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1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 203

1997 Pontiac Sunfire Manual

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Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trhiler.Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and anytrailer brakes are still working. Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read and follow instructions for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle'sbrake system. If you do, both brake systems won't work well, or at all. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Driving witha Trailer Towing atrailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are Passing You'll need more passing distance up ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. 4-39

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Seats and Restraint Systems	9
Seats and Seat Controls	10
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	16
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- And the Answers	21
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	22
Driver Position	22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	30
Right Front Passenger Position	31
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	31
Rear Seat Passengers	37
Center Passenger Position	42
Children	44
Child Restraints	46
Larger Children	54
Safety Belt Extender	57
Checking Your Restraint Systems	57
Replacing Restraint System Part after a Crash	57
Features and Controls	59
Keys	60
Door Locks	62
Remote Keyless Entry	64
Trunk	68
Theft	68
Passlock	69
New Vehicle “Break-In"	70
Ignition Positions	70
Starting Your Engine	72
Engine Coolant Heater	75
Automatic Transaxle Operation	76
Manual Transaxle Operation	81
Parking Brake	84
Shifting Into PARK (P)	85
Shifting Out of PARK (P)	86
Parking Over Things That Burn	87
Engine Exhaust	88
Running Your Engine While You're Parked	88
Windows	89
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	91
Exterior Lamps	99
Interior Lamps	101
Mirrors	103
Storage Compartments	105
Sunroof (If Equipped)	108
Convertible Top	109
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System	120
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	124
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	139
Comfort Controls	140
Air Conditioning	143
Heating	143
Ventilation System	143
Defogging and Defrosting Windows	144
Audio Systems	145
Setting the Clock for AM-FM Stereo	145
Setting the Clock for All Systems Except AM-FM Stereo	145
AM-FM Stereo	146
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player	147
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player And Equalizer	151
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer	154
Theft-Deterrent Feature	157
Understanding Radio Reception	160
Tips About Your Audio System	160
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	161
Care of Your Compact Discs	162
Fixed Mast Antenna	162
Your Driving and the Road	165
Defensive Driving	166
Drunken Driving	166
Control of a Vehicle	170
Braking	170
Steering	175
Off-Road Recovery	177
Passing	177
Loss of Control	179
Driving at Night	180
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	182
City Driving	185
Freeway Driving	186
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	187
Highway Hypnosis	188
Hills and Mountain Roads	188
Winter Driving	190
Recreational VehicleTowing	195
Loading your Vehicle	197
Towing a Trailer (Models with 2.4L Engine and 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle)	199
Towing A Trailer (Except Models with 2.4L Engine and 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle)	206
Problems on the Road	209
Hazard Warning Flashers	210
Other Warning Devices	211
Jump Starting	211
Towing Your Vehicle	216
Engine Overheating	222
If a Tire Goes Flat	230
Changing a Flat Tire	231
Compact Spare Tire	241
If You’re Stuck In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	242
Service and Appearance Care	245
Fuel	247
Filling Your Tank	249
Checking Things Under the Hood	251
Engine Oil	255
Air Cleaner	260
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (Except 2.4L Code T Engine)	261
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.4L Code T Engine Only)	264
Manual Transaxle Fluid	265
Hydraulic Clutch	267
Engine Coolant	268
Surge Tank Pressure Cap	271
Power Steering Fluid	272
Windshield Washer Fluid	273
Brakes	274
Battery	277
Halogen Bulbs	278
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	283
Tires	283
Care of Safety Belts	294
Cleaning Tires	297
Finish Damage	298
Underbody Maintenance	298
Service Parts Identification Label	300
Electrical System	300
Capacities and Specifications	305
Air Conditioning Refrigerants	306
Maintenance Schedule	309
Introduction	310
Your Vehicle and the Environment	310
How This Section is Organized	311
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	312
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	312
Selecting the Right Schedule	312
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	349
At Each Fuel Fill	349
At Least Once a Year	351
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	354
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	354
Exhaust System Inspection	354
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection	354
Throttle Linkage Inspection	354
Brake System Inspection	355
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection	355
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	356
Part E: Maintenance Record	358
Customer Assistance Information	361
Pontiac Cares	362
What Makes up Pontiac Cares?	363
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	363
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	365
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program	366
Canadian Roadside Assistance	368
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation	368
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	369
Warranty nformation	370
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	370
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	371
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	371
OrderingService and Owner Publications in Canada	371

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Safety

Chains

You

should always attach chains between your vehicle

and

your

trhiler. Cross the safety chains under the tongue

the trailer

that the tongue will not drop

the

road

becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions

about

safety

chains may be provided by the hitch

manufacturer

by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the

manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety

chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always

leave just enough slack

you can turn with your rig.

And, never

allow safety chains

drag

the ground.

Trailer

Brakes

Does

your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read

and

instructions

for

the

trailer brakes

you’ll

able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.

Because you have anti-lock brakes,

not try

to tap

into your

vehicle’s brake system. If

you

do, both brake

systems won’t work well, or at all.

Driving

with

Trailer

Towing

a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.

Before setting

out

for

the

open

road, you’ll want to get

know

your

rig.

Acquaint yourself

with the feel of

handling and braking with the added weight of the

trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle

you

are

driving is now

a good deal longer and not nearly as

responsive as your vehicle is by itself.

Before you

start,

check the trailer hitch and platform

(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,

lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.

the trailer has

electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer

moving

and

then apply the trailer brake controller by

hand to be sure

the brakes

are

working. This lets you check your

electrical connection at the same time.

During your trip, check occasionally to

be sure that

the

load is secure, and that the lamps and

any trailer brakes

are still working.

Following

Distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead

you

would

when driving your vehicle without a

trailer. This

can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking

and

sudden turns.

Passing

You’ll

need more passing distance up ahead when

you’re towing

trailer.

And,

because you’re a

good

deal

longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the

passed

vehicle

before

you

can

return

your

lane.

4-39