wiper blades PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004 Owners Manual

7(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
down once and let go. The wipers will stop after one
cycle. For additional cycles, hold the lever down.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades may
prevent you from seeing well enough to drive safely.
If the blades do become damaged, install new blades or
blade inserts. For more information, see
Windshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-67.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer ¯uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
The windshield washer button is located at the end of
the windshield wiper lever.
K(Washer Fluid):Press this button to activate the
washer ¯uid to spray onto the windshield. The wipers
will run for a few cycles to clear the windshield. For more
wash cycles, press and hold the button.
If your vehicle is low on washer ¯uid, the LOW WASHER
FLUID message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-65for more information.
3-7

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road and
even people walking.
It's wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank
®lled with washer ¯uid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can't, try to slow down before you
hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
4-21

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

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Remove and replace a windshield wiper by following
these steps:
1. Put the ignition in ACCESSORY and turn the
windshield wipers on.
2. Stop the windshield wipers when they are in the
upright position by turning the key to the off position.
3. Pull the windshield arm away from the windshield.
4. Push the release lever on the windshield arm (A).
5. Slide the assembly up and off the arm (B).To attach a new windshield wiper arm do the following:
1. Push the new wiper blade assembly onto the
arm of the windshield wiper. Make sure it snaps
over the release button.
2. Place the windshield wiper on the window.
3. Put the ignition in the off position.
4. Turn the windshield wipers off.
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº under
At Least Twice a Year on page 6-11in
the maintenance schedule for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For the proper type and
length, see
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 5-105.
5-67

Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under ªWashing Your Vehicle.º
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint ®nish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-96.
Your vehicle has a ªbasecoat/clearcoatº paint ®nish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
®nish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint ®nish may
dull the ®nish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle's ®nish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint ®nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
5-94

Engine Speci®cations
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap Firing Order
3800 V6
231 CID (3.8L L26)2 Automatic.060 inch
(1.52mm)1±6±5±4±3±2
3800 V6 Supercharged
231 CID (3.8L L32)4 Automatic.060 inch
(1.52mm)1±6±5±4±3±2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
All Engines
Automatic Transmission Filter GM Part No. 24206433
Engine Air Cleaner /Filter GM Part No. 24508572, A1614C*
Oil Filter GM Part No. 25010792, PF47*
Passenger Compartment Air Filter Kit GM Part No. 10406026
Spark Plugs GM Part No. 12568387, 41-101*
Wiper Blades
Type
LengthShepherd's Hook
22 inches (56 cm)
*ACDelco
žpart number
5-105

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
ªWindshield Wiper and Wiper BladesºunderCleaning
the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-93.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-16.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle ¯uid level; add if needed. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-24. A ¯uid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood hinges, hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl,
door hinges, rear compartment, glove box door, console
door and any folding seat hardware. Part D tells you
what to use. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-11

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-64
Chains, Tires..................................................5-77
CHANGE OIL SOON.......................................3-66
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE........................3-67
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-40
Check Engine Light.........................................3-40
CHECK GAS CAP..........................................3-67
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-68
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-56
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-41
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-45
Top Strap...................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-40
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-24
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-90
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-95
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-94
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-90
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-92
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-92
Cleaning Leather............................................5-92
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-92
Cleaning Tires................................................5-95
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-92
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-29
Compact Disc Messages..............3-99, 3-113, 3-128
Compact Spare Tire................................5-88, 5-89
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-14
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-38
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-39
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-39
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
3