1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX towing

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
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
regularly reaches
90” F (32 O C) or higher.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
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.
6-22

Maintenance Schedule
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
MILEAGE See “Engine Oil“ in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter if
necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote T.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
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 reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
90°F (32°C) or higher.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
rfyou do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter
do not require changing.
7-8

I Maintenance Schedule I
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0 Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.)
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
100,000 Miles (1 66 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace spark plugs.
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 (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Ifyou do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
DATE I
DATE I
7-12

Driving City
................ ................... 4-22
Defensive
.................................. 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-23
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-29
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-19
Night
...................................... 4-17
On Curves .................................. 4-12
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-25
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-28
Throughwater ............................... 4-21
WetRoads
.................................. 4-19
Winter
...................................... 4-27
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Driving at Night
................................ 4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
................. 4-19
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
.............. 4-21
DIU ......................................... 2-41
Drunken
Driving ................................ 4-3
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-39
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.......... 2.18.3.30. 6.62
Electrical System
............................... 6-62
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-52
Engine
............................. 6.10.6.11. 6.12
Coolant. Checking ............................ 6-28
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-14
Coolant ..................................... 6-26 Coolant Temperature Gage
.................... 2-73
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-73
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-76
Coolant. What to use
.......................... 6-27
Exhaust
.......... ...................... 2-31
Identification
................................ 6-61
OilLmelCheck
.............................. 7-14
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-69
StartingYour ................................ 2-17
EngineOil
.................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-19
Checking
................................... 6-14
Used ....................................... 6-19
What Kind of Oil to Use
....................... 6-16
When to Add
................................ 6-15
When to Change
.............................. 6-19
Engine Oil Life Monitor
......................... 6-19
Enhanced Traction Control System
................. 4-11
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
........... 2-68
Entering Programming Mode
...................... 2-46
Ethanol ........................................ 6-5
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-31
Exit Lighting ............................. 2.43. 2.47
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-40
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-53
Fan Button. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control ..... 3-6
Filling
A Portable Fuel Container ................... 6-8
Filling
Your Tank ................................ 6-6
9-4

Filter. Air . . ............ ............. 6-20
Finish Care .................. ............. 6-56
Finish Damage ............................... 6-58
Fixed Mast Antenna ............................. 3-32
Flashers. Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flash-to-PassFeature ........................... 2-35
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-27
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-19
FogLamps .................................... 2-41
With a Trailer ................................ 4-37
Foreign Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-5
French Language Manual ........................... ii
Front Reading Lamps ............................ 2-44
FrontTowing .................................. 5-11
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-6
Gage ....................................... 2-75
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-62
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-73
Fuel ....................................... 2-75
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-21
GloveBox .................................... 2-54
Guide en Frangais ................................. ii
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2
HeadRestraints ................................ .l-6
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-37
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-35
Wiring ..................................... 6-62
Head-Up Display ............................... 2-81
Head-Up Display Care of ........................ 2-83
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-5
Heating .................................... 3.4. 3.8
High-BeamHeadlamps .......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis .............................. 4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads. Driving On ............... 4-25
Hitches. Trailer ................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release ...................................... 6-9
How This Section is Organized ..................... 7-2
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank .... 5-20
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator ................ 5-22
How to Reset Oil Life Monitor ............... 2-80. 6-19
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon Light ....... 2-77. 6-19
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-21
If a Tire Goes Flat ............................ 5-26
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ........... 5-17
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .............. 5-16
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ..................... 4-29
Ignition Positions ............................... 2-16
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check .................... 7-17
Illuminated Entry ............................... 2-42
Horn ......................................... 2-33
HUD ......................................... 2-81
9-5

TRACO FF ................... ... 2-77
Trunk Ajar Warning
........................... 2-74
Trunk Ajar Warning
........................... 2-77
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-3 1
Lockout Deterrent .......................... 2-5, 2-48
Automatic Door
.......................... 2-6, 2-47
Cylinders
................................... 7-15
Door
........................................ 2-4
FrontDoor
................................... 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-15
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
RearDoors
................................... 2-5
Locks and Lighting Choices
...................... 2-45
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- 16
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-74
Low Fuel Light ................................ 2-75
Low Oil Level Light
............................ 2-72
Low Traction Light
............................. 2-68
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
.................. 2-77
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7- 19
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-15
Maintenance, Normal Replacement parts
........... 6-70
Maintenance, Normal Replacement
Parts ............ 6-70
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-20
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7- 1
Introduction .................................. 7-2
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-14
Traction Control System Warning
.... ..... 2-69
Locks ......................................... 2-4
Trunk
...................................... 2-12 Periodic Maintenance Inspections
...... .... 7-18
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-19
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................ 7-2
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-59
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-69
Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Matching Transmitters
To Your Vehicle ............. 2-10
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors
....................................... 2-52
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-53
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-52
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-52
Power Outside
............................... 2-53
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-58
MMT
......................................... 6-4
Mode
Buttons. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control . . 3-6
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-57
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-16
Nightvision
................................... 4-18
Nuisance Alarms
............................... 2-15
Odometer. Speedometer
...... ......... 2-63
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-63
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-14
Oil, Engine .................................... 6-13
Oil Life Monitor
........................... 2-80. 6-19
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-71
9-7

Other Warning Devices ........................... 5-2
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-55
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
....... 5-15
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks
and Services ....................... 7-14
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 1 1
Paint Spotting. Chemical
................. . . 6-59
Park
Shifting Into
............................... 2-27
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-30
Parking AtNight
.................................... 2-13
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Lots ....................................... 2-13
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-31
When
You Are Ready to Leave. on Hills ........... 4-40
With a Trailer on Hills
......................... 4-39
Temp Control
.................................. 3-5
Performance Shift Light
.......................... 2-72
Performance Shifting
............................ 2-26
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-1 8
Accessory Outlet ............................. 2-58
DoorLoc
ks ................................... 2-5
OptionFuses
................................ 6-63
Outside Mirror
............................... 2-53
Passenger’s Temperature Knob. Automatic and Auxiliary
Pasing
....................................... 4-15
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
PontiacCares
................................... 8-2
Power Retained Accessory
........................... 2- 17
Six-Way Driver’s Seat
.......................... 1-3
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Power Steering Fluid ............................ 6-30
When to Check
............................... 6-31
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-21
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service
and Owner ................... 8-11
Purse or Litter Bag Holder
...................... 2-59
Radiator
..................................... 5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-30
Radio Reception. Understanding ................... 3-30
Radios
................... 3-11.3-12.3-16.3-19. 3-22
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-19
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-30
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-33
Window Defogger
............................. 3-9
Rear Armrest Storage ............................ 2-57
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps
................. 2-44
Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 2-7
Rearview Mirror, Electrochromic Daymight
......... 2-52
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight
................. 2-52
Steering
.................................... 4-12
Windows
................................... 2-33
PowerDropFeature
............................. 2-84
Howtocheck
............................... 6-31
Whattouse
................................. 6-32
Rear Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-30
Towing
..................................... 5-13
9-8

Tachometer ................................ 2-63
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-42
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-31
Theft
......................................... 2-13
Theft-Deterrent Feature. CD Player
................ 3-27
THEFTLOCK”
................................ 3-27
Themostat .................................. 6-30
Tilt Steering Wheel
. . .................... 2-34
Time. Setting the
............................... 3-10
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-51
TireLoading ................................... 4-31
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-3 1
Tires ......................................... 6-44
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-50
BuyingNew
................................. 6-48
Chains
..................................... 6-51
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-27
Cleaning .................................... 6-58
Compact Spare ............................... 5-37
Inflation
.................................... 6-45
Inflation Check
............................... 7-14
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-46
Loading
.................................... 4-31
Pressure
.................................... 6-45
Temperature
................................. 6-50
Traction
........................ ........ 6-49
Treadwear
................................... 6-49
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-49
Used Replacement Wheels
...................... 6-51
Wear Indicators .............................. 6-47
Wheel Replacement ........................... 6-50
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-47 When to Check
............................... 6-46
TopStrap
..................................... 1-58
Torque Lock ................................... 2-30
Torque. Wheel Nut
.............................. 5-34
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-33
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Traction Control System
.......................... 4-9
Traction Control System Warning Light
............. 2-67
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-37
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-39
Driving With
................................ 4-37
Engine Cooling When Towing
................... 4-40
Following Distance
........................... 4-37
Hitches
..................................... 4-36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-40
MakingTurns
................................ 4-38
Parking on Hills .............................. 4-39
Safety Chains ................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-35
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.............. 4-36
Towing
..................................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-38
Weight
..................................... 4-35
Automatic
............................... 6-22
HowtoAdd
................................. 6-26
How to Check
............................... 6-22
When to Check and Change ..................... 6-22
Transportation Error Courtesy ...................... 8-8
Trip Computer ............................ 2.78. 2.79
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-63
Transaxle Fluid
9-11