PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Owners Manual

Service and Owner Publications
Service manuals, service bulletins, owner’s manuals and
other service literature are available for purchase for all
current
and many past model General Motors vehicles.
Toll-free telephone numbers
for ordering information:
United States
. . . . . . . 1-800-551-4123
Service Manuals
Service manuals contain diagnostic and repair
information for
all chassis and body systems. They may
be useful for owners who wish to get a greater
understanding
of their vehicle. They are also useful for
owners with the appropriate skill level or training who
wish to perform “do-it-yourself” service. These are
authentic General Motors service manuals me
professional, qualified technicians.
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Service Bulletins
Service bulletins covering various subjects are regularly sent to
all General Motors dealerships. GM monitors
product performance
in the field. When service methods
are found which promote better service on GM vekplcles,
bulletins
are created to help the technician perform
better service. Service bulletins may involve
any
number of vehicles. Some will describe inexpensive
service; others
will describe expensive service. Some
will advise
of new or unexpected conditions, and others
may help avoid future costly repairs. Service bulletins
are meant for qualified technicians. In some cases
bulletins refer to service manuals, specialized tools,
equipment
and safety procedures necessary to service
the vehicle. Since these bulletins are issued throughout
the model year and beyond, an index is required and
published quarterly
to help identify specific bulletins.
Subscriptions are available. You
can order an index at
the toll-free numbers listed previously, or ask a GM
dealer to see an index or individual bulletin.
Owner Publications
Owner’s manuals, warranty folders and various owner
assistance booklets provide owners with general
operation
and maintenance information.
8-12
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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
.
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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
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Climate Control System ........................... 3-1 .
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning ......... 3-3
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-8
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-21
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
.......................... 6-22
Comfort Controls
................................ 3 - 1
Compact Disc Adapter Kit ................... 3- 13, 3- 16
Compact Disc Care .............................. 3#-25 .
Compact Disc Player ............................ 3-17
Compact Disc Player Errors
.... ................... 3 - 18
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-31
Control
of a Vehicle ............................... 4-5
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-45
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 16
Surge Tank ................................... 5-16
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
....................... 6-26
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-7
Cruise Control ................................. 2-35
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-2
Coinholder
.................................... 2-46
Cooling System ....................... .( ........ 5-14
Customer Assistance Information
.................... 8- 1
Damage. Finish ................................ 6-51 Defensive Driving
............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-7
Defogging
..................................... 3-6
Defrosting
...................................... 3-6
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................. 6-61
Dolby@
B Noise Reduction ....................... 3-12
Driver Position
................................. 1-12 Door Locks .................. ,. .................. 2.-3
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-21
Night
. '\. .................................... 4-15
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-39
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-23
Through Water ................................ 4-19
Winter
....................................... 4-25
With a Trailer ................................ 4-38
-In a Blizzard .................................. 4-27
In Foreign Countries ............................ 6-3
IntheRain
................................... 4-17
OnCurves
.................................. 4-10
On Snow and Ice .............................. 4-26
WetRoads
.................................. 4-17
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
' .. 4 . 0 . . ;.&$ ... .:;::.I.... .... :?&% Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-50 .. VI
Daytime Running Lamps ......................... 2-40 Easy Entry Seat ...................
Dead Battery ................................... 5-2 Electrical Equipment. Adding ...... 2-
Defects. Reporting Safety ......................... 8-9 Electrical System ...................
.............
14.2.15.3.24. 6254 1-6
............ 6-54
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Replacement Bulbs
....................................... 6-59
Parts ....................................... 6-62
wheel ...................................... 6-43
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-46
Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 8-9
Restraints
Checking
................................... 1-46
Child
....................................... 1-36
Head
........................................ 1-5
Replacing
Parts After a Crash ................... 1-46
Systemcheck
................................ 7-37
Reverse, Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2- 19
Reverse, Manual Transaxle
....................... 2-22
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1-26
Roadside Assistance. ............................. 8-5
Roadside Assistance, Canadian ..................... 8-6
Rocking Your Vehicle ........................... 5-32
Rotation, Tire .................................. 6-39
safety Belt Extender ............................. 1-46
Safety Belts
Adults
...................................... 1-12
Care
....................................... 6-48
Center Rear Passenger Position .................. 1-33
Children
.................................... 1-34
Driver Position ................................ 1 - 12
Extender
.................................... 1-46
How to Wear Properly ......................... 1 - 12
Incorrect Usage
.................... 1-16,l-44, 1-45
LapBelt
.................................... 1-33 Lap-Shoulder
........................... 1.12. 1.27
Larger Children .............................. 1-43
Passenger Position
............................ 1-26
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-91
Rear Comfort Guides .......................... 1-30
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions ............ 1-27
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-26
Reminder Light
.......................... 1-7. 2-55
Replacing After a Crash ......................... 1-46
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-26
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
................... 1-15
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-34
Why They Work
................................ 1-8
Safety Chains
.................................. 4-37
Safety Defects. Reporting ......................... 8-9
Safety Warnings and Symbols ....................... 111
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-1
Seatback Latches
...................................... 1-5
Reclining Front
................................ 1-3
EasyEntry ................................... 1-6
Manual Front .................................. 1-1
Manual Lumbar Support .................... i ... 1-2
Power
........................................ 1-2
Rear
........................................ 1-6
Restraint Systems .............................. 1-1
SeatControls
................................. 1-1
Securing a Child Restraint ...................... 1-37
Second Gear;Automatic Transaxle
................. 2-20
Second Gear. Manual Transaxle ................... 2-21
Use During Pregnancy ......................... 1-26,
...
Seats
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