PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Owners Manual

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.)
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Manual Transaxle Check
Check the transaxl’e fluid level; add if needed. See
“Manual Transaxle” in the Index. A fluid loss may
indicate
a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See “Automatic Transaxle”
in the Index. A fluid loss may
indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch
Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
specified in Part D.
1
’ Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, tmnk lid,
glove box door and console door. Part D tells you what .
to use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
Starter Switch Check
A CAUT~ON:
,/ *
- “
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1.
2.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
Firmly apply both the parking brake
(see “Parking
Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the regular
brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
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3.
,.
- ‘1 . -
On automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transaxle vehicles, put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway and
try to start the engine. The starter should work only
‘bt
when the clutch is pushed down all the way to the
floor. If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
.. .. I ’ . . . i. pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transaxle),
’. n . .I .L I . I_ , .:
When you ald d,,,rg this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does,
you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
It should be parked on a level
surface,
..A +
., .. ,. 1 f‘ .1
2.
3.
Firrnly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index
if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI needs
service.
Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transaxle, the key should turn
to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in
REVERSE (R).
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to
LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key button.
On
all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
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I
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
1
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin
to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins
to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly ste,ep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot
pressure
from the regular brake pedal. Do this until
the vehicle
is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
Shift to PARK (P). Then release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any
areas yhere mud and other debris
can collect.
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Part C: -Periodic Maintenance
Inspections connections, or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in
the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehcle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
spxing and fall). You should let your GM dealer’+& ?::. Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
service department or other qualified service center ,:5; 4
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are fittings and clamps; replac\
e as needed.
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a Pontiac service manual. See “Service and Inspect the throt\
tle linkage for interference or binding, and
. ..,..
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Owner Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
for.damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of wear, or
.
lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage,
tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the colillplee exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-o€-position
parts as well as open seams, holes, loose fordamage
or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed.
Replace any cables that have high effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafhg, etc.
Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings for. wear and
cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel
cylinders, capers, parking brake, etc. The parking brake
is
self-adjusting and no manual adjustment is required. You
may need to have your brakes inspected more often if your
driving habits or conditions result
in fi-equent braking.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
-
FLUIDJLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified
For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your yehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and
GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL TM or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conforming
to GM
Specification 6277M. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
GM Part No. 3634621 or
Automatic
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USAGE
Manual
Transaxle Shift
Linkage Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
Chassis
Lubrication and
Fuel Filler Door
and Striker
Plunger
Windshield
Washer Solvent
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
Engine oil.
GC-LB.
Chassis lubricant
(GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
GM OptMeen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. 1051515) or
equivalent. GC-LB.
USAGE
Hood Latch
Assembly Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges and Rear
Folding Seat
Weatherstrip Conditioning
FLUIDlLUBRICANT
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM
Part No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB or
Multi-purpose lubricant, Superlube@
(GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM
I Part No. 12345579 or eauivalent).
GC-LB.
See “Replacement Parts” in the Index for recommended
replacement filters and spark plugs.
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Part E: Maintenance Record Any, additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” can be added on
After the scheduled services are performed, record the the following record pages. Also, you should retain all
date, obmeterrea$ing and who performed the smvice maintenance receipts. your owner information portfolio
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval. is a convenient place to store them.
I
I
F
DATE
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
~~
READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED -
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Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SERVICED BY READING
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I I
Maintenance Record
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