Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you
don't get
them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
vinymeather cleaner. See your dealer for this product.
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Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
0 For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
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.
I ,A 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.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films on
interior glass.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals
on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window,
an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
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Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer,
or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax,
sap or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon Ami@ Powder (non-scratching
glass cleaning powder),
GM Part No. 105001 1. The
windshield is clean if beads
do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping
vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength windshield
washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cl’oth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp we’ather more frequent
application may be required.
(See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.)
Cleaning the Outside of Yc ac
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or
car wa,shing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that
are petroleum based, or
that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be
flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or
an all-cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches
and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand,
dish or vehicle washing (mild detergent) soap to
clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions
under “Washing Your Vehicle.”
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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
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys,
etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle
as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome
Wheels
(If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel.
A wax
may then be applied.
The surface
of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t
use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface. You may use chrome polish on
chrome wheels, but avoid any painted surface of the
wheel, and buff
off immediately after application.
Don’t
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface
of these wheels.
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Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe
off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces
on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the
body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though they
have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials
from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should b'e 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 occurs first.
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Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE
DESCRIPTION
SIZE
994954 Exterior
Polish
Polishing Cloth - Wax Treated
23 in. x 25 in.
1050004
Exterior wash
Wash
and Wax Concentrate
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1052870 Cleans
grease, grime
and smoke film
Glass Cleaner
23 oz. (0.680 L) 1050427 Spot
and stain removal
Vinyl Cleaner
32
oz. (0.946 L) 1050214 Exterior
cleaner and polish
Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish
1 gal. (3.785
L) 1050200 Removes
soil and black marks
White Sidewall
Tire Cleaner
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050174 Removes rust
and corrosion
Chrome Cleaner and Polish
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050173 Also removes
old waxes and polishes Tar and Road
Oil Remover
16
OZ. l(0.473 L) 1050172 Shines
vehicle without scratching Chamois
2.75
sq. ft.
1052918""
Attracts and absorbs soils
1052930 8 oz. (0.237 L) Capture Dry Spot Remover Spray
on wheel cleaner
Wheel Cleaner
16
oz. (0.473 L)
1052929 Cleans
vinyl, cloth, tires and mats
Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1052925 Protects
vinyl, leather and rubber Armor
All" Protector
8 oz. (0.237 L)
12345002"" 16 oz. (0.473 L) Armor All TM Cleaner
Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
12345725---
Spot
cleans paint and gives high luster Finish Enhancer
16 oz. (0.473 L) 12377966 Protects finish
and removes fine scratches
Cleaning Wax
16
oz. (0.473 L) 12377964 Shines tires
Silicone Tire Shine
12
oz. (0.354 L)
See you General Motors Parts Department for these products. ** Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
See "Fluids and Lubricants" in the Index.
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