PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1999 Owners Manual

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6-35 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system
-- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new
approved GM replacement parts. If you don't, your brakes
may no longer work properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can
change
-- for the worse. The braking performance you've
come to expect can change in many other ways if someone
puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery's label.
If your battery has a very low charge or is dead, you
may not be able to remove the ignition key from the
ignition switch or shift out of PARK (P). Refer to
ªShifting Out of Park (P)º in the Index.
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.

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6-36
Bulb Replacement
In this section, you'll find directions for changing the
bulbs on your vehicle. See ªReplacement Bulbsº in the
Index to find the type of bulb you should use.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. Open the hood and support properly.
2. Remove the two bolts
from the top of the
headlamp assembly.

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3. Carefully remove the headlamp assembly from the
vehicle. Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping
the paint on the vehicle while removing.
4. Lift the plastic tab on the electrical connector and
pull the connector.5. Turn the lamp socket ring a quarter of a turn
counterclockwise to remove it from the
headlamp assembly.

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6. Pull the bulb from the socket.
7. Place the new bulb into the socket.
8. Turn the lamp socket ring a quarter of a turn clockwise
to place it back into the headlamp assembly.
9. Lift the plastic tab on the electrical connector and
replace the connector.
10. Carefully replace the headlamp assembly. Be
careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint on
the vehicle while replacing the assembly.
11. Replace the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
12. Close the hood.
Front Turn Signal
1. Open the hood and support properly.
2. Remove the two bolts from the top of the headlamp
assembly.
3. Carefully remove the headlamp assembly from the
vehicle. Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping
the paint on the vehicle while replacing.
4. Turn the front sidemarker bulb socket a quarter of a
turn counterclockwise to remove.

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6-39
5. Remove the bulb from the socket.
6. Place the new bulb into the socket.
7. Turn the bulb socket a quarter of a turn clockwise
to replace it.
8. Carefully replace the headlamp assembly. Be
careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint on
the vehicle while replacing.
9. Replace the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
10. Close the hood.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk and
remove the slotted vent by squeezing the ends and
pulling down.

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3. Remove the bulb by turning it a quarter of a
turn counterclockwise.
4. Place the new bulb into the bulb socket.
5. Turn the bulb a quarter of a turn clockwise to
replace. Replace the vent you removed earlier.
6. Close the trunk.
Taillamps
1. Unhook the convenience net (if equipped)
and remove.
2. Unscrew the upper convenience net
hook attachment.
3. Pull the trunk trim carpeting back from the rear of
the trunk.
4. Remove the upper trunk trim hook and the two
plastic wing nuts from the taillamp.

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5. Carefully remove the taillamp assembly. Be
careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint on
the vehicle.6. Turn the lamp socket a quarter of a turn
counterclockwise to remove.

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7. Remove the bulb.
8. Place the new bulb into the socket.
9. Turn the lamp socket a quarter of a turn clockwise
to replace it.
10. Carefully replace the taillamp assembly. Be careful
to avoid scratching or chipping the vehicle paint.
11. Reverse Steps 1 through 4.
12. Close the rear compartment.
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected as least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in Section 7 of this manual under Part B ªOwner
Checks and Servicesº for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For the proper type and
length, see ªNormal Maintenance and Replacement
Partsº in the Index.
Here's how to remove the wiper blade:

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1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver's side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Pontiac Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.

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6-44 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
inside of the trunk lid, shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.