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2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 222

2003 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 feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not 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 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 is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Passing You'll need more passing distance up 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 steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your 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 you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. 4-4 1

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Front Seats	9
Manual Seats	9
Six-Way Power Driver Seat	10
Power Lumbar	10
Heated Seats	11
Reclining Seatbacks	11
Head Restraints	13
Safety Belts	14
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	18
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	19
Driver Position	19
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	27
Right Front Passenger Position	27
Center Passenger Position	28
Rear Seat Passengers	29
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	33
Safety Belt Extender	35
Child Restraints	36
Older Children	36
Infants and Young Children	39
Child Restraint Systems	42
Where to Put the Restraint	45
Top Strap	46
Top Strap Anchor Location	47
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	48
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System	50
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position	50
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position	53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	55
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	58
Where Are the Air Bags?	60
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	62
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	62
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	62
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	63
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	64
Restraint System Check	65
Checking Your Restraint Systems	65
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	65
Features and Controls	68
Keys	70
Remote Keyless Entry System	71
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	72
Doors and Locks	75
Door Locks	75
Power Door Locks	76
Last Door Closed Locking	76
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	77
Lockout Protection	77
Leaving Your Vehicle	78
Trunk	78
Windows	80
Power Windows	81
Sun Visors	81
Theft-Deterrent Systems	82
Content Theft-Deterrent	82
PASS-Key III	83
PASS-Key III Operation	84
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	86
New Vehicle Break-In	86
Ignition Positions	86
Starting Your Engine	87
Engine Coolant Heater	90
Automatic Transaxle Operation	91
Parking Brake	94
Shifting Into Park (P)	95
Shifting Out of Park (P)	97
Parking Over Things That Burn	97
Engine Exhaust	98
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	99
Mirrors	100
Manual Rearview Mirror	100
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar, Compass and Temperature Display	100
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display	101
Outside Power Mirrors	104
Outside Convex Mirror	104
OnStar System	105
Storage Areas	107
Glove Box	107
Overhead Console	107
Center Console Storage Area	107
Assist Handles	108
Purse or Litter Bag Holder	108
Rear Storage Area	108
Convenience Net	108
Trunk Access Panel	108
Sunroof	109
Instrument Panel	122
Instrument Panel Overview	123
Hazard Warning Flashers	124
Other Warning Devices	125
Horn	125
Tilt Wheel	125
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	126
Exterior Lamps	131
Interior Lamps	133
Head-Up Display (HUD)	136
Accessory Power Outlets	139
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)	140
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	140
Climate Controls	141
Dual Climate Control System	141
Outlet Adjustment	143
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	144
Instrument Panel Cluster	145
Speedometer and Odometer	146
Tachometer	146
Safety Belt Reminder Light	147
Air Bag Readiness Light	147
Charging System Light	148
Brake System Warning Light	149
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	150
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light	150
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	151
Low Traction Light	151
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light	152
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	152
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	153
Oil Pressure Light	156
Low Oil Level Light	157
Security Light	157
Fuel Gage	158
Low Fuel Warning Light	158
Driver Information Center (DIC)	159
Trip Computer	161
Control Buttons	163
Functions	163
Audio System(s)	165
Setting the Time	165
Radio with Cassette	166
Radio with CD (Base Level)	169
Radio with CD (Up Level)	172
Theft-Deterrent Feature	175
Audio Steering Wheel Controls	177
Understanding Radio Reception	178
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	179
Care of Your CDs	180
Care of Your CD Player	180
Backglass Antenna	180
Driving Your Vehicle	182
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	183
Defensive Driving	183
Drunken Driving	184
Control of a Vehicle	187
Braking	187
Traction Control System (TCS)	191
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)	192
Steering	194
Off-Road Recovery	196
Passing	196
Loss of Control	197
Driving at Night	199
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	200
City Driving	203
Freeway Driving	204
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	205
Highway Hypnosis	206
Hill and Mountain Roads	206
Winter Driving	208
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	213
Towing	214
Towing Your Vehicle	214
Recreational Vehicle Towing	214
Loading Your Vehicle	216
Towing a Trailer	218
Service and Appearance Care	226
Service	228
Doing Your Own Service Work	229
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	229
Fuel	230
Gasoline Octane	230
Gasoline Specifications	230
California Fuel	231
Additives	231
Fuels in Foreign Countries	232
Filling Your Tank	232
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	234
Checking Things Under the Hood	235
Hood Release	235
Engine Compartment Overview	237
Engine Oil	243
Supercharger Oil	249
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	250
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	252
Engine Coolant	255
Radiator Pressure Cap	258
Engine Overheating	258
Cooling System	261
Power Steering Fluid	271
Windshield Washer Fluid	273
Brakes	274
Battery	277
Jump Starting	278
Headlamp Aiming	284
Bulb Replacement	285
Halogen Bulbs	285
Headlamps	285
Front Turn Signal and Sidemarker Lamps	287
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	288
Taillamps, Sidemarker and Back-Up Lamps	289
Replacement Bulbs	291
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	292
Tires	293
Inflation -- Tire Pressure	293
Tire Inspection and Rotation	294
When It Is Time for New Tires	295
Buying New Tires	296
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	297
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	298
Wheel Replacement	298
Tire Chains	300
If a Tire Goes Flat	301
Changing a Flat Tire	301
Compact Spare Tire	312
Appearance Care	313
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	313
Care of Safety Belts	316
Weatherstrips	316
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	316
Sheet Metal Damage	318
Finish Damage	318
Underbody Maintenance	318
Chemical Paint Spotting	319
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	319
Vehicle Identification	321
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	321
Service Parts Identification Label	321
Electrical System	322
Add-On Electrical Equipment	322
Headlamp Wiring	322
Windshield Wiper Fuses	322
Power Windows and Other Power Options	322
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	322
Capacities and Specifications	327
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	329
Maintenance Schedule	330
Maintenance Schedule	331
Introduction	331
Your Vehicle and the Environment	331
Maintenance Requirements	331
How This Section is Organized	332
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	333
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	333
Scheduled Maintenance	334
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	338
At Each Fuel Fill	338
At Least Once a Month	338
At Least Twice a Year	339
At Least Once a Year	339
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	342
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	342
Exhaust System Inspection	342
Fuel System Inspection	342
Engine Cooling System Inspection	342
Throttle System Inspection	343
Brake System Inspection	343
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	344
Part E: Maintenance Record	345
Customer Assistance Information	348
Customer Assistance Information	349
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	349
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	350
Customer Assistance Offices	351
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	352
Roadside Assistance Program	352
Courtesy Transportation	353
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	356
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	356
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	356
Service Publications Ordering Information	357

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Driving

with a Trailer

Passing

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 feel

handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.

And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are

driving is now

good deal longer and not nearly as

responsive

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.

the trailer has

electric

brakes,

start

your vehicle and trailer moving and

then

apply

the trailer brake controller by hand to

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 is secure,

and

that the lamps and any trailer

brakes are still working.

Following

Distance

Stay

at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as

you

would

when driving your vehicle without a trailer.

This can help you avoid situations that require

heavy braking and

sudden turns.

You’ll

need

more passing distance up ahead when

you’re towing

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

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. To

move the trailer to the right, move your

hand to

the right. Always

back

up slowly and,

possible,

have

someone guide you.

Making Turns

Notice:

Making very sharp turns while trailering

could cause the

trailer

come in contact with the

vehicle.

Your

vehicle could be damaged. Avoid

making very sharp turns while trailering.

When

you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns

than normal. Do this

your trailer won’t strike

soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.

Avoid jerky or

sudden

maneuvers. Signal well in

advance.

4-4