1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM warning

How to Use This Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receiv’e their new vehicle. If you
do this, it 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.
Index
’A good place to look for swhat you need is the Index in
the back of the manual. It’s
an alphabetical list of all
that’s in the manual, and the page number where you’ll
find it.
%d;=y.”
Safety Warnings and Symbols A’’*
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word
CAUTION to tell you ab’out
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people. ’
1
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then
we tell you what’to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions.
If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with
a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t do this,” or “Don’t
let this happen.”
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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find thes'e notices:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle,
..In the notic'e area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would
not be covered by
your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
darnage.
When you read other manuals, you rnight
see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in differefit colors or in different
words.
You'll
also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the
same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
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For example,
these symbols
me used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAllERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR FLAMES
FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
yorr passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
Op
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have
to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e
TURN
PARKING
pf
LAMPS
RUNNING
' ' 0
DAYTIME *
LAMPS *
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE k
COOLANT - rd
TEMP -
BRAKE (0)
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may
see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
il'
FUEL
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LOCK (B): Before you pur: the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is
in LOCK. It’s also the only position
in which you can remove the key. This locks your
steering wheel, ignition and transaxle
(on automatic
models).
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition,
and transaxle (on automatic models), but does
not send electrical power to any accessories. Use this
position
if your vehicle must be pushed or towed, but
never
try to push-start your vehicle. A warning chime
will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the
ignition
is off and the key is in the ignition. 1
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns after
you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays
in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine
is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine
starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return
to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it,
be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel
left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
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Parkiaag.’Brake handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull
the parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever all the way down.
Driving with the parking, brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
To set the parking brake hold the .regular brake pedal If you are towing a trailer and are parking on my hill,
see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
down with Your ‘ght foot* On the parking brake what to do first to keep the bailer from moving.
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Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door while leaving the lamps on
and the ignition off, you will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) caw make it easier for
others to see the front of
your vehicle during the day.
DRL caw be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they
can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn
and before sunset.
The
DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps
come
on at reduced brightness when:
The ignition is on,
, The headlamp switch is OFF,
The light sensor sees daytime light, and
0 The parking brake is released (manual transaxle), or
0 The shift lever is not in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
When the DRL are on, only your high-beam headlamps
will
be on. The taillmps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel wonY be lit up
either. (automatic transaxle). When
it's dark enough outside,
your headlamps will
come on at full brightness.
The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also come on. A light
sensor ,on top of the instrument panel turns the
headlamps oh and the DRL ,system off. Be sure the light
sensor isn't covered. When it's bright enough outside,
the regular
lamps will go off and your high-bem
headlamps will change
to the reduced brightness of the
DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake on
a manual transaxle or put the vehicle in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) on an automatic transaxle,
while the ignition is in the OFF or LOCK position. Then
start the vehicle, The DRL will stay off until you release
the
parking brake on a manual transaxle or shift out of
PARK (P) or NEUTaAL (N) on an automatic transaxle.
As with any vehicle,
you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need
it.
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Your instlument panel is designed to let you know at a
glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going,
how much fuel you’re using, and
many other things you’ll need to drive safely and
economically.
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Fuse Panel
B. Vent
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction ,Lever
D. SRS - Supplemental Restraint System (Air Bag)
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
E Instrument Cluster
G. Windshield Wipersmasher Stalk
H. Audio System
I. Side Window Defogger Vent
J. Glove Box
K. Climate Control System
L. Gear Shift Lever
M. Ashtray
N. Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Switch (Option)
0. Lighter
P. Ignition Switch
Q. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (Option)
R. Fog Lamp Switch
S. Instrument Panel Intensity Control/ Interior Lamps
Switch
T. Hood Release Handle
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Instrument Panel Cluster gages that are explained on the following pages. Be sure
cluster, which includes indicator
warning lights and ..
to read about those that apply to the instrument panel
Your Pontiac is equipped with this instrument panel cluster for your vehicle. I.
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