2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX steering

But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
may offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS) or
the Enhanced Traction System (ETS), it will
improve your ability to accelerate when driving on
a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a
traction system you will want to slow down and
adjust your driving to the road conditions. Under
certain conditions, you may want to turn the TCS or
ETS off, such as when driving through deep snow
and loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion at
lower speeds. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 292orEnhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 293.
If you do not have TCS or ETS, accelerate gently.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you
accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and
polish the surface under the tires even more.
Unless you have the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), you will want to brake very gently, too.If you do have ABS, seeAnti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 289. This system improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a
slippery road. Whether you have ABS or not, you
will want to begin stopping sooner than you would
on dry pavement. Without ABS, if you feel your
vehicle begin to slide, let up on the brakes a little.
Push the brake pedal down steadily to get the most
traction you can.
Remember, unless you have ABS, if you brake so
hard that your wheels stop rolling, you will just
slide. Brake so your wheels always keep rolling
and you can still steer.
Whatever your braking system, allow greater
following distance on any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may
appear in shaded areas where the sun cannot
reach, such as around clumps of trees, behind
buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the
surface of a curve or an overpass may remain
icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you
see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake while you are
actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
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If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck,
you will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when
you are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin
the wheels too fast while shifting the transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy the transaxle.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 316.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 421.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
If your vehicle has traction control, you should turn
the traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 292. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out. If
your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 322.
316

Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. If the vehicle must
be towed, use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” following
for more information.
Dolly Towing
The vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
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Passing
More passing distance is needed up ahead when
towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle and
trailer are a good deal longer, distances between
any vehicles that are passed must be greater,
before returning to the proper lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right,
move that hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very sharp
turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers.
Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When towing a trailer, the vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on the
instrument panel will ash whenever signaling a
turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
and trailer are about to turn, change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the
trailer are burned out. You may think drivers behind
you are seeing the turn signal when they are not. It
is important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
The vehicle has bulb warning lights. When a trailer
lighting system is plugged into the vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not indicate if
one of the lamps goes out. So, when a trailer
lighting system is plugged in, be sure to check the
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be
sure they are all working. Once the trailer lamps
have been disconnected, the bulb warning lights
can once again indicate if one of the vehicle lamps
is out.
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Service........................................................ 336
Accessories and Modications................... 336
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 337
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 337
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 338
Fuel............................................................. 338
Gasoline Octane........................................ 338
Gasoline Specications.............................. 339
California Fuel........................................... 340
Additives................................................... 340
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 341
Filling the Tank......................................... 342
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 344
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 344
Hood Release........................................... 345
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 346
Engine Oil................................................. 350
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 353
Supercharger Oil....................................... 355
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 355
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 357Engine Coolant.......................................... 360
Pressure Cap............................................ 364
Engine Overheating................................... 364
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 366
Cooling System......................................... 366
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 376
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 377
Brakes...................................................... 378
Battery...................................................... 381
Jump Starting............................................ 382
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 388
Bulb Replacement....................................... 391
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 391
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 391
Front Turn Signal, Parking and
Fog Lamps............................................ 394
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps...... 395
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 397
License Plate Lamp................................... 398
Replacement Bulbs................................... 398
Windshield Replacement............................ 399
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
333

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 377.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 381.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 382.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 462.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 366.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 364.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in
engine compartment). SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 376.
H. Supercharger Oil Fill Location (If Equipped).
SeeSupercharger Oil on page 355.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 366.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 350.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 350.
L. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling
System on page 366.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 357.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 378.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 355.
347

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 377.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 381.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 462.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 382.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 364.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 376.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 350.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 350.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 357.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 378.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 355.
L. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 366.
349

Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 346for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless a leak is suspected in the
system, or an unusual noise is heard. A uid loss
in this system could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir
clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the
uid level on the dipstick
The uid level should be between the ADD and
HOT marks when the engine is cold.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the HOT mark.
If the uid is at the ADD mark when the engine is
cold or hot, power steering uid should be added.
376