Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage
or the warning light about
a hot engine
on your Pontiac’s instrument panel. See
the
Index under Coolant Temperature
Gage
and Coolant Temperature Warning
Light.
You will also find a low coolant warning
light on your Pontiac’s instrument panel.
If Steam is Coming from Your Engine:
/1 Steam from an overheated
L L engine can burn you badly,
even
if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or
hear steam coming from
it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle
until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of steam
or coolant before opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine
is overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or others could
be badly burned. Stop your engine
if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
179
ProCarManuals.com
Changing a Flat Tire (corvr)
14. Store the flat tire in the compact
spare
tire compartment, and secure
with the
wing bolt and extension.
Store the jack and wheel wrench in
their compartment, also.
I A Storing a jack, a tire, or other
- equipment in the passenger
ompartment
of the vehicle could I
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
i
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare was fully
inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the
inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 Wa). The compact spare is
made to go up to
3,000 miles (5 O00 km),
so you can finish your trip and have
your full-size tire repaired or replaced
where you want.
Of course, it’s best to
replace your spare with a full-size tire as
soon
as you can. Your spare will last
longer and be in good shape
in case you
need it again.
Your anti-lock brake system warning
light may come on when you are driving
with a compact spare. See the
Idex
under Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light.
192
Don’t take your compact spare
through
an automatic vehicle wash I
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on the rails.
That can damage the tire and
wheel, and maybe other parts
of
your vehicle.
)on? use your compact spare on some
)ther vehicle.
ind don’t
mix your compact spare or
vheel with other wheels or tires. They
von’t
fit. Keep your spare and its wheel
ogether.
ProCarManuals.com
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see the
Index under
Engine Overheating.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac
will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
-34°F (-37°C).
(128°C).
temperature.
Let the warning
should. lights work as they
What to Use:
Use
a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can
also use a
recycled coolant conforming to GM
Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush and refill. If you use this
mixture, you don’t need to add anything
else.
CAUTION I
A Adding only plain water ta
L pur cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
bebe the proper coolant mix will.
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water or the
wrong mix, your engine could get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the
overheat warning, Your engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix
of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
Your v&hicle’s coolant warning
221 .
ProCarManuals.com
Service fS Appearance Care
Brake Master Cylinder (CONI)
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 the
Index under Brake
System Warning Light.
What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid-such as Delco
Supreme
ll@ (GM Part No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
I DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can
;'Don't let someone put in the
:> 1 I :, !wrong i kind of fluid. For
example, just a few drops of
I , mineral-based oil, such as engine
-.?,'oil, in your brake system can
damage brake system parts
so
damage your vehicle. Don't use it.
". ,
I : '
" 1. , badly that they
; -qeplaced. %>, , .
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
-
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 bralung 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 parts.
m.. 226
ProCarManuals.com
Section C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should be perfo\
rmed 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.
L
INSPECTION
OR SERVICE
Steering, Suspension
and Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal
Inspection
Exhaust System
Inspection
Throttle Linkage
Inspection
Brake System
Inspection
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE I
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
hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then in\
spect the drive axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
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 the
Idex under EnRine Exhaust.
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts.
Replace parts as needed.
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for \
proper hookup, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rot\
ors for surface condition. Also
inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment is required,
You may need to have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
NOTE:
A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads which \
may need to be
serviced. Also, if the brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be wrong
with the brake system. See the
Index under Brake System Warning Light. If your anti-lock brake
system warning light stays on, comes on or flashes, something may be wrong with the anti-lock
brake system. See the
Index under Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.
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ProCarManuals.com
Adding Brake Fluid
............ .225. 253
Electrical Equipment
... .55. 107 248
Engine Coolant
...... .%22. 251. 253
Engine Oil
......... .209. 251. 253
Power Steering Fluid
. .224. 252. 253
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
.... .220. 253
Transaxle Fluid Automatic
........ .218. 251. 253
Manual
.......... .220. 251. 253
Windshield Washer Fluid
.. .224. 253
Air Cleaner
.............. .214. 257
Air Conditioner
................ 103
Alcohol. Driving Under the
Influence of
.................. 127
Alcohol in Gasoline
............. 201
Aluminum Wheels
Cleaning
.................... 244
Removing
................... 188
Antenna
....................... 119
Fixed Mast
................... 119
Antifreeze
............ .221. 251. 253
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
.... 131
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 97
Appearance Care
............... 239 Ashtray and Lighter
.............. 85
Audio Systems ................. 107
AM/FM Stereo Radio
.......... 108
AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Cassette Player
............. 109
AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Compact Disc Player
......... 113
Care
of Audio Systems ......... 118
Delco LOC
II@ ............... 116
Radio Reception. For the Best
.... 117
Setting the Clock
.............. 107
Automatic Door Locks
........... 46
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
(see
Safety Belts)
Automatic Transaxle
Adding Fluid
........ .218, 251. 253
Checking Fluid
............... 216
Shifting
...................... 57
Starting Your Engine
........... 52
BBB Hot Line
................ 282
Battery
.................. .171. 227
Jump Starting
................ 171
Battery Rundown Protection
...... 78
Warning
.................... 173
Voltmeter
.................... 96
Blizzard. If You’re Caught In a ..... 157
Block Heater. Engine
........ .56. 213
Blowout. Tire
.................. 185
Brakes
................. .96. 97. 131
Adjustment
.................. 135
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
. . 131
Brake Pedal Travel
............ 134
Fluid
.................. .225. 253
Master Cylinder
.............. 225
Parking
...................... 63
Rear Drums
................. 134
Replacement
................. 226
Warning Light
............ .96. 97
Wear Indicators
............... 133
Brake System Warning Light
...... 96
Standard Brakes ............... 96
Brake/Transaxle Shift Interlock ..... 65
Brakes. Anti-Lock Warning Light
................ 97
Braking
....................... 130
Braking Emergencies
............ 135
Braking Technique
.............. 130
“Break-In:’
New Vehicle
Normal Driving
............... 50
When Towing a Trailer ......... 161
Anti-Lock Brake System
........ 97
293
ProCarManuals.com
Buckling Up (see Safety Belts)
Bulb Replacement
Fog Lights
.................. 229
Headlight
.............. .228. 254
Taillight
........... .229. 254
Capacities
& Specifications ...... 251
Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust
.. .66. 67
Cassette Tape Player
Center Passenger Position
......... 28
Chains. Safety
................. 164
Chains. Tire
.............. .193. 238
Changing a Flat Tire
............ 186
Charging System Warning Light
.... 95
“Check Gauges’’ Light ........... 99
Check Oil Light ............... 94
Checking
Brake Fluid
.................. 225
Engine Coolant
............... 222
Engine Oil Level
............. 209
Hydraulic Clutch
............. 220
Power Steering Fluid
.......... 224
Safety Belt Systems
............ 40
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic
................. 216
(see Audio Systems)
Dm. 294
Manual ................... 218
Checking Things Under the Hood
.............. 204
Checks
& Services. Owner ....... 271
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......... 246
Child Restraints
................. 30
Children and Safety Belts
..... .29. 38
Cigarette Lighter
................ 85
Circuit Breakers & Fuses ......... 248
City Driving
................... 147
Cleaner, Air
.............. .214. 257
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............ 244
Antenna
..................... 119
Cassette Player and Tapes
....... 118
Compact Discs
............... 119
Fabric
...................... 240
Finish Damage
............... 246
Foreign Material
.............. 245
Glass
...................... 243
Inside of Your Pontiac
......... 240
Leather and Vinyl
............. 242
Outside of Your Pontiac
........ 243
Safety Belts
.................. 242
Sheet Metal Damage
.......... 245
Special Problems
............. 241
Top
of the Instrument Panel ..... 242 Underbody Maintenance
....... 246
Using Solvent Type Cleaner
..... 241
Warnings
...... .239. 240. 242. 244
Weatherstrips
................ 245
White Sidewall Tires .......... 244
Windshield and Wiper Blades
... 243
Climate Control System
.......... 102
Clock. Setting
the ............... 107
Clutch. Hydraulic Adding Fluid
........... .220. 253
Checking Fluid
............... 220
Coin Holder
.................... 84
Comfort Controls
............... 101
Air Conditioning System
....... 103
Climate Control System
........ 102
Defrosting
................... 102
Heater
...................... 102
Ventilation
............ .102. 104
Compact Disc Player
(see
Audio Systems)
Compact Spare Tire ........ .192. 304
Control of a Vehicle
............. 129
Controlled-Cycle Windshield Wipers
. . 80
Convex Outside Mirror ........... 81
Coolant
....................... 221
Checking
& Adding .. .222. 251. 253
Low Coolant Warning Light
...... 93
ProCarManuals.com
Proper Mixture to Use ......... 221
Safety Warnings. About
........ .179. 181. 182. 183
Temperature Gage
............. 93
Temperature Warning Light ...... 92
Thermostat
.................. 223
Corrosion Protection
............ 246
Cruise Control
.................. 70
Cup Holders
................... 83
Curves. Driving
on .............. 136
Customer Assistance Information
. . 279
Daytime Running Lights
......... 75
Defects. Safety. Reporting Dead Battery: What to Do
........ 171
Defensive Driving
.............. 126
(see
Safety Defects)
Defogger. Rear Window .......... 105
Defogging Your Windows
.... .103. 105
Door Locks
.................... 45
Door. Remote Fuel Filler
......... 203
Downshifting
.............. .62. 152
Driver Position
.................. 18
Driving
....................... 121
AtNight
.............. ... 142 City
........................ 147
Controlling a Skid
............. 141
Defensively
.................. 126
Drunken
.................... 127
Freeway
.................... 148
Highway Hypnosis
............ 151
Hill and Mountain
............ 152
In a Foreign Country
.......... 202
In Fog, Mist and Haze ......... 146
In the Rain
.................. 144
Long Distance ................ 150
Loss of Control
............... 140
On Curves ................... 136
Passing
..................... 138
Skidding
.................... 141
Through Deep Standing Water
.... 55
Winter Driving
............... 156
With a Trailer
................ 164
Driving on
Snow or Ice .......... 156
Drunken Driving
............... 127
Easy-Entry Seat
................ 11
Electrical Equipment, Adding
............. .55, 107, 248
Emergencies, Braking
........... 135 Emergencies
on the
Road ......... 169
Emergencies. Steering in
......... 137
Emergency Starting
.............. 171
Emergency Towing
.............. 175
Engine Block Heater
......... .56, 213
Engine Coolant (see
CooZant)
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Engine Identification
........ .52. 247
Engine Oil
.................... 209
Additives
.................... 213
Checking
& Adding ........... 209
Disposing of Used Oil
.......... 214
Energy Conserving
............ 212
Filter
.................. .213. 257
Kind of Oil to Use ............. 210
Pressure Gage
................. 95
Warning Light
................ 93
When to Change .............. 213
Engine Overheating
............. 179
Engine Specifications
............ 256
Engine. Starting
................. 52
Automatic Transaxle
........... 53
Manual Transaxle
.............. 53
2.3L Quad 4 Engine
............ 53
3300
V6 Engine ............... 54
295
Light (see Coolant)
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