1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM maintenance

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6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The air cleaner is located on the driver's side of the
engine compartment.
To check or replace the air filter:
1. Remove the screws that hold the cover on.
2. Lift off the cover.
3. Reinstall the air cleaner filter and replace the
cover tightly.Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can cause
a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.

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6-27
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

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6-28 Brake Wear
The GT Series has four-wheel disc brakes and the
SE Series has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make
a high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don't have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.

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6-37
After the system has learned tire pressures with properly
inflated tires, the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE light will
come on if the pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi
(83 kPa) lower than the other three tires. The tire pressure
monitor system won't alert you if the pressure in more
than one tire is low, if the system is not properly
calibrated, or if the vehicle is moving at less than 15 mph
(25 km/h), faster than 75 mph (120 km/h), on rough
roads or during turns. The light may also come on if you
are driving on partially cleared pavement.
The tire pressure monitor system detects differences in tire
rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire pressure.
The system can alert you about a low tire
-- but it doesn't
replace normal tire maintenance. See ªTiresº in the Index.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the tire pressure monitor system may not be working.
See your dealer for service. (Also, see ªAnti
-Lock
Brake System Warning Lightº in the Index).When the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE light comes on,
you should stop as soon as you can and check all your
tires for damage. (If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes
Flatº in the Index.) Also check the tire pressure in all
four tires as soon as you can. See ªInflation
- Tire
Pressureº in the Index.
The light will come on and stay on until you turn off the
ignition or press the RESET button.
Don't reset the tire pressure monitor system without first
correcting the cause of the problem and checking and
adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset the
system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system
will not work properly and may not alert you when
a tire is low.

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6-38
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure, rotate your tires, or
have one or more tires repaired or replaced, you'll need to
reset (calibrate) the tire pressure monitor system. You'll
also need to reset the system whenever you buy new tires
and whenever the vehicle's battery has been disconnected.
To reset (calibrate) the system: turn the ignition switch
to ON (engine not running). The RESET button is
located inside of the driver's side instrument fuse panel.
Press and release the RESET button. The CHANGE
OIL light will begin to flash. Press and release the
RESET button again. The CHANGE OIL light will go
off, and the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE light will start
flashing. When the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE light is
flashing, press and hold the RESET button until the
chime sounds. If the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE light
doesn't go off then, see your dealer for service.
The system completes the calibration process
during driving.The system normally takes 15 to 20 minutes of driving
in each of three speed ranges to ªlearnº tire pressures.
The speed ranges are 15 to 40 mph (25 to 65 km/h),
40 to 65 mph (65 to 105 km/h) and above 65 mph
(105 km/h). When learning is complete, the system will
alert you after 2
-8 minutes if a tire is 12 psi (83 kPa)
different from the other three tires. Detection thresholds
may be higher and detection times may be longer on
rough roads, curves and at high speeds. The system
is not capable of detection at speeds greater than
75 mph (120 km/h).
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and
ªWheel Replacementº later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.

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6-51
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.

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6-61 2.4L L4 Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type L4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 2.4 Liters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-3-4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature 180F (82C) . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 3.4 Liters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower
-SE model 170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower
-GT model 175. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature 195F (91C) . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you're not sure, ask your dealer.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element
2.4L L4 AC Type A
-1279C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 AC Type A
-1279C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter
2.4L L4 AC Type PF
-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 AC Type PF
-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs
2.4L L4 AC Type
41
-963 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Platinum Plug) Gap: 0.050 inch (1.27 mm)
3400 V6 AC Type
41
-940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Platinum Plug) Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades (Shepherd's Hook Type)
Passenger's Side 17 inches (43 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver's Side 22 inches (56 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Length 186.5 inches (474.2 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width 70.4 inches (178.7 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height 54.5 inches (138.4 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheelbase 107.1 inches (271.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Tread 59.1 inches (150.1 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Tread 59.4 inches (150.7 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7-
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7-1
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7
-2 Introduction
7
-2 How this Section is Organized
7
-4 Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
7
-13 Part B: Owner Checks and Services7
-17 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
7
-19 Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
7
-20 Part E: Maintenance Record