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1998 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 91

1998 Pontiac Sunfire Manual

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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before starting the engine. Your vehicle has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on theshift lever -- push the shift lever all the wayinto PARK (P) and also release the shift lever button on floor shift console models as you maintainbrake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button before moving the shift lever.) See "Shifting Out of PARK (P)" in the Index. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. NOTICE: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transaxle. Shift toREVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice OK sand without damaging your transaxle, see "Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow" in the Index. Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is "racing" (running at high speed)is dangerous. Unless your footfirmly on the is brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could losecontrol and hit people or objects. Don't shift of PARK (P) or out NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing. NOTICE: Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn't covered byyour warranty. 2-21

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

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before

starting the engine.

Your

vehicle has a brake-transaxle

shift interlock. You

have

to fully

apply

your regular

brakes

before

you can shift from PARK

(P)

when the

ignition key

in RUN. If you cannot shift out of

PARK (P), ease pressure on

the shift lever

push the

shift lever all

the

wayinto PARK (P) and also release

the

shift lever button on

floor

shift console models as

you

maintain brake application. Then move the shift

lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever

button before moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting

Out of

PARK

(P)” in the Index.

REVERSE

(R):

Use this gear to back up.

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE

(R)

while your vehicle

moving forward could damage your

transaxle.

Shift

REVERSE

(R)

only

after

your

vehicle

stopped.

To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,

ice

sand

without

damaging

your

transaxle,

see

“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice

Snow” in the Index.

NEUTRAL

(N):

In this position, your engine doesn’t

connect with the wheels.

restart when you’re

already moving, use

NEUTRAL

(N)

only.

Also,

use

NEUTRAL

(N)

when

your vehicle is being towed.

Shifting out of

PARK

(P)

or NEUTRAL

(N)

while

your engine

“racing” (running

high

speed)

dangerous.

Unless

your

foot

firmly on the

brake pedal,

your

vehicle

could

move

very

rapidly. You could

lose control and hit people or

objects.

Don’t

shift out of

PARK (P)

NEUTRAL

(N)

while

your

engine

racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transaxle caused

shifting out

PARK

(P)

NEUTRAL

(N)

with

the

engine

racing isn’t

covered

by your warranty.

2-21