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1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 230

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Manual

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Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feelof handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that thevehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer an'dnot nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure you the brakes are working. This lets check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working, Following Bistance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicleahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy bralung and sudden turns. Passing You'll need more passing distanceup ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steeringwheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,just move that hand to the left. To move the trailerto the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you. 4-36

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

Driving

with

Trailer

Following

Bistance

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount

experience.

Before

setting

out

for

the

open

road, you’ll want to get

to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the

feel

handling and braking with the added weight of the

trailer. And always keep in mind that

the vehicle you

are

driving

now

good deal longer an’d not nearly as

responsive as your vehicle

by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform

(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,

lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has

electric brakes, start your vehicle

and

trailer

moving

and

then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure

the brakes

are

working.

This

lets

you check your

electrical connection at the same time.

During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the

load

secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes

are still working,

Stay at least twice as far behind the

vehicle ahead as you

would when driving

your

vehicle without

trailer.

This

can help

you

avoid situations that require heavy bralung

and sudden turns.

Passing

You’ll need more passing

distance up ahead when

you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re

good deal

longer, you’ll need to

much farther

beyond

the

passed vehicle before

you

can

return to your lane.

Backing

Hold the bottom of the

steering wheel with one

hand.

Then, to move the trailer to the

left,

just

move

that hand

to the left.

move the

trailerto the right, move your

hand to

the

right. Always back

up slowly and,

possible, have someone guide

you.

4-36