1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM coolant temperature

To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
1 A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical ,shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
,-.. . . . 4.8 ..
4. After you've used the coolant heater, be sure to store
the cord as it was before
to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you don't, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep$he coolarit heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we
ask that you contact
yo" Pontiac dealer in the area where you'll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
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Enhanced Traction System Active Light
LOW
TRAC
When your Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin, this light will
come on. Slippery road
conditions may exist
if the
Enhanced Traction System
active light comes on,
so
adjust your driving
accordingly.
The light
will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area,
your engine is too
hot!
A light will come on to the right of the gage when the
gage pointer moves beyond the normal operating zone.
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.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Fan Knob
‘The left controlknob sets the fin speed. To select thle
force
of air you want, turn the knob. The fan is always
runhing unless the mode control is moved to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The center control knob regulates the temperature of the
air coming through the system. ,
Mode Knob
The right control knob changes the functions of your
system.
2 VENT Use when outside temperatures are mild,
and little heating or cooling is needed, Airflow is
through the instrument panel outlets. Set the center
control
hob to the temperature desired.
9 BI-LEVEL: Use on cool, but sunny days.
This setting
brings in the outside air, but directs it in
two
ways. Cooler air is directed to the upper portion of
your body through the instrument panel outlets; slightly
wanner
air is directed through the heater ducts and
defroster vents. At times, this‘temperature difference
may be more apparent than others,
d HEATER: This setting brings heated air through
the he’ater 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 O C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide heat be’cause the engine coolant is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in
the Index.
9 BLEND: This setting divides airflow equally
between the heater ducts
and the windshield defroster ’
vents.
DEFROST
This setting directs air though the
windshield gefroster vents located on top of the
instrument panel,
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rF/ VENT Use when outside temperatures are mild,
and little heating or cooling is needed. Airflow 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, aid 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
(- 1 8 O 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 aeflow 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.
Air Conditioning (Option)
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time it takes for
your vehicle to cool down, which should help fuel
economy.
For quick cool-down on very hot days,
use MAX with
the temperature
knob all the way in the blue area. If the
setting is used for long periods
of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use A/C with the
temperature
kndb in the blue area. The system will bring
in outside air and cool it.
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle. The system will bring in outside air and
direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air
to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than at
others.
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Hc-4ing
‘lix---lg the right control knob to HEATER and the
center control
knob clockwise sends some heated air
through the heater ducts toward your feet and some
through the defroster vents.
Veri, 3ys1
Use when outside temperatures are mild, and little
heating or cooling is needed. Turn the right knob to
VENT. Airflow is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Set the center knob to the temperature desired.
VENT and HEATER are economical positions because Your Pontiac’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
the air conditioner compressor doesn’t run in these two outs\
ide air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
settings. This reduces engine load, resulting in improved
air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air
fuel economy.
If either setting fails to keep you conditioning fan is running.
comfortable, or causes your windows to fog up, turn
the right control
knob to one of the air conditioning Adjust the direction of
positions, or to DEFROST. airflow by moving the
If
you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and use it during cold weather, 0 OF ,
(- 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. louvered vents.
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Engine Overheating .
You will find a coolant temperature g.age and a low
coolant warning light on your Pontiac’s instrument
panel. See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and
“Low Coolant Warning Light” in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated 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.
1 NOTICE:
~ ~~
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
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When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule
to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level
in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for
the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks
and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the
How tu Check
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the
STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions
on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant.
This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle
for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 h),
whichever occurs first. The
following explains
your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the
Index.
A Sol50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 9 F ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
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Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE: ~~ ~
Your pressure cap is an 15 psi l(105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating,
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system, The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat,
an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and
repaired.
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