1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX load capacity

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need
a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater
run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
TIRE - LOADING INFORMATION A
OCCUPANTS
MAX. LOADING @ GVWR SAME
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Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
is on the inside of the trunk lid. The label tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight you can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight
of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-3 1

MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
GVWR GAWR FRT -- I 4r I
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver’s
door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle
or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear
axle.
If you do have a heavy load, spread it out. Don’t carry
more than 167 pounds (75 kg) in your trunk.
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause
you to lose control.
Also, overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
I NOTICE: I
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because
of overloading.
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Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 lbs. But even that
can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are
all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer
for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P. 0. Box 436008
Pontiac, MI 48343-6008
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel
Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or
grossweight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo
you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load
to the GVW because your
vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
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Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and Cy
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately
or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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-canying
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.
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