suspension PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2003 Owners Manual

Tire Chains
If your vehicle is an SE model with P225/60R16
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
CAUTION: (Continued) 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 find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the front tires.
Notice; If your vehicle is a GT model, a GTP model,
or if you have an
SE model without P225/60R16
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.
5-75

Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule ...................................... 6-2
Introduction
................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6-2
How This Section is Organized
......................... 6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
........... 6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
.................... 6.4
Scheduled Maintenance
.................. ......... 6.5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
.... ..... 6.9
At Each Fuel Fill
........................................ 6-9
At Least Once a Month
................................... 6.9
At Least Twice a Year
................................... 6.10 At
Least Once a Year
................................... 6.10
Pari C: Periodic
Maintenance inspections ......... 6.13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
............................ 6-13
Exhaust System Inspection
............................ 6.13
Fuel System Inspection
.................................. 6.13
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................... 6.13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ -6-14
Brake System Inspection
................................ 6.14
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
.... 6-15
Part
E: Maintenance Record ........................... 6.16
6- 1

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part 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 Publications
Ordering lnformation
on page 7- 10.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and 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
on page
2-3 1.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
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.
6-1 3

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1 -800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
7-1 0

If No Steam is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-35
If Steam
Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-34
If the HUD Image
Is Not Clear ......................... 3-18
If the Light
Is Flashing ..................................... 3-33
If the Light
Is On Steady ................................. 3-33
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
....... 4-32
If You Can’t See the HUD Image When the
Ignition
Is On .............................................. 3-18
If You
Do Decide To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-38
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-1 9
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-12
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-32
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-68
Inspection Brake System
........................... ........... 6-14
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-13
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-13
Fuel System
............................................... 6-13
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
......................................... 6-1 3
Throttle System
........................................... 6-14
Cluster
....................................................... 3-24
Overview
..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness
............................. 3-1 2
If
You’re Caught in a Blizzard
........................... 4-29
Instrument Panel Instrument Panel
Fuse Block
........................ 5-98
Interior Plastic Components .............................. 5-90
Interior
Lamps
................................................ 3-12
Jump Starting
................................................. 5-53
Key Lock Cylinders Service .............................. 6-10
Keyless Entry System
....................................... 2-4
Keys
............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps Exterior
............................................... 3-10
Interior
....................................................... 3-12
Lap Belt
........................................................ 1-21
Lap-Shoulder Belt
................................... 1.12. 1-23
Last Door Closed Locking
.......................... 2.9. 2-47
LATCH System Child Restraints
........................................... 1-41
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System
................................... 1-43
Leather
......................................................... 5-90
Leaving Your Vehicle
....................................... 2-11
7

Maintenance Schedule (cont.) Steering. Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection .......................... 6-13
Throttle System Inspection ............................ 6-1 4
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ..................... 4-43
Making Turns ................................................. 4-41
Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-32
Manual Seats ................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle ............... 2-6
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Using
Your
................................................... 6-4
Islands/Countries
(Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ....... 7-4
Mirror Operation ..................................... 2-33, 2-35
Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Onstar@,
Manual Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-33
Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-37
Outside Power Mirrors .................................. 2-37
and Temperature Display ........................... 2-34
Compass and Temperature Display ............. 2-33
New Vehicle Break-In ............................ ... 2-19
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ........... 5-1 04
0
Odometer ...................................................... 3-25
Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-15
Oil
Engine .................................... .... 5-18
Low Oil Level Light ...................................... 3-36
Pressure Light ............................................. 3-35
Supercharger, Engine ................................... 5-24
Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-29
Onstar@ Personal Calling ................................. 2-39
Onstar@ Services ............................................ 2-38
Onstat-@ System ............................................. 2-38
Onstar@ Virtual Advisor .................................... 2-39
Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-4
Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-22
Outside
Convex Mirror
............................................. 2-37
Power Mirrors ............................................. 2-37
Overhead Console .......................................... 2-40
Overhead Console Reading Lamps .................... 3-14
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
.......................................... 5-33
Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii
Owner’s Information ........................................ 7-10
9

Steering ........................................................ 4-1 3
Steering in Emergencies
.................................. 4-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection
..................................... 6-13
Steering
Tips .................................................. 4-13
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio
......................... 3-56
Storage Areas Center Console Storage Area
........................ 2-40
Convenience Net
......................................... 2-41
Glove Box
.................................................. 2-40
Overhead Console
....................................... 2-40
Purse or Litter Bag Holder
............................ 2-41
Rear Storage Area
....................................... 2-41
Trunk Access Panel
..................................... 2-41
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
.......................... 5-85
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
....................... 5-86
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
...................... 4-32
Sun Visors
................................... ........... 2-14
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
.................. 2-40
Sunroof
......................................................... 2-42
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) ............... 1-51
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... 1-55
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-57
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-55
What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inflates?
.................................................. 1-56
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
................... 1-55
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-53
T
Tachometer .................................................... 3-25
Taillamps Sidemarker
and Back-up Lamps .................... 5-64
TCS Warning Light
.......................................... 3-29
Temperature Display
................................ 2.34. 2-35
Theft.Deterrent. Radio
..................................... 3-54
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent
................................ 2-15
PASS-Key@
Ill ............................................. 2-16
Throttle System Inspection
............................... 6-14
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-4
Tire Inflation Check
........................................... 6-9
Tires
..................................................... 5-68, 5-93
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-71
Chains ....................................................... 5-75
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-76
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-87
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-76
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-68
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-72
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-73
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-73
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-70
PASS-Key@
Ill Operation .............................. 2-17
13