towing PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1998 Owner's Manual

I NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or carcarrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for carcarrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to
ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment. To
help avoid damage, raise the vehicle until
adequate clearance is obtained between the
ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using carcarrier
equipment. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots. Attach a separate safety chain around
the outboard end of each lower control arm.
NOTICE:
I
Take care not to damage speed sensor wires or
brake hoses when attaching chains and T-hooks.
5-12

Rear Towing
Tow Limits -- 35 mph (55 k&), 500 miles (800 km)
Use wheel-lift or car-carrier equipment. Additional
ramping may
be required for car-carrier equipment.
Use safety chains and wheel straps. For rear towing,
the parking brakes must be applied.
I NOTICE:
If the vehicle must be towed on the front wheels,
it cannot be towed more than a total of 500 miles
(800 km) for the lifetime of the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the rear
bumper fascia will be damaged.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment. To help avoid damage, install
a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in
the T-hook slots.
5-13

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel. See
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and “Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light” in the Index. You
also have a low coolant light on your instrument panel.
See “Low Coolant Light” in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode
(3100 Engine Only)
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of three cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a significant loss in power and
engine performance. The low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. This emergency operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. Towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should
be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine
oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the oil. See
“Engine Oil, When to Change” in the Index.
5-15

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
NOTICE:
I First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
shift lever is in FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) gear. Release forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
The enhanced traction system will turn off when the too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
SECOND (2), spinning the wheels as little as possible. vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
and forth between REVERSE (R) and FIRST (1) or
the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle
is in gear. If
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle, that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
see
“Tire Chains” in the Index. to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90” F (32 O C) or higher.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use
your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter
do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have
this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
If you do
it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on
the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
6-22

Maintenance Schedule
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
MILEAGE See “Engine Oil“ in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote T.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
90°F (32°C) or higher.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
rfyou do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter
do not require changing.
7-8

I Maintenance Schedule I
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reach\
es
90°F (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Ifyou do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
DATE I
DATE I
7-12

Driving City
................ ................... 4-22
Defensive
.................................. 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-23
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-29
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-19
Night
...................................... 4-17
On Curves .................................. 4-12
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-25
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-28
Throughwater ............................... 4-21
WetRoads
.................................. 4-19
Winter
...................................... 4-27
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Driving at Night
................................ 4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
................. 4-19
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
.............. 4-21
DIU ......................................... 2-41
Drunken
Driving ................................ 4-3
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-39
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.......... 2.18.3.30. 6.62
Electrical System
............................... 6-62
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-52
Engine
............................. 6.10.6.11. 6.12
Coolant. Checking ............................ 6-28
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-14
Coolant ..................................... 6-26 Coolant Temperature Gage
.................... 2-73
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-73
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-76
Coolant. What to use
.......................... 6-27
Exhaust
.......... ...................... 2-31
Identification
................................ 6-61
OilLmelCheck
.............................. 7-14
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-69
StartingYour ................................ 2-17
EngineOil
.................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-19
Checking
................................... 6-14
Used ....................................... 6-19
What Kind of Oil to Use
....................... 6-16
When to Add
................................ 6-15
When to Change
.............................. 6-19
Engine Oil Life Monitor
......................... 6-19
Enhanced Traction Control System
................. 4-11
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
........... 2-68
Entering Programming Mode
...................... 2-46
Ethanol ........................................ 6-5
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-31
Exit Lighting ............................. 2.43. 2.47
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-40
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-53
Fan Button. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control ..... 3-6
Filling
A Portable Fuel Container ................... 6-8
Filling
Your Tank ................................ 6-6
9-4

Filter. Air . . ............ ............. 6-20
Finish Care .................. ............. 6-56
Finish Damage ............................... 6-58
Fixed Mast Antenna ............................. 3-32
Flashers. Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flash-to-PassFeature ........................... 2-35
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-27
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-19
FogLamps .................................... 2-41
With a Trailer ................................ 4-37
Foreign Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-5
French Language Manual ........................... ii
Front Reading Lamps ............................ 2-44
FrontTowing .................................. 5-11
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-6
Gage ....................................... 2-75
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-62
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-73
Fuel ....................................... 2-75
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-21
GloveBox .................................... 2-54
Guide en Frangais ................................. ii
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2
HeadRestraints ................................ .l-6
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-37
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-35
Wiring ..................................... 6-62
Head-Up Display ............................... 2-81
Head-Up Display Care of ........................ 2-83
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-5
Heating .................................... 3.4. 3.8
High-BeamHeadlamps .......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis .............................. 4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads. Driving On ............... 4-25
Hitches. Trailer ................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release ...................................... 6-9
How This Section is Organized ..................... 7-2
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank .... 5-20
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator ................ 5-22
How to Reset Oil Life Monitor ............... 2-80. 6-19
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon Light ....... 2-77. 6-19
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-21
If a Tire Goes Flat ............................ 5-26
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ........... 5-17
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .............. 5-16
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ..................... 4-29
Ignition Positions ............................... 2-16
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check .................... 7-17
Illuminated Entry ............................... 2-42
Horn ......................................... 2-33
HUD ......................................... 2-81
9-5

TRACO FF ................... ... 2-77
Trunk Ajar Warning
........................... 2-74
Trunk Ajar Warning
........................... 2-77
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-3 1
Lockout Deterrent .......................... 2-5, 2-48
Automatic Door
.......................... 2-6, 2-47
Cylinders
................................... 7-15
Door
........................................ 2-4
FrontDoor
................................... 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-15
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
RearDoors
................................... 2-5
Locks and Lighting Choices
...................... 2-45
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- 16
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-74
Low Fuel Light ................................ 2-75
Low Oil Level Light
............................ 2-72
Low Traction Light
............................. 2-68
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
.................. 2-77
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7- 19
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-15
Maintenance, Normal Replacement parts
........... 6-70
Maintenance, Normal Replacement
Parts ............ 6-70
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-20
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7- 1
Introduction .................................. 7-2
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-14
Traction Control System Warning
.... ..... 2-69
Locks ......................................... 2-4
Trunk
...................................... 2-12 Periodic Maintenance Inspections
...... .... 7-18
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-19
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................ 7-2
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-59
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-69
Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Matching Transmitters
To Your Vehicle ............. 2-10
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors
....................................... 2-52
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-53
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-52
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-52
Power Outside
............................... 2-53
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-58
MMT
......................................... 6-4
Mode
Buttons. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control . . 3-6
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-57
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-16
Nightvision
................................... 4-18
Nuisance Alarms
............................... 2-15
Odometer. Speedometer
...... ......... 2-63
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-63
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-14
Oil, Engine .................................... 6-13
Oil Life Monitor
........................... 2-80. 6-19
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-71
9-7