Pontiac 2005 Grand Am User Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems... 1-1Front Seats... 1-2Rear Seats...

Reclining SeatbacksTo adjust the seatback, lift the lever located on theoutboard side of the seat and move the seatbackto where you want it. Release t

Hazard Warning FlashersYour hazard warning flashers let you warn others. Theyalso let police know you have a problem. Your frontand rear turn signal la

Other Warning DevicesIf you carry reflective triangles, you can set them up atthe side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behindyour vehicle.HornYou ca

Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverThe lever on the left side of the steering columnincludes the following:• Turn and Lane-Change Signals• Headlamp High/L

Headlamp High/Low-Beam ChangerTo change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.When the high

Windshield Wiper LeverUse this lever located on the right side of the steeringwheel to operate the windshield wipers.OFF: Move the lever to OFF to tur

Cruise ControlThe cruise control buttons are located on the bottom ofthe steering wheel.With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about25 mph (

Setting Cruise Control{CAUTION:If you leave your cruise control on when youare not using cruise, you might hit a buttonand go into cruise when you do

Reducing Speed While Using CruiseControlThere are two ways to reduce your speed while usingcruise control:• Press the SET COAST button until you reach

HeadlampsThe lever on the left side of the steering columnoperates the exterior lamps.O(Exterior Lamps): Turn the outside part of thelever with the sy

Delayed HeadlampsThe delayed headlamps feature will continue toilluminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key isturned to OFF, then the headlam

{CAUTION:Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicleis in motion can be dangerous. Even if youbuckle up, your safety belts can not do theirjob wh

The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only beaffected when the light sensor sees a change inlighting lasting longer than this delay.If you start

Instrument Panel BrightnessThe thumbwheel for this feature is located on theinstrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.Move the thumbwheel rig

Trunk LampThe trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.Battery Run-Down ProtectionYour vehicle has a battery run-down feature designed toprotect y

Climate ControlsClimate Control SystemWith this system you can control the heating, coolingand ventilation for your vehicle.OperationTo change the cur

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn theair-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is pressed,an indicator light above the button will c

Rear Window DefoggerThe rear window defogger uses a warming grid toremove fog or frost from the rear window.< REAR: Press this button to turn the r

Warning Lights, Gages, andIndicatorsThis part describes the warning lights and gages that maybe on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate the

Your vehicle has this cluster or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained onthe following pages. Be s

Speedometer and OdometerYour speedometer lets you see your speed in bothmiles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).Your odometer shows how fa

Safety Belt Reminder LightWhen the key is turned to ON or START, a chime willcome on for several seconds to remind people to fastentheir safety belts,

Seatback LatchesFor two-door model vehicles, the front seatbacks foldforward to let people get into the back seat. Theseatback latch is designed for o

If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start thevehicle or comes on when you are driving, yourairbag system may not work properly. Have your

Brake System Warning LightYour vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into twoparts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can stillwork and

Anti-Lock Brake System WarningLightIf your vehicle has theanti-lock brake system, thelight will come on whenyour engine is started andmay stay on for

Enhanced Traction System ActiveLightIf your vehicle has theEnhanced Traction System(ETS), this light willcome on when the systemis limiting wheel spin

Low Coolant Warning LightThis light comes on brieflywhen you turn yourignition on.If this light comes on and stays on and you hear achime, the coolant

This system is called OBD II (On-BoardDiagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended toassure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the lifeof t

If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “Ifthe Light Is On Steady” following.If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,st

Emissions Inspection and MaintenanceProgramsSome state/provincial and local governments have ormay begin programs to inspect the emission controlequip

Oil Pressure LightIf you have low engine oilpressure, this light will stayon after you start yourengine, or come onand you will hear a chimewhen you a

Security LightThis light will come onwhen you turn the key toON and will stay onuntil the vehicle starts.If you’re driving and the security light come

Power Lift SeatIf your vehicle has this feature, to move the power liftseat forward or rearward, pull up on the lever locatedunder the front of the dr

Fuel GageYour fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you haveleft, when the ignition is on. When the indicator nearsempty, the light will come on and

Audio System(s)Notice: Before adding any sound equipment toyour vehicle, like a tape player, CB radio, mobiletelephone, or two-way radio, make sure th

Radio with CD (Base Level)Playing the RadioPWR (Power): Press this knob to turn the system onand off.VOL (Volume): Turn this knob to increase or todec

Setting Preset StationsUp to 18 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM), canbe programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons,by performing the following

To adjust both tone controls and both speaker controlsto the middle position, first end out of audio modeby pressing another button, causing the radio

1 PREV (Previous): Press this pushbutton to go to thebeginning of the current track if more than eightseconds have played. The track number will appea

CD MessagesIf the CD comes out, it could be for one of the followingreasons:• It is very hot. When the temperature returns tonormal, the CD should pla

• Display messages from radio stations• Seek to stations with traffic announcementsThis system relies upon receiving specific informationfrom these sta

For XM™ (if equipped), push the RCL knob while inXM™ mode to retrieve four different categories ofinformation related to the current song or channel:A

Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)TONE: Press and release this button until BASS, MID,or TREB appears on the display. The SELECT LEDindicator will light t

Rear SeatsRear Seat OperationFolding the SeatbackIf your vehicle has this feature, do the following:1. Pull the release strapslocated in the trunk.The

Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station(RDS and XM™)To select and find a desired PTY perform the following:1. Press the PROG TYPE button to activate progr

Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only)These pushbuttons have factory PTY presets. Up to12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2), can be programmed onthe six numbered pus

TRAF (Traffic): If TRAF appears on the display, thetuned station broadcasts traffic announcements.To receive the traffic announcement from the tunedst

XM™ Radio MessagesRadio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredXL (Explicit LanguageChannels)XL on the radio display,after the channel name,indicates

XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d)Radio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredNo Info Category Name notavailableNo category information is available at this

Playing a CDInsert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. Theplayer will pull it in and the CD should begin playing. Ifyou want to insert a CD whe

w SEEK x: Press the down arrow to go to the start ofthe current track if more than eight seconds have played.Press the up arrow to go to the next trac

Radio with CD (MP3)If your vehicle has the Monsoon audio system, includedare eight speakers and an eight channel amplifier.MONSOON will appear on the d

Playing the RadioPWR (Power): Push this knob to turn the system onand off.VOL (Volume): Turn this knob to increase or todecrease the volume.SCV (Speed

To scan preset stations, press and hold either SCANarrow for more than four seconds until PSCAN and thepreset number appear on the display. You will h

Safety BeltsSafety Belts: They Are for EveryoneThis part of the manual tells you how to use safetybelts properly. It also tells you some things you sh

5. Press and hold the EQ button or push the SELECTknob to store the equalization setting and thenumber. EQ SAVED will appear on the display andyou wil

w SCAN x: Scan the stations within a PTY byperforming the following:1. Press PROG TYPE to activate program type selectmode. The PTY symbol will appear

ALERT! will not be affected by tests of the emergencybroadcast system. This feature is not supported byall RDS stations.INFO (Information): If the cur

XM™ Radio MessagesRadio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredXL (Explicit LanguageChannels)XL on the radio display,after the channel name,indicates

XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d)Radio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredNo Info Category Name notavailableNo category information is available at this

Playing a CDInsert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. Theplayer will pull it in and the CD should begin playing. Ifyou want to insert a CD wit

EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the customizedequalization setting while playing a CD. The equalizationwill be automatically set whenever a CD is p

The player will be able to read and play a maximum of50 folders, 50 playlists, 10 sessions, and 255 files. Longfile, folder, or playlist names or a comb

Order of PlayTracks will be played in the following order:• Play will begin from the first track in the first playlistand will continue sequentially thr

If the ignition or the radio is turned off with a CD in theplayer, it will stay in the player. When the ignition orthe radio is turned on, the CD will

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be soserious that even buckled up, a person would notsurvive. But most crashes are in between. In many of

4 REV (Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton toreverse quickly within a track. Press and hold thispushbutton for less than two seconds to reverse a

INFO (Information): INFO will appear on the displaywhenever a current track has ID3 tag information. Pressthis button to display the artist name and a

Audio Steering Wheel ControlsIf your vehicle has this feature, some audio controls canbe adjusted at the steering wheel. They include thefollowing:Q S

Radio ReceptionAMThe range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,especially at night. The longer range can causestation frequencies to interfere

Fixed Mast AntennaThe fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washeswithout being damaged. If the mast should everbecome slightly bent, straighten it

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle ...4-2Defensive Driving ...4-2Drunken Driving ...

Your Driving, the Road, andYour VehicleDefensive DrivingThe best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drivedefensively.Please start with a very im

Many adults — by some estimates, nearly half the adultpopulation — choose never to drink alcohol, so theynever drive after drinking. For persons under

There is a gender difference, too. Women generallyhave a lower relative percentage of body waterthan men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this

{CAUTION:Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, andjudgment can be affected by even a smallamount of al

Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoes not stop.1-11

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drivein spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavybraking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This i

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slamon the brakes and continue braking. Here

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time youneed to get your foot up to the brake pedal or alwaysdecrease stopping distance. If you get too close

This light, located on theinstrument panel cluster,will come on whenyour Enhanced TractionSystem is limitingwheel spin. See EnhancedTraction System Ac

To turn the system on or off, press the ETS button onthe instrument panel.When you turn the system off, the Enhanced TractionSystem warning light will

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both controlsystems — steering and braking — have to do their workw

An emergency like this requires close attention and aquick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel atthe recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions

PassingThe driver of a vehicle about to pass another on atwo-lane highway waits for just the right moment,accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead,

• Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, andstart your left lane change signal before moving outof the right lane to pass. When you are far en

A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot offthe accelerator pedal.If you have the Enhanced Traction System, remember:It helps to avoid onl

The person keeps going until stopped by something. Ina real vehicle, it could be the windshield...or the instrument panel...1-12

Driving at NightNight driving is more dangerous than day driving.One reason is that some drivers are likely to beimpaired — by alcohol or drugs, with

You can be temporarily blinded by approachingheadlamps. It can take a second or two, or evenseveral seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark.Wh

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if yourwindshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavyrain can make it harder to see road signs

HydroplaningHydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build upunder your tires that they can actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road

City DrivingOne of the biggest problems with city streets is theamount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out forwhat the other drivers are do

Freeway DrivingMile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are thesafest of all roads. But the

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speedaccording to your speedometer, not to your sen

Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call ithighway hypnosis, lack

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you areplanning to visit there, here are some tips that can makeyour trips safer and more enjoyable.• K

Winter DrivingHere are some tips for winter driving:• Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.• You may want to put winter emergency supplies inyou

or the safety belts!With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,and your strongest bon

Driving on Snow or IceMost of the time, those places where your tires meetthe road probably have good traction.However, if there is snow or ice betwee

Remember, unless you have anti-lock, if you brake sohard that your wheels stop rolling, you will just slide.Brake so your wheels always keep rolling a

• Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.If you have no blankets or extra clothing, makebody insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags

Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost allthe way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again andrepeat this only when you feel really

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It OutFirst, turn your steering wheel left and right. Thatwill clear the area around your front wheels. Then shiftback and

Tire and Loading Information LabelA vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label isattached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). Withthe d

5. Determine the combined weight of luggage andcargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weightmay not safely exceed the available cargoand luggage load

Item Description TotalAVehicle Capacity Weightfor Example 2 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)BSubtract OccupantWeight 150 lbs(68 kg) × 5 =750 lbs (340 kg)CAvailable

Certification LabelA vehicle specific Certification label, found on the rearedge of the driver’s door, tells you the gross weightcapacity of your vehicle

{CAUTION:Things you put inside your vehicle can strikeand injure people in a sudden stop or turn, orin a crash.• Put things in the trunk or rear area

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, PONTIAC,the PONTIAC Emblem, and the name GRAND AMare registered trademarks of General MotorsCorporation.This manual

Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far fromhome, why should I wear safety belts?A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in anaccide

Here are some important things to consider before youdo recreational vehicle towing:• What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?Be sure you rea

4. To prevent your battery from draining while thevehicle is being towed, remove the followingfuses from the driver’s side instrument panel fuseblock:

Dolly TowingTo tow your vehicle with two wheels on the ground anda dolly, do the following:1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.2. Put the vehicle in PA

That is the reason for this part. In it are manytime-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.Many of these are important for your safety an

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information oradvice, or you can write us at:Pontiac-GMC Customer AssistanceP.O. Box 33172Detroit, MI 48232

HitchesIt is important to have the correct hitch equipment.Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads area few reasons why you’ll need the righ

Driving with a TrailerTowing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.Before setting out for the open road, you will want toget to know your

Turn Signals When Towing a TrailerWhen you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need adifferent turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Checkwith your deal

When You Are Ready to Leave AfterParking on a Hill1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal downwhile you:• start your engine,• shift into a gea

Service ...5-3Doing Your Own Service Work ...5-4Adding Equipment to the

3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.Do not let it get twisted.The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the beltacross you very quick

Appearance Care ...5-71Fabric/Carpet ...5-71Vinyl ...

ServiceYour dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you tobe happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealerfor all your service needs. You will ge

Doing Your Own Service WorkIf you want to do some of your own service work, youwill want to use the proper service manual. It tellsyou much more about

Adding Equipment to the Outside ofYour VehicleThings you might add to the outside of your vehicle canaffect the airflow around it. This may cause windn

AdditivesTo provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United Statesare now required to contain additives that will helpprevent engine and fuel system

Fuels in Foreign CountriesIf you plan on driving in another country outside theUnited States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hardto find. Never use l

The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fueldoor on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left(co

{CAUTION:If a fire starts while you are refueling, do notremove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel byshutting off the pump or by notifying thestation

Checking Things Underthe Hood{CAUTION:An electric fan under the hood can start upand injure you even when the engine is notrunning. Keep hands, clothi

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and push thesecondary hood release lever toward the driver’sside of the vehicle.3. Lift the hood, release the h

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug onthe hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, thisapplies force to the strong pelvic bones. A

Engine Compartment OverviewWhen you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ engine, here is what you will see:5-12

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Cooling System onpage 5-26.B. Ground. See Jump Starting on page 5-37.C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oi

When you open the hood on the 3400 V6 engine, here is what you will see:5-14

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Cooling System onpage 5-26.B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power SteeringFluid on page 5-31.C. Engine Oil Fil

When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tipof the dipstick, then you will need to add at least onequart of oil.

• SAE 5W-30As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is bestfor your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show itsviscosity, or thickness. Do no

GM Goodwrench®oil meets all the requirements foryour vehicle.If you are in an area of extreme cold, where thetemperature falls below −20°F (−29°C), it

How to Reset the Engine Oil LifeSystemThe Engine Oil Life System calculates when to changeyour engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.Anytime your

Engine Air Cleaner/FilterSee Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 forthe location of the engine air cleaner/filter.When to Inspect the Engine AirCl

{CAUTION:Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filteroff can cause you or others to be burned. Theair cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps tos

Q: What is wrong with this?A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearlyas much protection this way.{CAUTION:You can be seriously hurt if

Engine CoolantThe cooling system in your vehicle is filled withDEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designedto remain in your vehicle for 5 years o

If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,have your dealer check your cooling system.Notice: If you use the proper coolant, you do nothav

Adding CoolantIf you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when theengine is cool. If the surge tank

If No Steam Is Coming From YourEngineAn overheat warning, along with a low coolant light, canindicate a serious problem. See Low Coolant WarningLight

Cooling SystemWhen you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is whatyou will see:A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure CapB. Electric Engine Cooling

{CAUTION:Heater and radiator hoses, and other engineparts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. Ifyou do, you can be burned.Do not run the engine if th

If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant asfollows:{CAUTION:Steam and scalding liquids from a hot coolingsystem can blow out and burn y

{CAUTION:You can be burned if you spill coolant on hotengine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycoland it will burn if the engine parts are hotenough

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture, tothe hash mark on the label. Wait about five minutes,then check to see if the level is below t

Power Steering FluidSee Engine CompartmentOverview on page 5-12 forreservoir location.When to Check Power Steering FluidIt is not necessary to regular

Q: What is wrong with this?A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.{CAUTION:You can be seriously injured if your belt isbuckled in the wrong place l

Windshield Washer FluidWhat to UseWhen you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to readthe manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you willbe opera

BrakesBrake FluidYour brake master cylinderreservoir is filled withDOT-3 brake fluid. SeeEngine CompartmentOverview on page 5-12 forthe location of ther

What to AddWhen you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brakefluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed containeronly. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricant

{CAUTION:The brake wear warning sound means that soonyour brakes will not work well. That could leadto an accident. When you hear the brake wearwarnin

Replacing Brake System PartsThe braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its manyparts have to be of top quality and work well together ifthe vehicle i

Jump StartingIf your battery has run down, you may want to useanother vehicle and some jumper cables to start yourvehicle. Be sure to use the followin

4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find thepositive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations oneach vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overviewon

{CAUTION:Fans or other moving engine parts can injureyou badly. Keep your hands away from movingparts once the engine is running.5. Check that the jum

8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to thenegative (−) terminal of the good battery. Use aremote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.

Notice: If the jumper cables are removed in thewrong order, electrical shorting may occur anddamage the vehicle. The repairs would not becovered by yo

Q: What is wrong with this?A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It shouldbe worn over the shoulder at all times.{CAUTION:You can be seriously i

Bulb ReplacementFor the proper type of replacement bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on page 5-45.For any bulb changing procedure not listed in thissection,

2. Lift and pull the headlamp assembly forward, out ofthe mounting bracket.3. Turn the bulb assembly retainer counterclockwiseone-sixth of a turn and

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp(CHMSL)To replace a center high-mounted stoplamp (CHMSL)bulb, do the following:1. Open the trunk lid. See Trunk on page 2-

Replacement BulbsExterior Lamp Bulb NumberBack-Up Lamps 3156Center High-Mounted Stoplamps 912Headlamps 9007Parking/Turn Signal Lamps 3157NA or 3157ASi

TiresYour new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made bya leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questionsabout your tire warranty and where t

Tire Sidewall LabellingUseful information about a tire is molded into itssidewall. The examples below show a typical passengervehicle tire and a compa

(A) Temporary Use Only: The compact spare tire ortemporary use tire has a tread life of approximately3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be drivenat

Tire SizeThe following illustration shows an example of a typicalpassenger vehicle tire size.(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: The United Statesversion o

Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that is locatedbetween the plies and the tread. Cords may be madefrom steel or other reinforcing materials.Bead:

Occupant Distribution: Designated seating positions.Outward Facing Sidewall: The side of anasymmetrical tire that has a particular side that facesoutw

Q: What is wrong with this?A: The belt is twisted across the body.{CAUTION:You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt.In a crash, you would not ha

Inflation - Tire PressureTires need the correct amount of air pressure to operateeffectively.Notice: Do not let anyone tell you thatunder-inflation or o

How to CheckUse a good quality pocket-type gage to check tirepressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly inflatedsimply by looking at them. Ra

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front andrear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire andLoading Information label.Make certain that all

Buying New TiresTo find out what kind and size of tires your vehicleneeds, look at the tire and loading information label. Formore information about th

Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where applicable on thetire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximumsection width. For exam

Temperature – A, B, CThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,representing the tire’s resistance to the generationof heat and its ability

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel boltsor wheel nuts, replace them only with new GMoriginal equipment parts. This way, you will be sure

Tire Chains{CAUTION:If your vehicle has P225/50R16 size tires, don’tuse tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.Tire chains used on a vehicle withou

If a Tire Goes FlatIt’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goesout of a tire,

Changing a Flat TireIf a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damageby driving slowly to a level place. Turn on yourhazard warning flashers.{CAU

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.The belt should go back out of the way.Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of t

When you have a flat tire, use the following example as aguide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks.The following information will tell you n

3. Turn the wing nutcounterclockwise andremove it. Then liftoff the adapterand remove thecompact spare tire.See Compact SpareTire on page 5-70for more

Removing the Flat Tire andInstalling the Spare Tire1. If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that hasplastic wheel nut caps, loosen the plastic n

4. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fitsfirmly into the notch (A or B) in the vehicle’s framenearest the flat tire.5. Put the compact s

6. Raise the vehicle by turning the wrench clockwise.Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground sothere is enough room for the compact spare tire tofi

9. Remove any rust or dirtfrom the wheel bolts,mounting surfacesand spare wheel.10. Install the compact spare tire.11. Put the wheel nuts back on with

12. Lower the vehicle by turning the wrenchcounterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.{CAUTION:Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightenedwheel nuts

13. Tighten the wheel nutsfirmly in a crisscrosssequence, as shown.Notice: Wheel covers will not fit on your compactspare. If you try to put a wheel cov

Refer to the following diagram to assist you in storingthe compact spare tire and tools.A. NutB. CoverC. Wing BoltD. AdapterE. WrenchF. JackG. Tool Tr

Appearance CareCleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic.Other cleaning products can burst into flames if a matchis struck near them or if the

Safety Belt Use During PregnancySafety belts work for everyone, including pregnantwomen. Like all occupants, they are more likely to beseriously injur

Most stains can be removed with club soda water. Toclean, use the following instructions:1. For liquids: blot with a clean, soft, white cloth. Forsoli

VinylUse warm water and a clean cloth.• Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. Thismay have to be done more than once.• Things like tar, asphalt

Care of Safety BeltsKeep belts clean and dry.{CAUTION:Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, itmay severely weaken them. In a crash, theymight

Cleaning Exterior Lamps/LensesUse only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a carwashing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.Follow instructio

Aluminum WheelsNotice: If you use strong soaps, chemicals,abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleanersthat contain acid on aluminum or chrome-pla

Sheet Metal DamageIf the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metalrepair or replacement, make sure the body repair shopapplies anti-corrosion materi

Vehicle Care/Appearance MaterialsSee your GM dealer for more information on purchasingthe following products.Description UsagePolishing ClothWax-Treat

Vehicle IdentificationVehicle Identification Number (VIN)This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears ona plate in the front corner of the i

Electrical SystemAdd-On Electrical EquipmentNotice: Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicleunless you check with your dealer first. Someelectrica

Instrument Panel Fuse BlockDriver’s SideYour vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.Fuses UsageAWindshield Wiper Motor, Was

Rear Seat PassengersIt is very important for rear seat passengers to buckleup! Accident statistics show that unbelted people inthe rear seat are hurt

Passenger’s SideYour vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.Fuse UsageA Interior Lamp DimmingBSteering Wheel Cruise Control

Engine Compartment Fuse BlockYour vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.The engine compartment fuse block is located on th

Relays Usage19 Automatic Headlamp System20 Automatic Headlamp System21 Horn22 Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)Fuses Usage23–32 Spare Fuse Holder33 Rear Def

Capacities and SpecificationsThe following approximate capacities are given in English with metric conversions.ApplicationCapacitiesEnglish MetricAir C

✍ NOTES5-86

Maintenance Schedule ...6-2Introduction ...6-2Maintenance Requireme

Maintenance ScheduleIntroductionImportant: Keep engine oil at the proper level andchange as recommended.Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The

Using Your Maintenance ScheduleWe at General Motors want to help you keep yourvehicle in good working condition. But we do not knowexactly how you wil

Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8 tells you whatshould be checked, when to check it and what you caneasily do to help keep your vehicle in good co

Scheduled MaintenanceService Maintenance I Maintenance IIChange engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil lifesystem. See Engine Oi

Safety Warnings and SymbolsThere are a number of safety cautions in this book. Weuse a box and the word CAUTION to tell about thingsthat could hurt yo

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt thelatch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it.Pull up on the latch plate to make sure i

Additional Required ServicesThe following services should be performed at the first maintenance service (I or II) after the indicated miles(kilometers)

Maintenance Footnotes† The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or theCalifornia Air Resources Board has determined that thefailure to perform this ma

(h) Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if thevehicle is mainly driven under one or more of theseconditions:− In heavy city traffic where the ou

Engine Coolant Level CheckCheck the engine coolant level and addDEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. See EngineCoolant on page 5-22 for further deta

Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock ControlSystem Check{CAUTION:When you are doing this inspection, thevehicle could move suddenly. If the vehiclemoves, yo

Parking Brake and Automatic TransaxlePark (P) Mechanism Check{CAUTION:When you are doing this check, your vehiclecould begin to move. You or others co

Recommended Fluids andLubricantsFluids and lubricants identified below by name, partnumber or specification may be obtained from yourdealer.Usage Fluid/

Normal Maintenance Replacement PartsReplacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your GM dealer.Part G

Maintenance RecordAfter the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service and thetype of services per

Maintenance Record (cont’d)DateOdometerReadingServiced ByMaintenance I orMaintenance IIServices Performed6-15

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug onthe hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this appliesforce to the strong pelvic bones. A

Maintenance Record (cont’d)DateOdometerReadingServiced ByMaintenance I orMaintenance IIServices Performed6-16

Customer Assistance and Information ...7-2Customer Satisfaction Procedure ...7-2Online Owner Center ...

Customer Assistance andInformationCustomer Satisfaction ProcedureYour satisfaction and goodwill are important toyour dealer and to Pontiac. Normally,

The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court programadministered by the Council of Better BusinessBureaus to settle automotive disputes regarding vehi

Customer Assistance for TextTelephone (TTY) UsersTo assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, orspeech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTY

Mexico, Central America and CaribbeanIslands/Countries (Except Puerto Ricoand U.S. Virgin Islands) — CustomerAssistanceGeneral Motors de Mexico, S. de

• Emergency Tow: Tow to the nearest dealership forwarranty service or in the event of avehicle-disabling accident. Assistance providedwhen the vehicle

Courtesy TransportationPontiac has always exemplified quality and value in itsoffering of motor vehicles. To enhance your ownershipexperience, we and o

Courtesy Rental VehicleYour dealer may arrange to provide you with a courtesyrental vehicle or reimburse you for a rental vehicle thatyou obtain if yo

Vehicle Data Collection and EventData RecordersYour vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has anumber of sophisticated computer systems that moni

Center Rear Passenger PositionLap BeltWhen you sit in the center seating position, you have alap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make thebelt

Reporting Safety DefectsReporting Safety Defects to theUnited States GovernmentIf you believe that your vehicle has a defect which couldcause a crash

Reporting Safety Defects to GeneralMotorsIn addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) ina situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify

Owner’s InformationOwner publications are written specifically for ownersand intended to provide basic operational informationabout the vehicle. The ow

AAdditives, Fuel ... 5-6Add-On Electrical Equipment ... 5-80Air Cleaner/Filter,

Automatic Headlamp System ... 3-15Automatic TransaxleFluid ... 5-21Ope

Child Restraints (cont.)Securing a Child Restraint in a Center RearSeat Position ... 1-46Securing a Child Rest

DDaytime Running Lamps ... 3-15Defensive Driving ... 4-2Delayed Headlamps ...

FFilterEngine Air Cleaner ... 5-20Finish Damage ... 5-77Fixed Mast Ante

Height Adjuster, Driver Seat ... 1-3Highbeam On Light ... 3-35Highway Hypnosis ...

Light (cont.)Enhanced Traction System (ETS)Active Light ... 3-29Enhanced Traction System (ETS)Warning Light

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides forChildren and Small AdultsRear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide addedsafety belt comfort for older children

NNew Vehicle Break-In ... 2-15Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ... 6-13OOdometer ...

RRadios ... 3-37Care of Your CD Player ... 3-69Care of Your CDs ...

Safety Belts (cont.)Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ... 1-22Safety Belts Are for Everyone ... 1-9Shoulder Belt He

TTachometer ... 3-24TaillampsTurn Signal, and Stoplamps ... 5-44Theft-Deterren

VVehicleControl ... 4-5Damage Warnings ... ivService Soon

2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elasticcord must be under the belt. Then, place the guideover the belt, and insert the two edges of th

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt asdescribed in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-23.Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses theshoulder.

Child RestraintsOlder ChildrenOlder children who have outgrown booster seats shouldwear the vehicle’s safety belts.If you have the choice, a child sho

{CAUTION:Never do this.Here two children are wearing the same belt.The belt can not properly spread the impactforces. In a crash, the two children can

{CAUTION:Never do this.Here a child is sitting in a seat that has alap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part isbehind the child. If the child wears the

{CAUTION:People should never hold a baby in their armswhile riding in a vehicle. A baby does notweigh much — until a crash. During a crash ababy will

Vehicle Damage WarningsAlso, in this manual you will find these notices:Notice: These mean there is something that coulddamage your vehicle.A notice te

{CAUTION:Children who are up against, or very close to,any airbag when it inflates can be seriouslyinjured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulderbelts of

The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that comewith the restraint, state the weight and heightlimitations for a particular child restraint. In add

Child Restraint SystemsAn infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in amotor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designedto restrain or posit

A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint forthe child’s body with the harness and also sometimeswith surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-li

Q: How do child restraints work?A: A child restraint system is any device designed foruse in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or positionchildren. A

Where to Put the RestraintAccident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We,therefore,

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing childrestraints have a top strap, and that the strap beanchored. In the United States, some child rest

Top Strap Anchor LocationYour vehicle has top strap anchors already installed forthe rear seating positions. You will find them behindthe rear seat on

A. Lower AnchorageB. Lower AnchorageC. Top TetherA. Lower AnchorageB. Lower AnchorageIn order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, youneed a child

To assist you in locating thelower anchors for this childrestraint system, eachseating position with theLATCH system has a labelon the seatback at eac

These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:v

Securing a Child Restraint in a RearOutside Seat PositionIf your child restraint is equipped with the LATCHsystem, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tether

3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever had to.4. To tighten

Securing a Child Restraint in aCenter Rear Seat PositionIf your child restraint is equipped with the LATCHsystem, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever had to.5. To tighten

Securing a Child Restraint in theRight Front Seat PositionIf your child restraint is equipped with the LATCHsystem, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethe

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever had to.5. Pull the r

6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten thelap portion of the belt and feed the shou

Airbag SystemYour vehicle has airbags — one airbag for the driverand another airbag for the right front passenger.Frontal airbags are designed to help

{CAUTION:Anyone who is up against, or very close to, anyairbag when it inflates can be seriously injuredor killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offe

The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrumentpanel on the passenger’s side.{CAUTION:If something is between an occupant and anairbag, the ba

✍ NOTESvi

When Should an Airbag Inflate?The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbagsare designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal ornear-front

How Does an Airbag Restrain?In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel orthe instru

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an airbag,windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the

{CAUTION:For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key isturned off and the battery is disconnected, anairbag can still inflate during improper service.Y

Replacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash{CAUTION:A crash can damage the restraint systems inyour vehicle. A damaged restraint system maynot prope

Keys ...2-2Remote Keyless Entry System ...2-3Remote Keyless Entry Sy

Keys{CAUTION:Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignitionkey is dangerous for many reasons. Theycould operate the power windows or othercontrols or

One key is used for theignition and all locks.When a new vehicle is delivered to the dealer, the keyhas a key tag. This tag has a bar-coded key codeth

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This isnormal for any remote keyless entry system. If thetransmitter does not work or if you have to stan

W (Unlock): Press this button once to unlock thedriver’s door. If the button is pressed again within fiveseconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The

Front Seats ...1-2Manual Seats ...1-2Driver Seat Heigh

Battery ReplacementUnder normal use, the battery in your remote keylessentry transmitter should last about four years.You can tell the battery is weak

Doors and LocksDoor Locks{CAUTION:Unlocked doors can be dangerous.• Passengers — especially children — caneasily open the doors and fall out of amovin

Power Door LocksWith the power door locks, you can lock or unlock all ofthe doors on your vehicle using the driver’s or frontpassenger’s door lock swi

Customizing the Automatic Door Locks• Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when thetransaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). The doors willremain locked u

Rear Door Security LocksIf your vehicle is a four-door model, it has rear doorsecurity locks that help prevent passengers fromopening the rear doors f

Lockout ProtectionLockout protection is a standard feature intended toprovide enhanced security and convenience. Thisfeature prevents a driver who has

Remote Trunk ReleasePress the remote trunk release button, located on thedriver’s door, to release the trunk lid. The remotetrunk release will only wo

Windows{CAUTION:Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in avehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.They can be overcome by the extreme heatan

Power WindowsThe window switches are located on the armrest on thedriver’s door. In addition, each passenger door has awindow switch.Express-Down Wind

Theft-Deterrent SystemsVehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrentfeatures, we know

Front SeatsManual Seats{CAUTION:You can lose control of the vehicle if you try toadjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicleis moving. The sudden

Ignition PositionsWith the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it tofour different positions.A (OFF): This is the only position from which you ca

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) feature which will allow the radio tocontinue to work up t

3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but thenstops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Trypushing your accelerator pedal all the

Engine Coolant HeaterYour vehicle may have this feature. In very cold weather,0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater canprovide easier start

Automatic Transaxle OperationYour automatic transaxlehas a shift lever located onthe console between theseats.PARK (P): This position locks your front

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before startingthe engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxleshift lock control system. You have to a

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is fornormal driving. If you need more power for passing, andyou are:• Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push y

Parking BrakeTo set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brakehandle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warninglight will come on. See Brak

Shifting Into Park (P){CAUTION:It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicleif the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) withthe parking brake firmly s

If you have to leave your vehicle with the enginerunning, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and yourparking brake is firmly set before you leave it.

Driver Seat Height AdjusterThe driver’s seat height adjuster is located on theoutboard side of the seat.To raise the seat, ratchet the lever upward un

Parking Over Things That Burn{CAUTION:Things that can burn could touch hot exhaustparts under your vehicle and ignite. Do notpark over papers, leaves,

Running Your Engine While YouAre ParkedIt is better not to park with the engine running. But ifyou ever have to, here are some things to know.{CAUTION

MirrorsManual Rearview MirrorThe mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjustthe height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects themirror to

Outside Convex Mirror{CAUTION:A convex mirror can make things (like othervehicles) look farther away than they really are.If you cut too sharply into

Center Console Storage AreaThe center console has a separate storage area. Toopen the compartment, which is also the armrest, pull upon the front of t

Instrument Panel Overview ...3-4Hazard Warning Flashers ...3-6Other Warning Devices ...

Audio System(s) ...3-37Setting the Time for Radios without RadioData Systems (RDS) ...

✍ NOTES3-3

Instrument Panel Overview3-4

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:A. Fog Lamp Button. See Fog Lamps on page 3-16.B. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwhee