2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 301

If a Tire Goes Flat It's unusual for a tire to "blow out" while you're driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a "blowout", here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane. Changing a Flat Tire If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard warning flashers. I A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop - well off the road if possible. If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely. Chant_ g a tire can cause an injury. The v icle can slipoff the jack and roll over you or other people. You and they could badly injured. be Find a level place to change your To help tire. prevent the vehicle from moving: 1. Set the parking brake firmly. 2. Put theshift lever in PARK (P). 3. Turn off the engine. To be even more certain the vehicle won't move, you can put blocks the front and at rear of the tire farthest from the one away being changed. Thatwould be the tire on the other side the vehicle,at the of opposite end. 5-76