1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC maintenance

{ The 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner’s Manual
SeatsandRestraintSystems ............................................................. 1-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts prop\
erly. 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 comfort co\
ntrols 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
overheated engine, etc. Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running pr\
operly 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 and owner pubiications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”\
on page
8-9.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to qbickly find
something you want to read.
Features and Controls ................................................................... 2-1
ComfortControlsandAudioSystems ..................................................... 3-1
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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Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the ‘sensors
are activated and driver’s safety belt usage at
deployment. Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Pontiac
Air bags affect how your Pontiac should be serviced.
There
are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Pontiac dealer and the Grand Prix Service Manual have
Let only qualified technicians work
on your air
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
bag system. Improper service can mean that your
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
Owner Publications” in the Index.
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, they may not
work properly.
You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel
for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
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For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned
off and the battery is discomiected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part
of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer
will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender
will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle
that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the’seat it
is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
~ . Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all yaur belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see
anything that might keep
a safety belt system from
doing its job, have
it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. -(The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched,
as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cwt,or damaged, replace them. Collision’
damage
also may mean you. will need to have safety belt
or seat
parts repaired ar replaced. New pats and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time
of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts.
See the part on the air blag system earlier in
this section.
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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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under
the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake,
and then shift to PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
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 oken 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 overfill),
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
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight. ’
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Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service
work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Pontiac” in the Index.
You should keep a ,record with .all parts receipts and list
the mifeage and the date
of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the
Index.
Yon can be injured and your vehicle could Be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement
parts and tools before
you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task,
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners, “English”
and 6’Metrics’
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts Can later break
m &dl ~ff, You could be hurt.
Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher.
At a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM
D4814 in the. United States and CGSB 35-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have been
developed
by the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association
(AAMA) for better vehicle performance
and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the
AAMA
specification could provide improved driveability and
emission control system protection compared
to
ofier gasolines.
Be sure
the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. slf it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane
he1 to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have
a problem.
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Air Cleaner
To check or replace the air filter, remove the four screws
and pall off the cover. Pull
out the filter.
Be sure to install the air filter and
install the cover tightly when you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
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Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to
be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the,engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
I NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90°F (32” C) or higher.
0 When doing
frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If
YOU do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid
and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflll. We recommend you use only
fluid /labeled DEXRON@-HI, because fluid with that
label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the
proper level.
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick
back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your
vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km), ,
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 or
if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
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Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust
and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights lights and gages work as
they should.
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