2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM jump start

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-41
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-48
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-51
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-60
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-61
Buying New Tires.........................................5-62
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-63
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-64
Wheel Replacement......................................5-65
Tire Chains..................................................5-66
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-67
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-68
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-77
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-28.
B. Ground. SeeJump Starting on page 5-41.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” in
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
inEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” inBrakes
on page 5-37.F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-34.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-87.
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-40.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-35.
5-13

Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-41for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, seeTheft-Deterrent
Feature on page 3-68.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to follow the steps below to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
5-41

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
Neutral before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off the radio and all lamps that aren’t
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
5-42

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next
step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
doesn’tgo to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery.9. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable at
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there, and the chance
of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that has the dead battery. If
it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
Notice:If the jumper cables are removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting may occur and
damage the vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Remove the jumper
cables in the correct order, making sure that the
cables do not touch each other or other metal.
5-45

Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-ROADSIDE (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 courteous
and capable Roadside Assistance Representatives who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We will provide the following services during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
•Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel
($5 maximum) for the customer to get to the
nearest service station.
•Lock-out Service (identication required):
Replacement keys or locksmith service will
be covered at no charge if you are unable to gain
entry into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement
key will be covered within 10 miles.
•Emergency Tow:Tow to the nearest dealership for
warranty service or in the event of a
vehicle-disabling accident. Assistance when the
vehicle is mired in sand, mud or snow.
•Flat Tire Change:Installation of a spare tire will be
covered at no charge. (The customer is responsible
for the repair or replacement of the tire if not
covered by a warrantable failure.)
•Jump Start:No-start occurrences which require a
battery jump start will be covered at no charge.
•Dealer Locator Service
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our Roadside
Assistance Representatives will explain any payment
obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following to the Roadside Assistance
Representative:
•Your name, home address, and home telephone
number
•Telephone number of your location
•Location of the vehicle
•Model, year, color, and license plate number
•Mileage, Vehicle Identification Number and delivery
date of the vehicle
•Description of the problem
7-6

Headlamps Off in Park (P)...............................3-16
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-25
Hitches..........................................................4-43
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-30
How to Check................................................5-59
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-23
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-35
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-20
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
Hydroplaning..................................................4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-32
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-32
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-29If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-31
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-41
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Inflation - Tire Pressure...................................5-58
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Driver’s Side).......5-88
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Passenger’s Side)....5-89
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks...........................5-87
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-41
K
Key Removal.................................................2-32
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
7