
v The 1995 Pontiac Grand Am Owner’s Manual
... How to Use this Manual .............................................................. .111
Seats and Restraint Systems .......................................................... 1-1
Features and Controls ............................................................... 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .................................................. 3-1
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how
to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what to do
if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine
overheating, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section 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 8-4.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad ........................................................... 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad ............................................................... 5-1
Service and Appearance Care. ........................................................ 6-1
Maintenanceschedule ............................................................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information ..................................................... 8-1
Index ........................................................................\
..... 9-1
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Ashtray and Lighter
Lift the cover to reveal the ashtray.
To clean the ashtray, lift it out by pulling up on the
snuffer.
You can also use this tray as a cup holder.
NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays.
If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire, causing
damage.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while
it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when
it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Sunglasses Storage
Place your sunglasses in the open area located above
you in the overhead console.
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If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on
and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your Pontiac needs service.
If the
light
is on but not flashing and the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
. Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light
This light tells you that your
engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator
cooling fan is not working.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn the engine
off as soon as possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road”, this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
loo b
280
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This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too
hot!
That reading means the same thing as the warning light.
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 “Engine Overheating’, in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
LOW
COOLANT
If this light comes on and
stays on, the vehicle should
be promptly pulled off the
road
and the coolant level
checked. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
If
there are visible signs of
steam see “Engine
Overheating” in the:Index
before opening the hood.
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort
control systems and audio systems offered with your
Pontiac. Be sure to read about the particular system
supplied with your vehicle.
Climate Control System
With this system, you can control the ventilation and
heating in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
3f FAN: The left control knob sets the Fan speed.
To select the force of air you want, turn the knob. The
fan
is always running unless the mode control is moved
to OFF.
Temperature Control: The center control knob
regulates the temperature of the air coming through the
system.
Mode Control: The right control knob changes the
functions
of your system.
BI-LEVEL: Use on cool, but sunny days. This
setting brings
in the outside air, but directs it in two
ways. The cool air is directed to the upper portion of
your body through the instrument panel outlets, but
slightly warmer air is directed through the heater ducts
and defroster vents.
At times this temperature difference
may be more apparent than others.
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VENT Use when outside temperatures are mild,
and little heating or cooling is needed. Air flow is
through the instrument panel outlets. Set the center
control knob to the temperature desired.
HEATER: This setting brings heated air through
the heater ducts, and some through the windshield
defroster vents.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and use it during cold weather,
0°F
(- 18 “C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide heat because the engine coolant is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
9 BLEND: This setting divides air flow equally
between the heater ducts and the windshield defroster
vents.
DEFROST This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents located on top of the
instrument panel.
Defogging Windows
To defog the windshield, turn all three control knobs to
the
far right.
Air Conditioning System (Option)
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
Air Conditioning
Your system has three air conditioner settings. Before using
your
air conditioner on very hot days, open the windows
long enough to let hot inside
air escape. This reduces the
amount
of work your air conditioner’s compressor will have
to do, which should help fuel economy.
MAX: Use for maximum cooling. This setting
recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle
so it
maximizes your air conditioner’s performance and your
vehicle’s fuel economy.
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside air and directs it through the instrument
panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: Use on cool, but sunny days. This
setting brings in the outside air, but directs it in two
ways. The cool air is directed to the upper portion
of
your body through the instrument panel outlets, but
slightly warmer air is directed through the heater ducts
and defroster vents. At times this temperature difference
may be more apparent than others.
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Ventilation
Use when outside temperatures are mild, and little
heating or cooling is needed.
Turn the right knob to
VENT. Air
flow is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Set the center knob to the temperature desired.
Heating
Turning the right control knob to HEATER and the
center control knob clockwise will send heated air
through the heater ducts toward your feet and the
floor,
and some through the defroster vents.
VENT and HEATER are economical positions because
the air conditioner compressor doesn’t run in these two
settings. This reduces engine load, resulting in improved
fuel economy. If either setting fails to keep you
comfortable, or causes your windows to fog up, turn the
right control
knob to one of the air conditioning
positions, or to DEFROST.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and use it during cold weather,
0°F
(- 18 O C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide heat because the engine coolant ‘is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” the Index.
BLEND: This setting divides airflow equally between
the heater ducts and the windshield defroster vents.
Defrosting
The DEFROST setting directs air through ‘the defroster
vents located on top of the instrument panel.
Defogging Windows with Air Conditioning
System
To defog the windshield, turn all three control knobs to
the far right.
To defog the side windows, turn the right control knob
to BI-LEVEL and the fan control
knob to HIGH. Aim
the side vents toward the side windows. For increased
air flow to the side vents, close the center vents.
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When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on
the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they
are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs
are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, use the highest gear possible. If
you cannot maintain posted speeds, driving at a lower
speed may help avoid overheating your engine and
transaxle.
If you have a manual transaxle with fifth gear, it’s better
not
to use fifth gear. Just drive in fourth gear (or, as you
need to, a lower gear).
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a
hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could
start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual transaxle.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to PARK (P), or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
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