service PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Owners Manual

The 1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
Features and Controls .................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation
and comfort conkols and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or
Your Driving and the Road ............................................................... 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
’ overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care ............................................................ 6-1
Maintenanceschedule.................................................... \
.............. 7-1 , ., ,(
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................ 8-1
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running pr\
operly and looking good.
This section tells you when
to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get serv\
ice and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” o\
n page
8-9.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
i
ProCarManuals.com

GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem
and the name
@and Am are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This
manual includes the latest infomation at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after
that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” fur Pontiac
Division whenever
it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your Pontiac, so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
-. ‘X
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 102731.97 B First Edition
7-
FASij CERTIFIED
!.
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriktaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en frangais chez
votre concessionaire ou
au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T 1C7
‘Copyright General Motors Corporation 1995
All Rights Reserved
ii
ProCarManuals.com

How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frond, collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the
instrument panel. The
air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts.
Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping
the occupant more gradually. But air bags would
not help you
in many types of collisions, including
rollovers,
rear impacts and side hpacts, prirndy because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags
should never be regarded as anmg more than a
supplement
to safety belts, and then only in moderate to
severe fbntal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an ais bag inflates?
After the air bag Mates, it quickly deflates, This occurs
so quickly that some people may not even realize the air
bag inflated. Some components of the.air bag module in
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s
air bag, or the
instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s bag, will
be hot for a short time. The part of the bag that comes
into contact with you may be warm, but it will never be
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from’
vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation
will not prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with
a history of asthma,or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as
soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a
window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the
right front passenger
air bag. .
The air bags ,are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need
some new parts for your air
bag system. If y0u don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t
be there to help protect you in another crash,
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual €or your
vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
1-24 L
ProCarManuals.com

0
0
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the sensors
are activated and driver’s safety belt usage at
deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag
system ‘won’t work properly. See your dealer for
service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, they may not
‘3
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel
for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the
air bag covers.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac dealer and the Grand Am Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the
air bag
system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
For
up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They
are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
2
=.~. , 1-25
ProCarManuals.com

Keyless Entry System Should interference to this system occur, try this:
If your Pontiac has this option, you can lock and unlock Check to determine if battery replacement is
your doors or unlock your trunk from up to 38 feet (9 m) necessary. See the instructions on battery
away
using the key chain transmitter supplied with your replacement.
vehicle.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
Your Keyless Entry
System operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal
Communications
Commission (FCC)
Rules
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful intederence, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. vehicle.
This product has a maximum range.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
0 See
your Pontiac dealer OF a qualified twhnicim for
service.
Changes or modifications to this system
by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment,
Operation
The driver's door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed twice
quickly, all
doors will unlock. All the doors will lock
when
DOOR is pressed, The trunk will unlock any time
the opened trunk symbol is pressed if the ignition is
OFF. If the ignition is on, the trunk will unlock if the
automatic tramaxle
is in NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).
On vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle, the
parking brake must be set.
ProCarManuals.com

If you par^ in a lot where someone will be wawung
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it
up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave
your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable. in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, lie your trunk
Lock the glove box,
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
or
glove
box,
e Then take the door key with you.
Passlock TM
Your venicle 1s equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system
,is armed once the key is‘removed from the ignition.
Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned
with a valid key. If a correct key is not used, fuel
is disabled.
During
normal operation, the THEFT SYS light will go
off after the engine is started. In the unlikely event that
the engine stalls and the THEFT SYS light flashes, wait
until the light stops flashing b’efose
trying to restart the
engine. Remember to release the key
from the START
position as soon as the engine starts. If after several tries
the vehicle still does
not start, the vehicle may need
service. At this time, you may
also want to check the
fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
See your Pontiac dealer for service.
If the THEFT SYS light comes on while the engine is
running, a problem
has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Bontiac Roadsi4e Assistance
Program at 1-8OO-RBADSIDE or 1-800-762-3743.
ProCarManuals.com

LOCK (B): Before you pur: the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is
in LOCK. It’s also the only position
in which you can remove the key. This locks your
steering wheel, ignition and transaxle
(on automatic
models).
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition,
and transaxle (on automatic models), but does
not send electrical power to any accessories. Use this
position
if your vehicle must be pushed or towed, but
never
try to push-start your vehicle. A warning chime
will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the
ignition
is off and the key is in the ignition. 1
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns after
you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays
in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine
is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine
starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return
to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it,
be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel
left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
2-12
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
‘come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt i\
s
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come
on and stay on
for about
20 seconds,
then it will flash
for about
55 seconds. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the
light
will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR
BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you
if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensor, the air bag
modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information
on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
AIR,
BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to
RUN
or START. Then the light
should
go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come
on when you
start your vehicle,
or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
2-55
ProCarManuals.com

Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come on
briefly when
you turn on the
ignition, but the engine
is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out. .. 1.
. I -1
If it stays on when your engine is running, OF comes on
while you are driving, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light
is on could drain your battery.
If you mast drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as themdio
and
air conditioner,
Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still w’ork and
stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both
parts workmg well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come ow
briefly when you turn the
ignitibn key
to RUN. If it
doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to
warn
you if there’s a
problem,
If the light .comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor,
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed €or
service, (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
2-56
ProCarManuals.com

Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning lighlt on can lead
to an accident.
If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed
for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come
on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parlung brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system,
this light will come
on when you
start your
engine
and it will stay on for
three seconds. That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light
comes on when you’re driving, stop
as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. &. 1
Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the .I ‘I
light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re
driving, your Pontiac needs service.
If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light” earlier
in .this part.
2-57
ProCarManuals.com