coolant level PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 Owners Manual

Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on and
stays on, the vehicle should
be promptly pulled off the
road and the coolant level
checked. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
If there are visible signs of steam see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index before opening the hood.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
Your Pontiac is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
CHECK
ENGINE
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada, OBD
I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The CHECK
ENGINE light
comes on
to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle.
This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
2-64

Mode Knob
The right control knob changes the functions of your
system.
MAX: Use for maximum cooling. This setting
recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle. It
maximizes your air conditioner’s performance and your
vehicle’s fuel economy.
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside air and directs it through the instrument
panel outlets.
9 BI-LEVEL: Use on cool, but sunny days. This
setting brings in the outside air, but directs it in two
ways. Cooler air is directed to the upper portion
of your
body through the instrument panel outlets, but slightly
warmer air is directed through the heater ducts and
defroster vents. At times, this temperature difference
may be more apparent than others.
2 VENT Use when outside temperatures are mild,
and little heating or cooling is needed. Airflow is
through the instrument panel outlets. Set the center
control knob to the temperature desired.
‘!A HEATER: This setting brings heated air through
the heater ducts, and some through the windshield
defroster vents.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and use it during cold weather,
0°F
(- 18 O C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide heat because the engine coolant is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
9 BLEND: This setting divides airflow equally
between the heater ducts and the windshield defroster
vents.
DEFROST This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents located on top of the
instrument panel.
3-4

Air Conditioning Heating
Turning
the right control knob to HEATER and the
center control knob clockwise sends some heated air
through the heater ducts toward your feet, and some
through the defroster vents.
On very
hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for
your vehicle to cool down, which should help fuel
economy.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use MAX with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area.
If the
setting is used for long periods of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use
NC with the
temperature knob in the blue area. The system will bring
in outside air and cool it.
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough. You
can use
BI-LEVEL with the temperature knob in the
middle. The system will bring in outside air and direct
it
to your upper body, while sending slightly warmed air to
your lower body. You may notice this temperature
difference more at some times than at others. VENT
and HEATER are economical positions because
the air conditioner compressor doesn’t run in these
two settings. This reduces engine load, resulting in
improved fuel economy.
If either setting fails to keep
you comfortable, or causes your windows to fog up, turn
the right control knob to one of the air conditioning
positions, or to DEFROST.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater
(engine block heater) and use
it during cold weather,
0 “F (- 18 O C) or lower, your heating system will more
quickly provide heat because the engine coolant is
already warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in
the Index.
3-5

/II CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
FULL COLD.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
5-17

/11 CAUTION:
I
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don% run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could
be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
.
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above
FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL@
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is
cool before you do it. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information.)
A CAUTION:
Steam and scalding lipuids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and
if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap
-- even a little -- they
can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure
cap to cool if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
5-18

3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mix,
up to FULL
COLD, or just above the small cvlinder
at the base of the opening.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mix to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches FULL
COLD, or just above
the small cylinder at the base of the opening.
5-21

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Pontiac. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-8
6- 12
6-18
6- 19
6-2 1
6-23
6-24
6-28
6-28
6-28
6-29
6-30
6-34 Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Manual Transaxle Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Engine Coolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery Bulb
Replacement
Halogen Bulbs
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac
Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac
Aluminum Wheels
(If Equipped)
Cleaning Tires
Sheet Metal Damage
Finish Damage
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Dimensions
6-35
6-35
6-49
6-50
6-54 6-55
6-55
6-55
6-56
6-57
6-5
8
6-5 8
6-63
6-64
6-65
6-65
6-65
6-1

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper fluid. See
“Owner Checks and
Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
., , I . ...
How to Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
J engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 krn) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOLd extended life coolant.
The following explains
your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (1 29 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-24

A CAUTION:
nrning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot,
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark, or a little higher.
If the low coolant light
comes on, it means you’re
low on engine coolant.
~ ~~~
See “Low Coolant Warning Light” in the Index. Adding Coolant
If you need
more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL’
coolant mixture
at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is
cool.
A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
1
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
6-27

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they
are the proper ones, as shown
in
Part D.
At Each Fue- - --II
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
per$orm these underhood checks at each fie1
fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary, See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mix if necessary. See “Engine Coolant’’ in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
7-41