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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 205

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Manual

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Braking in Emergencies With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the verybest braking. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Experienced driver orbeginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its pathwhen you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've e v a tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the . condition of your tires and the road surface, theangle at which the curve is banked, and your speed.While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems -steering and acceleration -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have the Trac System and the system is on,adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can losecontrol. Refer to "Trac System" in the Index. What should you do if this everhappens? Ease up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle theway you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signsnear curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower. Variable Effort Steering (Option) This steering system provides lighter steering effort for parking and when driving at speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h). Steering effort will increase at higher speeds for improved road feel. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here's why:

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Seats and Restraint Systems	9
Seats and Controls	10
Manual Seats	10
Power Seats	11
Reclining Front Seatbacks	13
Seatback Latches	15
Why Safety Belts Work	17
Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts	20
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	29
Questions and Answers About Air Bags	32
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides	41
How to Use Child Restraints	44
How to Use the Built-In Child Restraint	46
Important Information for Buckling Children in Child Restraints	60
Child Restraint Top Straps	61
How to Obtain a Safety Belt Extender	71
Checking Your Restraint Systems	71
Replacing Parts After a Crash	72
Features and Controls	75
Important Information About Keys	76
Door Locks	78
Remote Keyless Entry	82
Battery Replacement for RKE	84
Preventing Theft of Your Vehicle	86
New Vehicle "Break-In"	89
Ignition Positions	89
Tips on Starting Your Engine	90
Using the Engine Coolant Heater	92
Automatic Transaxle Operation	93
Parking Brake Guidelines	98
Important Information on Engine Exhaust	103
Operation of Your Windows	104
Adjusting the Tilt Steering Wheel	105
Functions of the Multifunction Lever	106
How to Use the High/Low Beam Headlamp Changer	107
Windshield Wipers and Fluid	107
Using Cruise Control	109
Exterior Lamps	112
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)	113
Interior Lamps	114
Rearview Mirrors	127
Storage Compartments	128
Instrument Panel Overview	136
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages	138
Driver Information Center	152
Head-Up Display	157
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	161
Comfort Controls	162
Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls	162
Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning with Automatic and Auxiliary Temperature Control	164
Heating, Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls	164
Heating, Air Conditioning with Automatic and Auxiliary Temperature Controls	168
Ventilation System and Tips	168
Tips for Defogging and Defrosting	168
Rear Window Defogger	169
Setting the Clock	170
Radios	170
CD Adapter Kit	175
Trunk Mounted CD Changer	184
Theft-Deterrent Feature	186
Steering Wheel Controls	189
Understanding Radio Reception	190
Adding Sound Equipment to Your	190
Tips About Your Audio System	190
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	191
Care of Your Compact Discs	192
Fixed Mast Antenna	192
Backglass Antenna	192
Your Driving and the Road	195
Defensive Driving	196
Driving Drunk	197
Having Control of Your Vehicle	200
Your Braking System Information	200
Anti-Lock Brake Information	201
Trac System	203
Braking in Emergencies	205
Steering Tips	205
Off-Road Recovery Tips	207
Passing Other Vehicles	207
Losing Control of Your Vehicle	209
Night Driving	210
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	211
Tips Before Leaving on a Long Trip	216
Avoiding Highway Hypnosis	217
Driving on Hills and Mountains	217
Winter Driving	219
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard	221
Loading Your Vehicle	223
Helpful Hints for Towing a Trailer	225
Problems on the Road	235
How to Use Warning Flashers	236
Other Types of Warning Devices	236
Step-by-step Procedure for Jump Starting	237
Information You Should Know Before Towing	242
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front	243
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear	245
If Your Engine is Overheating	247
If Steam is Coming From Your Engine	247
Cooling System	249
How to Add Coolant	251
What to do if a Tire Goes Flat	257
How to Change a Flat Tire	258
Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools	266
Information on the Compact Spare Tire	268
If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Snow or on Ice	269
How to Rock Your Vehicle to Get Unstuck	269
Service and Appearance Care	271
Doing Your Own Service Work	272
What Kind of Fuel to Use	273
Using Fuel in Foreign Countries	275
Where to Put the Fuel and Filling the Tank	275
Checking Things Under the Hood	277
Checking Your Engine Oil	284
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	291
Engine Coolant	296
Where to Fill the Windshield Washer Fluid	302
Important Brake Information	303
Information on Your Vehicle’s Battery	306
Tips on Vehicle Storage	307
Bulb Replacement Procedures	307
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	314
How and When to Check Tire Inflation	316
When it is Time to Buy New Tires	320
Wheel Alignment	322
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	325
Care of the Safety Belts and Built-in Child Restraint	328
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	329
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels	331
Underbody Maintenance	333
Recommended Appearance Care Materials	334
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	335
The Electrical System	336
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	336
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle	342
Capacities and Specifications	342
Air Conditioning Specifications	343
Normal Replacement Parts	343
Maintenance Schedule	345
Introduction to Your Maintenance Schedule	346
Your Vehicle and the Environment	346
How this Section is Organized	347
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	348
Selecting the Right Schedule for Your Vehicle	348
Short Trip/City Definition	349
Short Trip/City Intervals	349
Long Trip/Highway Definition	350
Long Trip/Highway Intervals	350
Owner Checks at Each Fuel Fill-up	383
What to Check at Least Once a Month	384
What to Check at Least Once a Year	384
Periodic Maintenance Inspections	387
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	388
A Place to Record Maintenance Procedures	390
Customer Assistance Information	393
Pontiac Cares Services	394
What Makes up Pontiac Cares?	395
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	395
Customer Assistance Information	396
Address for Writing to Pontiac	397
Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	397
Pontiac Roadside Assistance	398
Phone Number for Roadside Assistance	398
Canadian Roadside Assistance	400
Pontiac Courtesy Transportation	400
BBB Autoline Information	401
Warranty Information	402
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States	402
Reporting Safety Defects to Canada	403
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	403
Ordering Service Publications in Canada	403
How to Order Service Publications	404
Order Form for Service Publications	405

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Braking

Emergencies

With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same

time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more

than even the

very best braking.

Steering

Power

Steering

you

lose power steering assist because the engine

stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer

but

it will take much more effort.

Variable

Effort

Steering

(Option)

This steering system provides lighter steering effort

for parking and when driving at speeds below

mph

(32

km/h).

Steering effort will increase

higher speeds

for improved road

feel.

Steering

Tips

Driving

Curves

It’s important

take

curves at a reasonable speed.

lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on

the news happen

curves. Here’s why:

Experienced driver

or beginner, each of us is subject to

the same laws

physics when driving on curves. The

traction of the tires against the road surface makes it

possible for

the

vehicle

change its

path when you

turn

the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep

the vehicle going in the same direction.

you’ve

e v a

tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.

The traction

you can get in

curve depends on the

condition

your tires and

the

road surface,

the angle at

which

the

curve is banked, and your

speed.While you’re

curve, speed

the one factor you can control.

Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then

you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems

steering and acceleration

have to do their work where

the tires meet the road. Unless you have the Trac System

and the system is

on,adding

the

sudden acceleration can

demand too much

those places. You can

lose

control.

Refer to “Trac System” in the

Index.

What should you do if this

ever happens? Ease up on the

accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle

the way you want it

go,

and slow down.

Speed limit

signs near curves warn that you should

adjust your speed.

course, the

posted

speeds

are

based on good weather and road conditions. Under less

favorable conditions you’ll want to

go slower.