1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM lights

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2-48
Instrument Panel Cluster
Your vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that
are explained on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.

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2-50
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.

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4-16
Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive.

Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.

Since you can't see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we
get older these differences increase. A 50
-year-old driver
may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing
at night as a 20
-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision.
For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are
wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble
adjusting to night. But if you're driving, don't wear
sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from
headlamps, but they also make a lot of things invisible.You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who
doesn't lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and
aren't even aware of it.

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6-20
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

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9-6
Key Lock Cylinders Service 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Labels
Certification 4-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Parts Identification 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Identification Number 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamps 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirror Reading 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Latches, Seatback 1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running 2-25 . . . . . . .
Lighter 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lights
Air Bag Readiness 1
-24, 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning 2-53, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change Oil 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System Indicator 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Tire Pressure 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enhanced Traction System Active 2-54, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light 2-53, 4-9 . . . . . ETS Active 2
-54, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ETS Warning 2-54, 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Coolant Warning 2-55, 6-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Oil 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Washer 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Pressure 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belt Reminder 1-8, 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Engine Soon 2-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Vehicle Soon 2-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading Your Vehicle 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Door 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cylinders 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Lock Cylinder Service 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Door 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Programmable Automatic Door 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Door Security 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk 2-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Coolant Warning Light 2-55, 6-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Oil Light 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Washer Light 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubricants and Fluids 7-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubrication Service, Body 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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9-12
Warning Devices 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warranty Information 8-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer Fluid, Windshield 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washing Your Vehicle 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weatherstrips 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel
Alignment 6
-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nut Torque 5-24 , 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used Replacement 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wrench 5-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto-Down 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windshield Washer 2
-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 2-33, 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Level Check 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper Blade Check 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wipers 2-32, 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blade Check 7-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blade Replacement 6-34, 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter Driving 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blades, Cleaning 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wrecker Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wrench, Wheel 5-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .