lane PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1994 Owners Manual

Turn
SignalJMultifunction
Lever
‘he lever on the left side of the steering
olumn includes your:
1 Turn Signal and Lane Change
Indicator
Headlight High-Low Beam
Flash-To-Pass Feature
Cruise Control (Option)
a
Turn Sl’na! and Lane
>hange Indicator ..
he turn signal has two upward (for
.ight) and two downward (for Left)
ositiuns. These positions allow you to
.gnal a
turn or a lane change.
o signal a turn, move the lever all the
lay up or down. When the
turn is
nished, the lever will return
ltomatically.
. green arrow on the instrument panel
,ill flash in the direction
of the turn or
.ne change.
To signal a lane change, just raise cnr
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
& Circuit
Breakers”
in the Index) and for
burned-out bulbs.
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Your Driving and the Road
Steering Tips (CONT.)
If you need to reduce your speed as you
approach a curve, do it before you 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.
I .. ..
I
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, or 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
=mergencies like these. First apply your
brakes. It is better to remove as much
speed as you can from a possible
Zollision. Then steer around the problem,
to the left or right depending on the space
mailable.
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.
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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 slightlJ
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 contacts the pavement edge. Then
turn your steering wheel to go straight
down the roadway.
<
1
(
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1
7
4 Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass
another on
a two-lane highway waits for
just the right moment, accelerates, moves
around the vehicle ahead, dhen 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.
So here are some tips for passing:
0 “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.
0
0
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines. If you can see a
sign up ahead that might indicate a
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 a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty
of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially if you’re following a
larger vehicle. 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 is
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
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Your Driving and the Road
I
0
Passing (CONT.)
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.
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.)
B Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
B 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 you 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
[n a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most
skids by taking reasonable care suited to
:xisting conditions, and by not
,‘overdriving” those conditions. But skids
we 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. And in the acceleration skid too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to
spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid
are 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.
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Your Driving and the Road
City Driving
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.
Here are ways to increase your safety in
city driving:
0 Know the best way to get to where
you are going. Get a city map and plan
your trip into an unknown part of the
city
just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
0
Try to use the freeways that rim and
crisscross most large cities. You’ll
save time and energy. (See
the next
section, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal.
A 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
running the red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called
thruways, parkways, expressways,
turnpikes, 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.
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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 on
to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you 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? If
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.
Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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?
Lights:’
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 route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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0 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.
0 Know how to go uphill. Drive in the
highest gear possible.
0 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.
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Your Driving and the Road
I 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
so
.responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector, lights, 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
lights 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
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this
so your
railer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
ierky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
3dvance.
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 lights 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 are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
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7
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure
cap off, start the engine and let
it run
until you can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside
the coolant surge tank may be lower. If
the level is lower, add more
of the
proper
mix to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches FULL COLD,
or just above the small cylinder at the
base
of the opening.
I
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is tight.
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
a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require
the
same correction you’d use in a skid. In
my 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
wmpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Sently brake to a stop, well off the road if
Jossible.
[fa tire goes flat, the next section shows
low to use your jacking equipment to
:hange a
flat tire safely.
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Stereo Sound Systems (see “Audio
Storage
Systems”) ................... lot
Armrest ..................... 82
Glove Box ................... 54
Passenger Side Cup Holder/
Storage Area ................ 85
Sunglasses Storage ............ 87
Storing Your Pontiac ............ 194
Stuck. If You Are
............... 167
Subscriptions .................. 25C
Sun Visors
..................... 84
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
........................ 21
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
......... 190
Tachometer .................... 92
rape Player (see “Audio Systems”)
rechnical Facts
& Specifications
Bulbs ...................... 217
Electrical Equipment.
Add-on .............. 107. 2 1 1
Fluid Capacities & Types . . 215. 216
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ...... 212
Service Parts Edentification
Label ..................... 211
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ............. 2 11
remperature Warning Light
........ 94
rheft
.......................... 52
rhermostat
.................... 190
l‘ilt Steering Wheel
.............. 71
Time. Setting the ............... 107
Tires
......................... 198
Buying New ................ 201
Chains
................. 143. 202
Flat. Changing
............... 162
Inflation
.................... 199
Inspection
& Rotation ......... 200
Loading
.................... 198
Pressure
.................... 199
Quality Grading
............. 201
Spare. Compact
.............. 167
Wear Indicators
.............. 192
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance ............... 202
Wheel Replacement
.......... 202
When to Replace Wheels
...... 202
Winter Driving. and Tires
...... 136
Top Strap ...................... 33
Torque Lock
.................... 68
Towing a Trailer
................ 141
Towing Your Pontiac
............ 152
Trailer Towing
................. 139
Maintenance ................ 146
Parking on Hills
............. 145
Trailer Brakes
............... 143
Driving with a Trailer ......... 144
Transaxle. Automatic (see “Automatic
Transaxle. Manual (see “Manual
rransmission. Automatic (see
Transaxle”)
Transaxle”)
“Automatic Transaxle”)
Transmission. Manual (see “Manual
Trip Odometer .................. 92
Trunk
......................... 53
Trunk Light
.................... 80
Trunk Release. Remote ........... 53
Turn Signal Indicator
............. 73
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
.... 78
Cruise Control ................ 74
Headlight Highbow Beam
...... 78
Turn Signal & Lane Change
Indicator ................... 73
Underbody Maintenance ........ 209
Unleaded Gasoline
.............. 173
Upholstery Care
................ 205
Upshift Indicator Light
......... 65. 99
Urban Driving
................. 132
Variable Effort Steering ......... 125
Vehicle “Break-In” Period
......... 54
Vehicle. Control
of a ............ 122
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ....................... 211
Vehicle Loading
................ 197
Vehicle Storage
................ 194
Ventilation (see “Comfort
Controls”) ................... 103
VIN
......................... 211
Visors. Sun
..................... 84
Visor Vanity Mirror
.............. 84
Voltmeter ...................... 97
269
Transaxle” )
d
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