2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM Owners Manual

Additional Program Information
Courtesy Transportation is available during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but itis
notpart of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. A
separate booklet entitledWarranty and Owner
Assistance Informationfurnished with each new vehicle
provides detailed warranty coverage information.
Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your dealer for specific information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles:For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to terms and conditions described herein
at its sole discretion.
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s
performance. Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle
computers to monitor emission control components to
optimize fuel economy, to monitor conditions for air bag
deployment and, if so equipped, to provide anti-lock
braking and to help the driver control the vehicle
in difficult driving situations. Some information may be
stored during regular operations to facilitate repair
of detected malfunctions; other information is stored only
in a crash or near crash event by computer systems
commonly called event data recorders (EDR).
In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, such
as the Air Bag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated, such
as engine speed, brake applications, throttle position,
vehicle speed, safety belt usage, air bag readiness, air
bag performance data, and the severity of a collision.
This information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
7-9

To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.
GM will not access information about a crash event or
share it with others other than
•with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
•in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
•as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
•as required by law.
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may
•use the data for GM research needs,
•make it available for research where appropriate
confidentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
•share summary data which is not tied to a specific
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information
if they have access to the vehicle or SDM.
If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar
®, please check
the OnStar®subscription service agreement or
manual for information on its operations and data
collection.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
7-10

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-12

A
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-35
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-87
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-40, 3-46, 3-57
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS).............................................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
AM ...............................................................3-70
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-71
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-71
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-78
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-81
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-84
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-78
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-81
Finish Damage............................................5-83Appearance Care (cont.)
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-84
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-38
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-69
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-70
Care of Your CDs........................................3-70
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-71
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-71
Radio with CD............................3-39, 3-43, 3-54
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-38
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-38
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-68
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-70
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-71
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-19
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-24
1

B
Backing Up....................................................4-45
Battery..........................................................5-40
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
Brake
Parking......................................................2-29
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-40
Brake Fluid....................................................5-37
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-40
Brake Wear...................................................5-39
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-48
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications............................5-92
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-12, 2-33, 4-26, 4-41
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-81
Your CD Player...........................................3-70
Your CDs ...................................................3-70
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Messages................................3-42, 3-53, 3-68
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-36
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-48
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-27
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-31
Checking Coolant............................................5-24
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-84
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-51
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-71
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-78
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-81
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-82
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-78
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-80
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-80
Cleaning Leather............................................5-80
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-80
Cleaning Tires................................................5-83
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-80
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-82
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-22
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-77
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-30
Heater, Engine............................................2-22
Low Warning Light.......................................3-30
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-36
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
3

Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks on
Vehicles with a Manual Transaxle:................... 2-9
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks on
Vehicles with an Automatic Transaxle:.............. 2-9
D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-20
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-16
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8Dinghy Towing................................................4-33
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-34
Dome Lamp...................................................3-17
Door
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-14
Six-Way Power Seat...................................... 1-3
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
City...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-19
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving On Grades..........................................4-46
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-20
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-21
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-44
4