phone PONTIAC GRAND AM 1998 Owners Manual

Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other.
AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines.
Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it. \
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about
10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or
hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late.
Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
0 Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio
-- be sure you can
add what you want, If you can, it’s very
important
to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, Delco Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere
with the
operation
of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal
rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it
has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more
is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road.
If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles,
and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice
is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See
“Tires” in the Index.)
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II
II
To open the fuel door, pull the fuel access handle on the
floor by the driver’s seat.
The cap is behind a hinged door on the passenger’s side
of your vehicle.
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 remove 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.
6-6

Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and how to report any safety defects.
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8-3
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8-5
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8-7
8-8
8-9
Pontiac Cares
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Pontiac Roadside Assistance
Program
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation
GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution
Program
8- 10 Warranty Information
8-10 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
8- 11 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government
8-11 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8- 11 Ordering Service and Owner Publications
in Canada
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*'

Pontiac Cares
-/
PONTIAC
V
With PONTIAC CARES, you are never more than
a phone call away from having your concern taken
care of. The
PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are
designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes
you as a valuable customer, appreciates your purchase
decision,
and is dedicated to taking care of the most
important person ... YOU! PONTIAC CARES is: A
valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac, a feature
that offers
a multitude of benefits that can give you
safety, security, comfort and convenience.
8-2

For prompt assistance, please have the following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
Your name, address, home and business
telephone numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
ftom the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at
the top left
of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
0 Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
0 Nature of concern
We encourage
you to call us so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However, if you wish to write Pontiac,
address
your inquiry to:
Pontiac
Customer Assistance Center
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, MI 48340-2952
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa,
Ontario L1H 8P7
Refer to your Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information
booklet for addresses of GM Overseas offices.
When contacting Pontiac, please remember that your
concern
will likely be resolved in the dealemhip, using the
dealer's facilities, equipment and personnel. That is why we
suggest you follow
Step One ht if you have a concern.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones
(TTYs),
Pontiac has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TI'Y user can communicate with
Pontiac
by dialing: 1-800-833-PONT. (TTY users in
Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)

Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1 -800-ROADSILE (1-800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled
in the Pontiac Roadside Assistance program. This value-added service
is
intended to provide
you with peace of mind as you
drive in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is staffed
by a team of technically trained advisors, who
are available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out
of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
Keys locked
in vehicle
Tow to nearest dealership
for warranty service
Change a flat tire
Jump starts
Courtesy Transportation
-- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details
8-6

We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending on your needs:
Hotels
Glass replacement
0 Tire repair facilities
Rental vehicle or taxis
Airports or train stations
0 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
Telephone number of your location
0 Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
0 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
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-ROADSIDI
or 1-800-762-3743.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided
by the dealer or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.
8-7

GM Participation in an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Program
This program is available in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. Canadian owners refer to your Warranty
and Owner Assistance Information booklet for information on
the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration
Plan (CAMVAP). General Motors reserves the right to
change eligibility limitations and/or to discontinue its
participation
in this program.
Both Pontiac and your Pontiac dealer are committed
to
making sure you are completely satisfied with your new
vehicle. Our experience has shown that, if a situation
arises where you feel your concern has not been
adequately addressed, the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure described earlier in this section is
very successful.
There may be instances where an impartial third party
can assist
in arriving at a solution to a disagreement
regarding vehicle repairs or interpretation of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. To assist
in resolving these
disagreements, Pontiac voluntarily participates in
BBB
AUTO LINE.
BBB AUTO LINE is an out-of-court program
administered by the Better Business Bureau system to
settle automotive disputes.
This program is available
free of charge to customers who currently own or lease
a
GM vehicle.
If
you are not satisfied after following the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure, you may contact the
BBB using
the toll-free telephone number, or write them at the
following address:
BBB AUTO LINE Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite
800
Arlington, VA 22203- 1804
Telephone: 1-800-955-5 100
To file a claim, you will be asked to provide your name
and address, your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
and a statement
of the nature of your complaint.
Eligibility is limited by vehicle age and mileage, and
other factors.
8-9
-.

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
Box 8880
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3J2
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO GENERAL MOTORS
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like
this, we certainly hope you’ll notify
us. Please call
us at 1-800-PM-CARES or write:
Pontiac
Customer Assistance Center
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, MI 48340-2952 In Canada, please call
us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005 1908 Colonel
Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H
8W
Ordering Service and Owner
Publications in Canada
Service manuals, owner’s manuals and other service
literature are available for purchase for all current and
past model General Motors vehicles.
The toll-free telephone number for ordering information
in Canada is 1-800-668-5539.
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