PONTIAC GRAND AM 1998 Owners Manual

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance
of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pegom these underhood
checks at each fielfill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant
mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
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At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
wwking properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anythng that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The
air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak
or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
Manual Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Manual Transaxle” in the Index. Check for
leaks.
A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired if needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in
Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood,
trunk lid,
glove box door and console door. Part
D tells you what
to use. More frequent lubrication may
be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
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Starter Switch Check
A CAUTION:
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check (Automatic Transaxle)
!
- m
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Fdy apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake”
in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service,
On manual transaxle vehicles, put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway and
try to start the engine. The starter should work only
when
the clutch is pushed down all the way to the
floor. If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
I /i CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake’
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out
of PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transaxle, the key should turn to LOCK
only when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R).
On vehicles with a key release button, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the button. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key button.
On
all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check
A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is morn in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle
in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these
jobs. Make sure
any necessary repairs are completed
at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may
be
found in a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot
an.d Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose
or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect
the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing
or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up
in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in
the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator
and air conditioning condenser. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts. Replace
parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.
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Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake
parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. The
parking brake
is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment is required. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often
if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection
If you operate your vehicle in a highly corrosive
environment,
as indicated by the shaded areas on the
map following this text, your vehicle may require
additional brake service. Refer to the appropriate
GM
Service Bulletin for the proper caliper inspection
procedure.
As necessary, caliper pins and knuckle brake
pad abutments should be lubricated at every other tire
rotation. Also, see your
GM dealer's service department
or qualified service center for additional information.

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may
be obtained from
your dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT I
Engine Oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and
use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@
DEX-COOL’
Coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
USAGE
Delco Supreme 1 l@ Brake Fluid Hydraulic Brake
FLUIDLUBRICANT
equivalent DOT-3 Brake Fluid).
(GM
Part No. 12377967 or
System
Hydraulic Clutch
No. 12345347 or equivalent
System Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM
Part
DOT-3
Brake Fluid).
Power Steering
Superlube (GM
Part Cylinders Multi-Pygse
Lubricant,
Key
Lock Transmission Fluid.
Transaxle
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Automatic
or equivalent).
(GM
Part No. 12345349
Transaxle Synchromesh Transmission Fluid
Manual
105001 7 - 1 quart, or equivalent).
Part NO. 1052884 - 1 pint,
System
GM Power Steering Fluid (GM
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
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USAGE FLUIDLUBRICANT
Manual lubricant meeting requirements
of Linkage
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or Transaxle Shift
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part
NLGI # 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points Engine Oil.
or equivalent.
(GM Part
No. 105 15 15) Washer Solvent
GM
Optikleen@ Washer Solvent Windshield
USAGE
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door Hinges
Weatherstrip Conditioning
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Lubriplate@ Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part
No. 12346293 or
equivalent)
or lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-Purgse Lubricant,
Superlube (GM
Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the
date, dometer reading and who performed the service
in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval.
Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services”
or “Periodic Maintenance” can be added on
the following record pages.
Also, you should retain all
maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio
is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
ODOMETER
DATE SERVICED
BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
READING
r
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I
Maintenance Record
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