1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM Owners Manual

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or co’rroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
Pontiac dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the she 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 Pontiac
model.
A 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/odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle grou.nd clearance
and tire
or tire chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
See “Changing a plat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
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Used Replacement Wheels Tire Chains
A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous.
You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
If you have to
replace
a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
NOTICE:
If your Pontiac has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you
must. Use only SAE
Class “S” type 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.
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Appearance Care Don't use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. others can burst
into flame if you strike a Alcohol
match or get'them on a hot
part of the vehicle. Some are 0 Laundry Soap
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
Pontiac, be sure to follow the manufacturer's warnings
Reducing Agents
0 Bleach
and instructions. 'And always open your doors or
windows when you're cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
0 Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
0 Lacquer.Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
,Cleaning the Inside of Your Pontiac
Use a vacuum cleaner often to 'get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Pontiac dealer has two
GM cleaners, a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
often. A
soft brush may be used'if stains are stubborn.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area -
They can all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too. If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
only. If you use them, don't saturate the staiqed area.
area immediately or it will set.
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Using -Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
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Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding
trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the
directions on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t
rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with
a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe
off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel
or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see If you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean
off better vith just
water
and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the ,trim material with
a clean, dull knife or scraper. Use
very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside
of
the stain, “feathering” toward the center. Keep
changing to a clean section
of the cloth.
0 when you clean a stain fi-om fabric, immediately dry the
area with a blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring.
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Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon,
tar and asphalt can
be removed
as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
0 Follow the solvent-type instructions described
0 Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain
if left on a vehicle’s seat fabric. They should be
removed
as soon as pos,sible.,Be careful, because
the cleaner
will dissolve them and may cause them
to spread. earlier.
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Non-Greasy Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit
juice,
milk, 'soft drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood can
be removed as follows:
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Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the soiled area with cool water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions
described earlier.
If'an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with a' waterbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonngtise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
cool water and allow to
dry.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do
it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and.shoe polish will stain if
you don't get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a GM VinylLeather Cleaner or equivalent product.
Cleaning ,Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinyl/Leather Cleaner
or equivalent product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, 'furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled ieather should be cleaned iprnediately. If dirt
is allowed to work into the finish, it can harm the
leather.
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Cleaning the Top of the Instrwment Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield
and even make it difficult
to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts cleanand dry.
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Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash they might
not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean
safety belts only with
mildsoap and lukewarm
water.
Glass
Glass shoulld be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films. Don't use abrasive cleaners on glass, b'ecause they may
cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals
on. the inside rear
window,
since they may have to be scraped off later.
If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear .
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged,
Any temporary license should not be attached -oss the
defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield
and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is.not clear after using the windshield
washgr, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside
of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM Part
No. 1050011). The windshield is clean if beads do not
form when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade
by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked
in full-strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades
should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
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Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth at least
every six months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent application may be required. (See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”, in the Index.)
-Cleaning the Outside of Your Pontiac
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle .
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s fish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the directrays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand, dish or-car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to
dry on
the surface,
or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or a
100% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Pontiac by
hand may beaecessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your Pontiac has
a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
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
finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish
or leave swirl marks.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other Tires
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc. can To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner. -- -
damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If
necessary, us,e non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe
for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior pai
' :d surfaces are subject to aging, weath
and chemicsu rallout that caf; take their toll over a period
of yearg. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Pontiac garaged or covered
whenever possible.
NOTICE:
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wipe off 'any overspray or splash from all painted
When applying a tire dressing always take care
to
surfaces
on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based
products may damage the paint
finish.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
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Sheet Metal Damage
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with Clem water. After If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
rinsing thoroughly,
dry with a soft cleah towel. A wax repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
may then be applied. applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
The surface of these wheels is similar to the minted replaced to restore corrosion protection. A
surface.of your vehicle, Don't use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive
polishes, abrasive cleaners or abrasive clehg
brushes
on tihem because you could damage. the surface.
Don't
take your viihiclk through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide
tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also darnage the surface of these wheels.
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