cooling PONTIAC GRAND AM 2002 Owners Manual

2-15
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on Vent. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Remote Trunk Release
Press the remote trunk release button, located on the
driver's door, to release the trunk lid.
Make sure the remote trunk release lockout feature
is not activated. Also, the remote trunk release will
only work when either the ignition is off, the parking
brake is engaged or the vehicle speed is less than
2 mph (3 km/h).

3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the ventilation
and heating in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has
the flow
-through ventilation system described later
in this section.
Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
Fan Knob
The left knob regulates the fan speed. To select the force
of air you want, turn the knob. The fan is always
running unless the fan knob is moved to OFF.Temperature Knob
The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.
Mode Knob
The right knob changes the functions of your system.
MAX (Maximum): Use this mode 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. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this position when it is needed to
help dry the air in the vehicle.
(Vent): In this mode most of the airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor vents. Set the center knob to
the desired temperature for comfort.
(Bi-Level): In this position the airflow
comes through the instrument panel outlets and
through the floor outlets. Set the center knob to the
desired temperature.

3-3
(Floor): In this mode most of the airflow comes
through the floor outlets. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window vents. Set the
center knob to the desired temperature for comfort.
(Defog): This mode divides the airflow between
the floor outlets and the windshield defroster vent. The
air conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this mode when it is needed to help dry the air in
the vehicle.
(Front Defroster): This mode directs most of the
airflow through the windshield defroster vent. Some of
the air goes to the floor outlets. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this mode when it
is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle.
Mode Button
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press A/C to operate the
air conditioning. The indicator light above the button
will glow when the button is pressed to indicate that the
air conditioning system has been turned on. The fan
knob must be set to a speed for the air conditioning
to operate.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
For normal cooling on hot days, use the vent mode with
the temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C
indicator light glowing. The system will bring in outside
air and cool it.
On very hot days, begin by opening 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.
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 mode with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C indicator light glowing. The
system will bring in outside air and direct slightly
warmer air to your lower body.

3-5 Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The button is located
near the center of the
instrument panel.
Press the defogger button. The indicator light above the
button will glow. The rear window defogger will turn
itself off after about 10 minutes after the first time the
button is pressed, and after five minutes each additional
time the button is pressed. You can turn the defogger off
by pressing the button again or turning off the ignition.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or anything else sharp on
the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use the vent mode to direct outside
air through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system which supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
is running. Recirculation of the air is automatic in
MAX A/C.

4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels
and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle.
These parts can work hard on mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.

4-43 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

start your engine,

shift into a gear, and

release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's
a good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

5-
5-1
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
-8 Engine Overheating5
-11 Cooling System
5
-18 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-18 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-28 Compact Spare Tire
5
-29 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-11
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling 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 vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.

5-12
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it isn't, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't 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.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If
they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.

5-13
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL
(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL
is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
NOTICE:
This vehicle has a specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
If you haven't found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn't at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water 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 ªEngine
Coolantº in the Index for more information.