Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new.
When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put
in -- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change -- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come,to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake narts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for
a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s @bel, : . :. .. .K . - ’ I- I c ’. :“I z: , ’ . .-
,. . - .. , .. .. .1 4
. . ..
.J:. - *-
.. - _1 . t .
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
I I
I A CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful.
See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting
hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
6-30
ProCarManuals.com
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.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to-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.)
/ I
I 1 I
Then It’s Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only
11/16 inch (I .6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
ll.
You needknwt.re if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see. the indicators at three or more places
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
~~
around the tire.
tire’s rubber.
6,’ . 1. ‘ 1 enough to show cord or fabric. -. . . ..
;C I ., The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
-1 P. The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because
of the size or location
of the damage.
6-51
ProCarManuals.com
