1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM wheel alignment

When to i- -- ~
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 Pa).
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.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10
000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear,
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.
The purpose of regular rotation
is to achieve more
uniform 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.
0
I
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare 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.
6-43

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 of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade 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 on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance. Scheduled
wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. 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.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. 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 same 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.
6-47

v Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-52
Adapter Kit. CD
........................... 3-13. 3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat
.............................. 1-2. 1-48
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-25
Howitworks
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2-59
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ................................ 3 -3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-65
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-55
Antenna, Fixed
................................. 3-26
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-24
Anti-Lock
........................................
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2-61. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Anti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-21
Appearancecare
............................... 6-49
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-57
Arbitration Program
........... ............ 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-51
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control
....... 3-23
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2.17.2.18.3.24. 6.58
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Auto-Down Window
....... ................. 2-34
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-5
Automatic Transaxle
Check
................................ . . 7-42 ~
Fluid ................................... 6-19
Operation
................... ............ 2-21
Overdrive
................................... 2-23
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-44
Shifting
..................................... 2-21
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-16
Backing Up When Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-39
Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement
................. 6-39
Battery
....................................... 6-34
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-60
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-9
Saver
...................................... 2-47
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-23
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard ...................................... 4-28
9-1

Sunroof ................................... 2-53
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-21
Surge Tank
Coolant
..................................... 5- 16
How to Add Coolant
.......................... 5- 18
Pressure Cap
................................. 6-28
Synchronization
.......... ........ ... 2-10
Symbols. Vehicle
....... .................... v
Tachometer
.................................. 2-58
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-39
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-25
Theft
......................................... 2-12
Theft-Deterrent Feature, CD Player
................ 3 -2 1
THEFTLOCK
TM ................................ 3-21
Thermostat
.................................... 6-28
Third Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Third Gear, Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-25
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-35
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-8
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-49
TireLoading
................................... 4-33
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-33
Tires
......................................... 6-41
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-47
Chains
..................................... 6-49
BuyingNew
................................. 6-45
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Compact Spare
............................... 5-33
Inflation
.................................... 6-42
Inflation Check
............................... 7-41
Inspection
and Rotation ........................ 6-43 Loading
.............................. 4-33
Pressure
..................................... 6-42
Temperature
................................. 6-47
Traction
.................................... 6-46
Treadwear
................................... 6-46
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-46
Used Replacement Wheel
...................... 6-47
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-44
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-47
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-44
TopStrap
..................................... 1-38
TorqueLock
................................... 2-30
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-29, 6-64
Towing From the Front
.......................... 4-30, 4-31
From the Rear
............................... 4-32
Recreational Vehicle
.......................... 4-30
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-35
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
............... 4-30
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
................ 4-32
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-38
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-40
Hitches
..................................... 4-38
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-41
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-41
Safety Chains
................................ 4-38
Tongueweight
............................... 4-37
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-38
Towing
..................................... 4-35
Turnsignals
................................. 4-40
Weight ..................................... 4-36
Drivingwith
................................. 4-39
9-10

Transaxle Automatic
.................. 2.16.2.21.6.19. 7.42
Manual
...................... 2.16.2.25.6.21. 7.42
Transmitters. Keyless Entry
........................ 2-7
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-8
Trir, Odometer ................... .......... 2-57
Trink Lamr,
........................ .......... 2-47 I
Lock ....................................... 2-10
Security Override ............................. 2- 1 1
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals ............... 2-36
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-35
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-40
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-5
Underbody
Flushing Service ................. 7-44
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-56
Up Shift Light
.......................... 2-27, 2-69
variable Effort Steering
... ............... 4-11
Vehicle Control
.................................... 4-6
Identification Number
......................... 6-58
Storage
...................... .......... 6-34
Ventilation System
............................... 3-7
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-52
Damagewarnings
.............................. iv
Dimensions
................................. 6-65
Loading
.................................... 4-33
Visors, Sun
.................................... 2-52 warning
Devices
............................. 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-58
Warranty Information
.......................... 8-10
Washer Fluid. Windshield ...................... 6-29
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-54
Weatherstrips
....... ............ ........... 6-53
Alignment
................................ 6-47
Nut Torque ............................. 5-29, 6-64
Replacement
................................. 6-47
Used Replacement
............................ 6-47
Wrench
..................................... 5-25
Windows
..................................... 2-34
Auto-Down
.................... ...... 2-34
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-38
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-41
Windshield Wiper
.............................. 2-37
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-41
Winter Driving
................................. 4-26
Wiring, Headlamp
.............................. 6-59
Wrench, Wheel
........ ................ 5-25
Wheel
Lock
Out Switch ............................. 2-34 .
Power ....................................... 2-34
Fluid
.................................. 2-38, 6-29
Bladecheck
................................. 7-42
Fuses
...................................... 6-59
Wrecker Towing
........... ............... 5-8
9-11