1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC tow

anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and “Towing Your Vehicle” in
the Index.)
A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident.
If the light is still on or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing
after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay
on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine
and it will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have
anti-lock
brakes and there could be a problem with your
regular brakes. Pull off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal
may
go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop.
Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.)
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Wac System Warning Light
Your regular brake system may not be working
properly if the anti-lock brake system warning
light is flashing, Driving with the anti-lock brake
system w’arning light flashing
can lead to an
accident, After you’ve pulled off the road
and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
TRAC
OFF
With the Trac System, this
warning light should come
on briefly as you start the
engine.
If the warning light
doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition
off. Or, if the light comes o,n and stays on
when you’re driving,
stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your
Pontiac needs service. If the
light is on but not flashing and the regular brake system
warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key
to RUN. If the
light doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed €0 if will b’e
ready to warn you if there is a problem. .
If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be
a problem with your Trac System and your
vehicle may need service, When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
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NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition
is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer
or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service
may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as
soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
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Comfort Controls
Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls
Temperature Knob
The center knob changes the temperature of.the air
coming through the system. Turn this
knob toward
red (clockwise) for warmer air. Turn it toward blue
(counterclockwise) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction
of airflow:
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle and sends it through the instrument
panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will
run automatically in this setting: unless the outside
"
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best
if
you keep your windows closed while using it. rJ UPPER: This setting brings in outside air and
temperature
is below
38 OF (3.3 O C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
+e
Fan Knob
airects it through the instrument panel outlets.
-+a
The left knob selects the amount of air you want. To turn *'- BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and
the fan off, turn
fie knob to OFF. The fan must be on tQ directs it two Ways. Half Of the air is directed through
run the air conditioning compressor, the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a little
to the defrost
and
side window vents.
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Automatic Control Dual Zone Button Light
For the most efficient operation, you should set the
system temperature and press AUTO. The system will
select the best fan speed and airflow settings to keep you
comfortable. The air conditioning compressor will run if
the outside temperature is above
38 OF (3.3 O C). You may
notice a delay of three to four minutes before the fan
comes on.
Driver's Temperature Knob
The left knob sets the temperature for the entire system
when the light on DUAL button isn't lit.
If the light is
lit, the knob sets the temperature for the driver. Turn the
knob toward red (clockwise) to raise the desired cabin
temperature. Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) to
lower the temperature. The display will show your
selection for a few seconds, then the outside temperature
will show or be displayed.
Passenger's Temperature Knob
The right knob sets the desired cabin temperature for the
passenger and will automatically force the system into a
dual zone operation, lighting the dual zone button light.
Turn the right knob toward red (clockwise) to raise the
temperature. Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) to
lower the temperature. The
dual zone button light indicates whether the system
is in single zone
or dual zone operation. When there is
no desire for dual zone operation, push the lit dual zone
button to return to single zone operation. The dual zone
button light will
go off.
The system will operate to achieve your comfort set
point as quick as possible. If you set the temperature for
60°F (16°C)
or 90°F (32"C), the fan will go to it's
highest speed, unless you manually select a lower speed.
The system will maintain full cold or full hot operation
at these settings.
Cold Weather Example: (When you start the vehicle in
cold weather, below freezing or after being parked
overnight). If your Driver Set Temperature is 73°F
(23 "C) and you are in Full Automatic mode, the system
will automatically move the temperature doors to full
hot. The blower will start out at a low speed and the
blower speed will increase
as the engine warms up. The
air will be delivered to the floor. As the interior of the
vehicle warms up to your desired comfort point, the
blower will decrease and
the temperature door will
move to a cooler position to maintain your desired
comfort. As the cabin warms
up or the sun load
increases, the system could switch to air delivered
to the windshield and the floor. (Defog mode)
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I
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-3
4-6
4-6
4-7
4-9
4-11
4-11
4-13
4-13 Defensive
Driving
Driving Drunk
Having Control
of Your Vehicle
Your Braking System Information
Anti-Lock Brake Information
Trac System
Braking in Emergencies
Steering Tips
Off-Road
Recovery Tips
Passing Other Vehicles 4-
15
4-16
4-
17
4-22 4-23
4-23 4-25
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4-3 1
Losing Control of Your Vehicle
Night Driving
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Tips Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Avoiding Highway Hypnosis
Driving on Hills and Mountains
Winter Driving
If You’re Caught in
a Blizzard
Loading
Your Vehicle
Helpful Hints for Towing a Trailer
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I
Towing a Trailer
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people
in a sudden stop or turn, or
in
a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
1 trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
Try to spread the weight evenly.
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
’ vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passenger passengers could be seriously
injured. Pull
a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section. Ask your Pontiac
dealer
for advice and information about towing a
trailer
with your vehicle.
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?‘hat’s me reason for this part. In it are many
Many of these are important
for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
NOTICE: time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
the advice in this part, and see your Pontiac wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
dealer for important information about towing a against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
trailer with your vehicle. required to sperate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with the pulling requirements.
3800 (L67) supercharged engine.
Your vehicle can tow
a trailer if it is equipped with
proper towing equipment.
To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read
There are many different laws, including speed limit
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
later
in this section. But trailering is different than just your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
driving your vehicle by itself, Trailering means changes also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful, information
can be state or provincial police.
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
used Droperly. dealer about
sway controls.
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