1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM suspension

To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted
by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition
off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with
a clamping device
designed for towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s
steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be
in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
The ignition key must be OFF to keep the automatic
door locks from locking during towing. Don’t have your vehicle towed on the
front wheels,
unless you must.
If the vehicle must be towed on the
front wheels, see speed and distance restrictions later
in
this section, farther than 50 miles (80 km) your transaxle
will be damaged.
If these limits must be exceeded, then
the front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured.
This can cause a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains
or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut
by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook
slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
5-9

Front Towing
Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read
all the information in “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in
this section.
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog light damage
will occur. Use wheel-lift
or carcarrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for carcarrier equipment.
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 adequate
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.
5-10

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

Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule i
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
( 166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
-f- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in
Part C of this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service, at every other tire rotation. See “Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in
Part C of
this schedule.
7-7

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 OOO km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(1
66 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the suspension and steering linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part C of this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service, at every other tire rotation. See
“Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in Part C
of
this schedule.
7-21

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these
jobs. Make sure
any necessary repairs are completed
at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may
be
found in a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot
an.d Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose
or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect
the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing
or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up
in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in
the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator
and air conditioning condenser. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and
pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts. Replace
parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.
7-34

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)

Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-21
Gear Positions. Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
Glove Box
.................................... 2-48
Graphic Equalizer
.............................. 3-12
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-33
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-33
Guide en Franpis
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-33
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-36
Hazard Warning Flashers 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-37
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-35
On Reminder
................................ 2-42
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-5
Heating ........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
HillandMountainRoads
......................... 4-24
Hitches. Trailer
.............. .......... 4-38
Hood
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-33
Hydraulic Clutch
............................... 6-24
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-24
Hydraulic Clutch System Check ................... 7-3 1
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-20
Y ..........................
Headlamps .................................... 2-42
Wiring
..................................... 6-59
Prop ....................................... 6-10 Ignition
Switch
................................ 2-14
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-45
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-42
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-47
Inspections Brakesystem
................................ 7-35
Caliperffiuckle Maintenance
................... 7-35
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-34
Exhaust Systems ............................. 7-34
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.......... .... 7-34
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-34
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-34
Steering
.................................... 7-34
Suspension
.................................. 7-34
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-34
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-52
Brightness Control
............................ 2-44
Cleaning
.................................... 6-53
Cluster
..................................... 2-54
FuseBlock .................................. 6-60
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-44
Jack. Tire .................................. 5-24
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-31
Key Release Button
............................. 2-16
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-7
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
9-5