1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM Owners Manual

We prefer you utilize the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure before you resort to
AUTO LINE, but you
may contact the BBB at any time. The BBB will attempt
to resolve the complaint serving as
an intermediary. If
this mediation is unsuccessful, an informal hearing will
be scheduled where eligible customers may present their
case to
an impartial third-party arbitrator.
The arbitrator will make a decision which you may
accept or reject. If you accept the decision, GM
will be
bound by that decision. The entire dispute resolution
procedure should ordinarily take about
40 days from the
time you file a claim until a decision is made.
Some state laws may require
you to use this program
before filing
a claim with a state-run arbitration program
or in the courts. For further information, contact the
BBB at 1-800-955-5100 or the Pontiac Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-PM-CARES.
Warranty Information
Your vehicle comes with a separate warranty booklet
that contains detailed warranty information.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause
a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration
(NHTSA), in addition to
notifying General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you,
your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington,
D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from
the Hotline.
8-10

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
Box 8880
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3J2
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
TO GENERAL MOTORS
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like
this, we certainly hope you’ll notify
us. Please call
us at 1-800-PM-CARES or write:
Pontiac
Customer Assistance Center
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, MI 48340-2952 In Canada, please call
us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005 1908 Colonel
Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H
8W
Ordering Service and Owner
Publications in Canada
Service manuals, owner’s manuals and other service
literature are available for purchase for all current and
past model General Motors vehicles.
The toll-free telephone number for ordering information
in Canada is 1-800-668-5539.
8-11

1998 PONTIAC SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be purchased by filling out
the Service Publication Order Form in this book and mailing it in with your check, money order,
or credit card information to Helm, Incorporated (address below\
.)
CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1998 PONTIAC
SERVICE MANUALS
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information
on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical, steering, body, etc. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$90.00
TRANSMISSION, TRANSAXLE, TRANSFER CASE UNIT REPAIR MANUAL
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments and specifications for the
1998 GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$40.00
SERVICE BULLETINS
Service Bulletins give technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM SHOWN ON
THE FOLLOWING PAGE
AND MAIL TO:
Helm, Incorporated EO. Box 07130 DeW, MI 48207
OWNER’S INFORMATION
Owner publications are written directly for Owners and
intended to provide basic operational information about the
vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance
Schedule
for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 5.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$1 0.00
CURRENT & PAST MODEL ORDER FORMS
Service Publications are available for current and past
model
GM vehicles. To request an order form, please
specify year and model name of the vehicle.
OR ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4358
Wlonday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM Eastern Time
For Credii Card Orders Only (VlSA-MasterCarccr>ir)

1

b% NOTES
8-14

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power outlet ......................... 2-50
Adapter Kit. CD ........................... 3.12. 3.15
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle .................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat ..................... ..... 1.2. 1.52
AirBag ....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain .......................... 1-25
How it Works ................................ 1-23
Location .................................... 1-23
Readiness Light ......................... 1.23. 2.57
What Makes it Inflate .......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates ............... 1-26
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-25
Aircleaner .................................... 6-19
Airconditioning ................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-65
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-48
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-55
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-25
Antifreeze ..................................... 6-25
Anti-Lock Servicing
................................... 1-27
Brake System Warning Light ................ 2.59. 4.7
Brakes ...................................... 4-7
Anti.Theft.
Radio .............................. 3-20
Appearancecare ............................... 6-50
Appearance Care Materials ....................... 6-57
ArbitrationPro gram .............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-49
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel Touch Control ....... 3-22
Audio Equipment. Adding ......... 2.17.2.18.3.24. 6.59
Audio Systems ............ .................. 3-7
Auto-Down Window ............................ 2-33
Automatic Transaxle Check ....................... 7-31
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check ......... 7-33
Automatic Door Locks ............................ 2-5
Automatic Light Control ......................... 2-43
Automatic Overdrive ............................ 2-23
Automatic Transaxle ............................ 2-16
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-16
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-20
Automatic Transaxle Operation .................... 2-21
Shifting ..................................... 2-21
Backing up When Towing a Trailer ............. 4-39
Back-up Lamp Bulb Replacement ................. 6-40
Battery ....................................... 6-36
Charging System Indicator Light ................. 2-58
Jumpstarting ................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry ..................... 2-9
Saver ...................................... 2-46
Warnings .................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip .................... 4-23
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
9-1

Blizzard ...................................... 4-28
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-35
Fluid
....................................... 6-31
Mastercylinder
.............................. 6-31
Parking
..................................... 2-27
PedalTravel
................................. 6-35
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-35
System Wanzing Light
.................... 2-58, 6-32
Trailer
...................................... 4- 38
Transaxle
Shift Interlock Check .................. 7-32
Wear
....................................... 6-34
Brakes,Anti -Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4- 6
Braking
in Emergencies .......................... 4-10
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2-14
Brightness Control .............................. 2-44
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-36
Back-up Lamps
.............................. 6-40
CHMSL
.................................... 6-39
Dome Lamp
................................. 6-41
Headlamps
.................................. 6-37
BTSICheck
................................... 7-32
Taillamps
................................. 6-40
CaIiperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection
........... 7-35
Canadian Roadside Assistance
...................... 8-8
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-65
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2- 11.2.31.2.32.4.29. 4.38
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-30
Cassette Tape Player
................... 3.9.3.12. 3.18
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-24
Cassette Tape Player
Errors .................. 3 . 10. 3. 15 CD Adapter
Kit ........................... 3.12. 3.15
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-20
Center Console Cupholder
........................ 2-49
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-48
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb Replacement
... 6-39
Center Rear Passenger Position .................... 1-33
CertificationLabel
.............................. 4-33
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-38
Chains.
Tire ................................... 6-49
Changing
a Flat Tire ............................. 5-23
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-62
Check
Oil Light ........................... 2.66. 6.13
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-52
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-56
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-43
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-45
Securing
in the Passenger Seat Position ........... 1-47
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-47
Where to Put
................................ 1-42
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-49
Circuit Breakers
and Fuses ....................... 6-60
Cleaner,
Air ................................... 6-19
Cleaning
...................................... 6-50
AluminumWheels
............................ 6-55
Fabric
...................................... 6-51
Glass
....................................... 6-53
Inside
of Your Pontiac ......................... 6-51
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-53
Leather
..................................... 6-52
Outside
of Your Pontiac ........................ 6-54
Special Problems
............................. 6-52
ChildRestraints
................................ 1-38
TopStrap
................................... 1-43
Stains ...................................... 6-51
9-2

Tires ............ ....... .......... 6-56
Wheels ..................................... 6-55
Windshield and Wiper Blades ................... 6-53
Climate Control System ........................... 3-2
Clock, Setting the ................................ 3-7
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic .......................... 6-24
Clutch. Hydraulic ............................... 6-24
Comfort Controls ................................ 3-2
Compact Disc Adapter Kit ................... 3-12. 3-15
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-25
Compact Disc Player ............................ 3-16
Compact Spare Tire ............................. 5-33
Control of a Vehicle .............................. 4-6
Convenience Net ............................... 2-49
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... 2-47
Coolant ....................................... 6-25
Adding ...................... ..... 5-18. 6-28
Checking ................................... 6-27
Heater. Engine ............................... 2-19
SurgeTank .................................. 5-18
Surge Tank Pressure Cap ....................... 6-29
Cooling System ................................ 5- 16
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-8
Cruise Control ................................. 2-38
Cupholder ..................................... 2-49
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-5
Customer Assistance Information ................... 8-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . .............. 8-3
Damage. Finish ............................... 6-56
Damage. SheetMetal ............................ 6-56
Vinyl ........................... ........ 6-52
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning ......... 3-2
Daytime Running Lamps ..................... 2-43
Dead Battery ................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety ........................ 8-10
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-5
Defogging ..................................... 3-4
Defrosting ..................................... 3-4
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................ 6-66
Dolby B Noise Reduction ................... 3.11. 3.14
Dome Lamp Bulb Replacement .................... 6-41
DoorLocks ..................................... 2-4
DriverPosition ................................. 1-13
Driving
Backing Up
When Towing a Trailer ............ 4-39
City ........................................ 4-21
Defensive .................................... 4-2
Drunken ..................................... 4-3
Freeway .................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard ................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
IntheRain .................................. 4-18
Making Turns When Towing a Trailer ............. 4-40
Night ...................................... 4-16
OnCurves .................................. 4-11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-41
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-24
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-27
Passing When Towing a Trailer .................. 4-39
Throughwater ............................... 4-20
WetRoads .................................. 4-18
Winter ...................................... 4-26
WithaTrailer ................................ 4-39
DrunkenDriving ................................ 4-3
Following Distance When Towing a Trailer ........ 4-39
9-3