tow PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 Repair Manual

We will provide the following services for
3 year/36,000 miles
(60 000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
0 Keys locked in vehicle
0 Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a flat tire
0 Jump starts
0 Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details
We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending on your needs:
0 Hotels
Glass replacement
Rental vehicle or taxis
Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However, when other services
are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur. For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following information
to give the advisor:
Location of vehicle
0 Telephone number of your location
0 Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
0 Vehicle license plate number
Pontiac reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac’s
judgement the claims become excessive in frequency or
type of occurrence.
While we hope that you never have the occasion to use our service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call
away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance
-- 1-800-ROADSIE
or
1-800-762-3743.

v Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-52
Adapter Kit. CD
........................... 3-13. 3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat
.............................. 1-2. 1-48
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-25
Howitworks
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2-59
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ................................ 3 -3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-65
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-55
Antenna, Fixed
................................. 3-26
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-24
Anti-Lock
........................................
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2-61. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-21
Appearancecare
............................... 6-49
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-57
Arbitration Program
........... ............ 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-51
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2.17.2.18.3.24. 6.58
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Auto-Down Window
....... ................. 2-34
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-5
Automatic Transaxle
Check
................................ . . 7-42 ~
Fluid ................................... 6-19
Operation
................... ............ 2-21
Overdrive
................................... 2-23
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-44
Shifting
..................................... 2-21
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Backing Up When Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-39
Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement
................. 6-39
Battery
....................................... 6-34
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-60
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-9
Saver
...................................... 2-47
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-23
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard ...................................... 4-28
9-1

Vinyl ....................................... 6-52
Wheels
...................................... 6-55
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-53
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-8
Clutch Fluid, Hydraulic
.......................... 6-23
Clutch, Hydraulic
............................... 6-23
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-2
Compact Disc Adapter Kit
................... 3-13, 3-16
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-26
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3 - 17
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-33
Control of a Vehicle
.............................. 4-6
Convenience Net
............................... 2-5 1
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... 2-48
Coolant
....................................... 6-24
Adding
................................ 5-18, 6-27
Checking
................................... 6-26
SurgeTank
.................................. 5-16
Climate Control System
with Air Conditioning
......... 3-3
Heater, Engine
........... ............... 2-19
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
....................... 6-28
Cooling System
................................ 5-16
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-8
Cruise Control
................................. 2-39
Cupholder
..................................... 2- 50
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-5
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.................... 8-3
Damage, Finish
............................... 6-56
Damage, Sheet Metal
............................ 6-55
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-44 Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
........................ 8-10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-6
Defrosting
..................................... 3-6
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-65
Dolby@ B Noise Reduction
.................. 3- 12. 3- 16
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-40
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-4
Driver Position
................................. 1-13
Driving Backing Up When Towing
a Trailer .............. 4-39
City
........................................ 4-21
Defogging ..................................... 3-6
Defensive
.................................... 4-2 .
Drunken ..................................... 4-3
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
......... 4-39
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries
............... ........ 6-4
IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
Making Turns When Towing a Trailer
............. 4-40
Night
...................................... 4-16
OnCurves
.................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
On Snow and Ice
............................. 4-27
Passing When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-39
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-17
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-39
Drunken Driving
............................ 4-3
9-3

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17. 2. 18. 3.24. 6-58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-63
Exhaust
................. 2-10.2-32,2-33.4-29. 4-38
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-62
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Overheating
................................. 5 - 14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-64
StartingYour
................................ 2-16
Engine Exhaust
............ 2-10.2-32,2-33,4-29,4-38 Engine Oil .................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6- 17
Used
....................................... 6-17
What To Use
................................. 6-15
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
......... 2-63. 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
...... 2-62. 4-10
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
ETS Active Light
........................... 2-63, 4-9
ETS Warning Light
........................ 2-62. 4- 10
Exhaust, Engine
............ 2-10.2-32.2-33.4-29. 4-38
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-43
Checking
................................... 6-13
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-25
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-54
Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-24
First Gear, Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire, Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-47
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
........... 4-39
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear, Manual Transaxle
.................... 2-25
French Language Manual
........................... 11 *.
Front Map Lamps ............................... 2-47
Front Towing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
........................................ 6-3
Gage
....................................... 2-69
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-59
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Filling Your Tank
.... ...................... 6-5
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-63
Fuel
....................................... 2-69
Tachometer
.................................. 2-58
GarmentHook
................................. 2-53
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-21
Gear Positions, Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
9-4

Labels Certification
................................. 4-33
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-58
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-33
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58
Lamps
........................................ 2-43
Exterior
.................................... 2-43
Fog
........................................ 2-45
Interior
..................................... 2-45
On Reminder
................................ 2-43
Latches. Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-30
Lights Lighter
....................................... 2-51
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-22, 2-59
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-61, 4-7
Brake System Warning
.................... 2-60, 6-31
Charging System Indicator ...................... 2-60
CheckEngine
................................ 2-65
Check Oil
.............................. 2-68, 6-12
Enhanced Traction System Active
............ 2-63, 4-9
ETS Active
.............................. 2-63, 4-9
ETS Warning
........................... 2-62, 4-10
Interior
..................................... 2-45
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2-64, 6-27
Oil Pressure Warning
.......................... 2-67
PasslockWarning
............................. 2-69
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-8, 2-59
Upshift
.................................... 2-69
Litter Bag Hook
................................ 2-52
Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-33
Enhanced
Traction System Warning Light
.... 2-62, 4-10 Locks
Automatic Door
....................... 2-5
Cylinders
................................... 7-42
Door
........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-42
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-6
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-44
Trunk
...................................... 2-10
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2-64, 6-27
Lubricants and Fluids
.......... .............. 7-47
Lubrication Service. Body
... .............. 7-42
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-49
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Introduction
.................................. 7-2
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-41
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-45
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-47
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance, Underbody
......................... 6-56
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-41
Making
Turns When Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-65
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
........................ 1-3
Manual Remote Control Mirror
. . ... . . 2-49
9-6

Radio Reception .............................. 3-23
Radios
........................................ 3-8
Rain, Driving In
................................ 4- 18
Reading Lamps
........................... 2-46, 2-47
Rear
Door Security Locks
........................... 2-6
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-27
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-3 1
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-27
Window Defogger
............................. 3-6
Rear Seat Cupholder ............................ 2-5 1
RearTowing
................................... 5-12
Rearview Mirror
Inside
...................... .......... 2-48
Outside, Manual
.............................. 2-49
Outside, Power
............................... 2-49
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing
...................... 4-30
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning
.................... 6-65
Remote Cassette Tape Player
.......................... 3- 19
Fuel Door Release
............................. 6-6
Trunk Release ................................ 2-1 1
Bulbs ...................................... 6-63
Parts ....................................... 6-65
Wheel
...................................... 6-47
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-48
Reporting Safety Defects
......................... 8-10
Restraints
Replacement
Checking
................................... 1-48
Child
....................................... 1-36
Head
........................................ 1-5
Replacing Parts After a Crash ................... 1-48 Systemcheck
................................ 7-42
Reverse. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-22
Reverse. Manual Transaxle
....................... 2-26
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1-21
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-6
Roadside Assistance. Canadian
..................... 8-8
Rocking Your Vehicle ........................... 5-34
Rotation. Tires
................................ 6-43
safety Belt Extender
.......................... 1-48
Safety Belts
.................................... 1-7
Care
....................................... 6-53
Children
.................................... 1-35
Driver Position
............................... 1-13
Extender
.................................... 1-48
How to Wear Properly
......................... 1-13
Incorrect Usage .................... 1 - 16, 1-46, 1-47
LapBelt
.................................... 1-34
Lap-Shoulder
............ .......... 1-13, 1-27
Larger Children
.............................. 1-45
Passenger Position
............................ 1-21
Questions and Answers
........................ 1-12
Rear Comfort Guides
.......................... 1-31
Rear Seat Passengers
.......................... 1-27
Reminder Light
.......................... 1-8, 2-59
Replacing After a Crash
........................ 1-48
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-21
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
................... 1-15
Smaller Children and Babies
.................... 1-35
Use
During Pregnancy ......................... 1-20
Adults ...................................... 1-13
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................. 1-33 .
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions ............ 1-27
WhyTheyWork
............................... 1-9
9-8

Sunroof ................................... 2-53
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-21
Surge Tank
Coolant
..................................... 5- 16
How to Add Coolant
.......................... 5- 18
Pressure Cap
................................. 6-28
Synchronization
.......... ........ ... 2-10
Symbols. Vehicle
....... .................... v
Tachometer
.................................. 2-58
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-39
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-25
Theft
......................................... 2-12
Theft-Deterrent Feature, CD Player
................ 3 -2 1
THEFTLOCK
TM ................................ 3-21
Thermostat
.................................... 6-28
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Third Gear, Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-25
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-35
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-8
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-49
TireLoading
................................... 4-33
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-33
Tires
......................................... 6-41
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-47
Chains
..................................... 6-49
BuyingNew
................................. 6-45
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Compact Spare
............................... 5-33
Inflation
.................................... 6-42
Inflation Check
............................... 7-41
Inspection
and Rotation ........................ 6-43 Loading
.............................. 4-33
Pressure
..................................... 6-42
Temperature
................................. 6-47
Traction
.................................... 6-46
Treadwear
................................... 6-46
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-46
Used Replacement Wheel
...................... 6-47
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-44
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-47
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-44
TopStrap
..................................... 1-38
TorqueLock
................................... 2-30
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-29, 6-64
Towing From the Front
.......................... 4-30, 4-31
From the Rear
............................... 4-32
Recreational Vehicle
.......................... 4-30
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-35
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
............... 4-30
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
................ 4-32
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-38
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-40
Hitches
..................................... 4-38
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-41
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-41
Safety Chains
................................ 4-38
Tongueweight
............................... 4-37
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-38
Towing
..................................... 4-35
Turnsignals
................................. 4-40
Weight ..................................... 4-36
Drivingwith
................................. 4-39
9-10

Transaxle Automatic
.................. 2.16.2.21.6.19. 7.42
Manual
...................... 2.16.2.25.6.21. 7.42
Transmitters. Keyless Entry
........................ 2-7
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-8
Trir, Odometer ................... .......... 2-57
Trink Lamr,
........................ .......... 2-47 I
Lock ....................................... 2-10
Security Override ............................. 2- 1 1
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals ............... 2-36
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-35
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-40
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-5
Underbody
Flushing Service ................. 7-44
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-56
Up Shift Light
.......................... 2-27, 2-69
variable Effort Steering
... ............... 4-11
Vehicle Control
.................................... 4-6
Identification Number
......................... 6-58
Storage
...................... .......... 6-34
Ventilation System
............................... 3-7
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-52
Damagewarnings
.............................. iv
Dimensions
................................. 6-65
Loading
.................................... 4-33
Visors, Sun
.................................... 2-52 warning
Devices
............................. 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-58
Warranty Information
.......................... 8-10
Washer Fluid. Windshield ...................... 6-29
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-54
Weatherstrips
....... ............ ........... 6-53
Alignment
................................ 6-47
Nut Torque ............................. 5-29, 6-64
Replacement
................................. 6-47
Used Replacement
............................ 6-47
Wrench
..................................... 5-25
Windows
..................................... 2-34
Auto-Down
.................... ...... 2-34
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-38
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-41
Windshield Wiper
.............................. 2-37
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-41
Winter Driving
................................. 4-26
Wiring, Headlamp
.............................. 6-59
Wrench, Wheel
........ ................ 5-25
Wheel
Lock
Out Switch ............................. 2-34 .
Power ....................................... 2-34
Fluid
.................................. 2-38, 6-29
Bladecheck
................................. 7-42
Fuses
...................................... 6-59
Wrecker Towing
........... ............... 5-8
9-11