1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM towing

Attach T-hook chains
into the slots in the
bottom
of the floor pan,
just behind the front
wheels on both sides.
Attach a separate safety chain around the
outboard end
of each
lower control arm.
I\ - 1 I
Rear Towing
Tow Limits -- 55 mph (88 kmh), 500 Miles (800 km)
Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the
information in “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in this
section. Also be sure to use the proper hook-up for your
particular vehicle.
NOTE: The ignition key must be OFF to keep the
automatic door locks
from locking during tow.
5-11

NOTICE:
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle to ground
or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment.
To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequa .te
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables
or J-hooks to
suspension components when using carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in
the T-hook slots.
Attach a separate safety chain to each side
of the
axle inboard of the spring.
5-13

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts
of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (5$ k@h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too
fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth,
you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see
“Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels.
If your vehicle
has
the Enhanced Traction System, you should turn
the system off. (See “Enhanced Traction System”
in the Index.) Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear (or with a manual
transaxle, between
mRST (1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE
(R)), spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transaxle is in gear.
If that doesn’t get you out after a
few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do
need to be towed out, see “Towing
Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
5-34

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter
every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more
of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any
of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your Pontiac dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on
the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle.
Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and
fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
6-20

Maintenance Schedule
I Short TripKity Definition I
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffk).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow a trailer.
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine
oil to break
down sooner.
or other commercial application.
Short TripKity Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Chassis Lubrication
(or
6 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 OOO km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 0oO km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.
7-5

Maintenance Schedule
Long Tripmighway Definition
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used
off paved roads. Use the Short TripKity schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slower:
Long Tripmighway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 OOO km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and
Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 OOO km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,OOO Miles (166 0oO km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service
(or every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule
on
the following pages.

1 Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reach\
es 90°F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter
do not require changing.
Manual transaxle fluid doesn't require change.
(32°C) or higher.
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
(Continued)
DATE I
DATE I
DATE I

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote
+.)
(Also see footnote ++.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.4L Code T engine).
0 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Sewice.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reach\
es 90°F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
(32°C) or higher.
(Continued)
DATE
DATE
7-19
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