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1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 192

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Manual

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Parking on Hills You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, ona hill. If something goes wrong, your rig could startto move. People can be injured, and both your vehicle and trailer can be damaged. the But if you ever have to park yourrig on a hill, here's how to doit: 1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into PARK (P) yet, or into a gear for a manual transaxle. When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold thepedal down while you: 0 Start your engine; Shift into a gear; and Release the parking brake. 0 2. Let up on the brake pedal. 2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes untilthe chocks absorb the load. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks. 4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and thenshift to PARK (P), or REVERSE (R) for a manual transaxle. Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you're pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill), engine oil, belt,cooling system and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review thesesections before you start your trip. Check periodically tosee that all hitch nuts andbolts are tight. 5. Release the regular brakes. 4-41

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

Parking

Hills

You really

should

not

park your vehicle, with a trailer

attached,

on a hill.

something

goes

wrong,

your

rig

could

startto move. People can be injured, and

both

your

vehicle

and

the trailer can be damaged.

But if

you ever have to park

your

rig

on a hill, here’s

how to

it:

Apply

your regular brakes, but don’t shift into

PARK

(P)

yet, or into a gear for a manual transaxle.

Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.

When the wheel chocks are

in place, release the

regular brakes

until the chocks absorb the load.

Reapply

the regular brakes. Then apply

your

parking

brake, and

then shift to PARK

(P),

or REVERSE

(R)

for a manual

transaxle.

Release the

regular brakes.

When

You

Are Ready to Leave

After

Parking

Hill

Apply

your regular brakes and

hold

the pedal down

while

you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear;

and

Release the parking brake.

Let up

on the brake pedal.

Drive

slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.

Stop and

have

someone

pick

and

store the chocks.

Maintenance

When

Trailer

Towing

Your vehicle will

need service more often when

you’re

pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more

on this. Things that are especially important in trailer

operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),

engine oil,

belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.

Each

these is covered in this manual, and the Index

will help you find them

quickly.

you’re trailering, it’s

a good idea to

review

these sections before you

start

your trip.

Check

periodically

to see that all hitch nuts

and bolts

are

tight.

4-41