trailer PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Owners Manual

New Vehicle.“Break-In” Ignition
Switch
NOTICE:
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make.ful1-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops
for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear .and earlier replacement.
Follow
this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
C
A E
W
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the
switch
to five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your Grand Am may be.equipped with a four-speed
automatic transaxle. The shift lever
is located on the
console between the seats. i
P
R
N
ID1
3
2
1
There are seven different
positions
for the shift lever
on the four-speed
autom&ic transaxle.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to, If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle.won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See &‘Shifting Into PARK,(P)” in the Index, Tf
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a in
the Index.
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for-
normal driving with the four-speed automatic transaxle.
If
you need more power for passing, and you’re:
0 Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
The transaxle will automatically shift down to the next gear
and provide more power.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here
are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
0 When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
0 When going down a steep hill,
accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
accelerator
all the way down.
between
gears.
SECOND (2) and FIRST (1): These positions provide
second and first gear performance. When downshifting
from AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or THIRD (3)
into SECOND (2), the transaxle will operate in second
gear at vehicle speeds greater than 20 mph (32 km/h)
and in first gear at vehicle speeds less than 20 mph
(32 km/h).
_. .
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles
(41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (88 kdh), or
you
can damage your transaxle. Use THIRD (3)
or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) as much as
possible,
Don% shift into SECOND
(2) unless you are going
slower than 65 rnph (109 kmh), or you can
damage your engine.
...
.’. ’ ir ’
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Parkiaag.’Brake handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull
the parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever all the way down.
Driving with the parking, brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
To set the parking brake hold the .regular brake pedal If you are towing a trailer and are parking on my hill,
see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
down with Your ‘ght foot* On the parking brake what to do first to keep the bailer from moving.
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Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly
set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that
follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
YI‘owing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position‘like
this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
0 Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle yith the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P)
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic-Transaxle Operation” in the
Index.
If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure wn
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P)
-- as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF, not LOCK. , ,<. j:~+!-,. , , ‘(, . .I. ”
,..I_ . , , . P ., , :. a -9 -- ....,. 4 -’. .:‘.I..: .,:- ;.
i.. ’ .--4 ..
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
Step
4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
Have the vehicle fixed
as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transaxle in’REVERSE
(R) and firmly apply the-parking
brake.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehic1e.k
equipped to tow
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
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Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
/$ CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine
Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen
is a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. (See
“Blizzard” in
the Index.)
1
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground,
always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer? also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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I NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may nmot
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition
is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This
light will also come on during a malfunction’ in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent ml
your vehicle:
0 Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
0 Avoid steep uphill grades.
e serious damage to
i
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as-soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing follow the
previous, steps, and drive the vehicle to
your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
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Towing a Trailer
A CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when
you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not
work well -- or even at all.. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your Pontiac dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
Pulling
a traikr improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and
see yumr Pontiac
dealer for important information about towing
a
trailer with your vehicle.
Bo not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a
2.4L (Code T) engine.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with a
3.1L (Code M) -engine and proper trailer towing
equipment,
To identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity
is for your vehicle, you should read the
information
in "Weight of the Trailer'' that appears later
in this section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability, md fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used propetly.
That's the reason for this
part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safe% rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against
the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What,'s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the gulling requjsernents.
1'
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If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight
of the trailer,
There are many different laws, including speed limit
’ restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your
rig will be legal, not only where you live but Weight of the Trailer
also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this
inforrnation can be state or provincial police. How heavy can a trailer safely be? the weight
of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
0 Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg). But
dealer about sway Controls’. even that can be
too heavy.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles It depends on how YOU plan
to use Your fig. For
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, exmPle,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside
axle or other parts could
be damaged. temperature and how much your vehicle
is used to pull a
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 h/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the advice, Or-You Can write
US at:
heavier loads. Pontiac Customer Services Department
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed Pontiac, Mi\
chigan 48340-2952 trailer are
all important. And,
it can also depend on any 0 Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. One Pontia\
c Plaza
for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 lun/hj) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts. In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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