tow PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2003 Service Manual

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” 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 flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
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.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn
on your
hazard warning flashers.
I
Chant_ g a tire can cause an injury. The v icle
can slip
off the jack and roll over you or other
people.
You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move, you can put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from
the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the
opposite end.
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4. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
3. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the
ground for the spare tire to fit underneath the wheel
well. Remove all wheel nuts and take
off the
flat tire.
I
Rust or dirt or. -.le 1 eel, or o parts to
which
it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come
off and cause an accident. When you
change
a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to,
to get all the rust
or dirt off.
5-82

Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall
off, causing a serious accident.
5. Place the spare on the wheel mounting surface.
6. Reinstall the wheel
nuts with the rounded
end
of the nuts
toward the wheel.
Tighten each nut
by hand until the
wheel
is held
against the hub. 7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
5-83

Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
0 Clean up stains as soon as you can - before
0 Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
0 Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often. A soft brush may be used
if stains are
stubborn.
If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean
the entire area immediately or it will set.
they set.
Using Cleaner on Fabric
1. Vacuum and brush
the area to remove any
loose dirt.
2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
3. Follow the directions on the container label.
4. Apply cleaner with a clean sponge. Don’t saturate
5. As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a
6. Wipe cleaned area with a clean, water-dampened
the
material and don’t rub it roughly.
sponge to remove any excess cleaner.
towel or cloth.
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
Stains caused by such things as catsup, coffee (black),
egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine
and blood can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.
2. If a stain remains, follow the cleaner instructions
described earlier.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat
the area with a watedbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. Let dry.
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow
to dry completely.
3. If a stain remains, follow the cleaner instructions
described earlier.
7. Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.
5-89

Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Do noi Jeach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate
protection. Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months, During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. See Part
D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page
6-15.
Cleaning the Outside of Your
Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to
keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays
of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle
well, removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
See
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on
page
5-94. Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum
based, or that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed
to
dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish
with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
5-9 1

Aluminum or Chrome Plated Wheels
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth
with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface.
Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice: When applying a tire dressing, always take
care to wipe
off any overspray or splash from all
painted surfaces on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish and tires.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody.
If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
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45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
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
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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at
100,000 miles
(166
000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+-)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
0 For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger
oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every
36 months,
whichever occurs first). See Part
D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6- 15. An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
Control Service.
0 Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
U Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
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82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
0 Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
Control Service.
0 For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs first). See Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page
6-15. An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote
f.)
Ll Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
U Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information. (See footnote
+.)
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Service.
CI 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
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.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transaxle fluid, change both
the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See Engine Coolant on page
5-30 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap. An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
6-8

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to
$1,000 toward aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your
vehicle (hand controls,
wheelchair/scooter lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program
is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone
(TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. All
TTY
users call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1 -800-ROADSIDE (I -800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside
Assistance program. This value-added service
is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by a team of technically trained advisors, who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60
000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
Lock-out service (identification required)
* Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
* Change a flat tire
A Jump starts
7-5

Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or couid cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group
of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA,
US. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safely defect, you shotild immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C Ottawa Ontario KIA ON5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-762-2737, or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit,
MI 48232-51 72
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
7-9