1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC overheating

Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator
are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
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.
I I
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the
arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC'
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in
the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@thermostat is
recommended.
6-29
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Tires
Your new Pontiac comes with high-quality tires
made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have
questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain
service, see your Pontiac Warranty booklet for details.
E
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are
dangerous.
Overloading your
tires can cause overheating
as a result of too much friction. You could
have
an airout and a serious accident. See
“Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden impact
--
such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn,
or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
rear edge of the driver’s door shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
6-45
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Electrical Equipment. Adding .......... 2-17. 3.30. 6.66
Electrical System
............................... 6-66
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-53
Electronic
Climate Control ........................ 3-2
Engine
.............................. 6-9.6-10. 6-11
Coolant
..................................... 6-26
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-18
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-39
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-75
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-74
Exhaust
...................... 2-11.2-29.4-28. 4-35 Identification ................................ 6-6 1
Running While
Parked ......................... 2-29
Specifications
........................... 6-72. 6-73
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-39
Overheating
................................. 5-13
StartingYour ................................ 2-16
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
6- 18
Checking
................................... 6-14
Used ....................................... 6-19
Whentochange .............................. 6-18 r .
...................................
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4 ~
Exhaust, Engine ................. 2-11,2-29,4-28. 4-35
Exit Lighting
............................. 2-42, 2-45
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-56
Fan
Knob. Climate Control System .................. 3-2
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Fan Button. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control ..... 3-6 Filter. Air
..................................... 6-19
Finishcare
.................................... 6-61
Finish Damage ................................. 6-62
First
Gear, Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-22
Fixed Mast Antenna
............................. 3-32
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-24
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-44
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-5
Front Reading Lamps ............................ 2-43
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-77
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers ........ .......... 6-66
................................... Flash to Pass 2-33
FogLamps
.................................... 2-40
French Language Manual 11
FrontTowing ................................... 5-9
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Canadian
.................................... 6-3
.. ...........................
d-7
ages Engine Coolant Temperature ....... .......... 2-75
Fuel ....................................... 2-77
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-19
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........... .......... 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-30
GloveBox .................................... 2-54
Guide en Frangais 11 .. .................................
.....................................
GVWR 4-30
9-4
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Net. Convenience ........ ............... 2-57
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-20
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2- 15
Night Vision
................................... 4- 16
Odometer
....... ..... 2-63
Odometer. Trip
............................. 2-63
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 13
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 2-73
Overdrive, Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-2 1
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-56
Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-39
Owner Publications, Ordering
..................... 8- 12
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-63
Park
Automatic Transaxle .......................... 2- 19
Shifting Out of
. . ...................... 2-28
At Night ......... .................... 2-13
Brake
...................................... 2-24
Shifting Into ............................... 2-25
Parking
Lots
....................................... 2-13
Over Things That Burn ........................ 2-28
With a Trailer
................................ 4-38
Passenger Position .............................. 1-22
Passenger’s Temperature
Knob. Automatic and
Auxiliary Temp Control ......................... 3-5
Passing ............................ ...... 4-13
Performance Shifting
............................ 2-23
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-43
Pontiac
Cares ................................... 8-2
Power Accessory Outlet
.............. ... 2-56. 2-59
Door Locks ......... ......... ......... 2-5
Option Fuses ................................ 6-67
Outside Mirror
............................... 2-54
Retained Accessory
........................... 2-42
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Steering ................ ................ 4-11
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Windows ................................... 2-30
Pregnancy.
Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-21
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-12
Purse or Litter Bag Holder
.................... 2-60
Radiator
......... ....... .... 5-20
Radiator Pressure Cap . . ................ 6-29
Radios
....................................... 3-10
Rear
Radio Reception ................................ 3-30
Rain, Driving In .......................... ~ .... 4-17
Outside Seat Position
........................ 1-30
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-33
Seat Passengers
.............................. 1-29
Window Defogger
............................. 3-9
Towing ..................................... 5-11
* 9-7
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