1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC Owners Manual

ProCarManuals.com

Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that
can occur on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and off.
Press the switch to make
your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and
off. Your hazard warning
flashers work no matter
what position your key
is in,
and even if the key isn’t in.
’To turn off the flashers, press the switch again. When
the hazard warning flashers
are on, your turn signals
won’t work.
5-1
ProCarManuals.com

Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side
of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to
use another vehicle and some jumper cables
to start
your Pontiac, But please
follow the steps below to
10 it safely.
/r CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode Qr ignite.
0 They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. lkying to start your Pontiac by
pushing
or pulling won’t work, and it could
damage
YOU vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery
with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-2
ProCarManuals.com

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transaxle in
PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all
lamps that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. And it could
save your radio!
I NOTICE.: I
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty. An
electric fan can start up even when the
t ,he
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.
4. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery. Your Pontiac has a remote positive (+)
jump starting terminal. The terminal is on the same
side of the engine compartment as your battery. You
should always use the remote positive
(+) terminal
instead of the positive
(+) terminal on your battery.
To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, Lift the
red plastic cap.
5-3
ProCarManuals.com

~~ Using a match
near a battery can cause battery
gas
to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You don’t
need
to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it-is low, add water to take
care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery
fluid contains a&d that can burn you.
Don’t get
it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or
on your skin, flush the place with
water
and get medical help ibediately.
~ installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don’t connect positive (+) to
negative (-), or you’ll get a short that would damage
the battery and maybe other parts too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your
hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
5-4
ProCarManuals.com

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a
remote positive
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Don’t let the other’end
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive
(+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote.
positive
(+) terminal if
the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black
negative
(-) cable to
the
good battery’s
negative
(-) terminal.
Don’t let the other end
touch anytlung until the
next step. The other end
of the negative (-) cable
doesn’t
go to the
dead battery.
It goes to a heavy, unpainted, metal part on the engine
of
the vehicle with the dead battery.
5-5
ProCarManuals.com

12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
, electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
.each other or any other metal.
9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
fram the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection is just as good
there, but the chance
of sparks getting back to the
battery
is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and Tun
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead. battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
I-C
A. Heavy Metal Engine Past
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
5-6
ProCarManuals.com

Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Pontiac dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Grand
Prix. See “Roadside Assistance”
in the- Index.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like
fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing,
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to
see t.
with sling type equipment.
I I
I
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing
it.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
‘I
ProCarManuals.com