1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM tire

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
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.
I A CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling
of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control.
You could have a collision in which
you or others could
be iqjured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
6-48

NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a
Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
f
A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
I
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains. They can
damage your vehicle because there’s
not
enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
use on your
vehicle and
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust
or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
NOTICE: (Continued)
6-49

NOTICE: (Continued)
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the front tires.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must.
Use only SAE
Class “S” type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the front tires and
tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them,
If the contact continues,
slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will damage
your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions.
And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
0 Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can
all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless
this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
6-50

Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe
vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your dealer has two cleaners, Multi-Purpose Interior
Cleaner and Capture Non-Solvent Dry Spot and Soil
Remover. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well. You can get GM-approved cleaning products from
your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in
the Index.)
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often.
A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or it will set.
Using Multi-Purpose Interior Cleaner
on Fabric
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding
trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix powdered cleaner following the directions on
the container label to form thick suds.
Use suds
only and apply with a clean sponge. Don’t
saturate the material and don’t rub it roughly.
As soon
as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove the suds.
Wipe cleaned area with
a clean, damp towel or cloth.
Wipe with a clean cloth and let
dry.

Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to
remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index.)
Your vehicle has a “basecoatlclearcoat” paint finish. The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to
the colored
basecoat. Always
use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatlclearcoat
paint
finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoaticlearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as -possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period
of years.
You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged
or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
(If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry
with a soft clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface
of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage
the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These brushes can also damage
the surface of these wheels.
6-55

Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe
off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair
or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare
metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired
with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service outlets. Larger areas
of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect on the underbody.
If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the underbody
parts such
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust
system even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect.
Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or
an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and attack painted
surfaces on your vehicle. This damage can
take
two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped discolorations, and
small irregular dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by
this fallout condition within
12 months or
12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
6-56

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER SIZE
994954 23 in. x 25 in.
1050172 16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050173 16
oz. (0.473 L)
DESCRIPTION
Exterior polishing cloth
Polishing Cloth - Wax Treated
USAGE
- - -
Tar and Road
Oil Remover
Use on chrome, stainless steel, nickel, copper
and brass Chrome Cleaner and Polish Removes
tar, road oil and asphalt
I 1050174 I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I White Sidewall Tire Cleaner I Removes soil and black marks from whitewalls
I 1050214 I 32 oz. (0.946 L) I Vinyl Cleaner I Cleans vinyl tops, upholstery and convertible tops
1050427
1052925 8
oz. (0.237 L) 1052918**
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1052870
23
oz. (0.680 L)
16
oz. (0.473 L)
1052929 16 oz. (0.473 L)
1052930 8 oz. (0.237 L)
12345002 16 oz. (0.473 L)
Glass Cleaner Removes dirt, grime, smoke and fingerprints
Wash Wax Concentrate Cleans and lightly waxes
Armor
All” Protectant Protects leather, wood, acrylics, Plexiglas ” , plastic,
rubber and vinyl
w
Multi-Purpose Interior Cleans carpets, seats, interior trim, door panels
Cleaner and floor mats
Wheel Cleaner Spray on and rinse with water
Capture
Dry Spot Remover Attracts, absorbs and removes soils
Armor All”” Cleaner Cleans and shines a variety
of surface types
12345721
Removes contaminants, blemishes
and swir1 marks Surface Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L) 12377984 Removes light scratches and oxidation and protects finish Cleane\
r Wax 16
oz. (0.473 L) 12377966 Removes dust, fingerprints and surface contaminants
Finish Enhancer
16
oz. (0.473 L) 12377964 Spray on tire shine
Silicone Tire Shine
12
oz. (0.354 L) 12345725 Shines vehicle without scratching
Synthetic Chamois
2.5
sq. ft.
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products. **\
Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
See “Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
6-57

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- =I II 11111111 1111 111 111111 111 11111111 111111111111 111111111 IIm 0
SAMPLE4UXWM072675 bl I
ENGINE A98 1 ASSEMBLY
CODE - MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side.
You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service
Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on your spare tire cover. It’s very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
0 your VIN,
0 the model designation,
paint information and
0 a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that
this label is not removed from the vehicle.
6-58