check engine light PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 User Guide

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument
panel comes
on,
it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more
information,
see “Check Oil
Light”
in the Index. You
should check your engine
oil
level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must 2.4L Engine
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
6-10
k . 1
ProCarManuals.com

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule
to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for
the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks
and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the
How tu Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the
STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions
on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant.
This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 h),
whichever occurs first. The
following explains
your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the
Index.
A Sol50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 9 F ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
6-22
ProCarManuals.com

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals, specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be’sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle,
make sure
they are the proper ones, as shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pe$orm these underhood checks at each fuel
fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the ‘engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary, See “Engine Oil“ in the Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine ooolant level and add the proper r
coolant mix if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield wasner fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary. See
“Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires”
in the Index.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt remlnder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken
air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
7-37
ProCarManuals.com

0
Section 9 Index
I
I
Adapter Kit. Compact Disc .................. 3- 13. 3. 16
Air Bag ....................................... 1-20
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-24
How it
Works ................................ 1-22
Location
................,..,................ l-22
Readiness Light ......................... 1-21. 2-55
Servicing ................................ .. 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-24
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-23
Air Cleaner ...................................... 6-16 Air Conditioning ................................ 3-4
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-62
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-42
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-50
Antenna, Fixed ................................. 3-24
Antifreeze ................................ 5-16, 6-22
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2-57, 4-6
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3-21
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-52
Arbitration
Program .............................. 8-8
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-47
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-23
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Appearancecare
............................... 6-45 Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-24
Audio Systems
................................... 3-8
Auto-Down Window ............................ 2-30
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-4
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-20
Automatic Transaxle
............................. 2-18
Fluid
....................................... 6-17
Operation
.................................... 2-18
Park Mechanism Check ........................ 7-40
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-13
Check
...................................... 7-38
Shifting ..................................... 2-18
Battery
...................................... 6-32
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-56
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-7
Saver ...................................... 2-43
Warnings .................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-8
.
.. .b... ... ...... :yv... .. ...
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Adjustment
................................... 6-31
Fluid .................... '. .................. 6-28
Master
Cylinder ............................... 6-28
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-31
Replacing System Parts ........................ 6-31
System Warning Light .................... 2-56, 6-29
Trailer ...................................... 4-37
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check .. ............... 7-39
Wear ....................................... 6-30
Brakes, Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking ......................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies .......................... 4-10
Break-In. New Vehicle ........................... 2-1 1
Brightness Control .............................. 2-41
BTSI Check ................................... 7-39
Bulb Replacement ......................... 6-33. 6-59
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................ 8-6
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-60
Carbon Monoxide ..................... 2-28.4-28. 4-37
Cassette Deck Service ........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player ............................ 3- 10
Cassette Tape Player Care ........................ 3-25
Cassette Tape Player Errors ....................... 3-1 1
Cassette Tape Player. Remote ...................... 3-19
CD Adapter Kits .......................... 3-13. 3-16
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-2 1
Center Console Storage Area ...................... 2-46
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-33
CertificatiorQTire Label ........................... 4-32
Parking ..................................... 2-24 Chains. Sagety
................................. 4-37 .
Chains. Tire ................................... 6-44
Changing a Flat Tire .............................. 5-21
Check Engine Light ............................. 2-60
Check Oil Light ................................ 2-64
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-47
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-51
Child Restraints ................................ 1-36
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-37
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-39
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-41
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-41
Top
Strap ................................... 1-37
Wheretoput ................................ 1-36
Cigarette Lighter ............................... 2-47
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ........................ 6-55
Cleaner. Air ................................... 6-16
Cl. eaning ...................................... 6-45
Aluminum Wheels ............................ 6-50
Fabric ...................................... 6-46
Glass ....................................... 6-48
Inside of Yon Pontiac ......................... 6-45
Instrument Panel .............................. 6-48
Leather ..................................... 6-47
Outside of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-49
Spelcial Problems ............................. 6-46
Stains ...................................... 6-46
Tires ....................................... 6-50
Vinyl ....................................... 6-47
Wheels ..................................... 6-50
Windshield and Wiper Blades .................... 6-48
9-2 .
ProCarManuals.com

Engine .................................... 6-8. 6.9
Coolant ..................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater ................................ 2-16
Codant Level Check ........................... 7-37
Exhaust ..................................... 2-28
Fuse Block .................................. 6-58
Identification ................................. 6-53
Oil Level Check .............................. 7-37
Overheating .................................. 5-12
Ruining While Parked ......................... 2-29
Specifications
................................ 6-61
Starting
..................................... 2-13
Engineoil
.................................... 6-10
Adding ..................................... 6-12
Additives ................................... 6-14
Checking .................................... 6-11
Used ....................................... 6-15
WhatToUse ................................. 6-13
When to Change
.............................. 6-15
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
........ : 2-59. 4-8
. Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2-59
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light ........ 2-58. 4-9
Ethanol ........................................ 6-3
Exhaust. Engine ................................. 2-28
'Fabric
Cleaning ............................... 6-46
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle ..................... 2-21
Filling Your Tank ................................. 6-4
Filter, Air ..................................... 6-16
FinishDamage
................................. 6- 51
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-20.
FinishC .. .................................... 6-49 First
Gear. Manual Transaxle ....................... 2-21
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-21
Fluids and Lubricants .......................... 7-42
Fog Lamp Bulb Replacement ..................... 6-35
FogLamps ..................................... 2-41
Foreign Countries. Fulel ........................... 6-3
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-21
FrenchLanguageManual
11
FrontTowing ................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
FillingYourTank .............................. 6-4
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-3
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-55
.. ...........................
Gage ....................................... 2-65
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-59
Fuel ........................................ 2-65
Speedometer .................................. 2-53
Tachometer .................................. 2-54
Garment
Hook ................................. 2-48 .....
GAWR ....................................... 4-32 ~ . >T ..
Gear Positions, Aut'omatic Transaxle ................ 2- 1.8
Gear Positions, Manual Transaxle .................. 2-21
GloveBox
.................................... 2-46
Graphic Equalizer .............................. 3-14
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-32
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-32
Guide en Fraqais ................................. ii
GW ....................................... 4-32
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Halogen Bulbs ................... .... 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
................... ... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps ..................................... 2-39
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-33
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-32
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-32
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill
and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-37
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-21
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-22
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
................... 7-38
OnReminder
................................ 2-40
Wiring
...................................... 6-54
.Heating
.................. ; ..................... 3-5
Hood Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
........................................ 6-6
Horn ......................................... 2-30
Hydroplaning .............................. : .... 4-19
Ignition Switch
................................ 2- 11
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-42
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-44
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-41,
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-38
Inspections
BmkeSystem ................................ 7-41
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle
Seal .................... 7-41 Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-41
Suspension
................................... 7-41
Steering .................................... 7-41
Throttle Linkage
............................... 7-41
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-50
Brightness Control ............................ 2-41
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-55
Interior Lamps ................................. 2-41
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Cluster
2-52 .....................................
Jack. Tire .................................... 5-23
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-38
Key Release Button
............................. 2-13
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-6
Keys .......................................... 2-1
Labels Certification/”ire ............................. 4-32
Service
Parts Identification ..................... 6-53
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-32
Vehicle Identification Number
: .................. 6-53
Lamps ........................................ 2-39
Fog
........................................ 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-41
On Reminder ................................ 2-40
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-26
Lighter
....................................... 2-47
9-5
ProCarManuals.com

Lights Air
Bag Readiness ....................... 1.21. 2.55
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ............ 2.57. 4.6
Brake System Warning .................... 2.56. 6.29
Charging System Indicator ...................... 2-56
Check Engine ................................ 2-60
Check Oil ................................... 2-64
Enhanced Traction System Active ... .' ........ 2.59. 4-8
Enhanced Traction System Warning .......... 2-58. 4-9
Low Coolant Warning ......................... 2-60
Oil Pressure ................................. 2-63
Basslock" Warning ........................... 2-65
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-7. 2-55
Litter Bag Hook ................................ 2-48
Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-32
Locks
Automatic Door ............................... 2-4
Cylinders ................................... 7-38
Key Lock Cylinder Service ..................... 7-38
Power Do'or ................. .. ................ 2-4
Rear Door Security ............................. 2-5
Steering Column Lock Check ................... 7-39
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-60
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-42
Doof ..........................:............. 2-3
Trunk ....................................... 2-8
Lubrication.Servicq. Body ..... .. ........ e ......... 7-38 .
amtenance Record ............. ........ I ... , 7-44
. ~~
.. -7 . ........ .. .. .. .. , .. ' .. % ;.,- . .- .. b .. . ........ .... ... . .... ~ . I .I * ., &- :* t:. :.A :+;-.,:; q. .. .... .. .... ...
M . .
I . .. ..-. ~ .A 1'": j.
Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7-1
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals ; .................... 7-5
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ 7-41
Recommended Fluids and .Lubricants ............. 7-42
Scheduled Maintenance S'ervices .................. 7-2
Short Tiip/City Intervals ........................ 7-4
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-40
Maintenance. Nomal Replacement Parts ............ &62
Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-51
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...................... 2-60
Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-1
Manual Lumbar Support .......................... 1-2
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-44
Manual Transaxle ............................... 2-21
Check ...................................... 7-38
Fluid ....................................... 6-20
shi€ting ..................................... 2-21
S tartkg Your Engine .......................... 2-13
Methanol ...................................... 6-3
Mirrors ......................................... 2-44
Convex Outside .............................. 2-45
Inside Daymight Rearview ..................... 2-44
Manual Remote Control ........................ 2-44
Short Tiip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Power Remote COII~~. ........................ 2-45
VisorVanity ................................. 2-48
Mountain Roads ................................. 4-23
Multifunction Lever ............................. 2-31
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle .................... 2-19
Neutral. Manual Transaxle ........................ 2-22
New Vehicle Break-In ........................... 2-11
NightV~sion
................................... 4-16
ProCarManuals.com

odometer ........ ... .... 2-53
Odometer. Trip
................... ....... 2-53
Off -Road Recovery ............................. 4- 12
Oil Pressure Light .............................. 2-63
Overdrive, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-20
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-46
Overheating Engine
............................. 5 - 12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-37
Owner Publications, Ordering
..................... 8- 1 1
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Paint Spotting, Chemical
........................ 6-51
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2- 18
Shifting Into ................................. 2-25
Shifting Out of ................................ 2-27
AtNight ..................................... 2-9
Brake
....................................... 2-24
Parking
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-40
Lots ....................................... 2-10 Over Things That Burn ........................ 2-28
With a Trailer
................................ 4-39
Your Vehicle, Manual Transaxle ................. 2-27
Passenger Position .............................. 1-26
Passlock" Warning Light
........................ 2-65
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-41
Pontiac Cares Information ......................... 8- 1
Passing ....................................... 4-13
Passlock"
.................................... 2-10 Power
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Option Fuses ................................ 6-54
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-45
Seat
......................................... 1-2
Steering Fluid ................................ 6-26
Pregnancy, Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-26
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner
................... 8-11
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Windows ................................... 2-30
Radio
Reception .............................. 3-23
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-42, 2-43
Door Security Locks
........................... 2-5
Safety Belt Comfort Guides ..................... 1-30
Window Defogger
............................. 3-7
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight ................. 2-44
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-3
Recreational Vehicle Towing ....................... 4-29
Refrigerants,
Air Conditioning .................... 6-62
Cassette Tape Player
.......................... 3-19
Fuel Door Release ............................. 6-4
Trunk Release ................................. 2-8
Radios
........................................ 3-8
Rain,
DrivingIn ................................ 4-17
Rear
Outside Seat Position .......................... 1-27
Seatpassengers ...................,.......... l-26
Towing ..................................... 5-10
Remote
ProCarManuals.com