brakes PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owner's Manual

Turn Signals When Towing a Wailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Pontiac dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will, flash for turns even if the bulbs
on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not.
It’s important to check occasionally
to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you
know if
one
of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged
in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be
sure
they’re all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lhmps,
the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that
they wouJd get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.
If you have overdrive, you may want to drive in
THIRD (3), instead of DRIVE (D).
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Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on
a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could
start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under
the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake,
and then shift to PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
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 oken 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, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
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 these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight. ’
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Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank
only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank
if it is completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
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There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid level
goes back
up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes
won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add ‘fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary,
only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
’ A CAUT-ON:
I
- I
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned, and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System
Warning
Light” in the Index.
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What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-?
brake fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing
it.
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in youp brake
system, your brakes may not work
well, or they
may not even
work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example,
just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t
let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
0 If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
dgmaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See LLAppearance Care” in
the Index.
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Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn
and new pads
are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal
fldy).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later
your brakes won't work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have
your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could
result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal navel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new.
When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put
in -- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change -- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come,to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake narts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for
a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s @bel, : . :. .. .K . - ’ I- I c ’. :“I z: , ’ . .-
,. . - .. , .. .. .1 4
. . ..
.J:. - *-
.. - _1 . t .
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
I I
I A CAUTION:
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.
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.
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Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is
in PARK (P).
.. .II . The key should come’out only in LOCK. - _.,.‘I. .. .= q-.- yy;’:. ~, ; , ’
’: .i -.-a: r. &+parking .- . Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check - I
~. A CAUTION:
- ...LS* ’-?, .9-- 1% ZJ,$ -- I_ -: When you are doing this check, your vehicle
c , .: * injured and property could be damaged. Make
! r ,: . .-“I - could begin to move. You or others could be
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this until
the vehicle
is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running shift to
PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain,water to flush any
corrosive materials.from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other
debris
can collect.
. .,, . .
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and’services which should be
performed at least twice
a year (for instance, each spring
and fall), You should let your
GM dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these
jobs.
Make’ sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may b’e
found in a Pontiac Service Manual. See “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
Steering? Suspension aprd Rront-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect
the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, .holes, loose connections
or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in
the floor.pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust’’ in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions
.‘ +
result in frequent braking.
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. Section 9 Index
Access Panel. ~mnk .... ...................... 2-39
Accessory Outlet
............................... 2-42
AirBag
....................................... 1-23
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-27
How it Works
................................ -1-25
Location
............................... 1.25. 1-26
Readiness Light
.......................... 1.25. 2.47
Servicing
................................... 1-29
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-27
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-28
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-27
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-16
Airconditioning
................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-75
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-54
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
...................... 6-61
Antenna. Power
........... .. ....... 3-24
Antifreeze
................ ......... 6-20
Anti-Lock
Brake System Active Light
. . ........ 2-50, 4-8
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Anti-Theft, Radio
.............................. 3- 19
Brake System Warning Light
.............. '2-49, 4-7
Appear~~~~Care ............................... 6-56 Appearance
Care Materials
....................... 6-63
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-8
Armrest. Storage ............................... 2-38
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-40
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-21
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-22
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-5
Auto-Down Window ............................ 2-25
Automatic
Door Locks ............................. 2-4
Automatic Transaxle Check
........... .................... 7-37
Fluid
........................... ........ 6-17
Operation
.... i .............................. 2-14
Park Mechanism Check
......................... 7-39
Battery ...................................... 6-30
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Replacement. Remote Lock Control
............... 2-6
Saver
...................................... 2.36
Warnings
................................ 5.2. 5.4
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-8
9-1
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