1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 74

Starting Your 2.4 Liter Engine 1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START.When the enginestarts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. NOTICE: Hol'dingyour key in START for longer than 15 seconds a t a time will cause your battery to be drained muchsooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. 3. If your engine stillwon't start (or starts'but then stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it thereas you hold the key in START for about three seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. If the vehiclestarts briefly but then stops again, do the sarne thing, butthis time keep the pedal about one-quarter of the way down for five orsix seconds. I NOTICE: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts oraccessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't, your engine might not perform properly. If YOU ever have to have your vehicle t'owed, see the partof this manual that tells to do it how without damagingyour vehicle. See "Towing Your Vehicle" in theIndex. - 2. If it doesn't start right away, and if the weather is very cold (below -20" F or -29" C),push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you turn thekey to START. Do this until the engine starts.As soon as it does, let go of the key. 2-16