PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Owners Manual

Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth at least
every six months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent application may be required. (See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”, in the Index.)
-Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac
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 fish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the directrays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand, dish or-car washing (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 a
100% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac by
hand may beaecessary 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.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other Tires
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc. can To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner. -- -
damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If
necessary, us,e non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe
for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior pai
' :d surfaces are subject to aging, weath
and chemicsu rallout that caf; take their toll over a period
of yearg. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered
whenever possible.
NOTICE:
''i
wipe off 'any overspray or splash from all painted
When applying a tire dressing always take care
to
surfaces
on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based
products may damage the paint
finish.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
I
Sheet Metal Damage
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with Clem water. After If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
rinsing thoroughly,
dry with a soft cleah towel. A wax repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
may then be applied. applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
The surface of these wheels is similar to the minted replaced to restore corrosion protection. A
surface.of your vehicle, Don't use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive
polishes, abrasive cleaners or abrasive clehg
brushes
on tihem because you could damage. the surface.
Don't
take your viihiclk through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide
tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also darnage the surface of these wheels.
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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 i-nto a major repairexpense.
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 correcte'd
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 be 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
%an 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 Mater;& Chart
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
SAMPLE4UXTM072675 bl
ENGINEAG f ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Pontiac. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on‘the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code
will help you identify your engine,
specifications,
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on your spare tire cover. It’s very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle. equipment.
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Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
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. .
NO'TICE:
Don't add anything electrical to your Pontiac
unless you check with your dealer first.
Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
1 and the damage wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they I
should. ~
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add
anything electrical to you Pontiac, see "Servicing
Your
Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac" in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker
located
in the instrument panel fuse block. An electricall
overload will cause the headlamps to go on and off, or in
some cases tb remain off.' If this happens, have your
headlamp system checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a
fuse. If the motor overheats du'e to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will. stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by-some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load
is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting
the circuit until the problem is fixed.
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Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by
a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible links. This greatly reduces the chance of
damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to
replace a bad fuse with
a new one of the identical size
and rating.
If
you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick a feature of your vehicle that you
can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter -- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in
your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The main fuse panel is located on the left side of the
instrument panel. To access the fuses, open the fuse
panel door.
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Fuse
INT LPS
PWR
ST
RDO IGN
HTR-A/C
CRUISE
TAIL LPS
a Fuse Useage
PWR WDO Power Window (Circuit Breaker)
TURN Turn Signal Lamps
Useage
Alarm Module (Illuminated Entry,
Warning Chimes, Overhead
Lamps., MapJReading Lamps,
Glove Box Lamp, Trunk Lamp,
Radio, Power Mirrors), Anti-Lock
Brakes, Variable
Effort Steering,
Remote Keyless
Entry
Power Seat ?,,,. :. . . .- . - . .. .. Radi&-<-'&'.: ?.>I' ?;~-,~:-~~~,(l ,;,* , ' _. . . I' . &-:.*& . : ' . . I 8.. .~ . . .I d&
Heater/Air Conditioning Blower,
Daytime Running Lamps, Automatic Light Control
Cruise Control
Parking Lamps, Taillamps,
Sidemarker Lamps, License
Lamps, Instrument Panel Lights,
Headlamp
Warning Alarm
Cigarette Lighter
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Fuse
WIPER
02
,DR UNLK
ALARM
FOG/FTP
PRNDL
BR LK 2
AIR BAG
HORN
Usage
Windshield Wipers/Washers
Heated Oxygen Sensors Automatic
Door Unlock
Automatic Transaxle, Automatic
Door Unlock, Alarm Module
(Illuminated Entry, Warning
Chimes), TraGtion Telltale, Rear
Window Defogger, Remote
Keyless Entry
Fog Lamps
Instrument Cluster, Powertrain Computer, Park-Lock Solenoid,
Electronic
PRNDL
Door Locks
Air Bag-Power
Horn, Service Tool Power
Fuse Usage
INST Instrument Cluster
STOP
HAZ Stoplamps, Hazard Lamps,
Anti-Lock Brakes
PCM Powertrain Control Module
DR LK
1 Door Locks
INST
LPS Instrument Panel Lights, Fog
Lamps
RR DEF Rear Window Defogger
HDLP Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps (Circuit Breaker)
Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Fuse Panel .. - / , . . , ;';,,;'.[ -: .f-, .-.;'.A, Li-v. I , , ~ I , , .,$! ::.
Your steering wheel radio controls are protected
by fuses. For service, contact your Pontiac
service department.
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Engine Compartment Fuse Block Fuse
F/P INJ
ERLS
ABs/Evo
IGN MOD
HVAC
BLO MOT
PCM BATT
CLG FAN
HDLP
STOP LPS
PWR ACC
RR DEFG
ABS
Usage
Fuel Pump: Fuel Injectors
Back-up
Lamps: Canister Purge Valve,
EGR: Automatic Transmission,
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock,
Anti-lock Brakes: Variable
Effort
Steering, Air Conditioning
Compressor,
Park Lock Solenoid
Anti-Lock Brake Solenoids,
Variable Effort Steering
Ignition System
Heater/Ais Conditioner-High Blower, Generator-Voltage Sense
Powertrain Computer
Engine Cooling Fan
Lighting Circuits
Power Accessories,
Stop Lamp Circuits,
Rear Window Defogger
Anti-Lock Brakes,
Variable
Effort Steering
Ignition Switched Circuits
I , ^*^ >, .. ,.",
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver's side
of the engine compartment, near the battery,
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