1996 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 254

Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers for movement, brake pads forwear, and evenly torque wheel nutsin 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. Also, rear brake drums the should be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced, have the reax brakes inspected, toas Brake linings should always be replaced a3 complete axle sets. If your brakepedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drumbrakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times. Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its many partshave to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Vehicles we design and test have top-quality GM brake parts in them, asyour Pontiac does when it is new. When you replace parts of your braking system -- for example, when your brake liningswear down and you have to havenew ones putin -- be sure you get new genuine GM replacement parts. If you don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, thebalance between your front and rear brakes can change -- for the worse. The braking performance you've come to expect can change many other ways in if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts. Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be asign of brake trouble. Brake Adjustment Every time you make amoderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make a few moderate brake stops about every 1,000miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly. Battery Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@battery. You never haveto add water to one of these. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend aDelco Freedom@ battery. Get one that has thereplacement number shown on the original battery's label. 6-31