Pontiac Pontiac 1957 User manual

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PONTIAC

1957

OWNER'S

GUIDE

Pontiac's

engineers

strive

continually

to

give

you

greater

value

in

each

new

model

Pontiac.

This

year

we

are

especially

proud

of

the

advanced

design

and

precision

construction

which

combines

comfort,

econ-

omy,

performance,

and

endurance

to

make

your

new

Pontiac

an

even

greater

car

than

ever

before. In

order

that

you

may

be

able

to

take

full

advantage

of

the

many

new

features

which

are

in

this

new

Pontiac,

we

have

added

this

Owner's

Guide,

to

give

you

the

"know-how"

for safe

and

economical

operation.

Your

knowledge

and

care

of

the

operating

parts

of

the

car

will give

you

greater

enjoyment

in

driving

the

1957

Pontiac.

.'

Owner's

Service

Department

PONTIAC

M9TOR

DIVISION

Pontiac,

Michigan

FORM

5.5701

LITHO

IN

U.S.A.

2.57

eontcnts

MANUFACTURER

'S

WARRANTY

. . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . 2

OWNER

SERVICE

POLICY.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

..

3

CAR

BREAK-IN

AND

SERIAL

NUMBERS....

.

..

.

..

. .

....

4

CAR

DATA.

.

...

.. ..

..

.

.......

...

. .

....

.

.. .. ..

.

.. ..

5

INSTRUMENTS

AND

CONTROLS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

STRATO-FLIGHT

HYDRA-MATIC

DRIVE

..

.

... ...

..

....

...

12

SYNCHRO-MESH

DRIVE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .

..

16

ALL

WEATHER

COMFORT

CONTROL.

. . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . . . . 18

GENERAL

SERVICE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . .

..

22

CHASSIS

AND

BODY

LUBRICATION.

. . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .

..

29

ENGINE

LUBRICATION.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

..

37

TUNE-N-TEST

.........

. :

..

....•

... ...

.

....

..

40

PONTIAC

ApPROVED

ACCESSORIES

. . . .

.. ..

..•

.

•.

.•....

" 43

HOUSEKEEPING

YOUR

CAR

......

.....

...

.

.•.........

..

50

SERVICE

NEEDS

OF

YOUR

PONTIAC.

. . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .

..

56

SAFETY

Is

YOUR

BUSINESS

' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

..

59

ACCESSORIES

AVAI~ABLE

AT

YOUR

PONTIAC

DEALER

..

.

..

60

WIRING

DIAGRAMS.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

..

61

MAINTENANCE

INDEX

.........

.

.......

..

...........

, . 62

vUONu/ocfurer's

WorroNfll

It

is expresslyagreed

that

there

are

no

warranties,

expressed

or

implied,

made

by

either

the

dealer

or

the

manufacturer

on

the

Pontiac

Motor

vehicles, chassis

or

parts

furnished

hereunder,

except

the

Manufac-

turer's

warranty

against

defective

materials

or

workmanship

as

follows:

"The

Manufacturer

warrants

each

new

motoF vehicle,

including

all

equip-

ment

or

accessories

except

tires

supplied

by

the

Manufacturer,

chassis

or

part

manufactured

by

it

to

be

free

from

defects

in

material

and

work-

manship

under

normal

use

and

service,

its

obligation

under

this

warranty

being

limited

to

making

good

at

its

factory

any

part

or

parts

thereof

which

shall,

within

ninety

(90)

days

after

delivery

of

such

vehicle

to

the

original

purchaser

or

before

such

vehicle

has

been

driven

4000

miles,

whichever

event

shall

first

occur,

be

returned

to

it

with

transpartation

charges

pre-

paid

and

which

its

examination

shall

disclose

to

its

satisfaction

to

have

been

thus

defective;

this

warranty

being

expressly

in

lieu

of

all

other

war-

ranties, expressed

or

implied,

and

all

other

obligations

or

liabilities

on

its

part,

and

it

neither

assumes

nOr

authorizes

any

other

person

to

assume

for

it

any

other

liability

in

connection

with

the

sale

of

its

vehicles.

"This

warranty

shall

not

apply

to

any

vehicle

which

shall

have

been

repaired

Or

altered

outside

of

an

authorized

Pontiac

Service

Station

in

any

way

so as

in

the

juilgment

of

the

Manufacturer

to

affect

its

stability

and

re-

liability,

nor

which

has

been

subject

to

misuse,

negligence

Or

accident."

The

Manufacturer

has

reserved

the

right

to

make

changes

in

design

or

add

any

improvements

on

motor

vehicles

at

any

time

without

incurring

any

obligations

to

install

same

on

motor

vehicles

and

chassis previously

purchased

.

TIRE

WARRANTY

Tires are warranted

by

the

tire manufacturer against defects in material and work-

manship. If, during the life

of

the tire, tire failure should

OCcur

due to this cause,

the

tire manufacturers will either repair

the

tire or

make

a reasonable allowance

on it towards

the

purchase

of

a new tire.

BA

HERY

WARRANTY

Your

Pontiac

Delco

battery

is guaranteed for

90

days.

Be

sure

your

Pontiac

dealer

has

filled

in

the

Delc

o

Battery

Service Policy which gives

you

protection

for 36

months in accordance with the terms

of

the po1icy.

r

21

..

Owner

Service

P(1/icV

'

Aiong

with

thiS

Owner's

Guide,

you

received

an

Owner

Service Policy,

which was filled

out

by

the

dealer

upon

delivery

of

your

car.

Read

this

Service

Policy

carefully.

It

is

recom·

mended

that

you

keep

it

in

the

glove

compartment.

The

coupon

attached

to

your

Owner

Service Policy

entitles

you

to

an

inspection

and

certain

other

services

on

your

car

at

the

end

of

2,()()()

miles, provided

the

coupon is presente4

within

ZSOO

miles

of

car operation.

This

inspection is

to

make

any

changes

or

corrections .

which

may

become necessary

during

the

break-in

period.

These

services will

be

performed for

you

without

charge

(except for chassi!\

lubrication, engine oil

and

other

lubricants)

by

the

dealer

from

whom

you

purchased

your

car.

(In

case

you

are

touring

or

have

changed

your

residence,

any

authorized

Pontiac

dealer

in

the

United

States

or

Canada

will

perform

thiS inspection

upon

presentation

of

the

Owner

Service Policy

and

Coupon

.)

By

making

an

appointment

ahead

of

time

,

you

can

avoid

rush

periods

and

get

the

inspection

the

day

you

want

it.

Pontiac

dealers

everywhere

stand

ready

to

provide

you

with

the

best

possible service

at

all times.

It

is

their

responsibility

to

assure

your

continued

satisfaction

with

your

car.

But

you,

too,

have

a responsi-

bility

as

an

owner-the

responsibility

of

giving

your

Pontiac

the

reasonable

care

and

attention

which

it

deserves.

[3

J

ear

I!reok-JIt

oltd

Serial

;Numbers

New

Car

Break-In-When

starting

out

with

your

new

car,

you

should

drive

moderately

for 10

to

15

minutes

to

allow

time

for

the

engine,

transmission,

and

rear

axle

to

warm

up.

Speeds

can

then

be

increased

as

shown

below:

CAR

SPEED-First

200

miles

not

to

exceed

50

miles

per

hour.

Second

200

miles

not

to

exceed

60

miles

per

hour.

Third

200

miles

not

to

exceed

70

miles

per

hour.

After

your

ca~

has

warmed

up,

speed

should

be

increased

gradually

to

the

maximums

in

the

above

schedule,

held

there

for a

short

dis-

tance,

then

gradually

decreased

to

a slower

speed

for a

short

distance.

Driving

at

speeds

up

to

50

miles

per

hour,

even

for

distances

greater

than

the

200-mile period, will

not

"break-in"

your

car

for

sustained

high

speed

driving.

Sustained

high

speed

driving

should

not

be

undertaken

until

the

above

schedule

of

maximum

speeds (or

its

equivalent)

is

completed.

NOTE:

Brakes,

too,

need

"breaking-In".

Avoid

fast

stops

during

the

first

few

hundred

miles.

ENGINE

AND

CAR

SERIAL

NUMBER-The

car

serial

number

is located on a

plat~

which is

attached

to

the

left front pillar post.

The

engine serial

number

is

stamped

on

the

right

hand

front face

of

the

block.

The

engine

number

is

the

same

as

the

car serial number. (Serial

number.

. . .

).

STYLE,

PAINT,

AND

'TRIM

NUMBERS-The

style,

paint

and

trim numbers

are stamped on

the

plate

attached

to

the

right side

of

the

cowl

just

under

the

rear edge

of

the

hood.

St

yle

number

. .

..

.. ..

. .Paint number. .

..

Trim number .

KEY

NUMBERS_The

octagonal handled keys fit

the

front door

and

ignition locks

on all models, and

the

rear door on

station

wagons.

The

oval handled keys fit

the

glove

compartment

lock

on

all models,

and

the

rear deck

compartment

lock on

passenger

car

models. Octagonal key

number..

.

........

Oval key num-

ber

..

......

..........

Refer

to

page 8 for removal

of

key

number

from ke

y.

STARTING

THE

ENGINE-H

y

dra-Matic

equipped cars, see page 12. Synchro-

Mesh equipped cars, see page

16.

.

WHERE

TO

PUT

YOUR

OWNER'S

GUIDE-Slip

this Owner's Guide into

the

glove

compartment

for

ready

reference.

If

it

becomes

necessary

for

you

to

order

any

part

or

correspond

with

your

dealer

or

the

factory

about

your

car,

you

can

avoid

any

possible

misunder-

standing

by

giving

t~e

SERIAL,

STYLE

and

PAINT

numbers

of

your

car.

[4

)

eor

Doto

GENERAL

OVER-ALL

LENGTH

WHEELBASE

Star

Chi

ef.

......

.

Su!?"r

Chicf.

....

.

ChIeftain

........

.

All

Except

Safari

213.8'

206.8'

GAS

TANK

CAPACITY

Safari

206.8'

207.7'

All

Except

Safari

124'

122'

Safari

122'

Passenger

Car

.............

.....

. .

..

. . . . . . . . . . .

..

. . . . .

...

....

. .20 gal.

Saf

ar

i-3-Seat

Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

gal.

Safari-2·Scat

Models..

. . .

....

.

.....

.

..

. 17 gal.

ENGINE

AND

COOLING

SYSTEM

Tax

able Horsepower. .

...

.

.....

..

....

.

............

_

..

.49.6

Bo

re.

. . .

.....

..

.......

..

.......

..

.

...

. .

..

....

...

.

...

. . .

...

. . .

3.94'

Stroke

......

.

....

.

......

.

..

. .

....

. . . . . .

....

.

...

.

...

..

. .

...

.

....

.

3.56'

Pi

s

ton

Distacement.

......

..

.

.......

...

.......

. . . .347 cu. in.

~!:~tipi~g

B!em

...

'

." ."

.....

.'

........

:::::::::::

..

........

......

:

..

.

..

.

...

..

033~~.03J~

Breaker

Point

Gap

{Distributor)

...............

..

....

.

..............

016'

Crankcase

Refill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

qts

.

Cr

ankcase Refill

with

Filter

Element

Replacement

....

. .

..

.....

.

......

6 qts.

Cooling

System

Capacity

....

.

......................

.

..

.

...

_

..

See

Page

25

COMPRESSION

RATIO

AND

FUEL

Hydra-Matic

equipped cars

have

a

standard

compression ratio

of

10.0

to

I which

requires

the

use

of

premium fuel.

Synchro.Me

sh equipped

cars

have

a

standard

compression ratio

of

8.5

to

I

and

do

not

require

the

use

of

premium fuel.

Before driving

your

car

in

any

forei(ln

country

check availability

of

premium

fuel.

The

use

of

fuels

with

low

octane

ratmgs can result in severe engine kn

oc

k and

possible

damage

to

engine parts.*

FUSES-Refer

to

page 10.

LAMP SPECIFICATIONS

(12

VOLT)

Standard

Equipment

Nominal

Bulb Candle

Number

Power

Bright

Lights

Indicator

..

Direction Signal

Front.

Indicator

..........

. . .

Dome-Convertible

.....

.

Dome-Exc.

Convertible.

Headlamp

Unit

...

; .

Ignition

Lock

......

.

Instruments

.

.....

. .

License ..

........

....

. .

Parking

.

......

........

.

Rear

Quarter

(Cust.

Cat

.)

Tail

and

Stop

..........

.

57 2

1034 32

57 2

90

6

1004 15

Sealed40W

Beam

50W

53 1

57 2

67 4

1034 4

90

6

1034 4-32

'See

page

64

for

additional

information.

Special

Equipment

Nominal

Bulb Candle

Nu m

her

Power

Air Conditioning

Control

. 57 2

Ash

Tray.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 1

Back

Up

.

....

.

.........

1073 32

Clock

.........

.

........

57 2

Compass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 1

Courte~

(Entrance).

. . . . 89 6

Glove

Compartment

....

. 57 2

Parking

Brake

Warning.

. 57 2

Heater

Control.

. . . . . . . . . 57 2

Front

Fender

Ornament..

53 I

Hydra·Matic

Indicator

..

. 57 2

Luggage

Compartment

...

1003 15

Portable

Spot

Lamp

. . .

..

4416

30W

Radio

Dial.

. . . . . . . . .

..

. 57 2

Safety

Lamp

(Spotlamp) . Scaled

30W

Beam

Underhood

..

....

93 15

[

5]

Jnstrlllllents

lind

eontrols

The

locatio.n

o.f

the

co.ntrols

and

instruments

o.n

yo.ur Po.ntiac

has

been

planned

with

the

idea

of

co.mfo.rt

and

co.nvenience

fo.r

the

driver,

which

also.

co.ntributes

to.

greater

safety.

BATTERY

INDICATOR-The

battery

indi-

cato.r sho.ws

the

current

flo.w

to.

and

fro.m

the

battery.

Electrical

current

go.ing

fro.m

the

gen-

erato.r

to.

the

battery

indicates

o.n

the

"C"

(cha.rge) side

o.f

the

center

marking

.

The

needle

will

indicate

o.n

the

"D

" (discharge) side

o.f

the

center

marking

when

mo.re

current

is being

co.n-

sumed

than

is being received from

the

generato.r.

(See No.te belo.w.)

WATER

TEMPERATURE

INDICATOR-The

temperature

o.f

the

co.o.lant in yo.ur engine is sho.wn

by

the

water

temperature

indicato.r.

When

the

engine lirst

warms

up

the

temperature

will register slightly

higher

than

when engine reaches o.perating

temperature.

The

water

tem-

perature

indicato.r sho.uld no.rmally

no.t

read abo.ve

the

bar

to.

the

right

o.f

the

center

do.t.

If

the

indicato.r needle

stays

at

o.r

abo.ve

the

right

hand

bar

the

cause sho.uld

be

lo.cated immediately.

~Fo.r

details

o.n

the

care

o.f

the

Po.ntiac

co.o.ling

system, see page 25.)

FUEL

GAUGE-The

fuel gauge indicates

the

quantity

o.f

gaso.line in

the

tank

o.nly when

the

ignitio.n

is

turned

o.n.

When

the

ignitio.nis

turned

off

the

po.inter dro.ps back beyo.nd

the

empty

mark.

The

letters "E'"

and

"F"

o.n

the

fuel

gauge

are

used

to.

po.int o.ut directio.n

o.f

indi-

cato.r

travel

only.

Gauge

readings

are

made

fro.m

the

live markings

o.n

the

gauge face.

The

left-

hand

dot

indicates

empty,

the

center

dot

half-

full

and

the

right-hand

do.t full.

OIL

PRESSURE

GAUGE-The

o.il

pressure gauge indicates

the

pressure

in

the

engine's full pressure lubrication system.

The

gauge

is

read in

the

same

manner

as

the

fuel gauge

(liee

NOTE)

with

the

do.ts indicating

"20

",

"40"

and

"60" respectively.

The

gauge

sho.ws

the

oil

pump

is

working,

but

do.es

no.t

indicate

ho.w

much

o.il

there

is in

the

crankcase.

NOTE:

The

Jetters

en

the

instrument

panel

gauges

are

used

to.

pelnt

out

direction

of

needle

travel

only.

Gauge

readings

are

made

from

the

markings

en

the

gauge

face.

[61

At

average driving speeds

the

gauge should read approximately

"40".

When

oil gauge reads approximately

"40"

at

average driving speed,

it

may read

near

"0"

at

hot

idle.

If

indicator does

not

move above

zero

at

average driving speed

or

fluctuates greatly,

you

should check

the

oil level immediately; and, if low,

add

oil to bring

to

the proper

level. (The oil level indicator reads

"DO

NOT

OVER

FILL,"

this

is

important!)

If

the oil level is

not

low

and

fluctuation continues,

you

should contact a Pontiac dealer immediately.

SPEEDOMETER-

The

speedometer

indicates the forward speed

of

the

car

in miles per

hour

. As

the

speed in-

creases a continuous luminescent fire

orange line advances ending

at

the

speed being traveled, to

subtly

warn

against speeding.

HEADLAMP

AND

INSTRUMENT

PANEL

LIGHT

SWITCH-

The

combination headlamp

and

instrument panel light switch

is

located

at

the extreme left

hand

side

of

the

instrument panel. When

the light switch knob is pulled

out

to

the

first position,

the

parking

lamps

are

turned

on. When pulled

to

the

second position the sealed

beam headlamps

are

turned

on

and

the

parking lamps

off.

The

instru-

ment

panel lights, tail lamps

and

license plate

lamp

are turned

on

in

both

positions.

In

conjunction with

the

headlamp switch there

is

a

convenient foot switch located

to

the

left

of

the brake pedal

near

the

edge

of

the

floor

mat.

This switch enables

you

to

lower

the

headlamp

beams when driving in

the

city

or

meeting approaching traffic in

the

country.

The

"BRIGHT

LIGHTS"

red indicator light located in

the

center

of

the

speedometer face will be

on

w}1en

the

upper beams

are

on,

and

off when

the

lower beams

are

on.

INSTRUMENT

PANEL

LlGHTS-

As explained above,

the

instrument

panel lights come on when

the

light

switch control knob is pulled out.

For

your

convenience,

turning

the

knob

CO

~

_

clockwise decreases

the

brightness

of

the

instrument

panellights

and

counter-

clockwise increases

the

brightness.

When

turned as far as possible

in

a clockwise direction

the

lights will

go

off.

COURTESY

pGHTS-(Standard

on

Convertible,

Star

Chief Cus-

tom

and

Super

Chief

Catalina

models

only)-Installed

on

both

sides

of

the

car

beneath

the

instrument

panel, these

handy

lights flash

on

when

the

front doors

are

opened, throwing a strong light

to

assist

the

driver

and

passengers in

and

out

of

the

car

at

night.

They

may

[

7]

be operated

m~nually

by

flicking a switch located

on

the

lower edge

of

the

instrument

panel below

the

headlamp switch.

WINDSHIELD

WIPER

CONTROL

KNOB-The

windshield wiper

control knob is located

to

the

right

of

the

headlamp

switch.

Turning

the

knob clockwise

starts

wiper;

the

amount

that

knob is

turned

determines wiper speed.

To

operate

windshield washer (ACCESSORY)

depress

button

located

in

center

of

wiper control.

IGNITION

AND

STARTER

SWITCH-As

a convenience to

you

the

ignition switch is illuminated when

the

combination

headlamp

and

instrument

panel light switch control

knob

is pulled out.

The

ignition switch

has

four positions,

OFF

when

the

key

is vertical,

ON

when key is

turned

right

to first position,

START

when key is

turned

to full right position against

stop

and

ACCESSORY when key is

turned

to

the

left.

The

ACCESSORY

position enables

you

to

operate

accessories connected

through

this position without having

the

engine

running

or

the

ignition switch ON.

For

instructions

in

starting

Hydra-Matic

equipped cars see page 12;

for

starting

Synchro-Mesh transmission equipped cars see page 16.

PARKING

BRAKE-

The

parking

brake

is applied

by

depressing

the

parking

brake

foot pedal located

under

the

left

hand

end

of

the

dash.

The

pedal

is

imprinted

"PARK".

A slight upward

pressure

on

the

cane handle inscribed

"RELEASE",

located above

the

parking

brake

pedal, will release

the

brake.

KEYS

AND

KEY

NUMBERS-Two

sets

of

keys are furnished with

your

car.

Each

set

contains a key with

an

octagonal handle

and

a key

with

an

oval handle.

The

octagonal key oper-

ates

the

front door

and

ignition locks

on

all

models

and

the

tail @lte

on

station

wagon

models.

The

oval key operates

the

glove com-

partment

lock on all models

and

the

luggage

compartment

lock

on

passenger

car

models.

To

prevent

unauthorized persons from securing duplications

of

your

keys,

mark

the

key numbers, which

appear

on

small

metal

slugs

fastened in

the

keys,

in

the

space provided

on

page 4

of

this

manual

and

on

the

Owner's Service Policy

as

soon as

you

take

delivery

of

the

car,

then

knock

out

the

slugs

and

destroy them.

If

you

ever require

duplicate keys,

they

should be ordered from

your

local

Pontiac

dealer

rather

than

from

the

factory.

In

the

event

that

you

lose

your

keys

and

key numbers,

the

proper

numbers

can

be

secured

by

wiring

or

writing

the

Owner's Service

Department,

Pontiac

Motor

Division, Pontiac,

Michigan, giving

the

serial

number

of

your

car.

[

8)

DOOR

LOCKS-If

you

want

to

lock

the

doors

from

the

inside,

push

down

the

small

button

on

the

window

mould-

ing

of

each

door.

Both

front

doors

can

be

locked

from

the

outside

with

a

key

in

the

usual

way

,

but

you

don

't

have

to

use

the

key

to

lock

your

car.

Simply

open

the

door,

press

the

button

down

and

then

close

the

door

while

pushing

the

outside

door

handle

plunger

in.

When

the

door

is

closed,

release

the

plunger

,

and

the

door

is locked.

IMPORTANT:

ALWAYS

LOCK

YOUR

CAR

WHENEVER

YOU

LEAVE

IT

UNATTENDED

SAFETY

FEATURE-On

all 1957 model four-door sedans

the

rear

door

lock is designed

and

set

so

that

when

the

door locking

button

is depressed

the

insidedoor

handle

is inoperative.

This

isa very

important

safety feature,

especially when children are riding

in

the

car, as

it

minimizes

the

chance

of

a child accidentally opening

the

door

and

falling from

the

car.

Riding

with

the

door lock

buttons

depressed also

minimizes

chances

of doors opening

in

a collision.

DIRECTION

SIGNAL-

The

direction

signal

is a

safe

and

convenient

means

of

s

ignifying

intention

to

turn.

The

lever,

mounted

under

the

steering

wheel

to

the

left

of

the

steering

column,

can

be

moved

down-

ward

to

signify

a

left

turn

and

upward

for a

right

turn.

Moving

the

lever

to

the

turn

position

causes

the

stop

lamp

and

the

parking

lamp

on

the

selected

side

to

flash.

The

lever

will

remain

in

the

selected

position

until

the

turn

is

completed

and

will

then

automatically

(pro-

viding

a

turn

of

a sufficient

degree

is

made)

return

to

the

neutral

position.

While

the

signal

is

in

operation

a

green

arrowhead

on

the

instrument

panel

corresponding

to

the

direction

of

turn

indicated,

will also flash.

ASH

TRAY-The

ash

trays

(a

second

ash

tray

is

standard

on

Super

Chief

and

Star

Chief

.'

models

and

is

available

as

optional

equip-

ment

on

Chieftain

models),

may

be

removed

by

pulling

the

tray

out

against

the

stop

and

~

pushing

downward

on

upper

forward

end

of

ash

tray

while

withdrawing.

To

replace,

merely

place

the

ash

tray

in

the

grooves

provided

and

push

into

place.

VENTILATOR

CONTROLS-Two

control

knobs,

located

on

the

instrument

panel

below

the

ignition

switch

,

are

used

to

control

the

amount

of

outside

air

entering

the

car

through

the

two

duct

type

ventilators

in

the

side

kick

pads.

The

amount

that

either

the

left

or

right

knob

is

pulled

out

will

regulate

the

amount

of

air

entering

the

car

from

that

particular

duct.

[9

J

CIGAR

LIGHTER-The

cigar lighter, located

at

the

right

of

the

ignition switch,

IS

operated

by

pushing inward on

the

lighter.

The

lighter will

stay

in

this position until

the

element

heats

and

will

then

snap

out

ready for use. .

SEAT

ADJUSTMENT

~Seatadjustment

is

made

by

pushing down

the

small lever

on

the

left side

of

the

front

seat

and

sliding

the

s~at

back

or

forward

to

the

position

that

suits

you

best. On long trips, changing

the

adjustment

occasionally will

be

found help-

ful

in

avoiding fatigue.

SUN

VISORS-Folded

up

against

t4e

.

top

directly in front

of

the

driver

and

front passenger

are

two

sun

visors.

The

visors

may

be

slid toward

the

center

of

the

car

(except for

the

Convertible),

as

well

as

swung around

to

either

right

or

left

to

protect

your

eyes when

sun

is

at

either side.

REAR

VIEW

MIRROR-The

rear view mirror

can

be

adjusted

to

accommodate

the

driver's height

and

seat position for greater driving

convenience.

Rotating

the

mirror 1800

on

its pivot will provide still

further height

adjustment

to

the

desired position.

Adjustment

of

the

accessory

"Non

Glare" mirror is covered

on

page 49.

RATTLE·PROOF

TOOL

STORAGE-The

annoying

rattles

often caused

by

loose

car

tools

in

the

trunk, are eliminated

by

proper

use

of

the

tool

anti-rattle

spring.

When

re-

moving tools

it

is only necessary to.remove

the

connecting ring

on

the

right side from

the

hook on

the

floor.

HOOD

LATCH-For

your

convenience

the

hood latch

and

safety hook

can

be

completely released from

the

front

of

the

hood.

To

open

the

hood

it

is

only necessary

to pull

the

release rod towards

you

to

the

end

of

its travel.

Near

the

end

of

its travel

the

release rod will automatically disengage

the

safety hook, which is provided

to

pre-

vent

opening

of

the

hood should

the

latch

become accidentally unlatched.

FUSES-

The

headlight

and

parking

lamp

wiring system on

your

Pontiac

is protected from damage in case

of

short

circuits

by

a thermo-

static

circuit breaker mounted on

the

light control switch.

During

[101

short

circuits

the

circuit

breaker

opens

and

closes

intermittently,

thereby. reducing

the

current

load sufficiently

to

protect

the

wiring

from damage.

This

action will

continue

until

the

cause is eliminated

and

is usually noticed

due

to

a

snapping

sound

at

approximately

3

to

5 second intervals.

If

you

are

driving

at

night,

the

action

of

the

Thermo

Circuit

Breaker

will

be

noticed

by

the

headlamps

burning

intermittently

.

When

this happens,

it

is

an

indication

of

trouble

which should

be

corrected immediately.

The

fuses

that

protect

the

main

wiring

and

the

accessories

are

mounted

in

a fuse block on

the

passenger side

of

the

dash

above

and

to

the

left

of

the

steering column.

The

fuse identifica-

tion

is

printed

on

the

fuse block whichfacilitates

location

and

replacement

of

a blown fuse.

All fuses

on

the

fuse block

are

7~

ampere

with

the

exception .

of

the

fuse

marked

Rheo

Input

which is 4

ampere

and

protects

the

head-

light switch

rheostat

and

instrument

panel light circuit. A

spare

7~

ampere

fuse is located in a clip

at"

the

bottom

of

the

fuse block.

With

the

following exceptions all accessories

are

protected

by

a

7~

ampere

fuse.

The

electric

antenna

uses a 14-ampere fuse

mounted

in

a line holder

above

the

fuse block. Some electric clocks

have

a

l~-ampere

fuse

mounted

on

the

back

of

the

clock.

The

air

conditioning

unit

has

a

30-ampere fuse

mounted

in

a line

holder

in

front

of

the

dash

above

the

steering gear.

The

electric windshield wiper

motor

has

a 30-ampere

fuse

in

a line holder on

the

passenger side

of

the

dash

above

the

fuse

block.

The

cigar lighter

has

a special replaceable fuse

or

a reset

type

circuit

breaker

attached

'

to

the

rear

of

the

lighter socket.

Power

windows

and

power

seats

are

protected

by

a 40-ampere circuit

breaker

located on

the

left side

of

the

cowl above

the

kick

pad.

[

11]

Strato-

]Iight

Jlvdra-vUatie

tJrive

The

Strato-Flight

Hydra-Matic

drive

consists

of

a fluid coupling,

which replaces

the

conventional

clutch, combined

with

a

hydraulically

controlled

automatic

transmission

having

four speeds

forward

and

one reverse.

Gear

changing is accomplished

automatically

by

the

transmission in accordance

with

the

performance

demands

of

the

road

conditions

encountered

and

the

wishes

of

the

driver.

HOW

TO

OPERATE

THE

STRATO-FLIGHT

HYDRA-MATIe

DRIVE-

The

Strato-Flight

Hydra-Matic

drive

is

convenient

to

operate

in

that

the

driver

need only select;

by

use

of

the

control

lever

and

indicator

segment,

the

speed range in which

he

wishes

the

car

to

operate.

The

speed ranges

are

clearly shown

on

the

indicator

segment,

and

are

illuminated

when

the

instrument

panel

lights

are

turned

on.

The

speed ranges

are

designated

as

follows:

P-Parking

ami

starting

N-Neutral

and

starting

ADR-For

all

normal

forward

driving

and

maximum

fuel

economy.

DRA-For

faster

acceleration

and

driving

in

congested

traffic.

LO-For

controlled

power.

R-Reverse.

TO

START

ENGINE-

1.

Place

control

lever

in

"P"

or

"N

"

position.

Starter

is

inoperative

in

any

other

pos'tion.

2.

Engine

Cold-Depress

accelerator

pedal

to

floor once

and

release (this

presets automatic choke

and

throttle).

Engine

Warm-Hold

accelerator

pedal

about

half

open.

3.

Turn

ignition key

to

right

to

engage

starter,

release

as

soon

as

engine

starts.

NOTE:

At

temperatures

below

0°

F.

it

may

be

necessary

to

hold

the

accelera-

tor

pedal

down

slightly

while

starting.

Should

the

engine flood, hold

the

accelerator

pedal

to

the

floor forcibly

while

starting

the

engine.

Do

not

pump

the

accelerator

at

any

time.

Avoid racing

the

engine

during

the

warm

up

period.

r

121

Cold

Weather-In

cold

weather

(O°F.

and

colder)

the

engine

mu

st

idle

with

the

con-

trol lever in P (park)

or

N (

neutral

) position

until

engine

and

transmission

are

warmed

up

.

This

can

more safely

be

done

in

the

P

(pa;

k) position as

the

transmission will

then

keep

the

car

from rolling

on

a

grade

or

incline. \Vhen engine is cold

and

running

at fast idle,

the

car

will

tend

to

creep

when

the

control

lever is

moved

to

a

driving

position.

As

light

application

of

the

foot

brake

or

parking

brake

will hold

the

car

until

motion

is desired.

OPERATING

IN

DR

RANGE-DR

range

has

two

driving

positions,

each

marked

by

an

arrow.

The

control

lever

can

be

moved

at

will

from one

arrow

position

to

the

other

when

traveling

at

any

car

speed

on

dry

roads where

traction

is good.

The

left

hand

arrow

position

in

DR

range

is provided for all

normal

forward

driving;

it

reduces engine speed, provides

better

driving

comfort

and

improve

s fuel economy.

When

driving

in

this

range

at

a

car

speed

of

Jess

than

65

MPH

extra

performance

can

be

obtained

by

depressing

the

accelerator pedal.

This

will

cause

the

transmission

to

shift

down

into

third

speed.

The

car

speed

determines

the

amount

the

accelerator

pedal

must

be

depre

ssed

to

cause

this

shift.

At

a speed

of

about

35

MPH

or

less

the

accelerator

pedal

need

only

be

partially

depressed

to

cause

the

shift

and

at

speeds

of

35

MPH

to

65

MPH

it

is necessary

to

completely depress

the

pedal.

The

transmis

s

ion

will automa:tically

return

to

fourth

speed as

car

speed

increases

or

the

accelerator

pedal

is released.

The

right

hand

arrow

position

in

DR

range

is

provided

for

better

acceleration

and

is

very

useful

when

driving

in

congested

traffic. It is also effective

when

ascending

or

descending long

mountain

grades.

When

driving

in

either

DR

range

at

a

car

speed

of

less

than

24

MPH

an

extra

burst

of

speed

can

be

obtained

by

completely depress

ing

the

accelerator pedal.

Thi

s will

cause

the

t~ans

mission

to

shift

down

to

second speed.

The

transmis

s

ion

will

auto-

matically

return

to

third

or

fourth

speed,

depending

on

the

DR

range

being used, as

the

car

speed increases

or

pedal

is released.

r

13

J

The

right

hand

arrow

position

in

DR

range

is also recommended

when

starting

out

with

a

hot

engine

after

parking

or

idling for

an

extended

period

during

extremely

hot

weather.

Under

-these conditions

the

transmission assists in eliminating

vapor

in

the

fuel system.

After

a

short

distance

the

control lever

can

be placed

in

the

left

hand

arrow

position

if

desired.

Acceleration

in

DR

Range-The

shift

events

from first speed

to

second, second speed

to

third,

and

third

speed

to

fourth

(direct drive)

will occur

at

progressively higher

car

speeds depending

on

the

amount

the

accelerator

pedal

is depressed.

Caution

Against

Coasting

in

Neutral-Do

not

coast

with

the

con-

trol lever in

the

N (neutral) position.

It

is unlawful in some

states

and

sometimes is

harmful

to

the

transmission.

Stopping

the

Car-Leave

the

control

lever in

the

driving

position

selected

and

release

the

accelerator pedal.

The

engine is

then

left

"in

gear"

which helps

to

slow down

the

car.

For

further

stopping

effort

apply

the

brakes

in

the

conventional

manner.

CAUTION:

When

the

driver

leaves

the

car

with

-

the

en~ine

runnin~

the

control

lever

should

always

be

in

the

P -

(park)

position.

This

precaution

prevents

movement

of

the

car,

should

the

accelerator

pedal

be

accidentally

depressed

by

a

passen!ter

and

also

will

keep

the

car

from

rollln!ton

a

!trade

or

Incline.

OPERATING

IN

LO

RANGE-The

LO

range is provided for pulling

through

deep

sand

or

snow

and

ascending

or

descending

steep

grades where traffic signs call for

placing

the

transmission

in

first

or

second gears (keep below 35

MPH

to avoid

an

upshift).••

The

control

lever

can

be

moved

from

either

DR

position

to

LO

at

any

car

speed.

The

shift

into

low will

not

occur

at

a

car

speed

above

43

MPH

.

CAUTION

:

Do

not

shift

into

LO

ran~e

on

slippery

roads

as

a

skid

may

be

in-

duced.

Slippery

roads

demand

judicious

use

of

the

brakes

to

reduce

car

speed.

[

14]

REVERSE-

To

engage

reverse,

simply

move

the

control

lever

to

the

R position.

Moving

lever

between

LO

and

R while

ap-

plying light accelerator pedal pressure per-

mits

rocking

the

car

when required

to

get

out

of

deep

snow,

mud

or

sand. Avoid

engaging reverse

at

speeds above 5

MPH.

PARKING-For

additional safety when parked leave

the

selector

lever in

the

P (park) position. Mechanical engagement within

the

transmission will

then

keep

the

car

from rolling.

The

selector lever

must

be raised in order

to

move

it

to

the

P (park)

position. This feature reduces

the

possibility

of

unintentionally engag-

ing

the

park

mechanism

in

the

transmission.

CAUTION:

Never

place

the

selector

lever

in

the

P

(park

position)

with

the

car

moving.

TO

START

ENGINE

BY

PUSHING

CAR-If

it

is necessary

to

start

the

engine

by

pushing

the

car

for a short distance

due

to

a low

battery,

move control lever

to

N position.

When

a speed

of

approxi-

mately

30-35

MPH

is attained,

turn

ignition switch

on

and

move

control lever

to

either

DR

position.

TOWING

THE

CAR-Disconnect

the

propeller

shaft

at

the

rear

universal

joint

and

remove from

the

car

by

sliding

the

front universal

joint

and

shaft

assembly backwards, or raise

the

rear

wheels off

the

ground

to

prevent

possible damage

to

the

transmission.

When towing

the

car

with

the

propeller

shaft

disconnected,

the

tow

car

operator should be cautioned

to

make

certain

that

oil does

not

leak from

the

rear

bearing retainer.

HYDRA-MATIC

FLUID~Refer

to

page

31

for information

on

fluid

recommendations, change intervals,

and

level checking.

.'

[

15]

SVHc/tro-vlfcs/t

1)rivc

TO

START

ENGINE-

1.

Place gear shift

control

lever

in

Neutral

and

depress

clutch

pedal

to

floq(.

2.

Engine

Cold-Depress

accelerator

pedal

to

floor once

and

re-

lease (this presets

automatic

choke

and

throttle).

Engine

Warm-Hold

accelerator

pedal

about

half

open

.

3.

Turn

ignition key

to

right

to

engage

starter,

release as soon as

engine

starts.

NOTE:

At

temperatures

below

0°

F.

it

may

be

necessary

to

hold

the

accelera-

tor

pedal

down

slightly

while

starting.

Should

the

engine flood, hold

the

accelerator pedal

to

the

floor forcibly

while

starting

the

engine.

Do

not

pump

the

accelerator

at

any

time.

Avoid racing

the

engine

during

the

warm

up

period.

Cold

Weather-In

cold

weather

(O°F

.

and

colder)

the

engine

must

idle

with

the

gearshift lever

in

neutral

and

parking

brakes

applied

or

foot

brakes

applied

until

engine

and

transmission

are

warmed

up.

[16

J

CLUTCH

PROLONGING

CLUTCH

LIFE-The

clutch in

your

Pontiac will

not

require much attention due to

the

use of clutch throwout ball

bearing which is lubricated for life

at

the

factory. However, normal

wear in

the

clutch facings will result in a gradual change in

the

"pedal lash".

Excessive wear

may

be caused by "riding"

the

clutch,

the

habit some

drivers have

of

resting

the

left foot on

the

clutch, thus keeping

the

releasing

parts

in contact

but

not

disengaging. Excessive wear can

also be caused

by

rough usage. Letting

the

clutch up

"with

a bang"

is

not

only hard on

the

clutch itself

but

also on tires and

the

entire

car. Another practice which puts needless wear on

the

clutch is

"holding"

your

car on a hill by partially

engagi.J;lg

the

clutch instead

of

using

the

brake. .

CLUTCH

PEDAL

ADJUSTMENT-The

clutch pedal should be adjusted from time

to

time

so

that

it

has some free travel

before

the

clutch actually begins to dis-

engage.

The

pressure

of

one finger should

be enough

to

push the pedal in about

an

inch before the resistance

of

the clutch spring is felt.

If

there

is

little or no "pedal lash"

the

clutch

may be slipping, which will cause

it

to

wear

out

faster.

If

there

is

too

much "pedal lash",

the

clutch

may

not

disengage completely

and

cause gear shifting trouble. When

"pedal

lash" is less

than

%:

inch

or more

than

lYs inches,

an

adjustment should be made.

[

17]

Pontiac Pontiac 1957 User manual

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