Pontiac 2004 Grand Am User Manual

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

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle ismoving.{CAUTION:Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicleis in motion can be dangerous. Ev

Shifting Out of Park (P)If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, it has anautomatic transaxle shift lock control system which locksthe shift lever

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 MirrorYour passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convexmirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from thedriver’s seat.{CAUTION:A c

SunroofIf your vehicle has this feature, the switch is located onthe headliner between the sun visors. The sunroofwill only operate while the ignition

✍ NOTES2-38

Instrument Panel Overview ...3-2Hazard Warning Flashers ...3-4Other Warning Devices ...

Instrument Panel Overview3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:A. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). See “Fog Lamps” inExterior Lamps on page 3-14.B. Inst

Head RestraintsSlide the head restraint up or down so that the top ofthe restraint is closest to the top of your head. Thisposition reduces the chance

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 one up atthe side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind yourvehicle.HornYou can

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

An arrow on the instrumentpanel cluster will flash inthe direction of theturn or lane change.To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the leverunti

O(Exterior Lamps): Turn the outside part of thelever with the symbol on it, to operate the lamps.The exterior lamps control has three positions:< (

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

Windshield WasherTo wash your windshield, press the button at the end ofthe lever until the washers begin.{CAUTION:In freezing weather, do not use you

The cruise control will turn off if any of the followingoccur:• The brakes are applied,• the clutch pedal is applied (manual transaxle),• the automati

Resuming a Set SpeedSuppose you set your cruise control at a desired speedand then you apply the brake. This, of course, shutsoff the cruise control.

Passing Another Vehicle While UsingCruise ControlUse the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle

Easy Entry SeatFor two-door model vehicles, the right front seat of yourvehicle makes it easy for people to get in and out ofthe rear seat.1. Fold the

Exterior LampsHeadlampsSee “Headlamps” under Turn Signal/Multifunction Leveron page 3-6.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can mak

Automatic Headlamp SystemWhen it is dark enough outside, your automaticheadlamp system will turn on your headlamps at thenormal brightness along with

Headlamps Off in Park (P)To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turnthe exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.In this positi

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

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 of frost from the rear window.< REAR: Press this button to turn the r

Warning Lights, Gages, andIndicatorsThis part describes the warning lights and gages thatmay be on your vehicle. The pictures will help youlocate them

Instrument Panel ClusterYour instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know howfast you’re

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

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,

{CAUTION:If the air bag readiness light stays on after youstart your vehicle, it means the air bag systemmay not be working properly. The air bags iny

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 SystemWarning LightIf your vehicle has theanti-lock brake system, thelight will come on whenyour engine is started andmay stay on for

The Enhanced Traction System warning light may comeon for the following reasons:• If you turn the system off by pressing the ETSbutton on the center c

Engine Coolant Temperature GageThis gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If thegage pointer moves into the red area, the light comeson and you h

Malfunction Indicator LampService Engine Soon Light in theUnited States or Check Engine Light inCanadaYour vehicle is equipped with a computer whichmo

This light should come on, as a check to show you it isworking, when the ignition is on and the engine isnot running. If the light does not come on, h

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will

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

Oil Pressure LightIf you have a low engineoil pressure problem, thislight will stay on afteryou start your engine, orcome on and you will heara chime

Change Engine Oil LightThe CHANGE OIL lightshould come on briefly asa bulb check when youstart the engine. If the lightdoesn’t come on, have itserviced

Low Washer Fluid Warning LightThis light will come onbriefly when you turn onthe ignition. It will also stayon, or come on and achime will sound, ifthe

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

Radio MessagesCAL (Calibration): The audio system has beencalibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CALappears on the display it means that the

4 FWD (Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton toadvance quickly within a track. Release this pushbuttonto play the passage. The elapsed time of the

Radio with CD (Up Level)If your vehicle is equipped with the Monsoon audiosystem, included are eight speakers and an eightchannel amplifier. The radio

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

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

w SCAN x: Press and hold either SCAN arrow fortwo seconds until SCAN appears on the display and youhear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play f

EQ (Equalizer): Press this button to select customizedbass, midrange, and treble equalization settings.You can set up to six customized equalization s

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

Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only)The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to yourfavorite PTYs. These pushbuttons have factoryPTY presets. You can set

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 CDWith the ignition on, insert a CD partway into the slot,label side up. The player will pull it in and the CD shouldbegin playing. The CD s

w SEEK x: Press the down arrow to go to the startof the current track if more than eight seconds haveplayed. Press the up arrow to go to the next trac

Your vehicle has a lightthat comes on as areminder to buckle up. SeeSafety Belt ReminderLight on page 3-25.In most states and in all Canadian province

Radio with CD (MP3)If your vehicle is equipped with the Monsoon audiosystem, included are eight speakers and an eightchannel amplifier. The radio will

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

Setting Preset StationsThe six numbered pushbuttons let you return to yourfavorite stations. You can set up to 30 stations (six FM1,six FM2, and six A

5. Press and hold the EQ button or push the SELECTknob to store the equalization setting and thenumber. You will hear a beep and EQ SAVED willappear o

w SCAN x: You can scan the stations within a PTYby performing the following:1. Press PROG TYPE to activate program type selectmode. The PTY symbol wil

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 CDWith the ignition on, insert a CD partway into the slot,label side up. The player will pull it in, and the CD shouldbegin playing. READING

EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desiredcustomized equalization setting while playing a CD. Theequalization will be automatically set whenever y

Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoesn’t stop.1-11

If you wish to play large numbers of files, folders,playlists, or sessions minimize the length of the file,folder, or playlist name. You can also play a

When play enters a new folder, the display will notautomatically show the new folder name unlessyou have chosen the folder mode as the default display

If playing a CD-R the sound quality may be reduceddue to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the qualityof the music that has been recorded, and th

6 ! (Previous Folder): Press this pushbutton to goto the first track in the previous folder or playlist. Ifthe disc contains playlists, it will go thro

EJECT: Press this button to eject a CD. Eject may beactivated with either the ignition or radio off. CDsmay be loaded with the radio and ignition off

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

✍ NOTES3-72

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

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

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

Police records show that almost half of all motorvehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,these deaths are the result of someone who wasd

It is the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, ifthe same person drank three double martinis (3 ouncesor 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour,

The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcoholin one drink. No amount of coffee or number of coldshowers will speed that up. “I will be car

Control of a VehicleYou have three systems that make your vehicle go whereyou want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering andthe accelerator. All

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive inspurts — 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 will come onwhen your EnhancedTraction System is limitingwheel spin. SeeEnhanced Traction SystemActive Light on page 3-29.You may feel or h

To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery roadconditions, you should always leave the EnhancedTraction System on. But you can turn the system off if

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

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 fareno

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

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

No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. Butas we get older these differences increase. A50-year-old driver may require at least twice as mu

Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wetroad, you can not stop, accelerate or turn as wellbecause your ti

Driving too fast through large water puddles or evengoing through some car washes can cause problems,too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avo

Driving Through Flowing Water{CAUTION:Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.If you try to drive through flowing water, as youmight at a low wa

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’m 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’re in anaccident

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:• Know the best way to get to where you aregoing. Get a city map and plan your trip intoan unkno

The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keepup with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at thesame speed most of the other drivers are drivi

Here are some things you can check before a trip:• Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Areall windows clean inside and outside?• Wiper Bla

Hill and Mountain RoadsDriving on steep hills or mountains is different fromdriving in flat or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country,

• Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest gearpossible.• Stay in your own lane when driving on two-laneroads in hills or mountains. Do not swing w

• You may want to put winter emergency supplies inyour trunk.Also see Tires on page 5-51.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, asupply of wi

What is the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very coldsnow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wetice can be even more trouble because it may

If You Are Caught in a BlizzardIf you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in aserious situation. You should probably stay withyour vehicle unless

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.{CAUTION:Snow can trap exhaust gases under yourvehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbonmonoxide)

If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Iceor SnowIn order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you willneed to spin the wheels, but you do not want tospin

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

TowingTowing Your VehicleConsult your dealer or a professional towing service ifyou need to have your disabled vehicle towed. SeeRoadside Assistance P

Dinghy TowingTo tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,follow these steps:1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.2. Turn the i

Notice: Towing your vehicle from the rear coulddamage it. Also, repairs would not be covered bythe warranty. Never have your vehicle towed fromthe rea

Loading Your VehicleIt is very important to know how much weight yourvehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehiclecapacity weight and includes

Tire and Loading Information LabelA. Vehicle Capacity WeightA. Vehicle Capacity WeightThe Tire and Loading Information label shows theseating capacity

The Tire and Loading Information label also gives youthe size and recommended inflation pressure forthe factory-installed, original equipment tires on

If your vehicle can tow a trailer, see Towing a Trailer onpage 4-41 for important information on towing atrailer, towing safety rules and trailering t

Loading Your VehicleItem Description TotalAVehicle Capacity Weightfor Example 3 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)BSubtract OccupantWeight 200 lbs(91kg)x5=1,000 lbs

And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread itout. Don’t carry more than 132 lbs. (60 kg) in your trunk.{CAUTION:Do not load your vehicle any

Towing a Trailer{CAUTION:If you do not use the correct equipment anddrive properly, you can lose control when youpull a trailer. For example, if the t

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckleend of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.The lap part of the belt should be worn low

• Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that youtow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)and do not make starts at full throttle. Thishelps

If you are using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailertongue (A) should weigh 10–15 percent of the totalloaded trailer weight (B).After you have loaded

Safety ChainsYou should always attach chains between your vehicleand your trailer. Cross the safety chains under thetongue of the trailer so that the

Following DistanceStay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead asyou would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.This can help you avoid

Driving On GradesReduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you startdown a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shiftdown, you might have to use

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

✍ NOTES4-48

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

Appearance Care ...5-78Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle ...5-78Care of Safety Belts ...

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

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster(Four–Door Models)Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder beltadjuster to the height that is right for you.To move i

You should keep a record with all parts receipts and listthe mileage and the date of any service work youperform. See Maintenance Record on page 6-15.

FuelUse of the recommended fuel is an important part of theproper maintenance of your vehicle.Gasoline OctaneUse regular unleaded gasoline with a post

California FuelIf your vehicle is certified to meet California EmissionStandards (see the underhood emission control label), itis designed to operate o

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

While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap inside thefuel door.To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Makesure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic

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 from left to right ortowards the driver’s side of the vehicle.3. Lift

Engine Compartment OverviewWhen you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ ™ engine, you’ll see the following:5-12

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Cooling System onpage 5-28.B. Ground. See Jump Starting on page 5-41.C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oi

Q: What’s 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

When you open the hood on the 3400 V6 engine, you’ll see the following:5-14

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Cooling System onpage 5-28.B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power SteeringFluid on page 5-34.C. Engine Oil Fil

When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is at or below the MIN mark for the 2.2L L4ECOTEC™ engine or below the cross-hatched area atthe tip of the dipstick f

• SAE 5W-30As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is bestfor your vehicle. However, if it is going to be 0°F(–18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not

Notice: Use only engine oil identified as meetingGM Standard GM6094M and showing the AmericanPetroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Enginesstarburst

How to Reset the CHANGE OIL LightThe GM Oil Life System calculates when to changeyour engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytimeyour oil is ch

Engine Air Cleaner/FilterSee Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 formore information on location.When to Inspect the Engine AirCleaner/FilterInsp

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whento replace the air filter.See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.{CAUTION:Operating the engine with t

Manual Transaxle FluidIt is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss. Ifa leak occurs, t

How to Check and Add FluidYou do not need to check the fluid level unless yoususpect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, takethe cap off. If the

Q: What’s 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 li

What to UseUse a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water andone-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damagealuminum parts. If you use this coolant mix

{CAUTION:Turning the surge tank pressure cap when theengine and radiator are hot can allow steamand scalding liquids to blow out and burn youbadly. Ne

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine{CAUTION:Steam from an overheated engine can burnyou badly, even if you just open the hood. Stayaway from the engin

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’s safe to lift the hood, here’s whatyou’ll see:A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure CapB. Electric Engine Cooling Fan{

The coolant level should be at or above the FULLCOLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at thepressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,

Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL®maycause premature engine, heater core or radiatorcorrosion. In addition, the engine coolant mayrequire chan

{CAUTION:Adding only plain water to your coolingsystem can be dangerous. Plain water, orsome other liquid such as alcohol, can boilbefore the proper c

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.You can remove the coolant surge tank pressurecap when the cooling system, including the coolantsurge tank pres

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

Q: What’s 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 in

6. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressurecap is hand-tight and fully seated.See your dealer, if necessary.Power Steering FluidWhen to Check Po

How to Check Power Steering FluidTurn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, thenunscrew t

The windshield washerfluid reservoir is located inthe engine compartmenttowards the front ofthe vehicle.Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add

BrakesBrake FluidYour brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT-3brake fluid. See Engine Compartment Overview onpage 5-12 for the location of t

When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brakewarning light will come on. See Brake System WarningLight on page 3-27.What to AddWhen you do nee

Brake WearThe GT Series has four-wheel disc brakes and the SESeries has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.Disc brake pads have built-in wear indi

Brake Pedal TravelSee your dealer if the brake pedal does not return tonormal height, or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a

Vehicle StorageIf you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days ormore, remove the black, negative (−) cable from thebattery. This will help kee

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-voltbattery with a negative ground system.Notice: If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-voltsystem w

{CAUTION:Using a match near a battery can cause batterygas to explode. People have been hurt doingthis, and some have been blinded. Use aflashlight if

Q: What’s 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 hav

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)terminal of the dead battery. Use a remotepositive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.7. Don

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the nextstep. The other end of the negative (−) cabledoesn’t go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,u

A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine PartB. Good BatteryC. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, dothe following:1. Disconnect t

Bulb ReplacementFor replacement bulb sizes, see Replacement Bulbs onpage 5-49. For any bulb changing procedure notlisted in this section, contact your

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

Taillamps, Turn Signal, andStoplamps1. Disconnect the cargo net in the trunk.2. Pull back the trunk trim.3. Remove the four wing nut bolts which faste

Windshield Wiper BladeReplacementWindshield wiper blades should be inspected at leasttwice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper BladeCheck” in Sche

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 LabelingUseful information about a tire is molded into itssidewall. The examples below show a typical passengercar tire and a compact sp

(A) Tire Size: The tire size code is a combination ofletters and numbers used to define a particulartire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction ty

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

(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

(F) Tire Size: A combination of letters and numbersdefine a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, constructiontype and service description. The letter “T

Tire Terminology and DefinitionsAir Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressingoutward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressureis express

Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity ofa tire.Maximum Inflation Pressure: The maximum air

UTQGS: Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a tireinformation system that provides consumers withratings for a tire’s traction, temperature and tre

If your tires have too much air (overinflation), youcan get the following:• Unusual wear• Bad handling• Rough ride• Needless damage from road hazardsWh

Tire Inspection and RotationTires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles(8 000 to 13 000 km).Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires

When It Is Time for New TiresOne way to tell when it’stime for new tires is tocheck the treadwearindicators, which willappear when your tireshave only

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

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s morelikely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a cras

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

Wheel ReplacementReplace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rustedor corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, thewheel, wheel bolts and wheel

Used Replacement Wheels{CAUTION:Putting a used wheel on your vehicle isdangerous. You can’t know how it’s been usedor how far it’s been driven. It cou

Notice: If your vehicle has a tire size other thanP225/50R16 size tires, use tire chains only wherelegal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class“S”

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

The following steps will tell you how to use the jack andchange a tire.Removing the Spare Tire and ToolsThe equipment you’ll need is in the trunk.1. P

The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and wheelwrench (B).Removing the Flat Tire and Installingthe Spare Tire1. If your vehicle has a wheel c

2. Then use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheelnuts. Don’t remove them yet.3. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fitsfirmly into th

{CAUTION:Raising your vehicle with the jack improperlypositioned can damage the vehicle and evenmake the vehicle fall. To help avoid personalinjury an

{CAUTION:Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts towhich it is fastened, can make the wheel nutsbecome loose after a time. The wheel couldcome off

Safety Warnings and SymbolsYou will find a number of safety cautions in this book.We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you aboutthings that could

1. 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

10. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.11. Tighten the wheel nutsfirmly in a crisscrosssequence,

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools{CAUTION:Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in thepassenger compartment of the vehicle couldcause injury. In a

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools{CAUTION:Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in thepassenger compartment of the vehicle couldcause injury. In a

Compact Spare TireAlthough the compact spare tire was fully inflated whenyour vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.Check the inflation pressure

Appearance CareRemember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Someare toxic. Others can burst into flames if you strike amatch or get them on a hot part

Here are some cleaning tips:• Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.• Clean up stains as soon as you can — beforethey set.• Carefully scra

Cleaning VinylUse warm water and a clean cloth.• Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. Youmay have to do this more than once.• Things like tar,

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

Cleaning Aluminum WheelsKeep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth withmild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. Afterrinsing thoroughly, dry

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

Underbody MaintenanceChemicals used for ice and snow removal and dustcontrol can collect on the underbody. If these are notremoved, corrosion and rust

Description UsageChrome and Wire WheelCleanerRemoves dirt and grimefrom chrome wheels andwire wheel covers.Finish EnhancerRemoves dust,fingerprints, an

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 yourvehicle unless you check with your dealer first.Some electrica

Instrument Panel Fuse Block(Driver’s Side)Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.Fuses UsageWIPERWindshield Wiper Moto

Instrument Panel Fuse Block(Passenger’s Side)Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.Fuse UsageINST LPS Interior Lamp D

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 SpecificationsAll capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level or as recommended in this manual.Capa

Capacities (cont’d)ApplicationCapacitiesEnglish MetricManual TransaxleComplete Overhaul1.8 quarts 1.7 LWheel Nut Torque 100 lb-ft 140 Y†ECOTEC™See Rec

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

✍ NOTES5-94

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

When you go to your GM Goodwrench dealer for yourservice needs, you will know that GM-trained andsupported service technicians will perform the workus

Maintenance I — Use Maintenance I if the CHANGEOIL light comes on within ten months since vehicle waspurchased or Maintenance II was performed.Mainten

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 5-23 for further deta

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.Center Rear Passenger Position1-27

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 dealer.Part GM P

Engine Drive Belt Routing6-14

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 Performed6-16

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

Lap BeltWhen you sit in the center seating position, you have alap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make thebelt longer, tilt the latch plate a

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

Canada – Customer AssistanceGeneral Motors of Canada LimitedCustomer Communication Centre, 163-0051908 Colonel Sam DriveOshawa, Ontario L1H 8P71-800-2

Roadside Assistance ProgramSecurity While You Travel1-800-ROADSIDE (762-3743)As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you areautomatically enrolle

While we hope you never have the occasion to use ourservice, it is added security while traveling for youand your family. Remember, we are only a phon

Transportation OptionsWarranty service can generally be completed while youwait. However, if you are unable to wait Pontiachelps minimize your inconve

Additional Program InformationCourtesy Transportation is available during theBumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but it isnot part of the New V

To read this information, special equipment is neededand access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.GM will not access information about a crash eve

Reporting Safety Defects to theCanadian GovernmentIf you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehiclehas a safety defect, you should immediately

Service BulletinsService Bulletins give technical service informationneeded to knowledgeably service General Motors carsand trucks. Each bulletin cont

AAdding Washer Fluid ... 5-35Additional Program Information ... 7-9Additives, Fuel ...

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

BBacking Up ... 4-45Battery ... 5-40Battery Re

Child RestraintsChild Restraint Systems ... 1-38Infants and Young Children ... 1-34Lower Anchorage

Customer Assistance InformationCourtesy Transportation ... 7-7Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)Users ...

EEasy Entry Seat ... 1-6Electrical SystemAdd-On Equipment ... 5-87Fuses

FluidAutomatic Transaxle ... 5-21Manual Transaxle ... 5-22Power Steering ...

Headlamps Off in Park (P) ... 3-16Highway Hypnosis ... 4-24Hill and Mountain Roads

LLampsExterior ... 3-14Interior ... 3-17Lap Bel

MMaintenance ScheduleAdditional Required Services ... 6-6At Each Fuel Fill ... 6-8At L

OOdometer ... 3-24Off-Road Recovery ... 4-13OilChange Engine

QQuestions and Answers About Safety Belts ... 1-13RRadio Data System (RDS) ... 3-43, 3-54Radio Messages ...

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

SSafety BeltReminder Light ... 3-25Safety BeltsCare of ...

Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) ... 3-40, 3-45, 3-56Sheet Metal Damage ... 5-83Shift Speeds ...

Tires (cont.)Compact Spare Tire ... 5-77If a Tire Goes Flat ... 5-67Inflation - T

VVehicleControl ... 4-6Damage Warnings ... ivLoading ...

When to Add Engine Oil ... 5-16When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil LifeSystem) ...

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

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: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

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,they should have the protection provided by appropriaterestraints. Young children should not us

{CAUTION:Children who are up against, or very close to,any air bag when it inflates can be seriouslyinjured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulderbelts

For most basic types of child restraints, there aremany different models available. When purchasing achild restraint, be sure it is designed to be use

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,

Top StrapSome child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” Itcan help restrain the child restraint during a collision.For it to work, a top str

Anchor the top strap to an anchor point specified in TopStrap Anchor Location on page 1-43. Be sure to usean anchor point located on the same side of t

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

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethersfor Children (LATCH System)Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You will findanchors in the rear outside seat positions.T

A. Lower AnchorageB. Lower AnchorageIn order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, youneed a child restraint designed for that system.1-45

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

Securing a Child Restraint Designedfor the LATCH System1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seatingposition you want to use, where the bottom of these

Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesa

4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder beltwhile you push down on the child restraint. Ifyou’re using a forward-facing child restraint, youma

1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latchplate and pulling it along the belt.2. Put the restraint on the seat.3. Run the vehicle’s saf

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’ssafety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult orlarger child passenger.Securing a Child

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulderportions of the vehicle’s safety belt through oraround the restraint. The child restraint inst

6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back intothe retractor while you push down on the childrestraint. You may find it helpful to use your kn

✍ NOTESvi

Supplemental RestraintSystem (SRS)This part explains the Supplemental RestraintSystem (SRS) or air bag system.Your vehicle has air bags – one air bag

{CAUTION:Air bags inflate with great force, faster than theblink of an eye. If you’re too close to aninflating air bag, as you would be if you wereleani

There is a air bagreadiness light on theinstrument panel, whichshows AIR BAG.The system checks the air bag electrical system formalfunctions. The ligh

The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrumentpanel on the passenger’s side.{CAUTION:If something is between an occupant and anair bag, the

If your vehicle strikes something that will move ordeform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will behigher. The air bag is not designed to infl

What Will You See After an Air BagInflates?After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly thatsome people may not even realize the air bag in

• Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing anddiagnostic module, which records information aboutthe air bag system. The module records informatio

Restraint System CheckChecking Your Restraint SystemsNow and then, make sure the safety belt reminder lightand all your belts, buckles, latch plates,

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCHsystem parts?After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.But if the belts were stretch

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

Front Seats ...1-2Manual Seats ...1-2Six-Way Power Dri

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

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 Lockson Vehicles with an AutomaticTransaxle:• Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when thetransaxle is shifted out of

Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory it wasprogrammed in Mode 1. To determine the currentmode or to change to a different mode, do the fol

The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened fromthe inside when this feature is in use. If you want toopen a rear door when the security lock is o

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

TrunkTo unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key andturn the trunk lock cylinder or use the remote keylessentry transmitter, if your vehicle

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

Emergency Trunk Release HandleNotice: Using the emergency trunk release handleas a tie-down or anchor point when securingitems in the trunk may damage

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 WindowsIf your vehicle is equipped with power windows, thewindow switches are located on the armrest onthe driver’s door. In addition, each pass

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

Starting and Operating YourVehicleNew Vehicle Break-InNotice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate“break-in.” But it will perform better in the lon

A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s doorwhen the ignition is off and the key is in the ignition.Notice: If your key seems stuck in OFF

Manual TransaxleThe shift lever should be in neutral and the parkingbrake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor andstart the engine. Your vehicle

Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn yourignition key to START. When the engine starts, letgo of the key. The

Six-Way Power Driver SeatIf your vehicle has thisfeature, the power seatcontrol is located onthe outboard side of thedriver’s seat.This control allows

Engine Coolant HeaterYour vehicle may have this feature. In very coldweather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolantheater can provide easier start

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater1. Turn off the engine.2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. Onthe 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ engine, the engine coola

Automatic Transaxle OperationYour automatic transaxlehas a shift lever locatedon the console betweenthe seats.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’re:• Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push yo

FIRST (1): This position gives you even more powerbut lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can useit on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. I

Neutral: Use this position when you start or idle yourengine.REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutchpedal and lift up on the ring on the shift

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

Leaving Your Vehicle With the EngineRunning (Automatic Transaxle Only){CAUTION:It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle withthe engine running. Your