tire pressure PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004 Owners Manual

ENGINE OIL MONITOR SYSTEM:This menu lets you
reset the engine oil monitor system for the vehicle.
See ªWhen to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil LIfe System)º
under
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
To reset the engine oil monitor system use the following
procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button after an oil change to
reset the engine oil monitor system. The
con®rmation, ENGINE OIL MONITOR HAS BEEN
RESET, will appear on the next screen.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
Tire In¯ation Monitor System:If the vehicle has ABS,
this menu lets you set the tire in¯ation monitor system.
See ªTire In¯ation Monitor Systemº under
In¯ation ± Tire
Pressure on page 5-69for more information.
To set or reset the tire in¯ation monitor system, use the
following procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button to reset the tire in¯ation
monitor system.TIRE INFLATION HAS BEEN SET
will appear on the next screen to con®rm this
system has been set.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
Select the set/reset button to return to the main (date)
screen.PERSONAL PROGRAMMING MODE:This menu
lets you customize the time the exterior and interior
lamps are left on, and, when the automatic door locks
are activated after the vehicle is turned off and the doors
are closed. These adjustments can only be made
while the vehicle is in PARK (P). Press the set/reset
button to display the ®rst screen.
Personal Programming Mode Screens
Press the options button to access these modes:
EXTERIOR LIGHTING DELAY:This screen lets you
turn this feature off, or lets you select the number
of seconds the headlamps, sidelamps and taillamps, fog
lamps and back-up lamps are turned on after the key
is removed from the ignition or the vehicle is unlocked
using the remote keyless entry transmitter.
If OFF is selected, the exterior lamps will not turn on.
If a time delay is selected, the lamps will turn on
(for the time selected), when the key is removed from
the ignition, or when the vehicle is unlocked using
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
To program this mode use the following procedure:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
the selection you want to program. Choose from
OFF or 15, 30, 60 or 90 seconds.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
3-48

ENGINE OIL MONITOR SYSTEM:This menu lets you
reset the engine oil monitor system for the vehicle.
See ªWhen to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil LIfe System)º
under
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
To reset the engine oil monitor system use the following
procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button to reset the engine oil
monitor system. The con®rmation, ENGINE OIL
MONITOR HAS BEEN RESET, will appear on the
next screen.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
Tire In¯ation Monitor System:If the vehicle has ABS,
this menu lets you set the tire in¯ation monitor system.
See ªTire In¯ation Monitor Systemº under
In¯ation ± Tire
Pressure on page 5-69for more information.
To set or reset the tire in¯ation monitor system use the
following procedures:
1. Press the set/reset button to reset the tire in¯ation
monitor system. TIRE INFLATION HAS BEEN SET
will appear on the next screen to con®rm this
system has been set.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
Select the set/reset button to return to the main
(date) screen.COMPASS CALIBRATION MODE:
Setting the Compass
The compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass.
However, under certain circumstances, such as during a
long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary
to compensate for compass variance and reset the zone
through the DIC.
Compass variance is the difference between earth's
magnetic north and true geographic north. If not
adjusted to account for compass variance, the compass
in your vehicle could give you false readings.
In order to do this, you will have to set or calibrate the
compass to the variance zone in which you are located.
3-58

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This symbol appears
with the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning
message.
If the vehicle has ABS brakes, this warning message
will appear when the air pressure in one of the tires
is too low or too high. Check the vehicle's tire pressure
as soon as possible, and ®ll the affected tire to the
appropriate level. The correct tire in¯ation pressure
should be set to those shown on the tire-loading
information label on the vehicle. See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-35for more information.When you reset the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE screen
by acknowledging it, you must also reset the TIRE
INFLATION MONITOR SYSTEM screen located under
the option menu in the DIC. See ªTire In¯ation Monitor
Systemº in the options section under
DIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-45for more information.
This warning message will display while the ignition is
in RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds when
this message is displayed and then the screen will clear
after three seconds. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this warning message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
3-68

Let's say the road is wet and you're driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here's what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you steer around
the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
4-8

Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System or the
Traction Control System, or if the system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow down
when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember:
It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels
are no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the
brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores
steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels
are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-18

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your tires
do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or more
is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the
road. If you can see re¯ections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops ªdimpleº the
water's surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine's air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you can't avoid deep puddles or standing
water, drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through ¯owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle
can be carried away. As little as six inches of
¯owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Don't ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through ¯owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
·Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
·Have good tires with proper tread depth.
See
Tires on page 5-68.
4-22

When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh Ð such as after a day's
work Ð don't plan to make too many miles that ®rst
part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll ®nd experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
·Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
·Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
·Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
·Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
·Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all in¯ated to
the recommended pressure?
·Weather Forecasts:What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
·Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-25

Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label is
on the inside of the trunk lid. The label tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended in¯ation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives
you important information about the number of people
that can be in your vehicle and the total weight you can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weigh of all occupants, cargo and
all non-factory installed options.The other label is the Certi®cation label, found on the
rear edge of the driver's door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
4-35

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

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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Underin¯ated 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.
·Overin¯ated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact Ð 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.
5-68