engine coolant PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1994 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT 4
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have
to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e
TURN
HIGH BEAM OR = =o
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WIPER Q
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
wlNDSHIELDw DEFROSTER
WINDOW REAR
DEFOGGER.
VENTILATING ca
FAN c.
These symbols
are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
TEMP --
ENGINE
CHARGING BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE (0)
RADIATOR a
COOLANT
FUEL
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
-4
TEMP OIL &
ANTILOCK (e)
BRAKE
Here are some
other symbols
you may
see:
FUSE *
RADIO
VOLUME
AIR
CONDITIONING
RELEASE TRUNK
LIGHTER
SPEAKER
b
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...
dele you can learn about the many
tandard and optional features on our Pontiac. and information on
tarting. shifting and braking
. Also
!xplained are the instrument panel
nd the warning systems that tell you
’ everything is working properly ..
ind what to do if you have a problem .
Part 2
Features & Controls
Keys ..... ....................................................... 46
DoorLocks ........................................................ 47
Keyless Entry System
............................................... 50
GloveBox ........................................................ 54
Ignitionswitch
..................................................... 55
StartingYourEngine ................................................ 56
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater) ............................ 58
Shifting the Automatic Transaxle ...................................... 59
Shifting the Five-Speed Manual Transaxle ............................... 64
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transaxle) ................................ 67
Windows
......................................................... 72
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ....................................... 73
CruiseControl
..................................................... 74
Lightcontrols
..................................................... 77
Battery Rundown Protection
.......................................... 80
Windshield Wipers .................................................. 81
Windshield Washer ................................................. 82
Mirrors ........................................................... 82
SunVisors ........................................................ 84
Instrumentpanel ................................................... 88
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................................... 93
ParkingBrake ...................................................... 66
45.0.
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Features & Controls
Bofh Transaxles (CONT.)
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 Pontiac”
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. If you can’t
avoid deep puddles or standing
water, drive through them very
slowly.
I Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
(OPTION)
[n very cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or
;older, the engine coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
zconomy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged.
in a minimum of four hours prior
to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
... 58
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3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
1 10-volt outlet. NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant
heater, be sure to store the cord as
it
was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you don’t,
it
could be damaged.
L
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
a Pontiac dealer in the area where
you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Shifting the Automatic
Transaxle
(3 or 4 Speeds)
Your Grand Am may be equipped with a
three speed automatic or a four speed
automatic transaxle. The shift lever is
located on the console between the seats.
There are six different positions for the
shift lever on the three speed automatic
and four speed automatic transaxles.
While PARK (P),
REVERSE (R) and
NEUTRAL (N) operate identically for
both transaxles, the forward gear
positions represent different geariirg and
operation. See “Forward Gears (Three
Speed)’’ or “Forward Gears
(Four Speed)”
later
in this section.
Three Speed
Park
P Park P Four Speed
Second
2 First 1
Third 3 Second 2
Overdrive D Drive D Neutral N
Neutral N Reverse
R Reverse R
59.0.
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Features & Controls
Fuel Gage (CONT.)
0 It takes a little more or less fuel to fill
up than the gage indicated. For
example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the
tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
0 The gage moves a little when you turn
a corner or speed up.
0 The gage doesn’t go back to “E” when
you turn off the ignition.
For your fuel tank capacity, see “Service
Station Information”
on the last page of
this manual.
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light
This light tells you that your engine
coolant has overheated or your radiator
cooling fan is not working.
If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your vehicle
and
turn the engine off as soon as possible
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road”, this manual
shows what to do. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
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!
That reading means the same thing as the
warning light. 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 soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road”, this manual shows what to do. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
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LOW
COOLANT
Low Coolant Warning
Light
F this light comes on and stays on, the
ehicle should be promptly pulled off the
Dad and the coolant level checked. See
Engine Coolant” in the Index. If there
re visible signs of steam see “Engine
herheating” in the Index before opening
le hood.
V6 Engine
Low Engine
Oil Level
Warning Light
Your vehicle may be equipped with an oil
level monitoring system. When the
ignition key is turned on, the light will
briefly flash. If the light stays on, stop the
vehicle on a level surface and turn the
engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See the Index under
“Engine Oil.”) If the light does not flash,
have the low oil level sensor system
repaired
so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
NOTE: The oil level monitoring system
only checks oil level during the brief
period between key on and and engine
crank.. It does not monitor engine ail level
when the engine
is running. Additionally,
an oil level check is only performed if the
engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time allowing the
oil normally in circulation to drain back
into the oil pan.
Oiil Warning Light
If you have a problem with your oil, this
light may stay on after you start your
engine, or come on when you are driving.
This indicates that oil is not going through
your engine quickly enough to
keep it
lubricated. The engine could be low on
oil, or could have some other oil problem.
Have
it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come on in three
other situations:
0 When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working, but
the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to “Start”. If it doesn’t come
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I’
Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
w Climate Control System
With this system, you can control the
ventilation and heating
in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow-through
ventilation system described later
in this
section.
. . . 102
# : The left control knob sets the fan
speed. To select the force of air you want,
turn the knob. The fan is always running
unless the mode control is moved to
OFF.
Temperature Control: The center
control regulates the temperature of the
air coming through the system.
Mode Control: The right control knob
:hanges the functions of your system.
’(rr (Bi-Level): Use on cool, but sunny
days. This setting brings
in the outside ai
but directs it
in two ways. The cool air is
directed to the upper portion
of your bod
through the instrument panel outlets, but
slightly warmer air is directed through th
heater ducts and defroster vents. At time:
this temperature difference may be more
apparent than others.
(rr (Vent): Use when outside
temperatures are mild, and little heating
or cooling
is needed. Air flow is through
the instrument panel outlets. Set the
center control knob to the temperature
desired.
A.
A.
p(rr (Heater): This setting directs air
ihrough the heater ducts toward your feet
and the floor, and some through the
windshield defroster vents.
[f you have the optional engine coolant
heater (engine block heater) and use it
during cold weather,
0°F (- 18 “C) or
lower, your heating system
will more
quickly provide heat because the engine
coolant is already warm.ed. See “Engine
Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)’’
in the Index.
%?a FrJ (Blend): This setting divides air flow
equally between the heater ducts and the
windshield defroster vents.
(Defrost): This setting directs most
air through the windshield defroster vents,
and some through the heater ducts.
Defogging Windows
To defog the windshield, turn all three
control knobs to the far right.
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Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
I Heating
Turning the right control knob to
(Heater) and the center control knob
clockwise
will send heated air through the
heater ducts toward your feet and the
floor, and some through the defroster
vents.
I ;j’ (Vent) and wo (Heater) are
economical positions because the air
conditioner compressor doesn’t
run in
these two settings. This reduces engine
load, resulting
in improved fuel economy.
If either setting fails to keep you
comfortable, or causes your windows to
fog up, turn
the right control knob to one
of the air conditioning positions, or to
%-$ (Defrost).
If you have the optional engine coolant
heater (engine block heater) and use
it
during cold weather, 0” F (- 18 O C) or
lower, your heating system
will more
quickly provide heat because the engine
coolant is already warmed. See “Engine
Coolant Heater” (Engine Block Heater)
the Index.
%?a pjd (Blend): This setting,divides air flow
Zqually between the heater ducts and the
windshield defroster vents.
Defrosting
Thew (Defrost) setting directs most air
through the defroster vents, and some
through the heater ducts.
Defogging Windows with
Air Conditioning System
To defog the windshield, turn all three
control knobs to the far right.
To defog the side windows, turn the right
control knob to pi (Bi-Level) and the
fan control knob to HIGH. Aim the side
vents toward the side windows. For
increased air flow to the side vents, close
the center vents.
A0
. . . IO4
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Your Driving and the Road
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Pontiac in good shape for
winter. Be sure your engine coolant
mix is correct.
0 You may want to put winter
emergency supplies in your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or
broom, a supply
of windshield washer
fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a
small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and
a 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 Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your
tires meet the road probably have good
traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between
your tires and the road, you can have a
very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot
less traction or “grip” and will need to be
very careful.
. . . 136
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Problems on the Road
Towing from the
Rear-Vehicle
Hook-Up
(CONT.)
Attach a separate safety chain to each side
of the axle inboard of the spring.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage
or the warning light about a hot engine on
your Pontiac’s instrument panel. See
“Coolant Temperature Gage” and
“Coolant Temperature Warning Light”; in
the Index. You will also find
a low
coolant warning light
on your Pontiac’s
instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine 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 by your warranty.
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