I- 2 0 The 1997 Pontiac Grand PrixOwner’s Manual 1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains“SRS” the system. 2- 1 Features and Controls This section explains how to start and operate your Pontiac. 3- 1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system. 4- 1 Your Drivingand the Road Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road andto drivehow under different conditions. 5-1 Problems on the Road This section tells what to doif you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc. 6- 1 Service and Appearance Care Here the manual tells you how to keep your Pontiac running properly and looking good. 7-1 Maintenance Schedule This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use. 8- 1 CustomerAssistance Information This section tells you howto contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service and owner publications. It also givesyou information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page8-10. 9-1 Index Here’s an alphabetical listingof almost every subjectin this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read. i We supp’ortvoluntary technician certification. GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, WE SUPPORT PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem and the name VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN GRAND PRIX are registered trademarks of General CERTIFICATION THROUGH Motors Corporation. National Institute for AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE This manual includes the latest information at the time it EXCELLENCE was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Pontiac For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a Division whenever it appears in this manual, French Language Manual: Please keep this manual in your Pontiac, so it will be Aux propribtaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you procurer un exemplaire dece guide en frarqais chez sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new votre concessionaire ou au: owner can use it, DGN Marketing Services Ltd. 15800 Bonhill Rd. Mississauga, Ontario L5T IC7 Litho in U.S.A. ‘Copyright General Motolrs Corporation 1996 Part.. No, 10405301 A Third Edition A€€Rights Reserved How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to endwhen they first receive their new vehicle. If you 1 do this, itwill help you learn about the features and These mean there is something that ( dd hurt controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find you or other people. that pictures and words work together to explain I I I I things quickly. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then Index we tell you what to doto help avoid or reduce the A good place to look for what you need is the Index in hazard. Please readthese cautions. If you don’t, you or the back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of all others could behurt. that’s in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it. kYou will also find a circle with a slash through it in Safety Warnings and Symbols this book. This safety symbol means “Don’t,’’ You will find a number of safety cautionsin this book. “Don’t do this,” or “Don’t We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you let this happen.’’ about things that could hurtyou if you were to ignore the warning. iii Vehicle Damage Warnings In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would A 1, in this book you will findthese notices: not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. I I But the notice will tell you whatavoid helpto do to - I NOTICE: I the damage. When you read other manuals, you mightsee CAUTION These mean thereis something thatcould and NOTICE warnings in different collors or in different words. damage your vehicle. You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. iv Vehicle Symbols These are someof the symbols you may findon your vehicle. For example, These symbols These symbols These symbols These symbols Here are some these symbols are important have to do with are on some of are used on other symbols are used on an for you and your lamps: your controls: warning and you may see: original battery: your passengers indicator lights: whenever your WINDSHIELD vehicle is WIPER CAUTION driven: POSSIBLE A FUSE INJURY COOLANT - n TEMP - TURN PROTECT SIGNALS e P EYES BY BATTERY LIGHTER m SHIELDING CHARGING SYSTEM PARKING CAUSTIC LAMPS WINDSHIELD HORN FASTEN DEFROSTER )cr SEAT BRAKE (0) BELTS BURNS h COOLANT SPEAKER AVOID WINDOW b SPARKS OR DEFOGGER FLAMES ENGINE OIL w, PRESSURE FUEL SPARK OR ,\[I, la FLAME VENTILATING COULD AIR BAG p\q4 FOG LAMPS FAN ~3ANTI-LOCK (@) EXPLODE $0 BRAKES BATTERY V vi 7 Section 1 Seatsand Restraint Systems Here you'll find information about the seats in your Pontiac and how to use your safety beltsYou properly. can also learn about some things you shouldnot do with air bags and safety belts. 1-2 Seats and Controls 1-24 Questions and Answers About Air Bags 1-2 Manual Seats 1-33 Rear Safety Belt 'Comfort Guides 1-3 Power Seats 1-36 How to Use Child Restraints 1-5 Reclining Front Seatbacks 1-38 How to Use the Built-In Child Restraint 1-1 Seatback Latches 1-52 Important Informationfor Buckling Children 1-9 Why Safety Belts Work in Child Restraints 1-12 Questions Many People Ask About 1-53 Child Restraint Top Straps Safety Belts 1-63 How to Obtain a Safety Belt Extender 1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 1-63 Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy 1-64 Replacing Parts After a Crash 1-1 6-Way Power Driver’s Seat(If Equipped) This switch is designed to mimic the movements of your seat cushion. It is located on the left side of the driver’s seat cushion. To move the seat forward or rearward, push the switch forward or rearward. To raise or lower the seat, push the switch up or down. To raise or lower the front portion of your seat, push the front of the switch up or down. To raise or lower the rear portion of your seat, push the rear of the switch up or down. 1-3 2-Way Manual Lumbar (If Equipped) 4-Way Power Lumbar Driver’s Seat (If Equipped) The knob that controls this feature is located on the right side of the driver’s seat, about half of the way down the If you have this option, there will be a toggle switchon seatback. Turn the knob clockwise toincrease lumbar the left side of the driver’s seat cushion, just in front of support. Turn the knob counterclockwise to decrease the reclining seatback lever. To increase or decrease lumbar support. lumbar support, push the switch forward or rearward, To adjust the lumbar support up or down, push the switch up or down. 1-4 Heated Seat (If Equipped) Reclining Front Seatbacks If your vehicle has this option, the switch is on the center console, just behind the open storage bin, Press LO towarm the seat toa lower temperature. Press HI to warm the seat to a higher temperature. To turn this feature off, place the switch in the center position. Lift thelever to release the seatback, then move the seatback towhere you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback in place. Pull up on thelever without pushing on the seatback, and the seatback will move forward. Sitting in a reclined position whenyour vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety beltscan’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it wonst be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neckor other injuries. The lap belt canst do its job either. In a crash the belt couldgo up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. But don’t have a seatback reclinedif your vehicle For properprotection when the vehicle isin is moving. motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly. 1-6 Head Restraints After someone gets into the rear seat area, move the right front seatback to its original position. Then move Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the the seat rearward until it locks. restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. To get out, tilt the seatback fully forward. Seatback Latches (2-Door Models) If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Alwayspress rearward on the seatback tobe sure it is locked. I On two-door models, the right front seatis designed to make it easyto get in and outof the rear seat.