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1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 253

1996 Pontiac Grand Am Manual

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NOTICE: Brake Pedal Travel I Continuing to drive with worn-outbrake pads could result in costly brake repair. I See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble. Brake Adjustment Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate ar heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make a few moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly. Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes. Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque wheel nuts in the proper sequence to GM specifications. If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up 'and firmly applying the brakes a few times. if Your rear drum brakesdon't have wear indicators, but you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have rear the brake linings inspected.Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced, have rear brakes inspected, too. the Brake linings should always be replaced as complete Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Vehicles we design and teSt have top-quality GM brake parts in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new. When you replace parts of your 'braking system -- for example, when your brake linings wear down and you have to have new ones put in -- be sure you get new genuine GM replacement parts. If you don't, your 6-31

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Seats and Restraint Systems	9
Seats and Seat Controls	9
Head Restraints	13
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone Your vehicle has a light that	15
Why Safety Belts Work	16
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers	19
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	20
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	34
Rear Seat Passengers	34
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	38
Children	42
Child Restraints	44
Larger Children	51
Safety Belt Extender	54
Checking Your Restraint Systems	54
Replacing Restraint System Parts	54
Features and Controls	57
Keys	57
Door Locks	59
Keyless Entry System	62
Trunk	64
New Vehicle.“Break-In”	67
Ignition Switch	67
Starting Your Engine	69
Automatic Transaxle Operation	74
Manual Transaxle	77
Parkiaag.’Brake	80
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only)	81
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only)	83
Parking Over Things That Burn	84
Engine Exhaust	84
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transaxle) 1	85
Windows	86
Turn Signal Multifunction Lever	87
Windshield Wipers	89
Windshield Washer	90
Lamps	95
Mirrors	100
Storage Compartments	102
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	103
Sun Visors	104
The Instrument Panel	106
Warning , Lights, Gages and Indicators	110
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	123
Comfort Controls	123
Heating	127
Ventilation	127
Defrosting and Defogging	128
Audio Systems	130
Setting the Clock	130
AM-FM Stereo	130
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player	132
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Equalizer	135
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player	139
Theft-Deterrent Feature	143
Understanding Radio Reception	145
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	147
Care of Your Compact Discs	147
Fixed Mast Antenna	147
Your Driving and the Road	149
Defensive Driving	149
Control of a Vehicle	153
Braking	153
Steering	158
Off-Road Recovery	160
Passing	161
Loss of Control	162
Driving at Night	163
Driving in Rain	165
City Driving	168
Freeway Driving	169
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	170
Highway Hypnosis	171
Hill and Mountain Roads	171
Winter Driving	173
Recreational Vehicle Towing	177
Loading Your Vehicle	180
Towing a Trailer	182
Problems on the Road	191
Hazard Warning Flashers	191
Jump Starting	192
Towing Your Vehicle	197
Engine Overheating	202
If a Tire Goes Flat	211
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	222
Service and Appearance Care	223
Service	223
Fuel	224
Checking Things Under the Hood	228
Engine Oil	232
Air Cleaner	238
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	239
Manual Transaxle Fluid	242
Engine Coolant	244
Power Steering Fluid	248
Windshield Washer Fluid	249
Brakes	250
Battery	254
Halogen Bulbs	255
Tires	259
Appearance Care	267
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	275
Electrical System	276
Replacement . Bulbs	281
Capacities and Specifications	282
Maintenance Schedule	285
Introduction	285
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance	287
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	287
Selecting the Right Schedule	287
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	321
At Each Fuel Fill	321
At Least Once a Month	321
At Least Once a Year	322
Part C: -Periodic Maintenance	325
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	326
Part E: Maintenance Record	328
Customer Assistance Information	331
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	332
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	334
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program	335
GM Participation in BBB AUTO LINE - Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	338
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT	339
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN Governent	340
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS	340
Service and Owner Publications	341

Match case Limit results 1 per page

NOTICE:

Continuing

drive

with

worn-out

brake pads

could

result

costly

brake repair.

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake

squeal when the brakes

are

first applied or lightly

applied.

This does not mean something

wrong

with

your brakes.

Free movement

brake calipers and properly torqued

wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake

pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers

for

movement,

brake

pads

for wear,

and

evenly

torque

wheel nuts in the proper sequence to

specifications.

Your rear drum

brakes don't have wear

indicators,

but

you ever hear

a rear brake

rubbing

noise,

have

the

rear

brake

linings

inspected.

Also,

the rear

brake

drums

should

removed

and

inspected

each

time

the

tires

are

removed for rotation

changing.

When

you

have

the

front brakes

replaced,

have

the rear

brakes

inspected,

too.

Brake linings should always be replaced as complete

Brake

Pedal

Travel

See

your

dealer if the brake pedal does not return

normal height, or if there is

rapid increase in pedal

travel. This could be a sign

brake trouble.

Brake

Adjustment

Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc

brakes adjust for wear.

you rarely make a

moderate

heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.

you drive

that way, then

very carefully

make

a few moderate brake stops about every

1,000

miles

600

km),

your brakes will adjust properly.

your brake pedal goes down farther than normal,

your

rear drum brakes may

need adjustment. Adjust

them

backing up

'and

firmly applying the brakes a few times.

Replacing

Brake

System

Parts

The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex. Its

many parts have to be

top quality and work

well

together

the vehicle

to have really good braking.

Vehicles

we design and teSt have top-quality

brake

parts in them,

your

Pontiac does when

is new.

When you replace parts

your 'braking system

for

example, when your brake linings wear down and you

have to have new

ones

put in

be sure you get new

genuine

replacement

parts.

you don't, your

6-31