PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 Owners Manual

Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines.
If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized
Pontiac dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines may be available in your area to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the United ”
States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to find. Never \
use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended
in the
previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors International Product Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
6-4

Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the right side of
your vehicle.
6h, CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
6-5

A
To open the fuel door, pull the fuel access handle on the
floor by the driver’s seat.
The remote fuel filler door release can help keep your
fuel
tank from being siphoned. Always be sure the fuel
door is closed and latched after refueling. While refueling, hang the tethered cap over
the hook
inside the fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.

A CAUTION:
I=
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly, This spray can happen
if your tank
is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Pontiac” in the Index. When you
put the cap back on, turn
it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you, If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index,
6-7

Checking Things Under the Hood
I
' A CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important parts underhood.
To open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the vehicle.
6-8

Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift the secondary
hood release handle upward.
I
Lift the hood, release the hood prop rod from its retainer
and put the hood prop into the slot in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood
to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then just let the
hood down
and close it firmly.
6-9

2.4L (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
(If Equipped) E.
Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E Brake Fluid Reservoir
G. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
H. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
Reservoir
(If Equipped)
I. Air Cleaner
J. Battery
6-10

3100 (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transaxle
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir Fluid Dipstick G.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Battery
6-11

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If your Pontiac is equipped
with the
3100 engine, there is
a CHECK
OIL light in your .
instrument panel cluster.
If the
CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground.
2.4L Engine
6-12

1 Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
3100 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick on
the
2.4L engine is located at the rear of the engine. The
dipstick on the
3100 engine is located on the front of the
engine, behind the fan.
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
6-13