PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing he tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained
hgh temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate- and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade 'C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle. Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
€3 and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: ne temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately 'or in Combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully
at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may-need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel *at is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts .and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which
can sometimes be repaired). See your
Pontiac dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
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Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels,. wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Pontiac model.
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and ,handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you
lose control. You could
have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use
the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
See "Changing a Flat Tire" in the Index\for
more information.
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used
or how many miles it's been driven.~It could fail
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r Eire Chai-n,
-
NOTICE:
If your Pontiac has P215/60R16 or P225/60R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle.
If you have other tires, me tire chains only where
legal and only when
yon must. Use only SAE
Class 44S’9 typd. chains that are the proper size for
your tires.
Instau them on the front tires and
tighten them
as tightly as possible with the en&
securely fastened. Drive
slowly and fonow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them,
If the contact contimes,
slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic, Others can burst into flame
if you strike a
match or get
them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if
you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything
from a container to clean your
Pontiac, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your
doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
9 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
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Don't use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.

Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
..
1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any
loose dirt.
Reducing Agents 2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
3. Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following
4. Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
5. Don't saturate the material.
Use a vacuum cleaner often
to get
.rid of dust and loose the directions on the container label.
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has
two GM cleaners, a
solvent-type spot lifter and
a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
6. Don't rub it roughly. I , ,, ' . - ,;,: ~ .-.,<~, . ., ', 1 . ',-'.: ;,I>< ' y. +?;= :=
well. Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
to remove the suds.
Always read the'instructions on the cleaner label.' 8. Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
~ - ; :i e,, '9 I ;i' I . -~ - . . -7 ..
7. As soon as you've cleaned the section, use a sponge ,< . .. .h
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set. 9. Wipe off what's left with a slightly damp paper
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often.
A soft brush may be used if stains 10. Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
are stubborn. towel
or cloth.
11. Wipe with
a clean cloth.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only. If you use them, don't saturate the stained area. ." , 7 I. ... : * -4..y> .
, ,.it. i , ' I: :.I ..' k.,
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Using Solvent-Qpe Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some.spots
and stains will clean off better with just
water
and miId soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from.the trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use very little 'cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of
the stain, "feathering" toward the center. Keep
changing,to
a ,. clean section of the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
SpeciaI Cleaning Problem
Greasy ar Oily Stab
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum,-cosmetic
I
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt can
be removed
as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.'
2., Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
3. Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if
left on a vehicle's seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner
will dissolve them and may cause ,them to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit
juice,
milk, soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
2. If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
described earlier.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat
the area with a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
soiled
area with cool water. of lukewarm wate~:~,.'-~~"':~-r-'~!,: - .C \ . ...' E% 7:- 3-b: .-,3-. , . .' *'
4. Lf needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination. Stains
Stains caused by candy,'ice,cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
cool water and allow to dry.
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Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more ,than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you
don't get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a GM
Vinylhather Cleaner or an equivalent product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
0
0
0
For stubborn stains, use a GM VinylLeather Cleaner
or an equivalent product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately.
If
dirt is allowed to work 'into the finish, it can harm
the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap'and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
A CAUTION.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it ',
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
I
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don't use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped
off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
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Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or
if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@
(GM Part
No. 105001 1). The windshield is clean if beads do not
form when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked in full-strength windshield washer solvent.
Then rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
% Clean the outside of the windshield with GM
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a
clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application
may be required. (See "Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants" in
the Index.) I
Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss rqtention +&q?y-'"". : and durability.
$;,p;%*
washing oh ~iicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle's finish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don't
wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don't
use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish
or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don't use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or
that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry
on
the surface, or they could stain; Dry the finish with a
soft, clean
chamois or a 1~0~% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
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Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac by
hand
may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your Pontiac has a f‘basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding,or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl ‘marks.
.

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage
your vehicle’s finish if they remain on
painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Keep *your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels
is similar to the painted
surface
of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
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Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush witha tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of -the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage
the
paint finish.
-
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or,
replaced to restore
corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stme chips, fractures or deep scratches in the fiih
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develbp into a major repair expense.
Minor chips
and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service:
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint
shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody.
If these are
not removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor
pan and exhaust system
even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect.
Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer
or an underbody car washing system 'can do
this for you.
' i . .. . i .# q> ' .c
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on
your vehicle. This damage
can take
two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although
no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair,
at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 0010 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
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Appearance Care Materials Chart
~~
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
1050004
Exterior cleaner and polish
Manic Mirror Cleaner Polish
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050201 Removes soil and black marks White Sidewall Tire Cleaner
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050174 Removes
rust and corrosion Chrome Cleaner
and Polish
16 oz. (0.473 L) IO50 173 Also removes old waxes and polishes
Tar and Road Oil Remover
16 oz. (0.473 L) 1050 172 Shines vehicle without scratching Chamois
2.75
sq. ft.
1050214 23
oz. (0.680 L) 1050427 Spot and stain removal
Vinyl and Leather Cleaner 32
oz. (0.946 L)
Cleans grease, grime and smoke film Glass Cleaner
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