1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM check oil

Oil Pressure Light
..
If you have a problem with your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine,
or come on when
you are driving. This
indicates that oil is not
going through your engine
quickly enough to keep it
lubricated.
The engine could be low
on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to START. If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition
on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
0 On four cylinder engines, when the engine is idling
at
a stop, the light may blink on and off. In addition,
if you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
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 serviced.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by your
warranty,
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Check Oil Light
. CHECK
OIL
This light should come on
briefly while you
are
starting your engine. If the
light does not come on,
have
it repaired. If the light
comes on and stays
on after
starting your vehicle, the oil
level should be checked.
Prior to checking the
oil level, be sure your vehicle has
been shut off for several minutes and is on a level
surface. Check the oil level on the dipstick and
bring it
to the proper level. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
NOTE: A false CHECK OIL light may be generated
when parking
on steep grades. The
oil level monitoring system only checks
oil level
during the brief period between key
on and engine start.
It does not monitor engine
oil level when the engine
is running. Additionally, an oil level check is only
performed
if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period
of time allowing the oil normally in
circulation
to drain back into the oil pan.
Up Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)
This light comes on when
you need to shift to the next
higher gear. See
“Manual
Transaxle” in the Index,
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Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat.
If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure
of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have used your tape player for
50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer. If you notice a reduction in sound quality,
try a known good cassette to see if the tape
or the tape player is at fault. If this other cassette has no
improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
Cleaning may
be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head
as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
Follow these steps to prevent the cassette from being
ejected due to the CUT TAPE DETECTION feature:
1. Turn the radio off and the ignition on.
2. Press and hold the TAPEPLAY button for three
3. Insert the cleaner cassette.
The radio will default back
to CUT TAPE DETECTION
when the cleaner cassette is ejected.
seconds (tape indicator will flash
for two seconds).
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head.
It may not clean as thoroughly as the
scrubbing type cleaner.
Cassettes
are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette
tape is
in good condition before you have your tape player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch
the signal surface when handling
discs.
Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna cb withstand most car washes
without being damaged.
If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand.
If the mast is
badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should replace it.
Check every once
in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender.
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The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according
to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After
driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well 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. Weax 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. Here are some things
you can check before a trip:
WindshieZd Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir
full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
‘Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
all levels?
trouble-free
trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated
to the
‘ recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the 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?
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold,the pedal down
while
you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
I. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal..
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle
fluid (don't ovel-fill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will
help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's
a good idea to review these sections before you start
<* ~ I ,,; ;-':'. .a t , ,--: .. ;::l.$.:$ 5
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
your trip. ! . .i . :$ ,,- .,,. . . f ~
_I.,
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In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called MMT.
If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn
on. If this happens, return to your
authorized
Pontiac dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available
in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline
or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company .that does business
in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales .(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, b'e sure to get the right
type.
Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be
damaged.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic
or rubber. You or others
could b'e burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill
things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
Checking "'lings Under the Hood
r
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric
fan.
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important parts underhood.
TO open the hood, first pull
the handle inside the
vehicle.
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Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument
panel comes
on,
it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more
information,
see “Check Oil
Light”
in the Index. You
should check your engine
oil
level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must 2.4L Engine
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
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