4-15
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while
you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if
you're following a larger vehicle. Also, you won't have
adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don't
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
4-22
Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an
unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross
-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You'll save time and energy.
See the next part, ªFreeway Driving.º
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
4-23
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too
-fast or
too
-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in your
ªblindº spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Pontiac dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.
4-38 Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different
turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check with your
dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle's lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they're all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if
one of your vehicle lamps is out.
5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
Press the button on top of
the steering column to make
your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on
and off.
The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, press the button again.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals and brake lamps won't work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
6-41 Front Turn Signal and Front Sidemarker
1. Open the hood, and support it properly.
2. Remove the two bolts from the top of the
headlamp assembly.
3. Remove the headlamp assembly from the vehicle.
Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint
on the vehicle while removing it.
4. Turn the front sidemarker bulb socket a quarter turn
counterclockwise to remove.
5. Remove the old bulb from the socket.
6. Place the new bulb into the socket.
7. Turn the bulb socket a quarter turn clockwise to
reinstall it.
8. Carefully reinstall the headlamp assembly.
Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping the
paint on the vehicle.
9. Reinstall the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
10. Close the hood.
6-66
Fuse Description
BLANK Blank
BLANK Blank
MALL PGM Mall Module
-- Program
MALL Mall Module
WIPER Wipers
STR WHL
ILLUMSteering Wheel Illumination
BLANK Blank
STR WHL
CTRLSteering Wheel Control
SUNROOF Sunroof
RADIO Radio
BLANK Blank
RADIO AMP Bose Amplifier
PWR LOCK Mall Module
-- Power Locks
HSEAT/LUM Heated Seats, Power Lumbar
R DEFOG Rear Defog
PASSKEY III PASS
-Key III Security SystemFuse Description
RAP Retained Accessory Power
HAZARD Hazard Flashers
PWR MIR Power Mirrors
HVAC HI HVAC Blower
-- Hi
CIG LTR Cigarette Lighter, ALDL,
Floor Console Accessory Outlet
INT LAMP Mall Module
-- Interior lamps
STOP LAMP Stoplamp
ONSTAR OnStar
System
BLANK Blank
ECM Electronic Control Module
CRUISE Cruise Control
I/P
-IGN Chime/Mall Module, Cluster,
Trip Computer, Head
-Up Display,
Automatic Transaxle Shift
Lock Control
SIR Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(Air Bag)
TURN Turn Signal
6-70
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb Number
Back
-Up 3156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High
-Mounted Stop 1141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamp 880L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Parking/Turn Signal 3457A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamps High/Low Beam 9007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
License Plate Lamp 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stop/Tail/Turn Signal 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front and Rear Sidemarker 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle with Overdrive
Pan Removal and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . .
After Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . . . .
*When draining/replacing converter or auxiliary
cooler, more fluid may be needed.Cooling System Including Reservoir
3100 V6 (Code J) 11.0 quarts (10.4 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 (Code K) 11.2 quarts (10.6 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 Supercharged (Code 1) 11.2 quarts (10.6 L). .
Engine Crankcase (Oil Change with Filter Change)
3100 V6 (Code J) 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 (Code K) 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 V6 Supercharged (Code 1) 4.3 quarts (4.1 L). .
Fuel Tank17.5 U.S. gallons (66.2 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
A/C RefrigerantSee refrigerant charge . . . . . . . . . .
label under the hood.
Wheel Nut Torque100 ft
-lb (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
All capacities are approximate. When adding fluid,
be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended
in this manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in
the Index for more information.