Page 218 of 356

10. Tighten the wheel. nuts
firmly in a criss-cross
sequence, as shown.
-
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure
to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure
to get new GM original
equipment wheel
nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can.and have the
nuts tightened with
a torque wrench to I00 Ib-ft
(140 N-m).
I NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specifications.
Don’t itry to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover and plastic
cap nuts in the trunk until you have the flat tire
repaired
or replaced.
... .
NOTICE:
~
Wheel covers won’t, fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare,
you could damwe the cover or the spare.
~~
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Page 219 of 356
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
- H
B
I
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop
or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
A. Wrench E. Extension
B. Jack F. Wing Bolt
C. Flat Road Tire G. Cover
D. Adapter H. Nut
Store the flat tire
in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the
adapter, extension
and wing bolt. Place the cover and
nut on top of the flat tire. Store the jack and wheel
wrench
in the foam tray.
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Page 221 of 356

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated’when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after
a time. Check
the inflation pressure regularly.
It should be 60 psi
(42Q Wa).
After installing
the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inflated. “The compact spare is
made to perfonnwell at posted speed limits for
distances up to.3,OOO miles
(5 000 km), so you can
finish 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 fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
i
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
,the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on’-your
compact spare.
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Page 259 of 356

Replacement blades come in different types and are removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
type with a release clip:
1. Pull the windshield wiper am away from the ‘
2. Lift the release clip with a screwdriver and pull the
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm.
For the proper type and size, see “Capacities and
Specifications”
in the Index.
windshield.
blade assembly
off the wiper arm.
Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new Pontiac comes with
highquality 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.
.-
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 “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index.
Underinflated 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.
Overinflated tires are more likely
to be
cut, punctured or broken
by a sudden
impact
-- 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.
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Page 260 of 356

Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Lo,ading Information label which is on the rear
edge
of the driver’s door shows the correct inflation
preissures for your tires when they’re
cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has
been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
~~ ~~ ~~
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. 1% your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation),, you can
get the following:
0 Too much flexing
0 Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
~~ ~~
NOTICE: (Continued)
If
your tires
have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:’
e Unusual wear
* Bad handling
* Rough ride
e Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should
be at
60 psi (420 Wa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply
by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure
to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
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Page 261 of 356

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear.
If unusual wear is present, rotate your tires as soon as
possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New
Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information. When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include
the compact.spa.re tire in your tire
rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.
I
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniforrn wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
--
Rust or dirt on a wheel, lr on the part D which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after
a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove
any rust or- dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the ‘Index.)
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Page 264 of 356

Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking'(straightahead) traction tests
and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level af performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
€3 and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature gade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels osn your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the lo'ngest tire life and best overall performance.
In most cases, you..will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However,
if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when
driving on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
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Page 285 of 356
v Section 7 Maintenanc,e Schedule - -.
IMPORTANT-
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
.EVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vewcle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
~ This section covers the maintenance required for your affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
Pontiac. Your vehicle needs
these services to retain its levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
safety, dependability and emission control performance. of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
..
'. 2 ,
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your
Pontiac dealer for details. .- ,! .- .. .. .. .. 1' . '>.. 3 , .. -. ., . -b . ' .: : I .6.
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