1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX tow

Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper
blades and affect their performance. Clean the blade
by wiping vigorously
with a cloth soaked in
full-strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease
with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold
water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent)
soaps.
You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your
dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the
Index.) Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum
based, or that contain acid or abrasives.
All cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and
not allowed to
dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish
with a
soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your
vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior LampsLenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand, dish or vehicle washing
(mild detergent) soap to
clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions
under “Washing Your Vehicle.”
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.)
6-56

Your vehicle has a “basecoatjclearcoat” 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 basecoatjclearcoat
paint finish.
I NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may dull the
finish or leave swirl
marks.
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.
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. 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.

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

Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program
L
Security While You Travel
I-800-ROADSILE (1-800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside Assistance program.
This value-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you
drive in the city or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number
is
staffed by a team of technically trained advisors, who
are available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or
making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles
(60 000 km), at no expense to you:
a Fuel delivery
a Keys locked in vehicle
a Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
a Change a flat tire
Jump starts
Courtesy Transportation -- See Pontiac Courtesy
Transportation section for details
8-6

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