1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM overheating

Surge Tank Pressure Cap
I NOTICE:
~~
Your pressure cap is an 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
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 ACDelco@
thermostat
is recommended.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-29

Tires
Your new vehicle 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.
-
A CAUTION:
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
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.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
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).
6-42

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17. 2. 18.3.23. 6.59
Electrical System
............................... 6-59
Engine
.................................. 6.11. 6.12
Coolant ..................................... 6-25
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-30
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-61
Exhaust
................. 2-1 1.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-63
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-30
Overheating ................................. 5- 14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-65
StartingYou ................................ 2-16
Engine Exhaust ............ 2.11.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
EngineOil
.................................... 6-13
Adding
..................................... 6-15
Additives
................................... 6-18
Checking
................................... 6-14
Used
....................................... 6-18
WhatToUse
................................. 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-18
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light ......... 2.61. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
....... 2.61. 4.9
Active Light
............................. 2.60. 4.9
Warning Light
........................... 2.60. 4.9
Exhaust. Engine
............ 2-1 1.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-42 Fabric
Cleaning
............................... 6-51
Fifth Gear.
Manual Transaxle ..................... 2-25
Filling a
Portable Fuel Container .................... 6-5
FillingYourTank ................................ 6-5
Filter. Air ..................................... 6-19
FinishC are .................................... 6-55
FinishDamage
................................. 6-56
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-24
First Gear. Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-23
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-36
FOgLmps
.................................... 2-44
Following Distance when Towing a Trailer
........... 4-39
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-25
French Language Manual
11
Front Map Lamps ............................... 2-45
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling a Portable Container
...................... 6-5
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
In Foreign Countries ......................... 6-5
.. ...........................
Gage ....................................... 2-67
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........ .......... 6-60
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-61
Fuel ....................................... 2-67
GarmentHook ................................. 2-51
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
9-4

Manual Transaxle ............................... 2- 16
Shifting
..................................... 2-25
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Manual Transaxle Check
......................... 7-31
Manual Transaxle Fluid
.......................... 6-23
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-47
ConvexOutside
.............................. 2-47
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-47
Manual Remote Control
............. .... 2-47
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-48
Visorvanity
................................. 2-50
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-22
Neutral. Manual Transaxle
........................ 2-25
New Vehicle “Break-In’’ ......................... 2-14
NightVision
................................... 4-17
Odometer .................................... 2-55
Odometer.
Trip .................................. 2-55
Off-RoadRecovery ............................. 4-13
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6- 13
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-65
Outlet. Accessory Power
......................... 2-50
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-14
Owner Checks
and Services ....................... 7-30
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-12
Owner Publications. Ordering
in Canada ............ 8-1 1 Paint
Spotting. Chemical
................. . . 6-56
Park Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-21
Shifting Into
................................. 2-28
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-30
AtNight
.................................... 2-12
Brake
...................................... 2-27
Brake Mechanism Check ....................... 7-33
Lots
....................................... 2-13
Over Things That
Burn ........................ 2-31
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-41
Your Vehicle
................................. 2-30
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-21
Passing
....................................... 4-13
Passing When Towing a Trailer .................... 4-39
Passlock ...................................... 2-13
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-66
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-34
Pontiac Cares Information ......................... 8-2
Power Door Locks
................................... 2-5
OptionFuses
................................ 6-59
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-48
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-29
Windows ................................... 2-33
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-20
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-12
Parking
9-7