PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2005 Owners Manual

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-82for more
information.
5-71

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/55R17 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire chains could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t, install
them on the front tires.
5-72

Notice:If your vehicle does not have P225/55R17
size tires, use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type
chains that are the proper size for your tires.
Install them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
5-73

Tire Inator Kit
Your vehicle may have a tire inator kit. The repair
kit contains a detailed instruction card which outlines
the step-by-step temporary repair procedure. Be sure
to read and follow all the tire inator kit instructions.
The kit also includes the following:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
D. ON/OFF SwitchE. Air Pressure Gage
F. Air Compressor
Inator Hose
G. Sealant Filling Hose
5-74

Accessing the Tire Inator Kit
The tire inator kit is stored in the trunk of your vehicle.
1. Open the trunk and lift up the carpet. SeeTrunk
on page 2-13for more information.
2. Remove the inator
kit cover by turning
the center nut
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the inator kit by pulling it straight out of
the foam container.
Tire Sealant
The kit contains a liquid sealant that when injected
into a at tire, may temporarily repair nail holes or
cuts in the tread area of the tire. The tire sealant
cannot repair tire damage caused while driving on a at
tire or a tire that has had a “blow out” or a tire that
has punctures in the sidewall areas. The tire sealant
solution is a one-time use application for one tire only.
Check the tire sealant expiration date; the sealant
may not be as effective beyond the expiration date.
If needed, see your GM dealer for a replacement
canister. The tire sealant can be peeled off easily
after drying.
5-75

Using the Tire Inator Kit
1. Place the inator kit on the ground and unwrap
the sealant ling hose (G) from the compressor.
2. Remove the air compressor accessory plug (C)
from the unit. Do not plug into an accessory
outlet yet.
3. Remove the valve stem cap from the at tire by
turning it counterclockwise.
If an object, such as a nail, has penetrated the tire,
do not remove.
4. Attach the sealant ling hose (G) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
Make sure that the inator kit ON/OFF switch (D) is
in the OFF position.
5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into
an accessory power outlet in the vehicle. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-24for more
information.
5-76

{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). See “Engine
Exhaust” in the Index.
6. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting Your Engine on
page 2-23for more information. The vehicle
must be running while using the air compressor.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).Notice:If the air compressor runs for more than
six minutes, at a time, it may overheat. The
excessive heat could damage the compressor.
Always operate the compressor for six minutes or
less when inating a tire.
7. Move the inator kit switch to the ON position.
The inator kit will force sealant and air into the
tire. Sealant may leak from the valve stem while the
sealant is being forced into the tire.
8. Inate the tire up to the standard operating pressure
using the air pressure gauge on the top of the unit.
Notice:If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure cannot be
reached after six minutes the vehicle should not
be driven further. Damage to the tire is severe and
the sealant will not be effective. Remove the air
compressor plug from the accessory power outlet
and unscrew the inating hose from the tire
valve. See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.
9. Turn off the engine.
10. Move the inator kit switch to the OFF position
once the correct tire pressure is obtained.
11. Unplug the air compressor plug and store in the
housing of the compressor (A).
12. Disconnect the air compressor inator hose from
the tire valve stem and replace the valve stem cap.
5-77

13. Replace the sealant ling hose.
14. Remove the maximum
speed label from the
sealant canister
and place in a highly
visible location such as
the inside of the
upper left corner of the
windshield or to the
face of the radio/clock.
The maximum speed label reminds you to drive
cautiously and not to exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) until
you have the damaged tire inspected and repaired.
{CAUTION:
Storing the tire inator kit or other equipment in
the passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store
the tire inator kit in the proper place.15. Place the equipment in the original location in the
trunk of your vehicle.
16. Drive the vehicle immediately to distribute the
sealant evenly in the tire.
After 10 minutes, stop at a safe location and check
the tire pressure. If the tire pressure has fallen
below 19 psi (130 kPa), stop driving the vehicle.
The tire is too damaged for the sealant to work.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6for
more information.
If the tire pressure is equal to or greater than
19 psi (130 kPa), you can inate the tire to the
correct pressure.
17. Dispose of the sealant canister at a local GM dealer
or in accordance with your local state codes and
practices.
After using the sealant canister, replace with a new
canister from a GM dealer.
5-78

Using the Air Compressor
To use the air compressor by itself to inate a tire,
do the following:
1. Remove the air compressor accessory plug from
the air compressor.
2. Unlock the air compressor hose from the sealant
canister by pulling up on the lever.
3. Pull the air compressor inator hose from the
sealant canister.
4. Push the air compressor inator hose onto the tire
valve stem and push the lever down to secure in
place.
5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into
an accessory power outlet in the vehicle. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-24for more
information.{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). See “Engine
Exhaust” in the Index.
6. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting Your Engine on
page 2-23for more information. The vehicle
must be running while using the air compressor.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).
5-79

Notice:If the air compressor runs for more than
six minutes, at a time, it may overheat. The
excessive heat could damage the compressor.
Always operate the compressor for six minutes or
less when inating a tire.
7. Move the inator kit switch to the ON position.
8. Inate the tire up to the standard operating pressure
using the air pressure gauge on the top of the unit.
9. Turn off the air compressor by moving the switch to
the OFF position.
{CAUTION:
Storing the tire inator kit or other equipment
in the passenger compartment of the vehicle
could cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike
someone. Store the tire inator kit in the
proper place.
10. Place the equipment in the original location in the
trunk of your vehicle.
Removal and Installation of the Sealant
Canister
To remove the sealant canister, do the following:
1. Unlock the air compressor inator hose from the
sealant canister by pulling the lever up.
2. Disconnect the air compressor inator hose from
the sealant canister.
5-80