light PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

1
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
CAUSTIC
ACIEEZ CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
c
These symbols
have to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e 9
TURN
PARKING
PC
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
'VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING 1-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
P
LIGHTER m
HORN )cr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL e3
V
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Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the
Index.)
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t
know if it will be a bad one.
A
few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people
who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have
been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts
are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter .. , a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Tike the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.
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4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on
the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If
the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end
of this section.
Make sure the release button
on the buckle is
positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let
it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across
you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across
you
more slowly.
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SRS AIR BAG
There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument
panel, which shows
SRS AIR BAG or the
air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag’s electrica
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there
I system for
is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across
you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly
to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When
the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will
lock.
If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.
If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end
of this section. Make sure the
release button
on the buckle is positioned so you would
be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever
had to.
3. To make the lap part tight, pull down OR the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer
will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender
will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle
that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the’seat it
is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
~ . Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all yaur belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see
anything that might keep
a safety belt system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. -(The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched,
as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cwt,or damaged, replace them. Collision’
damage
also may mean you. will need to have safety belt
or seat
parts repaired ar replaced. New pats and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time
of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts.
See the part on the air blag system earlier in
this section.
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Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Pontiac has
a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Pontiac and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove
your key
from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle., And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in
a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? what if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
0 Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
or
glove box.
PASS-Key@ I1
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS-Key
I1
(Personalized Automotive
Security System)
theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
I1 is a passive
tbeft-deterrent system.
It works when you insert
or remove the key from
the ignition.
I I I ”
PASS-Key 11 uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
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When the PASS-Key I1 system senses that someone is
using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter
and fuel systems. For about three minutes, the starter
won’t work and fuel won’t
go to the engine. If someone
tries to start your vehicle again or uses another key
during this time, the vehicle will not start. This
discourages someone from randomly trying different
keys with different resistor pellets in an attempt to make
a match.
The ignition key must be clean and dry before it’s
inserted in the ignition or the engine may not start.
If the
engine does not start and the SECURITY light is on,
the
key may be dirty or wet. Turn the ignition off.
Clean and dry the, key. Wait about three minutes and try
again. The SECURITY light may remain on during this
time.
If the starter still won’t work, and the key appears
to be clean and dry, wait about
three minutes and try
another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the
Index).
If the starter won’t work with the other key, your
vehicle needs ‘service. If your vehicle does start, the first
ignition key may
be faulty. See your Pontiac dealer or a
locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key 11.
If you accidentally use a key that has a damaged or
missing resistor pellet, the starter won’t work and the
SECURITY light will flash. But you don’t have to wait
three minutes before trying another ignition key.
See your Pontiac dealer
or a locksmith who can service
the PASS-Key
11 to have a new key made.
If you’re ever driving and
the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart your engine
if you turn
it off. Your PASS-Key 11 system, however, is not
working properly and must
be serviced by your
Pontiac dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
I1 system.
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key
II ignition key,
see your Pontiac dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key I1 to have a new key made. In an emergency,
call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program at
1-800-ROADSIB or 1-800-762-3743.
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OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still tuin the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
LOCK. Use OFF if you must have your
vehcle pushed
or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns
after you start your vehicle. With the engine
off, you
can use
RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
: START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound
if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in the
OFF, LOCK or ACC
position and the key
is in the ignition.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it
is 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.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if‘ your Pontiac
is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
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’hrn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
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. Thelever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t
flash but just stay
on, 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 for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Indes).
A chime will sound if you leave your
turn signal on for
more than 1/2 mile (0.8 km).
Headlamp HigldLow Beam Changer
To change your headlamps
from low
beam to high
beam, or high to low, pull
the multifunction 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.
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