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2004 Pontiac Aztek Owner's Manual - Page 259

2004 Pontiac Aztek Manual

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Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems - steering and braking - have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you are steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems - steering and acceleration - can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and ﬁnd a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking - if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can not; there is not room. That is the time for evasive action - steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. See Braking on page 4-7. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. 4-13

Section	Page
Pontiac Aztek Owner Manual BookToc	1
Preface	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	7
Front Seats	8
Manual Passenger Seat	8
Six-Way Power Seats	8
Manual Lumbar	9
Heated Seats	9
Reclining Seatbacks	10
Head Restraints	11
Rear Seats	12
Rear Seat Operation	12
Split Bench Seats	12
Safety Belts	18
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	18
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	23
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	24
Driver Position	24
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	32
Right Front Passenger Position	33
Rear Seat Passengers	34
Center Rear Passenger Position	38
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	40
Safety Belt Extender	44
Child Restraints	45
Older Children	45
Infants and Young Children	47
Child Restraint Systems	51
Where to Put the Restraint	54
Top Strap	55
Top Strap Anchor Location	56
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	58
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System	60
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position	60
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position	62
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	65
Air Bag Systems	67
Where Are the Air Bags?	70
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	73
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	74
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	74
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	75
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	77
Restraint System Check	77
Checking Your Restraint Systems	77
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	78
Features and Controls	79
Keys	80
Remote Keyless Entry System	81
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	82
Doors and Locks	85
Door Locks	85
Power Door Locks	86
Delayed Locking	86
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	87
Rear Door Security Locks	87
Lockout Protection	88
Leaving Your Vehicle	88
Liftgate/Tailgate	88
Windows	90
Power Windows	91
Sun Visors	91
Theft-Deterrent Systems	92
Content Theft-Deterrent	92
PASS-Key® III	94
PASS-Key® III Operation	94
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	96
New Vehicle Break-In	96
Ignition Positions	96
Starting Your Engine	98
Engine Coolant Heater	99
Automatic Transaxle Operation	100
Parking Brake	103
Shifting Into Park (P)	104
Shifting Out of Park (P)	106
Parking Over Things That Burn	106
Engine Exhaust	107
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	108
Mirrors	109
Manual Rearview Mirror	109
Outside Power Mirrors	109
Outside Convex Mirror	109
OnStar® System	110
Storage Areas	112
Glove Box	112
Cupholder(s)	112
Overhead Console	112
Front Door Utility Packs	114
Console/Cooler	114
Rear Storage Area	115
Roof Rack System	116
Convenience Net	119
Cargo Cover	120
Cargo Net System	120
Sliding Rear Convenience Tray	121
Sunroof	126
Instrument Panel	127
Instrument Panel Overview	130
Hazard Warning Flashers	132
Other Warning Devices	133
Horn	133
Tilt Wheel	133
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	134
Exterior Lamps	139
Interior Lamps	141
Instrument Panel Switchbank	145
Head-Up Display (HUD)	146
Accessory Power Outlets	148
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	149
Climate Controls	150
Climate Control System	150
Dual Climate Control System	153
Outlet Adjustment	156
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	157
Instrument Panel Cluster	158
Speedometer and Odometer	159
Tachometer	160
Safety Belt Reminder Light	161
Air Bag Readiness Light	161
Brake System Warning Light	162
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	163
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light	164
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	165
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	165
Fuel Gage	168
Message Center	169
Service Traction System Warning Message	169
Traction Active Message	170
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Message	170
Charging System Indicator Message	171
Low Oil Pressure Message	171
Change Engine Oil Message	172
Low Tire Message	173
Door Ajar Warning Message	173
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning Message	174
PASS-Key® III Security Message	174
All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message	175
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message	175
Low Fuel Warning Message	176
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message	176
Service Vehicle Soon Message	177
Program Mode Message	177
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low Warning Message	178
Parking Lamp Warning Message	178
Driver Information Center (DIC)	179
DIC Controls and Displays	181
DIC Vehicle Personalization	183
Audio System(s)	190
Setting the Time	190
Radio with CD (Base Level)	191
Radio with CD (MP3)	201
Radio with Six-Disc CD	215
Rear Seat Entertainment System	229
Rear Audio Controller (RAC)	242
Theft-Deterrent Feature	242
Audio Steering Wheel Controls	243
DVD Distortion	244
Understanding Radio Reception	244
Care of Your CDs and DVDs	244
Care of Your CD and DVD Player	244
Cleaning Your DVD Player	245
Cleaning the Video Screen	245
Integrated Windshield Antenna	245
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System (48 Contiguous US States)	245
Driving Your Vehicle	247
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	248
Driver Behavior	248
Driving Environment	248
Vehicle Design	249
Defensive Driving	249
Drunken Driving	250
Control of a Vehicle	253
Braking	253
Traction Control System (TCS)	256
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System	258
Steering	258
Off-Road Recovery	260
Passing	261
Loss of Control	262
Driving at Night	264
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	266
City Driving	269
Freeway Driving	270
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	271
Highway Hypnosis	272
Hill and Mountain Roads	272
Winter Driving	274
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	279
Towing	280
Towing Your Vehicle	280
Recreational Vehicle Towing	280
Loading Your Vehicle	282
Towing a Trailer	287
Service and Appearance Care	297
Service	299
Doing Your Own Service Work	299
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	300
Fuel	300
Gasoline Octane	300
Gasoline Specifications	301
California Fuel	301
Additives	302
Fuels in Foreign Countries	302
Filling Your Tank	303
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	305
Checking Things Under the Hood	306
Hood Release	307
Engine Compartment Overview	308
Engine Oil	309
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	314
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	316
Engine Coolant	318
Radiator Pressure Cap	321
Engine Overheating	321
Cooling System	324
Power Steering Fluid	331
Windshield Washer Fluid	332
Brakes	334
Battery	337
Jump Starting	338
All-Wheel Drive	344
Bulb Replacement	346
Halogen Bulbs	346
Headlamps	347
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking Lamps	349
Taillamps, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps	350
Replacement Bulbs	351
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	352
Tires	354
Inflation - Tire Pressure	362
Check Tire Pressure System	363
Tire Inspection and Rotation	364
When It Is Time for New Tires	366
Buying New Tires	367
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	368
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	369
Wheel Replacement	370
Tire Chains	371
Accessory Inflator	372
If a Tire Goes Flat	373
Changing a Flat Tire	374
Compact Spare Tire	398
Appearance Care	399
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	399
Care of Safety Belts	402
Weatherstrips	402
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	402
Sheet Metal Damage	404
Finish Damage	405
Underbody Maintenance	405
Chemical Paint Spotting	405
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	406
Vehicle Identification	407
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	407
Service Parts Identification Label	407
Electrical System	408
Add-On Electrical Equipment	408
Headlamp Wiring	408
Windshield Wiper Fuses	408
Power Windows and Other Power Options	408
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	409
Capacities and Specifications	414
Maintenance Schedule	417
Maintenance Schedule	418
Introduction	418
Maintenance Requirements	418
Your Vehicle and the Environment	418
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	419
Scheduled Maintenance	420
Additional Required Services	422
Maintenance Footnotes	423
Owner Checks and Services	424
At Each Fuel Fill	424
At Least Once a Month	425
At Least Once a Year	425
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	428
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	429
Engine Drive Belt Routing	429
Maintenance Record	430
Customer Assistance Information	433
Customer Assistance Information	434
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	434
Online Owner Center	436
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	436
Customer Assistance Offices	436
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	438
Roadside Assistance Program	438
Courtesy Transportation	440
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records	442
Reporting Safety Defects	443
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	443
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	444
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	444
Service Publications Ordering Information	445

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.

Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control

systems — steering and braking — have to do their

work where the tires meet the road. Unless you

have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard

braking can demand too much of those places. You can

lose control.

The same thing can happen if you are steering through

a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those

two control systems — steering and acceleration — can

overwhelm those places where the tires meet the

road and make you lose control. See

Traction Control

System (TCS) on page 4-10

What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on

the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way

you want it to go, and slow down.

Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should

adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds

are based on good weather and road conditions. Under

less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.

If you need to reduce your speed as you approach

a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front

wheels are straight ahead.

Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the

curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to

accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then

accelerate gently into the straightaway.

Steering in Emergencies

There are times when steering can be more effective

than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find

a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls

out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between

parked cars and stops right in front of you. You

can avoid these problems by braking — if you can stop

in time. But sometimes you can not; there is not

room. That is the time for evasive action — steering

around the problem.

Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like

these. First apply your brakes.

See

Braking on page 4-7

. It is better to remove as much

speed as you can from a possible collision. Then

steer around the problem, to the left or right depending

on the space available.

4-13