1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC service

0 If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
A CAUTION:
-
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your
oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE: I
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
Low Oil Level Light
LOW OIL
LEVEL
Your engine is equipped
with an oil level monitoring
system. When the ignition
key is turned on, the LOW
‘OIL LEVEL light will
briefly flash. If the light
does not, flash, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there’s a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine
off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See “Engine Oil” in the Index.)
If the light does not flash, have the low oil level sensor
system repaired
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.
,
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between key on and engine

crank. It does not monitor engine oil level when the “ .
engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time, allowing the oil normally in
circulation to drain back into the
oil pan.
ProCarManuals.com

Security Light Fuel Gage
SECUPITY
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
START and stay on until the
vehicle starts. It
will also
come
on and’stay on if your
key
is too duty or wet for
the PAS$-Key@II system to
read
the resistor pellet.
If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light
will flash.
If you’re driving
and the light comes on and remains on,
your PASS-Key 11 system is not working prop,erly. Your
vehicle
is not protected by PASS-Key II, and you should
see
your dealer. Your
fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel
you
have left when the ignition
is on.
When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon.
Here are
some things owners ask about. All these
situations
are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F‘).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated
the tank was half full, but it actually took’ a little more
or less than half ,the tank’s capacity to fill it.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
2-56 -
ProCarManuals.com

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored
in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren't, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN, to indicate
that
you have used your tape player' for 50 hours without
resetting the kpe clean mer.
If you notice a reduction in
sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if the tape
or
the tape player is at fault. If this other cassette has no
improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player.
Cleaning may
be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette
turn. It
is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning. Insert
the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough
cleaning.
A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is
available through your ,Pontiac dealer.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action; wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt
to clean
the tape head. TKS type of cleaning cassette will not eject.
It may not clean
as thoroughly as the scrubbing
type cleaner.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always
make sure that the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs,
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
,or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs
by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge. -,
Fixed Mast Antenna
I
.. r '. . .. x, '
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand.
If the
mast is badly bent, as
it might be by vandals, you should
replace
it.
Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender.
I
3-23
ProCarManuals.com

The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually
are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must
start when you're not fresh -- such as after a day's
work
-- .don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll.find experienced and able service experts in
Pontiac dealerships all across
North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it. Here are some things
you can check before a trip:
0
0
0
a
a
0
a
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:
Are they'in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving?
Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-21
ProCarManuals.com

Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or
is it just @.am falg asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway.hypnosis, lack of awaeqess,
Q]: whatever.
There
is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on the
.road,
the &one of the &&e, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, bt
aware that it can happen.
Then here are
some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
e Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead ad to
the sides. Check your rearview minors and your
instruments frequently.
a If you get sleepy, pull off the mad into a rest, service
or
parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the hghway as
an emergency. Driving
on steep hills or
mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain. I
ProCarManuals.com

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. ’
4-37
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