steering wheel PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004 Owner's Manual

if you feel your vehicle begin to slide, let up on the
brakes a little. Push the brake pedal down steadily to
get the most traction you can.
Remember, unless you have anti-lock, if you brake
so hard that your wheels stop rolling, you'll just slide.
Brake so your wheels always keep rolling and you can
still steer.
·Whatever your braking system, allow greater
following distance on any slippery road.
·Watch for slippery spots. The road might be ®ne
until you hit a spot that's covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear
in shaded areas where the sun can't reach; around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the surrounding
roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of
you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake
while you're actually on the ice, and avoid sudden
steering maneuvers.
If You're Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with
your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near
help and you can hike through the snow. Here are
some things to do to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
·Turn on your hazard ¯ashers.
·Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you've been stopped by the snow.
4-30

Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin
the wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
See ªRocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out.º
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see
Tire Chains on page 5-77.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off.
See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle. If that doesn't get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.
If you do need to be towed out, see ªTowing Your
Vehicleº following.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle ± such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as ªdinghy towingº (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and ªdolly towingº
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a ªdollyº).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See ªDinghy
Towingº and ªDolly Towing,º following.
4-33

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
·What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
·How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
·Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
·Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. See
Before Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-25.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground will damage drivetrain components.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
you should use a dolly. See ªDolly Towingº following for
more information.
Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
4-34

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good
deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
4-41

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-42
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-43Brakes........................................................5-45
Battery........................................................5-48
Jump Starting...............................................5-49
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-56
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-59
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-59
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-60
Front Turn Signal, Parking and
Fog Lamps...............................................5-62
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-64
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-64
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-65
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-66
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-67
Tires..............................................................5-68
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure................................5-69
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-70
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-71
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-72
Buying New Tires.........................................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-75
Wheel Replacement......................................5-75
Tire Chains..................................................5-77
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblowoutº 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 ªblowoutº, 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 Ð well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes ¯at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a ¯at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes ¯at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ¯ashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle 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 ®rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-78

Circuit
Breakers Usage
RR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
DR LK/TRUNK Door Lock/Trunk
ONSTAR/ALDL Onstar
ž/Diagnostic Link
CANNISTER Fuel Tank Solenoid Cannister
PK LAMPS Parking Lamps
RADIO/AMP Radio Ampli®er
RFA/MODRemote Funtion Activator
(Remote Keyless Entry)
DISPLAYS Instrument Panel Dispays/HUD/DIC
INT LIGHT Interior Lamps
HVAC Climate Controls
Circuit
Breakers Usage
CHMSL/BKUPCenter High Mounted Stop
Lamp/Back-Up Lamps
PWR WDO Power Windows
SPRING COIL
2Steering Wheel Control Switches
PWR SEAT Power Seat
TURN/HAZTurn Signals/Hazard Warning
Lamps
PWR MIRS Power Mirrors
HTD SEAT Heated Seat
To reinstall the end panel, position the lower section
with the edge, on the side opening and press the sides
of the panel until it snaps into place.
5-101

A
A/C OFF FOR ENGINE PROTECTION..............3-65
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-23
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-44
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-99
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)........................3-92, 3-103, 3-117
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-34
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-48
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-54
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-56
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?....................1-53
What Will You See After an
Air Bag In¯ates?......................................1-54
When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?...................1-53
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-50
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-27
AJAR............................................................3-66
AM .............................................................3-130
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-132
Antenna, XMŸ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-132
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-37Appearance Care............................................5-90
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-96
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-90
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-93
Finish Damage............................................5-95
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-96
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Arming Con®rmation........................................2-15
Arming with the Power Lock Switch...................2-14
Arming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter.........................................2-15
Ashtray.........................................................3-24
Assist Handles...............................................2-38
Audio System(s).............................................3-88
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-129
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-132
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-130
Care of Your CD Player..............................3-131
Care of Your CDs......................................3-131
Radio with Cassette and CD.......................3-100
Radio with CD............................................3-89
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-114
Setting the Time..........................................3-88
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-128
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-130
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-132
1

Setting the Time.............................................3-88
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble).......3-92, 3-103, 3-117
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-95
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-18
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-22
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-91
Speci®cations, Capacities...............................5-104
Speedometer..................................................3-33
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-8
Stabilitrak
žPlus System..................................4-13
STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE.........................3-85
STABILITY CONTROL OFF..............................3-85
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-12
STARTING DISABLED DUE TO
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL............3-86
STARTING DISABLED DUE TO
THEFT SYSTEM.........................................3-86
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-19
Steering........................................................4-14
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-15
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-14
Steering Tips..................................................4-14
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-129Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-37
Convenience Net.........................................2-38
Front Seat Storage Net................................2-37
Glove Box..................................................2-36
Overhead Console.......................................2-36
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-87
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-88
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-32
Sun Visors.....................................................2-13
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-37
Sunroof.........................................................2-39
T
3800 V6 Engine.............................................5-12
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine.........................5-14
Tachometer....................................................3-33
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-64
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-38
Temperature...................................................3-27
THEFT SYSTEM NOT PROGRAMMED.............3-86
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-128
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-14
PASS-Key
žIII .............................................2-15
PASS-KeyžIII Operation..............................2-16
13

United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer........................3-53
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-35
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-76
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-91
Using Song List Mode...................................3-126
V
Variable Effort Steering....................................4-14
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-35
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identi®cation
Number (VIN).............................................5-98
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-98
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-48
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-29
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-13
Visors...........................................................2-13
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-31
Warnings.......................................................3-65
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4Warnings (cont.)
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-93
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-11
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-39
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-18
What Kind of Oil to Use..................................5-21
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-21
What to Use..........................................5-27, 5-43
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-75
Replacement...............................................5-75
When to Add..................................................5-43
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-20
When to Check......................................5-21, 5-69
When to Check and Change............................5-24
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-42
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill.........................................4-43
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-38
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-11
Window Lock-Out............................................2-13
Windows.......................................................2-12
Power........................................................2-13
15