Pontiac Sunfire Owner’s and Service Manual

How to Use This Manual
Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If this is done, it can help you learn about the features and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work together in the owner manual to explain things.

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. Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if it is needed while you are on the road. If the vehicle is sold, leave this manual in the vehicle.

Pontiac Sunfire Owner’s Service Repairs Manual

The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols 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:

1. Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
2. Features and Controls in Section 2
3. Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
4. Climate Controls in Section 3
5. Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
6. Audio System(s) in Section 3
7. Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5

Manual Seats
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. 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.

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.

Easy Entry Seat
If your vehicle has this feature, the right front seat makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat.

1. Lift the right front seatback latch to release the seatback.
2. Tilt the seatback completely forward 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.

Tilt the seatback completely forward again and move the seat to get out of the back seat.

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.

Questions and Answers About 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 bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense.
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I am wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be - whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are 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.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts?
A: Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts - not instead of them. Every airbag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment (Four Door Models)
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

To move it down, squeeze the release button and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without squeezing the release button to make sure it has locked into position.