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1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 187

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Manual

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That's the reason for this part. In itare many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety andthat of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before youpull a trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What's more, the trailer addsconsiderably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. 0 Then, during the first 500 miles (800 k ) m that you tow a trailer, don't drive over 50 mph (80 h hand / ) don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Don't drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to save wear onyour vehicle's parts. the weight of the trailer, the weight of the trailer tongue and the total weight on your vehicle's tires. 0 Three important considerations have to do with weight: 0 If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you'll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. 0 Weight of the Trailer How heavycan a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,000lbs. (450 kg). But even that can be too heavy. Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about swaycontrols. Don't towa trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine. axle or other parts could be damaged. 0 It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. 4-36

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Seats and Seat Controls	9
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	14
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers	19
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	20
Driver Positions	20
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	27
Right Front Passenger Position	28
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	28
Rear Seat Passengers	34
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	38
Center Passenger Position	40
Children	42
Child Restraints	44
Larger Children	52
Safety Belt Extender	55
Checking Your Restraint Systems	55
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	55
Features and Controls	56
Keys	57
Door Locks	59
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)	62
Trunk	65
Theft	67
Passlock	68
New Vehicle "Break-In"	68
Ignition Positions	69
Starting Your Engine	71
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)	74
Automatic Transaxle Operation	76
Manual Transaxle Operation	80
Parking Brake	83
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only)	84
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only)	86
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle Only)	86
Parking Over Things That Burn	87
Engine Exhaust	87
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	88
Windows	89
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)	90
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	90
Exterior Lamps	98
Mirrors	103
Storage Compartments	105
Accessory Power Outlet	107
Garment Hook	108
Sunroof (If Equipped)	108
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System	109
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	113
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	126
Comfort Controls	127
Climate Control System	127
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning	128
Air Conditioning	130
Heating	130
Defrosting and Defogging	131
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)	131
Ventilation System	132
Audio Systems	133
Setting the Clock for AM-FM Stereo	133
Setting the Clock for All Systems Except AM-FM Stereo	133
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)	135
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)	138
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)	142
Remote Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)	144
Theft-Deterrent Feature	146
Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)	148
Understanding Radio Reception	148
Tips About Your Audio System	149
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	150
Care of Your Compact Discs	151
Fixed Mast Antenna	151
Your Driving and the Road	152
Defensive Driving	153
Drunken Driving	154
Control of a Vehicle	157
Braking	157
Steering	162
Off-Road Recovery	164
Passing	164
Loss of Control	166
Driving at Night	167
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	169
City Driving	172
Freeway Driving	173
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	174
Highway Hypnosis	175
Hill and Mountain Roads	175
Winter Driving	177
Recreational Vehicle Towing	181
Loading Your Vehicle	184
Towing a Trailer	186
Problems on the Road	194
Hazard Warning Flashers	195
Other Warning Devices	195
Jump Starting	196
Towing Your Vehicle	201
Engine Overheating	207
If a Tire Goes Flat	215
Changing a Flat Tire	216
Compact Spare Tire	226
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	227
Service and Appearance Care	228
Service	229
Fuel	230
Fuels in Foreign Countries	231
Filling Your Tank	232
Checking Things Under the Hood	235
Engine Oil	239
Air Cleaner	245
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	246
Manual Transaxle Fluid	248
Hydraulic Clutch	250
Engine Coolant	251
Surge Tank Pressure Cap	255
Thermostat	255
Power Steering Fluid	255
Windshield Washer Fluid	256
Brakes	257
Battery	261
Bulb Replacement	262
Halogen Bulbs	262
Appearance Care	276
Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac	277
Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac	281
Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)	282
Cleaning Tires	282
Sheet Metal Damage	282
Finish Damage	283
Appearance Care Materials Chart	284
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	285
Electrical System	285
Replacement Bulbs	290
Capacities and Specifications	291
Air Conditioning Refrigerants	292
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	292
Dimensions	292
Maintenance Schedule	294
Introduction	295
Your Vehicle and the Environment	295
How This Section is Organized	296
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	297
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	297
Selecting the Right Schedule	297
Footnotes	300
Footnotes	322
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	334
At Each Fuel Fill	334
At Least Once a Month	334
At Least Twice a Year	335
At Least Once a Year	335
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	338
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	338
Exhaust System Inspection	338
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection	338
Throttle Linkage Inspection	338
Brake System Inspection	339
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection	339
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	340
Part E: Maintenance Record	342
Customer Assistance Information	344
Pontiac Cares	345
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	346
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	348
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program	349
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	352
Warranty Information	353
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	353
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	354
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	354
Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada	354

Match case Limit results 1 per page

That’s the reason for this part. In

it are many

time-tested, important trailering tips and

safety

rules.

Many of these are important for your

safety

and

that of

your passengers.

please read this section carefully

before

you pull a trailer.

Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,

wheel assemblies and tires

are

forced to work harder

against the drag of the added weight. The engine is

required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under

greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the

trailer

adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing

the pulling requirements.

You

Decide

Pull

Trailer

you do, here are some important points:

There are many different laws, including speed limit

restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure

your

rig will be legal, not only

where

you

live but

also

where you’ll be driving.

good source for this

information can be state or provincial police.

Consider using a sway control.

You

can ask a hitch

dealer about

swaycontrols.

Don’t

tow a trailer at all during the first

1,000

miles

600

km)

your

new vehicle is driven. Your engine.

axle or other parts could be damaged.

Then, during the first

500

miles

(800

km)

that

you

tow a trailer, don’t drive over

mph

(80

h/h)

and

don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your

engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the

heavier loads.

Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.

Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed

for trailers (or no more than

mph

(90

km/h))

save wear

on your vehicle’s parts.

Three important considerations have to do with weight:

the weight

the trailer,

the weight of the trailer tongue

and the total weight

your

vehicle’s tires.

Weight

the

Trailer

How

heavycan a trailer safely be?

should never

weigh more than

1,000

lbs.

(450

kg). But

even that can be too heavy.

It depends on how

you plan to use your rig. For

example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside

temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a

trailer are all important. And,

can

also

depend on any

special equipment that you have

your vehicle.

4-36