How to Use This Manual
It
Using Your 1994 Pontiac
Owner’s Manual
I‘
Many people read their owner’s manual
from beginning
to end when they first
receive their new vehicle. This will help
you learn about the features and controls
for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll
find that pictures and words work
together to explain things quickly.
There are nine parts with black-tabbed
pages
in this manual. Each part begins
with a brief list of contents, so you can
usually tell at a glance
if that part
contains the information you want.
You can bend the manual slightly to reveal
the black tabs that help you find a part.
I
Part 1: Seats & Restraint Systems
This part tells you how to use your seats
and safety belts properly. It also explains
the
“SRS” (Air Bag) System.
Part 2: Features & Controls
This part,explains how to start and
operate your Pontiac.
Part 3: Comfort Controls & Audio
Systems
This part tells you how to adjust the
ventilation and comfort controls and how
to operate your sound system.
Part 4: Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and
tips about
the road and how to drive
under different conditions.
Part 5: Problems on the Road
This part tells you what to do if you have
a problem while driving, such as a flat tire
or engine overheating, etc.
Part 6: Service & Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep
your Pontiac running properly and
looking good.
Part 7: Maintenance Schedule
This part tells you when to perform
vehicle maintenance and what fluids and
lubricants to use.
Part 8: Customer Assistance
Information
This part tells you how to contact Pontiac
for assistance and how to get service
publications. It
also gives you information
on “Reporting Safety Defects’’ on
page 247.
Part 9: Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost
?very subject
in this manual. You can use it
to quickly find something you want to read.
Service Station Information
This is a quick reference of service
information.
You can find it on the last
page of this manual.
3.. .
ProCarManuals.com
7
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure
cap off, start the engine and let
it run
until you can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside
the coolant surge tank may be lower. If
the level is lower, add more
of the
proper
mix to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches FULL COLD,
or just above the small cylinder at the
base
of the opening.
I
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is tight.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while
you’re driving, especially
if you maintain
your tires properly. If air goes out
of a
tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a
“blowout,” here are
a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that
side. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then
gently brake to
a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require
the
same correction you’d use in a skid. In
my rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way you
want the vehicle to go. It may be very
wmpy and noisy, but you can still steer.
Sently brake to a stop, well off the road if
Jossible.
[fa tire goes flat, the next section shows
low to use your jacking equipment to
:hange a
flat tire safely.
161 ...
ProCarManuals.com
Problems on the Road
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level
place. Turn on your hazard warning
flashers.
The following steps will tell you how to
use the jack and change a tire.
The equipment you’ll need is in the trunk.
1. Turn the center retainer nut on the
compact spare tire housing
counterclockwise
to remove it, then
lift the tire cover. You
will find the
jacking instruction label on the
underside
of the tire cover.
... 162
ProCarManuals.com
Problems on the Road
II
Changing a Flat Tire
(CONT.)
12. Lower the vehicle by rotating the
wheel wrench counterclockwise.
Lower the jack completely.
A
13. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a
criss-cross sequence, as shown.
Don’t try to put a wheel cover on your
compact spare tire. It won’t
fit. Store
the wheel cover and plastic cap nuts
int
the trunk until you have the flat tire
repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your
compact spare.
If you try to put a
wheel cover on your compact spare,
you could damage the cover or the
spare.
14. Store the flat tire in the compact spare
tire compartment, and secure
it with
the wing bolt and extension. Store the
jack and wheel wrench
in their
compartment, also.
. 166
ProCarManuals.com
I Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry. The
Tire-Loading Information label found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door tells you
the proper size, speed rating and
recommended inflation pressures for the
tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
af people that can be in your vehicle and
the total weight that you can carry. This
weight is called the Vehicle Capacity
Weight and includes the weight of all
xcupants, cargo, and all
lonfactory-installed options.
The other label is the Certification label,
found on the rear edge of the driver’s
door. It tells you the gross weight capacity
of your vehicle, called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed
the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either
the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out. Don’t carry more
than
132 lbs. (60 kg) in your trunk.
I NOTICE: 1
Your warranty does not cover parts
or components that fail because of
overloading.
[f you put things inside your vehicle -
like suitcases, tools, packages, or
mything else
- they will go as fast as the
Jehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they’ll keep
going.
197.. .
ProCarManuals.com
Index
Changing a Flat Tire ............. 162
“Check Gauges” Light
........... 100
Check Oil Light ................. 96
Engine Coolant .............. 188
Engine Oil Level
............. 179
Hydraulic Clutch
............. 187
Power Steering Fluid
......... 190
Safety Belt Systems
........... 42
Automatic ............... 184
Manual
.................. 186
Checking Things Under the Hood
. . 175
Checks
& Services. Owner ....... 232
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......... 209
Child Restraints
................. 33
Children and Safety Belts
......... 32
Circuit Breakers & Fuses ......... 2 12
Charging System Warning Light .... 97
Checking
Brake Fluid ................. 191
Transaxle Fluid
Cigarette Lighter ................ 86
City Driving
................... 132
Cleaner. Air
................... 183
Aluminum Wheels ........... 208
Antenna
.................... 1 18
Cassette Player and Tapes ...... 117
Compact Discs
.............. 11 8
Finish Damage .............. 209
Foreign Material
............. 209
Cleaning
Fabric ..................... 205
Glass ...................... 207
Inside of Your Pontiac ........ 204
Leather and Vinyl
............. 206
Outside of Your Pontiac
....... 208
Safety Belts
................. 207
Sheet Metal Damage
.......... 209
Special Problems
............ 206
Top of the Instrument Panel
.... 206
Underbody Maintenance
....... 209
Using Solvent Type Cleaner
.... 205
Warnings
........... 204.205. 207
Weatherstrips
............... 209
White Sidewall Tires
.......... 208
Windshield and Wiper Blades
... 207
Climate Control System .......... 102
Clock. Setting the
............... 107
Adding Fluid ................ 187
Checking Fluid
.............. 187
Coin Holder
.................... 86
Comfort Controls
............... 101
Air Conditioning System
...... 103
Climate Control System
....... 102
Defrosting
.................. 104
Heater
..................... 102
Ventilation
.................. 103
Clutch. Hydraulic
Compact Disc Player (see “Audio
Systems”)
Compact Spare Tire ............. 167
Control of a Vehicle
............. 122
Controlled-Cycle Windshield
Wipers ....................... 81
Convex Outside Mirror
........... 83
Coolant ....................... 188
Low Coolant Warning Light
..... 94
Safety Warnings. About
... 188. 189
Temperature Warning Light
..... 94
Thermostat ................. 190
Corrosion Protection
............ 209
Cruise Control
.................. 74
Cup Holders
.................... 85
Curves. Driving on
.............. 125
Checking & Adding .......... 188
Proper Mixture to Use
........ 188
Temperature Gage
............. 94
Customer Assistance Information . . 243
Daytime Running Lights ......... 77
Dead Battery: What to Do ........ 148
Defects. Safety. Reporting (see
“Safety Defects”)
Defensive Driving .............. 120
Defogger. Rear Window
......... 105
Defogging Your Windows
........ 102
Door Locks
..................... 47
Door. Remote Fuel Filler
......... 174
Downshifting
................ 62. 66
Driver Position .................. 17
Driving
At Night ................... 129
City
....................... 132
Controlling a Skid
............ 128
Defensive
.................. 120
Drunken
................... 120
Freeway
..................... 132
. 264
ProCarManuals.com
Highway Hypnosis ........... 134
.Hill and Mountain ............ 134
In a Foreign Country
.......... 172
In the Rain
.................. 13C
Logg Distance ............... 132
Loss of Control
.............. 128
On Curves
.................. 125
Passing
.................... 127
Skidding
................... 128
Through Deep Standing Water
... 58
Winter Driving .............. 136
With a Trailer
............... 144
Driving.on Snow or Ice .......... 136
Drunken Driving
............... 120
Easy-Entry Seat ................ 11
Electrical Equipment. Adding
. 107. 2 1 1
Emergencies. Braking .. .. ........ 125
Emergencies on the Road
......... 147
Emergencies. Steering
in ......... 126
Emergency Starting
.. i .......... 148
Emergency Towing
............. 152
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
....... : ..... 58. 182
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light ................. 94
Engine Identification
............ 2 11
Engine Oil
.................... 179
Additives ................... 182
Checking
& Adding .......... 179
Disposing of Used Oil
........ 182
Engine Coolant (see “Coolant”) .... 188
Energy Conserving ........... 18 I
Filter .................. 182. 22C
Kind of Oil to Use
............ 18C
Pressure- Gage ................ 9f
Warning Light
................ 95
When to Change ............. 182
Engine Overheating ............. 156
Engine Specifications
............ 2 19
Engine. Starting
................. 56
Automatic Transaxle ........... 56
Manual Transaxle ............. 56
2.3L Quad 4 Engine
........... 56
3.lL V6 Engine ............... 57
Ethanol in Gasoline ......... 17 1. 172
Exhaust
Dangerous Gas in
......... 70. 138
Pirking with the Engine
Running ................ 67. 69
Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety
Belts ......................... 26
Expressway Driving
............. 132
Extender. Safety Belt
............. 42
Exterior Appearance (see “Appearance
Care”) ....................... 204
Fabric Cleaning (see “Appearance
Care”) ...................... 204
Filling the Fuel Tank
........ 174. 2 16
Filter. Oil
................ 182. 220
Finish Damage
................. 209
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........ 148
Flat Tire
...................... 161
Flooded Engine ................. 57
Flow-Through Ventilation System . . 105
Fluid
‘Brake ...................... 192
Capacities
.................. 215
Hydraulic Clutch
............. 187
Power Steering
.......... 190. 216
Transaxle
Automatic ........... 184. 215
Manual
.............. 186. 215
Windshield Washer
........... 191
Fluids
& Lubricants ............. 238
Fog Lights
................. 79. 196
Freeway Driving
............... 132
French Language Manual
.......... 2
Fuel
......................... 171
Alcohol
in Fuel .......... 17 1. 172
Capacity
................... 216
Exhaust Warnings
......... ..70. 138
Filling Your Tank
......... 1 .. 174
Fuels
with Alcohol ....... !7 1. 172
Gage
........................ 93
In Foreign Countries .......... 173
Remote Fuel Filler Door
........ 53
Requirements
............... 171
Fuse Usage Chart ............... 213
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ......... 212
Gages
Coolant Temperature .......... 94
Fuel ........................ 93
Oil Pressure .................. 96
265
E
ProCarManuals.com
Index
Tachometer .................. 92
Voltmeter
.................... 97
Garment Hook
.................. 86
Gas Station Information
...... Last Page
Gasoline
...................... 173
Gasoline Tank. Filling Your
... 174. 2 I6
Gear Positions (see “Shifting the
Gearshift Lever (see “Shifting the
Transaxle”) ................... 59
GloveBox
..................... 54
Graphic Equalizer (see “Audio
Gross Axle Weight Rating
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Transaxle”) ................... 59
Systems”) .................... 11 1
(GAWR) .................... 197
(GVWR) .................... 197
Halogen Bulbs ................ 194
Hazard Warning Flashers ......... 148
Head Restraint .................. 10
H.eadlight
& Taillight. Removing
and Replacing ............ 195. 196
High-Low Beam Changer ...... 78
Instrument Panel Intensity
Control
.................... 79
“On” Reminder
............... 77
Headlights ..................... 77
Replacement Bulb ........ 195. 2 17
Wiring ..................... 2 i4
Heater (see “Comfort Controls”)
Heater,.Engine Block
.. 1 ...... 58. 182
iigh Beams .................... 78
3ighway Hypnosis
.............. 134
dill and Mountain Roads ......... 134
Hills. Parking
on ............... 145
Hood Release .................. 175
Safety Warning .............. 176
Warning. Overheated Engine
.... 94
Horn
.......................... 71
Hot Engine. Safety Warnings
...... 156
How The Air Bag System Works .... 23
How the Anti-Lock Brake
System Works ................ 123
Hydraulic Clutch
............... 187
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........... 187
Hydroplaning
.................. 13 1
Identification Number. Vehicle .... 2 11
Idling Your Engine ............ 67. 70
Ignition
Key
........................ 46
Key Release Button
........... 55
Positions
.................... 55
Illuminated Entry/Exit System ...... 49
Lights”) ...................... 93
Restraints”
) .................... 33
Inflation. Tires ................. 199
Inside Rearview Mirror
........... 82
Inspections. Owner
............. 232
Instrument Panel
................ 8E
Instrument Panel Warning Lights .... 91
Indicator Lights (see “Warning
Infant Restraint (see “Child
lack. Tire .................... 162
Key Release Button
............. 55
Cane Change Indicator
........... 73
‘ump Starting .................. 148
Ceyless Entry System ............ 50
Ceys .......................... 46
Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt ......... 18
Front
....................... 18
Rear
........................ 27
Use by Children
........... 29. 40
Latches. Seatback
............... 11
Lighter. Cigarette ................ 86
Charging System .............. 97
Daytime Running Lights
........ 77
Fog Lights ............... 79. 196
Headlights
................... 77
Headlights Reminder
.......... 77
Control .................... 79
Parking
..................... 77
Reading
..................... 79
Bulbs .. - ......... i .... 195. 196
Replacement Bulbs ....... 2 17. 218
Shift ..................... 65. 99
Trunk ....................... 80
Turn Signal .................. 73
Warning Lights ............... 93
Lights
Check Gages ................ 100
Instrument Panel Intensity
Removing & Replacing
ProCarManuals.com