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2000 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 233

2000 Pontiac Grand Am Manual

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Engine Oil Checking Engine Oil It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. 3400 V6 Engine Only If the LOW OIL light appears on the instrument panel, it means you need to check your engine oil level right away. For more information, see LOW OIL light in the Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder. 2.4L L4 Engine 6-12

Section	Page
2000 Pontiac Grand Am Owners Manual	1
	24
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts and the Anwers	25
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	26
Adults	26
Driver Position	26
Lap-Shoulder Belt	26
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster (4-Door Models)	29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	34
Right Front Passenger Position	35
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	35
How the Air Bag System Works	37
Where are the air bags?	37
When should an air bag inflate? What makes an air bag inflate?	39
How does an air bag restrain?	39
What will you see after an air bag inflates?	40
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	41
Rear Seat Passengers	42
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions	42
Lap-Shoulder Belt	42
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	45
Center Passenger Position	47
Lap Belt	48
Children	49
Smaller Children and Babies	49
Child Restraints	51
Where to Put the Restraint	54
Top Strap	55
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position	56
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position	58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	60
Larger Children	62
Safety Belt Extender	65
Checking Your Restraint Systems	65
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	65
Section 2 Features and Controls	66
Keys	67
Door Locks	69
Power Door Locks	70
Automatic Door Locks	70
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	70
Delayed Locking	72
Rear Door Security Locks	72
Anti-Lockout Protection	73
Leaving Your Vehicle	73
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)	74
Operation	75
Programmable Horn Chirp	75
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle Battery Replacement	76
Resynchronization	77
Trunk	77
Remote Trunk Release	78
Remote Trunk Release Lockout	79
Theft	79
Key in the Ignition	79
Parking at Night	80
Parking Lots	80
Passlock	80
New Vehicle Break-In	81
Ignition Switch	81
Starting Your Engine	82
Automatic Transaxle	82
Manual Transaxle	82
Starting Your 2.4 Liter L4 Engine	83
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine	84
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)	85
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater	86
Automatic Transaxle Operation	87
Manual Transaxle Operation	90
Shift Speeds	91
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)	91
Parking Brake	92
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only)	93
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)	94
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)	94
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only) Parking Your Vehicle	95
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle Models Only)	95
Parking Over Things That Burn	95
Engine Exhaust	96
Running Your Engine While You're Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	97
Windows	98
Manual Windows	98
Power Windows (If Equipped)	98
Auto- Down Switch	98
Lock- Out Switch	98
Horn	98
Tilt Wheel	99
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	99
Turn and Lane Change Signals	100
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer	100
Flash-to-Pass	100
Windshield Wipers	101
Windshield Washer	102
Cruise Control (If Equipped)	103
Setting Cruise Control	104
Resuming a Set Speed	104
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control	104
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control	105
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control	105
Using Cruise Control on Hills	105
Ending Out of Cruise Control	105
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory	105
Exterior Lamps	106
Lamps On Reminder	106
Daytime Running Lamps	107
Automatic Light Control (ALC)	107
Delayed Headlamps	108
Fog Lamps	108
Interior Lamps	109
Instrument Panel Intensity Control	109
Courtesy Lamp Control	109
Illuminated Entry/Exit System	109
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)	110
Three-Position Dome Lamp (If Equipped)	110
Trunk Lamp	111
Battery Saver	111
Mirrors	111
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror	111
Manual Remote Control Mirror	112
Power Remote Control Mirror (If Equipped)	112
Convex Outside Mirror	112
Storage Compartments	113
Glove Box	113
Center Console Storage Area	113
Rear Seat Cupholder	113
Convenience Net (If Equipped)	113
Ashtray and Lighter (If Equipped)	113
Sun Visors	114
Visor Vanity Mirror	114
Sunroof (If Equipped)	114
The Instrument Panel-Your Information System	115
Instrument Panel Cluster	117
Speedometer and Odometer	118
Trip Odometer	118
Tachometer	118
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	119
Safety Belt Reminder Light	119
Air Bag Readiness Light	120
Charging System Indicator	121
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)	121
Brake System Warning Light	121
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	122
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	123
Enhanced Traction System Active Light	124
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	124
Low Coolant Warning Light	125
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)	125
If the Light Is Flashing	126
If the Light Is On Steady	127
Oil Pressure Light	128
Low Oil Light (If Equipped)	129
Change Oil Light Security Light	130
Cruise Light (If Equipped)	131
Low Washer Light	131
Service Vehicle Soon Light	131
Fuel Gage	132
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	133
Comfort Controls	134
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning	134
Fan Knob	134
Temperature Knob	134
Mode Knob	134
Air Conditioning Compressor Button	135
Air Conditioning	135
Heating	136
Defogging and Defrosting Windows	136
Rear Window Defogger	137
Ventilation System	137
Ventilation Tips	138
Audio Systems	138
Setting the Clock for All Systems Except AM- FM Stereo	138
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player	139
Playing the Radio	139
Finding a Station	139
Setting the Tone	140
Adjusting the Speakers	140
Playing a Cassette Tape	140
CD Adapter Kits	142
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Equalizer (If Equipped)	142
Playing the Radio	142
Finding a Station	143
Setting the Tone	143
Adjusting the Speakers	143
Playing a Compact Disc	143
Remote Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)	145
Playing a Cassette Tape	145
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)	146
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)	149
Understanding Radio Reception	150
AM	150
FM Stereo	150
Tips About Your Audio System	150
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	151
Care of Your Compact Discs	152
Care of Your Compact Disc Player	152
Fixed Mast Antenna	152
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road	153
Defensive Driving	154
Drunken Driving	155
Control of a Vehicle	158
Braking	158
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)	159
Using Anti- Lock	161
Braking in Emergencies	161
Enhanced Traction System	161
Steering	163
Power Steering	163
Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped)	163
Steering Tips	163
Driving on Curves	163
Steering in Emergencies	164
Off-Road Recovery	165
Passing	165
Loss of Control	167
Skidding	167
Driving at Night	168
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	169
Hydroplaning	171
Driving Through Deep Standing Water	171
Driving Through Flowing Water	172
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips	172
City Driving	172
Freeway Driving	173
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	174
Highway Hypnosis	175
Hill and Mountain Roads	176
Winter Driving	177
Driving on Snow or Ice	178
If You re Caught in a Blizzard	180
Recreational Vehicle Towing	181
Towing Your Vehicle from the Front	181
Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear	183
Loading Your Vehicle	184
Towing a Trailer	186
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer	187
Weight of the Trailer	187
Weight of the Trailer Tongue	188
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires	188
Hitches	189
Safety Chains	189
Trailer Brakes	189
Driving with a Trailer	189
Following Distance	190
Passing	190
Backing Up	190
Making Turns	190
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer	190
Driving On Grades	191
Parking on Hills	191
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill	192
Maintenance When Trailer Towing	192
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing	192
Towing a Trailer (2.4L L4 Engine)	192
Section 5 Problems on the Road	193
Hazard Warning Flashers	194
Other Warning Devices	195
Jump Starting	195
Towing Your Vehicle	200
Engine Overheating	201
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine	201
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine	202
Cooling System	203
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank	206
If a Tire Goes Flat	210
Changing a Flat Tire	211
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools	212
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire	213
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools	218
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools	219
Compact Spare Tire	220
If You re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	221
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out	221
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care	222
Service	223
Doing Your Own Service Work	223
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	224
Fuel	224
Fuels in Foreign Countries	226
Filling Your Tank	226
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	228
Checking Things Under the Hood	229
Hood Release	229
L L4 (CODE T) Engine	231
V6 (CODE E) Engine	232
Engine Oil	233
Checking Engine Oil	233
When to Add Engine Oil	235
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use	236
Engine Oil Additives	238
When to Change Engine Oil	238
How to Reset the Change Oil Light	238
What to Do with Used Oil	238
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	239
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	240
Manual Transaxle Fluid	240
Hydraulic Clutch	241
When to Check and What to Use	241
How to Check and Add Fluid	241
Engine Coolant	241
What to Use	242
Checking Coolant	243
Adding Coolant	244
Power Steering Fluid	245
When to Check Power Steering Fluid	245
How to Check Power Steering Fluid	245
What to Use	245
Windshield Washer Fluid	246
What to Use	246
Adding Washer Fluid	246
Brakes	247
Brake Fluid	247
What to Add	248
Brake Wear	249
Brake Pedal Travel	249
Brake Adjustment	250
Replacing Brake System Parts	250
Battery	250
Vehicle Storage	250
Bulb Replacement	251
Halogen Bulbs	251
Headlamps	251
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement	253
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp	253
Rear Turn Signal and Stop/Taillamp Bulb Replacement	254
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	254
Tires	255
Inflation -- Tire Pressure	256
When to Check	256
How to Check	256
Tire Inspection and Rotation	257
When It s Time for New Tires	258
Buying New Tires	258
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	259
Treadwear	260
Traction AA, A, B, C	260
Temperature A, B, C	260
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	261
Wheel Replacement	261
Used Replacement Wheels	262
Tire Chains	262
Appearance Care	263
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	263
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet	263
Using Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner on Fabric	264
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems	264
Cleaning Vinyl	265
Cleaning Leather	265
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel	265
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components	265
Care of Safety Belts	265
Cleaning Glass Surfaces	266
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades	266
Weatherstrips	266
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	266
Washing Your Vehicle	267
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses	267
Finish Care	267
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)	268
Cleaning Tires	268
Sheet Metal Damage	268
Finish Damage	269
Underbody Maintenance	269
Chemical Paint Spotting	269
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	270
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	271
Engine Identification	271
Service Parts Identification Label	271
Electrical System	272
Add-On Electrical Equipment	272
Windshield Wipers	272
Power Windows	272
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	272
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks	273
Engine Compartment Fuse Block	275
Replacement Bulbs	277
Capacities and Specifications	278
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	279
Vehicle Dimensions	279
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule	280
Introduction	281
Your Vehicle and the Environment	281
Maintenance Requirements	281
How This Section is Organized	282
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	283
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	283
Scheduled Maintenance	284
Footnotes	284
Scheduled Maintenance	285
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance	285
Scheduled Maintenance	286
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	293
At Each Fuel Fill	293
Engine Oil Level Check	293
Engine Coolant Level Check	293
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check	293
At Least Once a Month	293
Tire Inflation Check	293
Cassette Deck Service	293
At Least Twice a Year	294
Restraint System Check	294
Wiper Blade Check	294
Weatherstrip Lubrication	294
Manual Transaxle Check	294
Automatic Transaxle Inspection	294
Hydraulic Clutch System Check	294
At Least Once a Year	295
Key Lock Cylinders Service	295
Body Lubrication Service	295
Starter Switch Check	295
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check	296
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check	296
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check	297
Underbody Flushing Service	297
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	298
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	298
Exhaust System Inspection	298
Engine Cooling System Inspection	298
Throttle System Inspection	299
Brake System Inspection (Except GT Series)	299
Brake System Inspection (GT Series Only)	299
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	300
Part E: Maintenance Record	302
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information	304
Pontiac Cares	305
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?	306
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	306
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	308
Customer Assistance Offices	308
United States	308
Canada	309
All Overseas Locations	309
Caribbean Numbers	309
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	310
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program	311
Security While You Travel	311
Canadian Roadside Assistance	312
Courtesy Transportation	313
Plan Ahead When Possible	313
Transportation Options	313
Shuttle Service	313
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement	313
Courtesy Rental Vehicle	314
Additional Program Information	314
Warranty Information	314
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT	315