1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC service indicator

OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still
turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must have your
vehicle
pushed or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns
after
you start your vehicle. With the engine off, you
can use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition,
~
NOTICE:
~~
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure your are using the correct key; if
so is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while yon turn the
key hard.
But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition
switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is
moving. If you do, you could, damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
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Check Tire Pressure Light
CHECK
TIRE
PRESS
With the check tire pressure
system, after you’ve driven
10 to 20 miles (1 5 to 30 km)
the CHECK TIRE PRESS
light will come on if the
pressure in one tire becomes
at least
10 psi (69 kPa)
higher or lower than the
other three tires.
When
the CHECK TIRE PRESS light comes on, you
should stop
as soon as you can and check all your tires
for damage.
(If a tire is flat, see “If a Tire Goes Flat’’
in the Index.) Also
check the tire pressure in all four
tires
as soon as you can. See ‘‘Inflation - Tire Pressure
in the Index.
The light will stay on until you turn off the ignition or
press the
CALIBRATE TIP9 PRESS button. See
“Check Tire Pressure Syst?
.” in the Index.
If the anti-lock
brake system warning light comes on
with the CHECK
TIRE PRESS light, the check tire
pressure system isn’t working. See your Pontiac dealer
for service.
(Also, see “Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light in the Index.)
Mal€unctisn Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENIGINIE SOON
Your Pontiac is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called
OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure
that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the
vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. (In
Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by Enhanced Diagnostics.)
The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on to
indicate that there is
a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before
any problem
is apparent. This may prevent more serious
damage to
your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
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Fuel Gage Low Fuel Light
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. The gage needle should move no more
than
1/8 of a tank under any driving maneuver.
LOW
FUEL
If your fuel is low, a light
will come on and stay on
until you add fuel. It will
also come
on for a few
seconds when you first turn
on the ignition as a check to
show you it’s working. If it
doesn’t come on then, see
your dealer.
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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 tape clean timer.
If this message appears
on the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it
as
soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player.
If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a
known good cassette to see
if it is the tape or the tape
player 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 dealership.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not
eject. It may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing
type cleaner.
After you clean the player, press and hold
EJECT for
five seconds to reset the
CLN indicator. The radio will
display
--- to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette tape
is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
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If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels
are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels
meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determine
the
cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of
the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that
are not reformulated for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadlenyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains
MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your ernissicrn
control
system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp
on your instrument panel
may
turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Pontiac dealer
€or service.
To provide cleaner ais, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits
from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system to
function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add
anything to the
fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and
reforrnulate'd gasolines may
be available in your area to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines
if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
~~
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use it. It
can corrode
metal parts in
your fuel system and also damage
plastic and
rubber parts. That damage wouldn't
be covered under
your warranty.
_____~~
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NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts.
For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you.spil1 brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go
or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead
to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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Lights Lubrication Service. Body ........................ 7-40 Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-23. 2-65 Lumbar Seat .................................... 1-4
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-67. 4-7
Brake System Warning ......................... 2-66
Charging System
............................. 2-66 Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........... 6-73
Check Tire Pressure ........ 2-70 Maintenance Record 7-46
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-74 Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7-1 Interior ..................................... 2-40 Introtduction .................................. 7-2
Low Coolant Warning ......................... 2-75 Long TripMighway Definition ................... 7-6
LowFuel ................................... 2-77 Long TripMighway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Low Traction
................................ 2-69 Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ 7-43
Low Washer Fluid ............................ 2-76
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-44
Oil Warning ................................. 2-73 Scheduled Maintenance Services .................. 7-3
Safety Belt Reminder ...................... 1-9. 2-64 Short TriplCity Definition ....................... 7-5
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-70 Short Trip/City Intervals .........................
Trac System Warning .......................... 2-68 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................ 7-2
Trunk
Ajar Warning ........................... 2-76 Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-63
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-29 Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-38
Automatic Door .......................... 2-6. 2-46 Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Door ........................................ 2-4 Mirrors ....................................... 2-53
Ignition Transaxle Check ....................... 7-42 Convex Outside .............................. 2-54
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-40 Electrochromic Daymight Rearview .............. 2-53
Locks and Lighting Choices
...................... 2-44 Visor Vanity .................................. 2-59
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-75 ......................................... 6-4
LOW Fuel Light ................................ 2-77 Mode Buttons. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control .. 3-6 LOW Oil Level Light ............................ 2-74 Mode Knob. climate Control System ................ 3-2
LOW Traction Light ............................. 2-69 Mountain Roads ................................ 4-23 Low Washer muid Light ......................... 2-76 Multifunc$iQn Lever ............................. 2-32
............ ............................
LowOilLevel ............................... 2-74 Owner Checks and Services ..................... 7-39
7-5
......................................... ...................... Locks 2-4 Malfunction Indicator Lap 2-70
Cylinders 7-40 Methanol 6-4 ................................... ......................................
PowerDoor .................................. 2-5 Inside DayNight Rearview ..................... 2-53
Pawar Outside
2-54
Trunk ...................................... 2-12 ...............................
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-44
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Underbody Flushing Service .
Underhood Electrical Center
Underbody
Maintenance
.....
...
.......
...
... 7-42
..... 6-63
I ....... 6-69
Vehicle Control
............. ..................... 4-6
Damage Warnings
.............................. iv
Dimensions ................................. 6-73
Identification Number
......................... 6-65
Loading
.................................... 4-29
Storage
..................................... 6-37
Ventilationsystem
............................... 3-8
.Visor Vanity Mirrors ............................ 2-59
Visors,
Sun .................................... 2-59
warning Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning
Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-64
Washer Fluid. Windshield ................... . . 6-32 Washing
Your Vehicle
........................... 6-60
Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-60
Wheel Alignment
.................................. 6-52
NutTorque
.................................. 5-31
Replacement
................................. 6-52
Wrench
.............................
Auto-Down ................................. 2-31
Power
...................................... 2-30
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-34
Fluid
.................................. 2-34, 6-32
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-39
Windshield Wiper ............................... 2-33
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-44
Fuses
...................................... 6-67
Winter Driving
................................. 4-25
Wiring, Headlamp
.............................. 6-66
WreckerTowing
................................. 5-8
Wrench, Wheel .............................. 5-26
. 5-26
Windows
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