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1995 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 152

1995 Pontiac Grand Prix Manual

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Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. However,if you don't haveanti-lock, your first reaction -- to hit the brake pedal hard and holdit down -- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can't respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was headed whenthe wheels stoppedrolling. That could be offthe road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic. If you don't have anti-lock, use a "squeeze" braking technique. This will give you maximum braking while maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure. In an emergency you will probably want to "squeeze" the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This or feel the will help you retainsteering control. (If you do have anti-lock, it's different: see "Anti-Lock Brakes'' in the Index.) In many emergencies, steering can helpyou more than even the very best 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. Steering Tips Driving onCurves It's importantto take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen oncurves. Here's why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same lawsof physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there's notraction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever 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, the angle at which the curve is banked, and yourspeed. While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. 4-9

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Seats and Seat Controls	8
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	12
Why Safety Belts Work	13
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	17
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	36
Children	43
Child Restraints	45
Larger Children	58
Safety Belt Extender	61
Checking Your Restraint Systems	61
RepIacing Seat and Restraint System	61
Features and Controls	62
Keys	62
Door Locks	64
PASS Key - II	72
New Vehicle “Break-In”	73
Ignition Switch	73
Automatic Transaxle	77
Parking Brake	82
Parking Over Things That Burn	86
Engine Exhaust	86
Running Your Engine WhiIe You’re Parked	87
Power Windows	88
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	89
Windshield Wipers	91
Windshield Washer	91
Lamps	95
Mirrors	100
Storage and Compartments	102
Sun Visors	104
Ashtrays and Lighter	105
Instrument Panel	107
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	109
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	126
Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls	126
Heating	128
Ventilation	128
Defogging and Defrosting Windows	128
Air Conditioning	128
Audio Systems	130
Setting the Clock	130
AM/FM Stereo Radio	130
Playing a Cassette Tape	134
Playing a Compact Disc	135
Understanding Radio Reception	138
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	140
Care of Your Compact Discs	140
Fixed Mast Antenna	141
Your Driving and the Road	144
Defensive Driving	144
Drunken Driving	145
Control of a Vehicle	148
Braking	148
Steering	152
Off-Road Recovery	154
Loss of Control	156
Driving at Night	157
Driving in the Rain	159
City Driving	161
Freeway Driving	162
Highway Hypnosis	164
Hill and Mountain Roads	164
Winter Driving	166
Towing a Trailer	172
Problems on the Road	180
Hazard Warning Flashers	180
Jump Starting	181
Towing Your Vehicle	186
Engine Overheating	192
If a Tire Goes Flat	202
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	212
Service and Appearance Care	214
Service	214
Fuel	216
Checking Things Under the Hood	220
Engine Oil	223
Air Cleaner	228
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	229
Engine Coolant	232
Power Steering Fluid	235
Windshield Washer Fluid	237
Brakes	238
Battery	241
Halogen Bulbs	241
Bulb Replacement	245
Tires	259
Appearance Care	267
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	276
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	277
Capacities and Specifications	284
Maintenance Schedule	288
Introduction	288
How This Section is Organized	289
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance	290
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	290
Selecting the Right Schedule	290
Maintenance Schedule	291
Schedule I	293
Schedule II	313
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	323
Part C: Periodic Maintenance	326
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	327
Part E: Maintenanc Record	329
Customer Assistance Information	334
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	334
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech Impaired (TDD)	335
GM Participation in BBB AUTO LINE Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	336
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS to the United States Government	337
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS to the Candian Government	338
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS to General Motors	338
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program	338
Service and Owner Publications	340

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Braking

Emergencies

At some time, nearly

every driver gets into a situation

that requires hard braking.

you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the

same time.

However,

you

don’t

have anti-lock, your

first reaction

hit the brake pedal hard and

holdit

down

may

be the wrong

thing to do. Your wheels can

stop rolling. Once

they do, the vehicle can’t respond to

your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever

direction it was

headed

when

the wheels

stopped rolling.

That could

off the road, into the very

thing

you

were

trying to avoid, or into traffic.

you don’t

have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking

technique. This will give you

maximum braking while

maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing

the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.

In an emergency

you will probably

want to “squeeze”

the brakes hard

without locking the wheels. If

you hear

feel

the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This

will

help

you

retain steering control.

(If

you

have

anti-lock, it’s

different: see “Anti-Lock Brakes’’

in the

Index.)

In many emergencies, steering can

help you

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

effort.

Steering

Tips

Driving

Curves

It’s

important to take curves at a reasonable speed.

lot of the “driver lost control” accidents

mentioned

the

news

happen

on curves. Here’s

why:

Experienced driver or beginner, each of

us is subject to

the same

lawsof physics

when

driving

curves. The

traction of the tires against the road surface makes it

possible for the vehicle to change its path

when

you

turn

the front wheels.

there’s

traction, inertia will

keep

the vehicle

going

the

same

direction. If you’ve ever

tried to steer a vehicle

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, the angle

at which

the curve is banked,

and

your speed. While

you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you

can

control.

4-9