tires PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004 Owner's Guide

Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts or
wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-78for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been
used or how far it's been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-76

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/55R17 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
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it's contacting your vehicle, and don't
spin your wheels.
If you do ®nd traction devices that will ®t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle does not have P225/55R17
size tires, use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE Class²S²type
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.
5-77

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

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully in¯ated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the in¯ation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure
your spare tire is correctly in¯ated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can ®nish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course,
it's best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon
as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in good
shape in case you need it again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed, don't
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don't use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don't mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won't ®t. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains won't ®t your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Don't use tire chains on
your compact spare.
5-89

Cleaning Aluminum 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.
Cleaning 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 ®nish 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
®nish 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. Larger areas of
®nish damage can be corrected in your dealer's
body and paint shop.
5-95

It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on
page 5-16for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
See the mileage intervals following for additional
services that may be performed with an engine oil
change. After the services are performed, record the
date, odometer reading and who performed the service
on the maintenance record pages in Part E of this
schedule.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace
the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect ®lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the ®lter
may require replacement more often.
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the ®lter
may require replacement more often.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qFor supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs ®rst). See
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote ².)
6-6

37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace
the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect ®lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the ®lter
may require replacement more often.
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the ¯uid and ®lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-7

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
qFor supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs ®rst). See
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the ®lter
may require replacement more often.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22for more information.An Emission Control Service.
67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace
the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect ®lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the ®lter
may require replacement more often.
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-8

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qFor supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs ®rst). See
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace passenger compartment air ®lter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the ®lter
may require replacement more often.
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
qInspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
qReplace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
qIf you haven't used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven't
changed your automatic transaxle ¯uid, change both
the ¯uid and ®lter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs ®rst).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-26for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-9

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals speci®ed to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ®ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-26for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer ¯uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper ¯uid if necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-43for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire In¯ation Check
Make sure tires are in¯ated to the correct pressures.
Don't forget to check your spare tire. SeeTires on
page 5-68for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-88for further details.
6-10