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1998 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 243

1998 Pontiac Sunfire Manual

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If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow What you don't want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as "rocking" can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must use caution. NOTICE: Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well the tires. If you spin the wheels as too fast while shifting your transaxle back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. For information about using tire chains on your vehicle, see "Tire Chains" in the Index. If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could beinjured. And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can overheat. That could causean engine compartment fire or otherdamage. When you're stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't spin the wheels above35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer. Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area aroundyour front wheels. If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System, you should turn the system off. (See "Enhanced Traction System" in the Index.) Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear.If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need to betowed out, see "Towing Your Vehicle" in the Index. 5-33

Section	Page
Table of Contents	11
Seats and Restraint Systems	17
Seats and Seat Controls	18
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	24
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts--and the Answers	28
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	29
Driver Position	30
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	37
Right Front Passenger Position	38
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)	38
Rear Seat Passengers	44
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	48
Center Passenger Position	50
Children	52
Child Restraints	55
Larger Children	67
Safety Belt Extender	70
Checking Your Restraint Systems	70
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	70
Features and Controls	71
Keys	72
Door Locks	74
Remote Keyless Entry (If Equipped)	76
Theft	80
Passlock	81
New Vehicle “Break-In”	82
Ignition Positions	83
Starting Your Engine	85
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)	88
Automatic Transaxle Operation	89
Manual Transaxle Operation	94
Parking Brake	96
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only)	97
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle)	99
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle Models Only)	99
Parking Over Things That Burn	100
Engine Exhaust	100
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	101
Windows	102
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)	103
Turn Signalhdultifunction Lever Exterior Lamps	103
Exterior Lamps	110
Interior Lamps	112
Mirrors	114
Storage Compartments	116
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)	117
Sun Visors	118
Convertible Top (If Equipped)	119
Instrument Panel	130
Instrument Panel Cluster	132
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	132
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	145
Comfort Controls	146
Air Conditioning (If Equipped)	149
Heating	149
Ventilation System	149
Defogging and Defrosting	150
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)	151
Audio Systems	151
Setting the Clock for AM-FM Stereo	151
Setting the Clock for All Systems Except AM-FM Stereo	152
AM-FM Stereo	152
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)	153
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)	157
AM-FM Stereo With Compact Disc Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)	160
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)	163
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)	165
Understanding Radio Recepti'on Tips About Your Audio System	165
Tips About Your Audio System	166
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	167
Care of Your Compact Discs	168
Care of Your Compact Disc Player:	168
Fixed Mast Antenna	168
Your Driving and the Road	169
Defensive Driving	170
Drunken Driving	171
Control of a Vehicle	173
Braking	174
Steering	178
Off-Road Recovery	180
Passing	181
Loss of Control	182
Driving at Night	183
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	185
City Driving	187
Freeway Driving	188
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	189
Highway Hypnosis	190
Hill and Mountain Roads	191
Winter Driving	193
Recreational Vehicle Towing	197
Loading Your Vehicle	200
Towing a Trailer (Models with 2.4L Engine and 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle)	202
Towing a Trailer (Except Models with 2.4L Engine and 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle)	209
Problems of the Road	211
HazardWarning Flashers	212
Other Warning Devices	212
Jump Starting	213
Towing Your Vehicle	218
Engine Overheating	224
Cooling System	226
If a Tire Goes Flat	232
Changing a Flat Tire	233
Compact Spare Tire	242
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	243
Service and Appearance Care	245
Service	246
Fuel	247
Fuels in Foreign Countries	249
Filling Your Tank	249
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	251
Checking Things Under the Hood	252
Engine Oil	256
Air Cleaner	261
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (Three-Speed Only)	262
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (Four-Speed Only)	265
Manual Transaxle Fluid	266
Hydraulic Clutch	267
Engine Coolant	268
Surge Tank Pressure Cap	271
Thermostat	272
Power Steering Fluid	272
Windshield Washer Fluid	273
Brakes	274
Battery	277
Bulb Replacement	278
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	283
Tires	284
Appearance Care	292
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	293
Care of Safety Belts	295
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	296
Cleaning Your Convertible Top	297
Sheet Metal Damage	298
Finish Damage	299
Underbody Maintenance	299
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	301
Electrical System	302
Replacement Bulbs	306
Capacities and Specifications	307
Maintenance Schedule	311
Introduction	312
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	314
Maintenance Schedule	315
Short TripKity Definition	315
Short TripKity Intervals	315
Long TriplHighway Definition	316
Long Trip/Highway Intervals	316
Part B : Owner Checks and Services	341
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	346
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	348
Part E: Maintenance Record	350
Customer Assistance Information	353
Pontiac Cares	354
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?	355
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	355
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	357
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program Canadian Roadside Assistance	358
Canadian Roadside Assistance	359
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation	360
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	361
Warranty Information	362
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	362
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	363
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	363
Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada	363

Match case Limit results 1 per page

You’re Stuck: In Sand,

Mud,

Ice or

Snow

What

you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is

to spin your wheels too fast. The method

known

“rocking” can help you

get out when you’re stuck, but

you must use caution.

you let your tires spin at high

speed,

they

can

explode, and you or others could

injured. And,

the transaxle or other parts

the vehicle

can

overheat.

That

could

cause an engine

compartment fire or

other damage.

When

you’re

stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible.

Don’t

spin the wheels

above

mph

(55

km/h) as shown

the speedometer.

NOTICE:

Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your

vehicle

well

as the tires.

you spin the wheels

too fast while shifting your transaxle back and

forth, you can destroy your transaxle.

For information about

using tire chains on your vehicle,

see “Tire Chains” in the Index.

Rocking

Your

Vehicle

Get

Out

First, turn

your steering wheel left and right. That will

clear

the

area

around

your

front

wheels.

your

vehicle

has the Enhanced Traction System, you should turn the

system off. (See “Enhanced Traction System” in

the Index.) Then shift back and forth between

REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual

transaxle, between

FIRST

(1)

or SECOND

(2)

and

REVERSE

(R)),

spinning the wheels as little as

possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift,

and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the

transaxle is in

gear. If that doesn’t get you out after a

few tries,

you

may

need

towed

out.

you

need

betowed out, see “Towing Your

Vehicle” in

the Index.

5-33