Page 333 of 413

6-48 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.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.Don't include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label. Reset the Check Tire Pressure
System. See ªCheck Tire Pressure Systemº in the Index.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See ªWheel Nut Torqueº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if
you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.
Page 334 of 413

6-49
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire
-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
ªMSº (for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
Page 336 of 413

6-51
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a
half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
-- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature
-- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
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.
Page 345 of 413

6-60
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti
-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide
the corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
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.
Page 347 of 413
6-62
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver's side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You'll find this label on your spare tire cover. It's very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Page 349 of 413

6-64 Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of damage
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver
-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
The MaxiFuses are located in two Bussed Electrical
Centers (BEC), one located near the engine compartment
on the passenger's side and the other under the rear seat on
the driver's side. If a MaxiFuse should blow, have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer immediately.
Removing Fuses
You will find a fuse puller attached in both of the BEC.
Snap the wide end of the fuse puller on to the fuse, at
the side indentations holding the puller and pull the
fuse out.Engine Compartment Bussed Electrical
Center (BEC)
As mentioned above, the
front BEC is located in the
front of the engine
compartment on the
passenger's side. Lift the
cover to gain access.
Fuse 22 or 23 can be moved to the outer position to
enable the accessory power outlet or cigarette lighter
when the ignition is not on. See your dealer for
additional assistance, if needed.
Page 357 of 413

6-72
Replacement Bulbs
Front Outside Lamps Bulb Number
Parking/Turn Lamps 3157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp
Low Beam 9006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High Beam 9005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Outside Lamps Bulb Number
Taillamps 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back
-Up Lamps 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stoplamps 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn 3157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For service information on other bulbs, contact your
dealer's service department.
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English
and metric conversions. Please refer to ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for more information.
Capacities
Automatic Transaxle (Overdrive)
Pan Removal and Replacement 7.4 quarts (7.0 L). . .
Complete Overhaul 10.0 quarts (9.5 L). . . . . . . . . .
When draining or replacing torque converter, more
fluid may be needed.
Cooling System10.0 quarts (9.5 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Crankcase
Oil change with filter change 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . .
Fuel Tank18.5 U.S. gallons (70.0 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire PressureSee Tire
-Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information label on the rear edge
of the driver's door.
Air Conditioning
RefrigerantSee refrigerant charge label . . . . . . . . .
under the hood.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill
to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
Page 359 of 413
7-
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
-4 Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
7
-8 Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7
-21 Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance7
-29 Part B: Owner Checks and Services
7
-33 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
7
-35 Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
7
-37 Part E: Maintenance Record