Fuel Gage
You will either have this fuel gage or
one very similar. Your fuel gage tells
you about how much fuel you have left,
when
the ignition is on. When the gage
reads in the yellow band, a warning
chime will sound and the
CHECK
GAGES warning light will go on, if you
have it.
Here are five things that some owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem with your fuel gage:
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts
off before the gage reads
F (Full).
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 the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn
a corner or speed up.
The gage doesn't go back to E (Empty)
when you turn off the ignition.
If you have the large span (220") gage,
the needle moves more for a given
amount
of fuel. This does not indicate
excessive fuel consumption, and is
normal.
For your fuel
tank capacity, see Sewice
Station Informution
on the last page of
this manual.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gage
(OPTION)
A coolant temperature gage shows the
engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red
warning area, your engine is too hot!
The
CHECK GAGES light will go on
and a warning chime will sound, if you
have this option. It means that your
engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and
turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN
BURN YOU
BADLY! In Problems on the Road, this
manual shows what to do. See the
Index
under Engine Overheating.
10s
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Oil Pressure Gage (OPTION)
The oil pressure gage shows the engine
oil pressure in psi (pounds per square
inch) when the engine is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure
in
kPa. Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above the red
warning zone indicate the normal
operating range.
A reading in the red zone may be caused
by
a dangerously low oil level or other
problem causing low oil pressure. The
CHECK GAGES light will go on and a
warning chime will sound, if you have
this option.
Driving your vehicle with low oil
pressure can cause extensive engine
damage.
I.. I10
1
Don’t keep driving if the oil
pressure
is low. If you do,
your engine can become so hot that
it catches fire. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
rviced.
I
I
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be
costly and is
not covered by your
warranty.
Voltmeter (OPTION)
Unless you have the supercharged
engine, you may have a voltmeter.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the condition
of the charging
system. Readings outside the red
warning zone indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings
in the red warning zone
indicate a possible problem in the
electrical system. The
CHECK GAGES
light will also come on, and a warning ,
chime will sound. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately.
When your engine is not running, but
the ignition is on (in the
Run position),
the gage shows your battery’s state
of
charge in DC volts.
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Boost Gage (OPTION)
Vehicles equipped with the supercharged
engine have this boost gage that indicates vacuum during light to
moderate throttle and boost under
heavier throttle. The gage displays the
air pressure level
in psi going into the
engine’s combustion chamber.
The gage is automatically centered at
zero psi
every time the engine is started.
Actual vacuum or boost
is displayed
from this zero point. Changes
in
ambient pressure, such as driving in
mountains and changing weather, will slightly change
the zero reading.
I
rn Driver Znformation Center
If you have the Driver Information
Center, it gives you important safety and
maintenance facts. When you turn the ignition on, the entire Center lights up
for a few seconds. Then it goes to work.
FUNCTION MONITOR: This lets you
know if you are low
on fluids or have a
problem with a vehicle function:
CHECK OIL LEVEL: This message
could mean your oil level is low. If
it
comes on for more than three seconds, see
the Index under Check Oil Level
Warning Light.
WASHER FLUID: This message
means your washer fluid tank is less
than
30% full. The windshield portion
of the vehicle outline will also glow. If
these come on, see the
Index under
Windshield Washer Fluid.
means your coolant level has fallen to
about half full. If it comes on,
see the
Index under Engine Coolant.
CHECK GAGES: If this light comes
on and stays on while
you are driving,
check your gages for fuel, coolant
temperature, oil pressure or battery
voltage.
LOW COOLANT This message
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A. By Geographic Location:
1. With the engine running, press and hold
MODE for more than three
seconds. After three seconds,
CALIBRATE and the heading
display will go blank.
ZONE and the
zone number will be displayed.
Release the
MODE button.
2. Check,the chart to see which zone
you are in.
3. Press or hold SET until the display
shows the number
of your zone.
4. Press MODE again to enter your
zone in the compass.
B. By Pointing Vehicle North:
1 . Point your vehicle to true north.
2. Press and hold MODE until ZONE
appears on the display.
3. Press or hold SET until ZONE 00 is
displayed.
4. Press MODE. The display will show
a northern heading and the direction
bars will flash.
5. Press MODE again. The display will
show the current zone setting for two
seconds, then keep that setting unless
you change it.
6. When your engine is running, your
comoass should display true north. You
can change your zone any time you
move to another zone without
calibrating to magnetic north. However, if you are uncertain of accuracy, repeat
the entire sequence by starting with step 1.
Temporary Disturbances:
Your compass may sometimes display a
different heading for a moment
as you
pass under bridges, power lines
or large
metal objects,
or when you are driving
on steep hills. This is normal.
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Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle-like a
tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio-be
sure you can add what
you want. If
you can, it’s very important to do it
properly. Added sound equipment
may interfere with the operation
of
your vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio
or other systems, and can even
damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that
has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound
equipment, check with your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and
telephone units.
Setting the Clock
For Radios with 4SEEKb :
1. With the radio off, press SET. The
SET indicator will appear on the
digital screen for five seconds.
2. Within that five seconds, press ani
hold
SEEK, until the correct
minute appears
on the display.
3. Before another five seconds pass,
press and hold
4SEEK until the
correct hour appears.
For Radios with VSEEU:
1. With the radio on or off, press SET.
The SET indicator will appear on the
digital display for five seconds.
2. Within that five seconds, press and
hold
SEE- until the correct
minute appears
on the display.
3. Before another five seconds pass,
press and hold
WEEK until the
correct hour appears.
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Your Driving and the Road
Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are
made on freeways, there are still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and
regular highways
is the same in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and the
vehicle prepared, you drive
at higher-
than-city speeds, and there are longer
turns behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy
your trip more if
you and your vehicle
are in good shape. Here are some tips
for a successful long trip.
174
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well Here are some things you can check
rested. If you must start when you’re not
fresh-such as after a day’s work-don’t
plan to make too many miles that first
part of the journey. Wear comfortable
clothing and shoes you can easily drive
in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out.
Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in Pontiac dealerships all across
North America. They’ll be ready and
willing to help if you need it. before
a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the
reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
shape?
Have you checked all levels?
lenses clean?
safe, trouble-free trip.
Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Lights: Are they all working? Are the
Tires: They are vitally important to a
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
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3n the Road
Mess you are the only driver, it is
;ood to share the driving task with
Ithers. Limit turns behind the wheel to
ibout 100 miles
(160 km) or two hours
it a sitting. Then, either change drivers
x stop for some refreshment like coffee,
:ea or
soft drinks and some limbering
lp. But do stop and move around. Eat
lightly along the way. Heavier meals
:end to make some people sleepy.
3n two-lane highways or undivided
multilane highways that do not have
;ontrolled access, you’ll want to watch for some situations not usually found on
freeways. Examples are: stop signs and
signals, shopping centers with direct
access to the highway, no passing zones
and school zones, vehicles turning left
and right off the road, pedestrians,
cyclists, parked vehicles, and even
animals.
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, o
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along
with the hum of the tires on the road,
the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can
make you sleepy. Don’t
let it happen to
you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second, and you
could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
Mike sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your
rearview mirrors frequently and your
instruments from time to time. This
can help you avoid a fixed stare.
Wear good sunglasses in bright light.
Glare can cause drowsiness. But don’t
wear sunglasses at night. They will
drastically reduce your overall vision
at the very time you need all the
seeing power
you have.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise, or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness on the
highway as an emergency.
As in any driving situation, keep pace
with traffic and allow adequate
following distances.
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Your Driving and the Road
Hi// and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is
different from driving
in flat or rolling
terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep
country, or if you’re planning to visit
there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape.
Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and
transaxle. These parts can work hard
on mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most
important thing to know is this: let
your engine
do some of the slowing
down. Don’t make your brakes do
it
all. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill. That way,
you will slow down without excessive
use of your brakes.
176
If you don’t shift down, your
brakes could get
so hot that
they wouldn’t work well.
You
would then have poor braking or
even
none going down a hill. You
could crash. Shift down to let your
engine
assist your brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
I CAUTION I
Know how to go uphill. Shift down to
D (Drive). This will help cool your
engine and transaxle, and you can
, climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on
two-lane roads in hills or mountains.
Don’t swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at speeds that
let
you stay in your own lane. That
way, you won’t be surprised by a
vehicle coming toward you
in the
same lane.
It takes longer to pass another vehicle
when you’re going uphill. You’ll want
to leave extra room to pass.
If a
vehicle
is passing you and doesn’t have
enough room, slow down to make
it
easier for the other vehicle to get by.
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