1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM engine

The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort co\
ntrols and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving,\
such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubrica\
nts to use.
Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and ho\
w to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
8-10.
9-1 Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in th\
is manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
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Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTlC
ACID COULD x
BAllERY
CAUSE
.~ .. ~
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your vehicle is
driven:
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6
TURN
PARKING
PC
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you
may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
n
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
V

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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking.
Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everythmg is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-27
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Keys
Door
Locks
Keyless Entry System
TrUnk
Theft
Passlock@
New Vehicle “Break-In’’
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
Shifting Out of PARK(P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models
Only)
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2-32
2-33
2-34 2-34
2-42
2-44
2-47 2-48
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2-56
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Only)
Parking Over Things That
Burn
Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof
(If Equipped)
The Instrument Panel --Your
Information System
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
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Trunk Remote Trunk Release
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the trunk lock cylinder.
1 A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can
come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:
Make sure all windows are shut.
lbrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system
to its highest speed with the setting on
VENT. That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
a
The remote trunk release handle is located on the floor
near the
left side of the driver’s seat in front of the fuel
door release. Pull up on the remote release handle
to
release the trunk lid. Make sure the override feature is
not activated.
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Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if
you have to leave your key?
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a
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If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Slide the remote trunk release lockout switch all the
way to the right.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Passlock@
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system
is armed once the key is removed from the ignition.
Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder
is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used, fuel
is disabled. During normal operation, the THEFT
SYS light will go
off after the engine is started.
If the engine stalls and the THEFT SYS light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the START position as soon as the engine starts.
If
you are driving and the THEFT SYS light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine
off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must
be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time.
You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
See your dealer
for service.
If the THEFT SYS light comes on while the engine is
running,
a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance
Center at 1 -800-ROADSIDE or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
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New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it
will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
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Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing a nailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
C
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the
switch
to five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers when the engine
is
off. To use ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
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LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in
LOCK. It’s also the only
position in which you can remove the key. This locks
your steering wheel, ignition and transaxle (on automatic models).
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition, but does not send electrical power to any
accessories.
Use this position if your vehicle must be
pushed or towed, but never
try to push-start your
vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if you open the
driver’s door when the ignition is
off and the key is in
the ignition.
RUN @): This position is where the key returns after
you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays
in the RUN position when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision.
If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you 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 you 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.
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Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the
key release button is used.
To remove the key, turn the key to the OFF position.
While pressing the
key release button, turn the key to
the LOCK position. Pull the key straight out.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
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.
I 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.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to
the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t
start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
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