1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM engine coolant

Air Conditioning Heating
Turning
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.
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
NC with the
temperature knob 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. VENT
and HEATER are economical positions because
the air conditioner compressor doesn’t run in these
two settings. This reduces engine load, resulting in
improved fuel economy.
If either setting fails to keep
you comfortable, or causes your windows to fog up, turn
the right control knob to one of the air conditioning
positions, or to DEFROST.
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 because the engine coolant is
already warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in
the Index.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage 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
A CAUTION:
I
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
you
open 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.
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.

When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
2.4L Engine
3100 Engine
A. Coolant Surge Tank With Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Fan
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/II CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
FULL COLD.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
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/11 CAUTION:
I
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don% run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could
be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
.
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above
FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL@
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is
cool before you do it. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information.)
A CAUTION:
Steam and scalding lipuids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and
if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap
-- even a little -- they
can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure
cap to cool if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
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1 A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned, Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
~ water and DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
r
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts,
So
use the recommended coolant. 1
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A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly about
one-quarter turn to the left and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there
is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
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3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mix,
up to FULL
COLD, or just above the small cvlinder
at the base of the opening.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mix to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches FULL
COLD, or just above
the small cylinder at the base of the opening.
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