1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM warning

Adding Coolant
Wrning the surge
tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot
can allow steam and
scalding
liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap -- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark, or a little higher.
If the light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
See “Low Coolant Warning Light” in the Index.
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
A CAUTION:
L
I
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 0n.a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
6-28

‘system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
‘ /d CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid
only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
BRAKE
United States Canada
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will
come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
6-32

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum 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).
A
a CAUTION:
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.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
See “CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection’’
in
Section 7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for
wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear
brake drums should
be removed and inspected each time
the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When
you have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section 7 of this manual
under Part C “Periodic Maintenance Inspections.”
6-34

Treadwear Temperature -- A, B, C
The treadwear grade
is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 112) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction. The temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire faiIure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
6-47

NOTICE: (Continued)
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the front tires.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must.
Use only SAE
Class “S” type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the front tires and
tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them,
If the contact continues,
slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will damage
your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions.
And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can
all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless
this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
6-50

Fuse
PWR WDO
TURN
Usage
Power Window (Circuit Breaker)
Turn Signal Lamps
Fuse
INT LPS
PWR ST
RDO IGN
HTR-A/C
CRUISE
TAIL LPS
LTR
Usage
Alarm Module (Illuminated Entry,
Warning Chimes, Overhead
Lamps, MapReading Lamps,
Glove Box Lamp, Trunk Lamp,
Radio, Power Mirrors), Anti-Lock
Brakes, Variable Effort Steering
Power Seat
Radio
Heater/Air Conditioning Blower,
Daytime Running Lamps, Automatic Light Control
Cruise Control
Parking Lamps, Taillamps, Sidemarker Lamps, License
Lamps, Instrument Panel Lights,
Headlamp Warning Alarm
Cigarette Lighter
6-61

Fuse
WIPER
02
DR UNLK
ALARM
FOG/FTP
PRNDL
DR LK
2
Usage
Windshield Wipersmashers
Heated Oxygen Sensors
Automatic Door Unlock
Automatic Transaxle, Automatic
Door Unlock, Alarm Module (Illuminated Entry, Warning
Chimes), Traction Telltale, Rear
Window Defogger, Remote
Keyless Entry
Fog Lamps
Instrument Cluster, Powertrain
Computer,
Park-Lock Solenoid,
Electronic PRNDL
Door Locks
Fuse
AIR BAG
HORN
INST
STOP HAZ
PCM
DR LK
1
Usage
Air Bag Power
Horn, Service Tool Power
Instrument Cluster
Stoplamps, Hazard Lamps,
Anti-Lock Brakes
Powertrain Control Module
Door Locks, Remote
Keyless Entry
Fog Lamps
INST LPS Instrument Panel Lights,
RELAY RR DEF Rear Window Defogger
HDLP Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps (Circuit Breaker)
6-62

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power outlet ......................... 2-50
Adapter Kit. CD ........................... 3.12. 3.15
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle .................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat ..................... ..... 1.2. 1.52
AirBag ....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-25
How it Works ................................ 1-23
Location .................................... 1-23
Readiness Light ......................... 1.23. 2.57
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates ............... 1-26
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-25
Aircleaner .................................... 6-19
Airconditioning ................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-65
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-48
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-55
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-25
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-25
Anti-Lock Servicing
................................... 1-27
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2.59. 4.7
Brakes ...................................... 4-7
Anti.Theft.
Radio .............................. 3-20
Appearancecare ............................... 6-50
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-57
ArbitrationPro gram .............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-49
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control ....... 3-22
Audio Equipment. Adding ......... 2.17.2.18.3.24. 6.59
Audio Systems ............ .................. 3-7
Auto-Down Window ............................ 2-33
Automatic Transaxle Check ....................... 7-31
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check ......... 7-33
Automatic Door Locks ............................ 2-5
Automatic Light Control ......................... 2-43
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-23
Automatic Transaxle ............................ 2-16
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-16
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-20
Automatic Transaxle Operation .................... 2-21
Shifting ..................................... 2-21
Backing up When Towing a Trailer ............. 4-39
Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement ................. 6-40
Battery ....................................... 6-36
Charging System Indicator Light ................. 2-58
Jumpstarting ................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry ..................... 2-9
Saver ...................................... 2-46
Warnings .................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip .................... 4-23
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
9-1