Pontiac 2003 Sunfire User manual

I 1
I:
COOZ

The 2003 PontiacSunfireOwn r Manual a
SeatsandRestraintSystems ........................... 1-1
FrontSeats ............................................... 1-2
RearSeats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-30
Air BagSystems ...................................... 1-49
RestraintSystemCheck
............................ 1-59
Features and Controls
..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-18
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-33
Onstar@System
...................................... 2-36
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-38
Sunroof
.................................................. 2-39
InstrumentPanel
............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls ...................................... 3-16
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
......... 3-20
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-35
VV~II~OWS ................................................. 2-14
Driving Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-1
Towing
................................................... 4-31
Your Driving. theRoad.and Your Vehicle ..... 4-2
Service and Appearance Care
.......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-3
Fuel ......................................................... 5-5
Checking ThingsUnder the Hood
............... 5-10
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-45
WindshieldWiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-50
Tires ...................................................... 5-51
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-71
Vehicle Identification ................................. 5-79
Capacities and Specifications
..................... 5-84
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
...... 5-85
Maintenance Schedule
..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule ................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information
.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information .................. 7-2
Reporting SafetyDefects
............................ 7-9
Index
................................................................. 1
Electrical System ...................................... 5-80

GM
-
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, PONTIAC,
the PONTIAC Emblem and the name SUNFIRE are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of
Canada Limited” for Pontiac Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle,
so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the
new owner can use it.
Canadian Owners
You can obtain a French copy of this manual from your
dealer
or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box
07130
Detroit, MI 48207
How to Use This Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If
you do this,
it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle.
In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain things.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual.
It’s an alphabetical list of what’s
in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
Litho in U.S.A. @CopyrightGeneral Motors Corporation 08/02/02
Part No. 22686695 A First Edition AllRightsReserved
ii

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you
if you were to ignore the
warning.
1-
I
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
in the caution area, we teii you what ine hazard
is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions.
If you don’t, you
or others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through
it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t let
this happen.”

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what
to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring
out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section
1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, GagesandIndicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR
FLAME I\llJ
COULD
EXPLODE
-
BAUERY
1
LATCH BOTH LAP AND
SHOULDER BELTSTO
PROTECTOCCUPANT
4
DONOTTWIST SAFW *
BELT WHENATACHING
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
MOVE SEAT
FULLY
\s$
REARWARD+ /g
SECURE
CHILDSEAT
PULL BELT
COMPLETELY
THEN SECURE
CHILD SEAT
PCWFR
WINDOW
1
DONOT INSTALL
A REAR-FACING
CHILD RESTRAINT
INTHIS SEATING
POSITION
DO NOT INSTALLA
‘ORWARD-FACING
CHILD RESTRAINT
IN THIS SEATING
POSITION
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
.IGHTING
-
MASTER SWITCH ‘6- / , \
SIGNALS TURN e13
PARKING
PC
LAMPS
x
RUNNING {{:o
DAYTIME
LAMPS
FOG
n
LAMPS ;Y w
ENGINE
COOLANT ~
TEMP -
BAlTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
ENGINEOIL
PRESSURE
Wi
ANTI-LOCK (m)
BRAKES \SJ4
ENGINE
COOLANT
FAN
FUEL
OWNER’S
MANUAL
SERVICE
V

Section 1
Seats and Restraint Systems
Front Seats ...................................................... 1-2
Manual Seats
................................................ 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks
........................................ 1-4
HeadRestraints
............................................. 1-5
Seatback Latches
........................................... 1-6
Easy Entry Seat
............................................. 1-7
Rear Seat Operation
....................................... 1-8
Safety Belts ..................................................... 1-9
Safety Belts: TheyArefor Everyone
................. 1-9
Questions and AnswersAbout Safety Belts
...... 1-13
Hoiiv to VVet;r Safety Belts Preperly ................. 1-14
Driver Position
.............................................. 1-14
RightFrontPassenger Position
....................... 1-23
RearSeatPassengers
.................................. 1-23
Children and Small Adults
.......................... 1-27
saieiy Dell CAleI IUCl ..................................... 1 29
Child Restraints ............................................. 1-30
Older Children
.............................................. 1-30
InfantsandYoung Children
............................ 1-32
Child Restraint Systems ................................. 1-35
......................................................
RearSeats .l -8
SafetyBeltUse During Pregnancy .................. 1-22
RearSafetyBeltComfort Guides for
" . I, r . -1- .- _I - ..
Where to Put the Restraint ............................. 1-38
Top Strap
.................................................... 1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................. 1-40
Children (LATCH System)
........................... 1-41
LATCH System
......................................... 1-43
Position
................................................... 1-43
Seat Position
............................................ 1-46
Air BagSystems
............................................ 1-49
Where Are the Air Bags? ...............................
1-52
How Does an Air Bag Restrain? ..................... 1-56
Air Bag Inflates? ....................................... 1-56
Servicinq YourAir Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-58
Restraint System Check
.................................. 1-59
Checking Your Restraint Systems
................... 1-59
After a Crash
............................................ 1-59
Lower Anchorages and
Top Tethers for
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
Securing a Child Restraint ina Rear Seat
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ....................
1-55
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? ..................... 1-55
What Will You See Afteran
Replacing Restraint System Parts
1-1

Front Seats
Manual Seats
Youcan lose cc.... of the vehicle if you try .J
adjust a manual driver’sseat while the vehicle
is moving. The sudden movement could startle
and confuse
you, or make you push a pedal
when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s
seat
only when the vehicle is not moving.
Lift the lever located on the front of the driver’s seat to
unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it and
release the lever. Then
try to move the seat with your
body,
to make sure the seat is locked into place.
1-3

Your vehicle will be equipped with one of the following
passenger seat adjusters.
If your vehicle is not equipped with easy entry seats,
your passenger seat adjuster looks like
this. Slide
the lever located under the passenger’s seat to the right
to unlock
it. Slide the seat to where you want it and
release
the lever. Then try to move the seat with your
body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.
If your vehicle is equipped with easy entry seats, this is
your front passenger seat adjuster. Pull up on the
lever located at the front
of the passenger’s seat to
unlock
it. Slide the seat to a comfortable position
and release the lever. Then try
to move the seat with
your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.
1 -3

Reclining Seatbacks
To adjust the seatback, lift the lever located on the
outboard side
of the seat and move the seatback
to where you want it. Release the lever and push
rearward on the seatback
to make sure it is locked. Pull
up
on the lever without pushing on the seatback and
the seatback will go
to an upright position.
But don't have a seatback reclined
if your vehicle is
moving.
1 -4

Head Restraints
Sitl .-J in a reclined posi_.- n when your vet..-le
is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you
buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job
when you’re reclined like this.
The shoulder belt can’t do its job because
it
won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be
in frontof you.
III a crash YOU could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The
lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash
the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces wouldbe there, not
at your pelvic
bones. This could cause serious internal
injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle
is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your satety beit
properly.
Adjust your head restraint
so that the top of the restraint
is ciosesi io iiw iup ui y~uc i-te2.d. This PGS/:~C;;;
reduces the chances of a neck injury in a crash.
1-5

Seatback Latches
If your vehicle is a two-door model, the front seatback
folds forward
to let people get into the back seat.
To fold a front seatback
forward, lift the latch
located on the lower back
side of the seatback
and push the seatback
forward.
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.
Always press rearward on the seatback
to be
sure
it is locked.
When you return the seatback to its original position,
make sure the seatback
is locked. The latch must
be down for the seat
to work properly.
1 -6

Easy Entry Seat
If the easy entry right front seat isn’t locked, it
can move. In
a sudden stop or crash, the
person sitting there could be injured. After
~ you’veused it, besureto push rearwardonan
, easyentryseattobesureit is locked.
1. Lift the right front seatback latch to release the
seatback.
2. Tilt the seatback completely farward and the whole
seat will slide forward.
3. Move the right front seatback to its original position
after someone gets
into the rear seat area.
4. Then move the seat rearward until it locks.
Titt the seatback completely forward again and move
the seat
to get out of the back seat.
If your vehicle has this feature, the right front seat
makes it
easy to get in and out of the rear seat.

Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
Folding the Seatback
To fold the seatback, do the following:
1. Pull the release straps
located in the trunk.
The right strap
operates the
passenger’s side rear
split seat. The left
strap operates
the driver’s side rear
split seat.
2. Fold the seatback down from the inside of the
vehicle.
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward
in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sittingthere. Always
press rearward on the seatback tobe sure it is
locked.
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the
protection needed in a crash.The person
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
After raising the rear seatback, always check
to be sure that the safety belts are properly
routed and attached, andare not twisted.
To raise the seatback, push the seatback up to return it
to its original position.
Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is latched
securely in the
fully upright position.
1-8

Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety
belts properly. It also tells you some things you should
not
do with safety belts.
.
, A CAUTION:
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t
wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a
crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt,
your injuries can be much worse.
You can hit
things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it.
You can be seriously injured or killed.
I
.CAUTION: (Continued)
I
In the same crash, you might notbe, if you are
buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your passengers’ belts are
fastened properly too.
,
CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. !n a
collision, people riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or killed.
Do not
allow people to ride in anyarea of your vehicle
that
is not equipped with seats and safety
belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in a
seat and usin5 a safety belt properlv.
1-9

Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a
reminder to buckle up. See
1 Safety Belt Reminder
Light on page
3-22.
In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law
says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know
if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know
if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be
so
serious that even buckled up, a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When YOU ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on
wheels.
1-10

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

or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
YOU gei mure iirrte io siwy. ‘r’uu siup uvei- I-I-Iu~E: d/5ts;-,ct;,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.
.I
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident
if I’m wearing a safety belt?
A: You couJd be - whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or not.
But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even
if you’re upside down. And your chance
of being conscious during and after
an accident,
so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you are belted.
1-13