Segment:
        
        
            Mid-size sedan/coupe
        
     
    
        
            Target Audience:
        
        
            Buyers seeking a stylish, sporty, and affordable American-made vehicle.
        
     
    
    
        
            Key Competitors:
        
        
            Chevrolet Lumina, Ford Taurus, Dodge Intrepid, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord.
        
     
    
    
        
            Design:
        
        
            Distinctive sporty styling, often with aerodynamic cues and unique Pontiac design elements.
        
     
    
        
            Performance Options:
        
        
            Available V6 engines offered a good balance of power and efficiency for the segment.
        
     
    
        
            Value Proposition:
        
        
            Offered a compelling package of features and style at a competitive price point.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Instrument Panel And Controls:
        
        
            Detailed explanation of all dashboard gauges, warning lights, indicators, and control buttons.
        
     
    
        
            Lighting Systems:
        
        
            Operation of headlights (low/high beam), parking lights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights, interior lighting.
        
     
    
        
            Climate Control:
        
        
            Instructions for operating the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, including fan speeds, temperature, air direction, and recirculation.
        
     
    
        
            Audio System:
        
        
            Operation of the factory-installed radio, CD player, and speaker system.
        
     
    
        
            Power Features:
        
        
            Operation of power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, and cruise control.
        
     
    
        
            Safety Restraints:
        
        
            Information on seat belts, airbags (front), and child seat installation recommendations.
        
     
    
        
            Tire And Wheel Information:
        
        
            Recommended tire pressures, tire rotation advice, and information on the spare tire and jacking procedures.
        
     
    
        
            Fuel And Refueling:
        
        
            Information on fuel type recommendations, fuel capacity, and proper refueling procedures.
        
     
    
        
            Maintenance And Care:
        
        
            Basic checks like fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure checks.
        
     
    
        
            Emergency Procedures:
        
        
            Information on what to do in case of a breakdown, flat tire, or other emergencies.
        
     
    
    
        
            Starting And Driving:
        
        
            Instructions on how to start the engine, shift gears, and operate the vehicle.
        
     
    
        
            Parking Procedures:
        
        
            Guidance on parking the vehicle safely, including brake application.
        
     
    
        
            Windshield Wiper Operation:
        
        
            How to operate front and rear wipers, including intermittent settings and washer fluid activation.
        
     
    
        
            Fluid Level Checks:
        
        
            Step-by-step guidance on checking essential fluid levels and topping them off.
        
     
    
        
            Tire Changing:
        
        
            Detailed instructions for safely changing a flat tire using the provided tools.
        
     
    
        
            Jump Starting:
        
        
            Instructions for safely jump-starting a dead battery.
        
     
    
        
            Fuse Replacement:
        
        
            Information on locating and replacing blown fuses.
        
     
    
        
            Bulb Replacement:
        
        
            Basic guidance on replacing exterior and interior light bulbs.
        
     
    
        
            Cleaning And Care:
        
        
            Recommendations for washing, waxing, and interior cleaning.
        
     
    
    
        
            Depth:
        
        
            Consumer-focused, covering user operation and basic maintenance. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or complex repair instructions.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Engine Code Common:
        
        
            LD9 (2.4L DOHC I4)
        
     
    
        
            Displacement Ld9:
        
        
            2.4 Liters (146 cu in)
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower Ld9:
        
        
            150 hp @ 5600 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Torque Ld9:
        
        
            155 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Configuration Ld9:
        
        
            Inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16 valves
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Code Common:
        
        
            L36 (3.8L V6 '3800 Series I')
        
     
    
        
            Displacement L36:
        
        
            3.8 Liters (231 cu in)
        
     
    
        
            Horsepower L36:
        
        
            200 hp @ 5200 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Torque L36:
        
        
            225 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm (approx.)
        
     
    
        
            Configuration L36:
        
        
            V-configuration, 6 cylinders, OHV, 12 valves
        
     
    
    
        
            Fuel Type Recommendation:
        
        
            Unleaded gasoline (Octane rating as specified in manual, typically 87 octane minimum)
        
     
    
    
        
            Injection Type:
        
        
            Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI)
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            NHTSA Frontal Crash Rating Driver:
        
        
            Likely 4-star (based on similar GM vehicles of the era)
        
     
    
        
            NHTSA Frontal Crash Rating Passenger:
        
        
            Likely 4-star (based on similar GM vehicles of the era)
        
     
    
    
        
            ABS:
        
        
            Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) - Standard on most models or optional
        
     
    
        
            Traction Control:
        
        
            Traction Control System (TCS) - Optional on some V6 models.
        
     
    
    
        
            Airbags:
        
        
            Driver and front passenger airbags.
        
     
    
        
            Seat Belts:
        
        
            Three-point active-locking seat belts in all seating positions.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Oil Change Interval:
        
        
            Typically 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (refer to manual for specific details and oil type).
        
     
    
        
            Tire Rotation Interval:
        
        
            Recommended every 5,000 - 7,500 miles.
        
     
    
        
            Transmission Fluid Change Interval:
        
        
            Recommended every 30,000 - 50,000 miles (severe use may require more frequent changes).
        
     
    
    
        
            Engine Oil Type:
        
        
            SAE 5W-30 (check manual for exact specification and capacity)
        
     
    
        
            Coolant Type:
        
        
            Dex-Cool (extended life) or conventional green ethylene glycol based coolant (check manual for compatibility)
        
     
    
    
        
            Power Steering Fluid:
        
        
            GM Power Steering Fluid or Dexron III (check manual)
        
     
    
    
        
            Head Gasket Failures:
        
        
            The 3.8L V6 (L36) engines, while generally reliable, can be prone to head gasket failures over time, especially if not properly maintained.
        
     
    
        
            Intake Manifold Gaskets:
        
        
            Some GM vehicles of this era with V6 engines experienced coolant leaks from the intake manifold gaskets.
        
     
    
        
            Window Regulators:
        
        
            Power window regulators could be a point of failure.
        
     
    
        
            Suspension Components:
        
        
            Wear and tear on suspension components like ball joints and struts are common with age.
        
     
 
    
    
    
        
            Pontiac Legacy:
        
        
            Pontiac was known for its 'performance-oriented' image within General Motors, often offering sportier styling and engine options compared to Chevrolet counterparts.
        
     
    
    
        
            Third Generation N Body:
        
        
            The 1997-2003 Grand Am was part of the third generation of GM's N-body platform, sharing its underpinnings with vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
        
     
    
    
        
            Manufacturing Location:
        
        
            Lansing, Michigan, USA
        
     
    
        
            Production Years For Generation:
        
        
            1992-1998 (for the second generation), with the 1997 redesign marking the start of what is often considered the 'third' N-body generation that continued until 2003.