PONTIAC PONTIAC 1997 Owners Manual

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system
does not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is
based on braking (straightahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering '(turning) traction.
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Temperature -- A, B, C Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the 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 high 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 B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required
by law.
Warning: The 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. The wheels
on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest
tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing
are not
needed. 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 that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep corning 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.
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 rep1,aces.
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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.
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Used R lacement Wheels
Putting
a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous,
You can’t know how it’s been used or
how
far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause
an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel,
use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
~
NOTICE:
If your Pontiac has P225/60R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle
because there’s not enough clearance.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE:
(Continued)
Use another type
of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
condition,s. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle drive slowly, readjust
or remove the
device if
it’s contacting your vehicle and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction de that will fit, install
them on the front tires,
If you have oth,er tires, use tire chains only where
legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE
Cla,ss LLS” type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them
on the front tires and
tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions,
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them.
If the contact continues,
slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will damage
your vehicle.
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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
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. Don’t use
any
of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
0 Laundry Soap
0 Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has two cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and
a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use
them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
1. Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
2. Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
3. Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
often. A
soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
4. Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated ma
only. If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
5. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
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Using Foam-Vpe Cleaner on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
knse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with
a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type 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 mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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
fiom fabric, immediately dry the
area with a blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring.
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Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
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.
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.
Nom-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
soiled
area with cool water.
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)
of lukewarm water.
4. If 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:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry.
3. If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 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 vinylfleather cleaner. See your dealer for
this product.
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Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle
soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained 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.
Cleaning the Built-In Child Restraint
Your built-in child restraint may be cleaned with mild
soap and lukewarm water. Don’t use household
cleaners.
They may weaken the harness or damage plastic parts.
The built-in child restraint pad
is attached to the child
restraint cushion and seatback with fastener
strips. You
can remove the pad, machine wash it in cold water on a
gentle cycle and tumble
dry it on a low heat setting.
Never bleach
or iron the pad, and don’t dry clean it.
Care of Safety Belts and Built-in
Child Restraint H’arness
Keep the safety belts and the built-in child restraint
harness clean and dry.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts or the built-in
child restraint harness.
If you do, they may be
severely weakened.
In a crash, they might not be
able to provide adequate protection. Clean the
safety belts and the child restraint
harness only
with
mild soap and lukewarm water. I
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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 film on
interior glass.
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.
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,
sap, or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with GM Windshield
Cleaner, Bon
Amis Powder (non-scratching glass cleaning
powder),
GM Part No. 105001 1. The windshield is clean if
beads do not
form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper
blades and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked
in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
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Weatherstsips
Silicone grease on wea
longer, sea1 better, and .therstrips will make them last
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.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durabilit~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. .:;; .,
Washing Your Vehicle
.2, dd, @$~~..*:.*’ - . ’, ”
v.,..- . ri I .
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 an all-cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
’.( Cleaning Exterior LampslLenses
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