1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM Owners Manual

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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Filling Your Tank
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently,
and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
The cap is behind a hinged door on the right side of your
vehicle.
To open the fuel door, pull the fuel access handle on the
floor by the driver’s seat.
The remote
fuel filler door release can help keep your
kel tank from being siphoned. Always be sure the fuel
door is closed and latched after refueling.
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While refueling, hang the tethered cap inside the fuel
door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
~~ ~ ~
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something -ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuei filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank
is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any
“hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the way.
Be careful not td spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Pontiac” in theJndex.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you
hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap.;The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. This would
‘allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
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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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Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift the secondary Lift the hood, release the hood prop rod from its retainer
hood release handle upward. and put the hood prop into the slot in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then
lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot ig the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then just let the
hood down and close it firmly.
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2.4L (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
Brake Fluid Reservoir
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap G. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Dipstick M. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (if so equipped)
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick (if equipped) I. Air Cleaner
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir J. Battery
6-8
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3.1L (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, ou’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
6-9
E Brake Fluid Reservoir
G. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Battery
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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.
6-10
k . 1
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