Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-8
5-9
5-11
5-1 3
5-13
How to Use Warning Flashers
Other Types
of Warning Devices
Step-by-step Procedure for Jump Starting
Information
You Should Know Before Towing
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
If Your Engine is Overheating
If Steam is Coming From Your Engine
5- 15
5- 17
5-23
5 -24
5-32
5-34
5-35
5-35 Cooling System
How to
Add Coolant
What to do if
a Tire Goes Flat
How to Change
a Flat Tire
Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools
Information on the Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Snow or on Ice
How to Rock Your Vehicle to Get Unstuck
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Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your Pontiac. But please follow the steps below to
do it safely.
c
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
0 They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Trying to start your Pontiac by
pushing or pulling won’t work, and it could
damage your vehicle.
r
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with
a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage
the electrical systems.
Put an automatic transaxle in
PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N).
5-3
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3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all
lamps that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries. And it could
save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged.
The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery, Your Pontiac has a remote positive
(+)
jump starting terminal, The terminal is on the same
side
of the engine compartment as your battery. You
should always use the remote positive (+) terminal
instead
of the positive (+) terminal on your battery.
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, lift the
red plastic
cap.
5-4
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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.
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.
Bulb Replacement
In this section you’ll find directions for changing the
bulbs in some of the lamps on your Grand Prix. See
“Replacement Bulbs” in
the Index to find the type of
bulb
you should use. For any bulb replacement
procedures not explained here, see your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
I
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop
or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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We will provide the following services for
3 year/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
Fuel delivery
Keys locked in vehicle
0 Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
Change a flat tire
Jump starts
Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details
We have quick, easy access
to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending on vour needs:
Hotels
Glass replacement
Rental vehicle or taxis
Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur. For
prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following information to give the advisor:
Location of vehicle
Telephone number of your location
Vehicle model, year and color
0 Mileage of vehicle
0 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle license plate number
Pontiac reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when in Pontiac’s
judgement the claims become excessive in frequency
or
type of occurrence.
While we hope that you never have
the occasion to use
our service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone call
away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance
-- 1 -800-ROADSIDD
or 1-800-762-3743.
8-7
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v Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet .................... 2.57. 2.59
AirBag
....................................... 1-22
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-26
How it Works
................................ 1-24
Location
.............. .......... 1-24
Readiness Light
......................... 1.23. 2.65
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-26
When
Should it Inflate ......................... 1-25
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6- 19
Air Conditioning ............................ 3.3. 3.7
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-73
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-52
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-61
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-27
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.67. 4.7
Brakes
...................................... 4.7
Anti.Theft. Radio .............................. 3-26
Appearance
Care ............................... 6-55
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-64
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-58 Audio Controls. Steering Wheel
Touch Control
....... 3-29
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-30
Audio Systems
................................. 3-10
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-31
Automatic
Auxiliary Temp Control
......... ........ 3-4
Check
...................................... 7-40
Door Locks
.............................. 2-6, 2-46
Electronic Climate Control
...................... 3-2
Fluid
....................................... 6-21
Operation
................................... 2-19
Overdrive
............................... 2-21
Park Mechanism Check . ......... 7-42
Back Glass Antenna ........ .... 3-32
Battery
....................................... 6-36
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Replacement, Remote Keyless Entry
.............. 2-10
Resynchronization, Remote Keyless Entry ......... 2-11
Warnings
................................ 5-3, 5-5
Battery Saver .................................. 2-42
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
9-1
ProCarManuals.com
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers 5-2
Headlamps
.................................... 2-38
- ..........................
Head Restraints ................................. 1-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-37
HigNLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-33
Wiring
...................................... 6-66
Head-Up Display
............................... 2-83
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-5
Heating
.................................... 3-4, 3-8
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-33
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-34
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn ....................................... 2-31
HUD ......................................... 2-83
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4- 19
Careof ..................................... 2-86
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2- 15
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check .................... 7-42
Inflation, Tire
.................................. 6-45
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror ................. 2-53
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle
Boot .................. 7-43
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle
Seal ................... 7-43
Radiator and Heater
Hose ...................... 7-43
Inspections Steering
......
Suspension ....
Throttle Linkage
Instrument Panel
.
Cleaning ......
Cluster .......
Fuse Block ....
Lamps ........
Interior Lamps ... ............
...... 7-43
.............................. 7-43
.............................. 7-43
.............................. 2-62
6-58
.............................. 2-62
............................ 6-67
....................... 2-40
.......................... 2-40
..............................
..
Jack. Tire ............. ..
Jump Starting .....................
......... 5-26
....... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
... .............. 7-40
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels ....................................... 4-30
Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-65
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-29
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-65
Lamps ........................................ 2-38
Courtesy
.................................... 2-41
Interior
..................................... 2-40
Rear Assist Handle Reading
.................... 2-43
Latches, Seatback
................................ 1-7
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running ....... 2-27
Lighter
....................................... 2-58
9-5
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