warning PONTIAC GRAND AM 1998 Owners Manual

How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do
this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In
this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list
of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box
and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
1 A CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people. -1
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then
we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
or
others could be hurt.
You will also find
a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this”
or “Don’t
let this happen.”
iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would
not
be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to
do to help avoid
the
damage.
When you read other muals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in
different words.
You’ll
also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words,
CAUTION or NOTICE.
iv

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTlC
ACID COULD x
BAllERY
CAUSE
.~ .. ~
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your vehicle is
driven:
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6
TURN
PARKING
PC
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you
may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
n
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
V

v
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking.
Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everythmg is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-7
2-11
2- 12
2- 13
2- 14
2- 14
2-
16
2- 19
2-2 1
2-25
2-27
2-28
2-30
Keys
Door
Locks
Keyless Entry System
TrUnk
Theft
Passlock@
New Vehicle “Break-In’’
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
Shifting Out of PARK(P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models
Only)
2-30
2-3
1
2-3 1
2-32
2-33
2-34 2-34
2-42
2-44
2-47 2-48
2-50
2-5 1
2-52
2-56
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Only)
Parking Over Things That
Burn
Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof
(If Equipped)
The Instrument Panel --Your
Information System
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
2-1

LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in
LOCK. It’s also the only
position in which you can remove the key. This locks
your steering wheel, ignition and transaxle (on automatic models).
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories.
Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never
try to push-start your
vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver’s door when the ignition is
off and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN @): This position is where the key returns after
you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays
in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision.
If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
2-15

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down
with your right foot. Pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button in as you move the brake lever all the way down.
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-27

’hrn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn
or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the direction of the turn
or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold
it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
A warning chime signal will come on if you have left
your turn signal on for more than 3/4 mile
(1 km).
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal. If
a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t
go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses
and Circuit
Breakers’’ in the Index).
If the arrows still do not flash,
have your Pontiac Dealer service department check
the
bulb in the instrument panel.
Headlamp Highhow Beam
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high
or
high to low, pull the turn
signal lever all the way
toward
you.
Then release it. When the high beams are on, a light on
the instrument panel also will be on.
The headlamp higMow beam indicator may flash if the
Daytime Running Lamps
(Dm) system is experiencing
a problem or
if a headlamp is malfunctioning.
2-35

Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
Rotate the turn signal lever middle ring up one position
to
turn on:
0 Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights Rotate the
turn signal lever middle ring up two positions
to
turn on:
Headlamps
0 Parking Lamps
0 Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
0 License Plate Lamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the switch to OFF to turn all of the lamps off.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door and turn off the
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.
2-42

Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how \
your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, how much
fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive \
safely and economically.
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Fuse Panel
B. Vent
C. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Horn
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch F. Instrument Cluster
G. Windshield WipersNasher Stalk
H. Audio System
I. Side Window Defogger Vent
J. Glove Box
K. Climate Control System L. Gear Shift Lever
M. CupholdedAshtray (If Equipped)
N. Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Switch
0. Accessory Power
Outlenighter (If Equipped)
(If Equipped)
P. Ignition Switch
Q. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (If Equipped)
R. Fog Lamp Switch
S. Hood
Release Handle
T. Instrument Panel Intensity ControlDnterior
Lamps Switch
2-53

Tachometer
si The tachometer shows your
1 engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
NOTICE:
Do not run your engine at speeds in the red area,
or engine damage may occur. I
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them. Warning
lights
and gages can signal that something is
wrong before
it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights
and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come
on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you
know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not
be alarmed
when
this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is
a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving,
or when one of the gages shows
there may
be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting
to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
2-56