jump start PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 Owners Manual

Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5-2 Other Warning Devices
5-3 Jump Starting
5- 8 Towing Your Vehicle
5- 14 Engine Overheating
5-22
5-23
5-33
5-34
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
5-1

Jump Starting
If your battery has rc~n down, you may want to use another
vehicle
and some jumper cables to start your Pontiac. But
please follow the steps below to
do it safely.
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps cold result in costly damage
to your vehicle
that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your Pontiac by pushing or
pulling it could damage your vehicle, even
if you
have
a manual transaxle. And if you have an
automatic transaxle, it won’t
start that way.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with
a negative ground system.
I NOTICE: I
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-3

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems. You could be injured
if the vehicles roll. Set the parking brake firmly on
each vehicle. Put
an automatic transaxle in
PARK
(P) or a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL (N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles, Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition,
it could save your radio!
I NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
A CAUTION:
I -i
An electric fan 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.
‘4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on each battery.
5-4

I A CAUTION:
I
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
-1
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
Jump Starting
For jump starting instructions, see “Jump Starting” in
the Index.
Bulb Replacement
This section describes bulb changing procedures for
some of your interior
and exterior lamps, For bulb sizes,
see “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index. For any bulbs not
listed in this section, contact your Pontiac dealer
service department.
Halogen Bulbs
LA CAUTION:
4
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or
others could be injured.
Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
6-35

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

GloveBox .................................... 2-50
Graphic Equalizer
.............................. 3- 13
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-33
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-33
Guide en Frangais
11
GVWR ..................................... 4-33
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs .............................. 6-35
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps
.................................... 2-43
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-36
Highbow Beam Changer
...................... 2-36
OnReminder
................................ 2-43
Wiring
..................................... 6-59
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-5
Heating
........................................ 3-5
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
Highway Hypnosis
........ .......... ... 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
....................... 4-24
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-38
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Prop
........................................ 6-9
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn ......................................... 2-34
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-23
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-23
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
................... 7-42
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-20 Ignition
Switch
................................ 2-14
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-42
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-48
Inspections
........................................
Brake System ................................ 7-46
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-45
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-45
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-45
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-45
Steering
.................................... 7-45
Suspension
.................................. 7-45
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-45 .
Windshield Wiper Blade ............ ....... 7-42
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-54
Brightness Control
............................ 2-45
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Cluster
..................................... 2-56
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-60
Interior Lamps
................... ......... 2-45
Illuminated
Entry
............................... 2-46
Caliperfiuckle Maintenance
................... 7-46
Jack. Tire
..........
Jump Starting ......
......... 5-24
.......... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-42
Key Release Button
.................. ....... 2-16
Keyless Entry System
............. .......... 2-7
Keys
............. ...... ...... 2-2