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1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 32

1997 Pontiac Grand Am Manual

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What makes an air bag inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in instrument panel in front of the the right front passenger. How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because an occupant'smotion is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only moderate to severe frontal or in near-frontal collisions. What will you see after an air bag inflates? After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, or the instrument panel for the right front passenger's bag, will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may bewarm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people witha history of asthma or other breathing trouble.To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get outas soon as it is safe to so. do If you have breathing problems but can't out get of the vehicle after an air inflates, then get bag fresh air by opening a window or door. 1-25

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

What

makes

air

bag

inflate?

In an impact

sufficient severity, the air bag sensing

system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing

system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which

inflates the air

bag. The inflator, air bag

and related

hardware are all part

the air bag modules inside the

steering wheel

and

the instrument panel in front

the

right front passenger.

How does an

air

bag

restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,

even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or

the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection

provided

safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of

the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,

stopping the occupant more gradually. But air

bags

would not help you in many types

collisions,

including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,

primarily because an

occupant’s motion is not

toward

those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as

anything more than a supplement to safety belts,

and

then

only

in moderate to severe frontal or

near-frontal collisions.

What will

you

see after

air

bag

inflates?

After an air

bag inflates,

quickly deflates,

quickly

that some people may not even realize the air bag

inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the

steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the

instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, will

be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come

into contact with

you

may

be warm, but

not too hot to

touch. There will be some smoke and

dust coming from

vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t

prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to

steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving

the vehicle.

When

air

bag

inflates, there is dust

the

air.

This

dust

could

cause

breathing

problems

for

people

with

history of asthma

other

breathing

trouble. To avoid

this,

everyone

the

vehicle should

get

out

soon

safe

so.

you have breathing

problems

but

can’t

get

out

of the vehicle after

air

bag

inflates, then get

fresh air by opening

window or door.

1-25