service indicator PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

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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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE SOON
Your Pontiac is equipped
with
a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control
systems.
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and
is intended
to assure
that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
(In Canada, OBD 11 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system
before any problem is apparent, which
may prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your s~ewice technician
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a
while, your emission controls may not
work
as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when
the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, Gave it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
fight Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the epission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service
is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction
has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may
be required.
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Security Light Fuel Gage
SECUPITY
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
START and stay on until the
vehicle starts. It
will also
come
on and’stay on if your
key
is too duty or wet for
the PAS$-Key@II system to
read
the resistor pellet.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light
will flash.
If you’re driving
and the light comes on and remains on,
your PASS-Key 11 system is not working prop,erly. Your
vehicle
is not protected by PASS-Key II, and you should
see
your dealer. Your
fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel
you
have left when the ignition
is on.
When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon.
Here are
some things owners ask about. All these
situations
are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F‘).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually took’ a little more
or less than half ,the tank’s capacity to fill it.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
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If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performapce
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may
turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determine the
cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition
is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing
additive called MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for service. and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may
be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine
and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
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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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Low Oil Level ............................. 2-55
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-6, 2-46
Service Engine Soon .......................... 2-52
Loading
Your Vehicle ........................... 4-28
Automatic Door ............................... 2-4
. Cylinders ................................... 7-37
Key Lock Cylinder Service ...................... 7-37
Steering Column Lock Check ................... 7-39
Trunk ....................................... 2-7
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-51
Low Fuel Light
.............. ................. 2-57
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-41
Lubrication Service,
Body ........................ 7-37
Oilwarning
................................. 2-54
Security .................................... 2-56
Locks
......................................... 2-3
Door ......................................... 2-5
PowerDoor .................................. 2-3
Window
.................................... 2-25
LowOilLevelLight
............................ 2-55
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-75
Maintenance Record ............................ 7-43
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long TripkIighway Definition
.................... 7-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals ................ 7.5. 7-26
Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-36
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants ............. 7-41
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
ShorCTrip/City Definition ....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
.................... 7-4. 7-6
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-40 Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-62
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ...................... 2-52
Manual Front
Seat ............................... 1-1
Methanol ...................................... 6-3
Mhn ....................................... 2-37
ConvexOutside
.............................. 2-38
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2~37
Manualoutside
.............................. 2-37
Power Outside
............................... 2-37
Visor Vanity
.......................... : ...... 2-41
MMT ...................................,..... 6-3
Mode Knob, Climate Control System ................. 3-2
MountainRoads ................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-26
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-40
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-15
New Vehicle "Break-In" ......................... 2-10
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
Odometer .................................... 2-45
Odometer.
Trip ................................. 2-45
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-10
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-54
Overheating Engine ............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-36
Owner Publications, Ordering ..................... 8-12
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Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4-34
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-36
Hitches ..................................... 4-33
ParkingonHills
. ............................. 4-37
Safety Chains
.............. ................. 4-34
. Driving With ................................ 4-34
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-37
Tongueweight
............................... 4-32
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-33
Weight
..................................... 4-32
Transmitters, Remote Lock Control
.................. 2-4
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-7
Trip Calculator
................................. 2-57
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-45
Access Panel
................................ 2-39
Release, Remote
............................... 2-7
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-27
Turn Signal On
Chime ........................... 2-27
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
................... 2-26
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-36
Towing
..................................... 4-30
Turnsignals
................................. 4-36
Tr~nk
......................................... 2-7
Lock
........................................ 2-7
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Underbody Flushing Service
..................... 7-39
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-62
Underhood Electrical Center ................. 6-68, 6-70
Vehicle
Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings .............................. iv Dimensions
........................ ... 6-75
Identification Number ......................... 6-64
Loading .................................... 4-28
Storage
..................................... 6-30
Ventilation System
............................... 3-3
Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-41
Visors, Sun
.................................... 2-41
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
............... 2-46
Washer Fluid, Windshield
........................ 6-25
Weatherstrips
................... .......... 6-60
warning
Devices
................................ 5-2
Washing Your Vehicle
.......... ............ 6-60
Wheel Alignment
.................................. 6-54
NutTorque
.................................. 5-30
Wrench
..................................... 5-25
Windows
..................................... 2-25
Auto-Down
................................. 2-25
LockOut
................................... 2-25
Power
...................................... 2-25
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-28
Fluid
.................................. 2-28. 6-25
Fluid Level Check ............................ 7-36
Windshield Wiper
.............................. 2-28
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-48
Winter Driving
................................. 4-24
WreckerTowing
................................. 5-7
Replacement
................................. 6-54
Fuses ...................................... 6-65
Wiring, Headlamp .............................. 6-65
Wrench. Wheel
................ ............ 5-25
9-10
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