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2003 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 216

2003 Pontiac Grand Am Manual

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Towing a Trailer Y That's the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What's more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. If you don't use the correct equipment and drive properly, you can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well -- or even I ~ at all. You and your passengers could be seriously injured. You may also damage your vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Pull a trailer onlyif you have followed all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for advice and information about towing a trailer with your vehicle. If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you'll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle trailerinq capacity is for Vour vehicle, vou should read the information in "Weight of the Trailer" that appears later in this section. But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and It has to he L!sed proper!)/. 4-37

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Front Seats	9
Manual Seats	9
Six-Way Power Driver Seat	10
Reclining Seatbacks	10
Head Restraints	12
Seatback Latches	12
Easy Entry Seat	13
Power Lift Seat	14
Rear Seats	15
Rear Seat Operation	15
Safety Belts	16
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	16
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	20
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	21
Driver Position	21
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	29
Right Front Passenger Position	30
Rear Seat Passengers	30
Center Rear Passenger Position	34
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	36
Safety Belt Extender	38
Child Restraints	39
Older Children	39
Infants and Young Children	41
Child Restraint Systems	45
Where to Put the Restraint	48
Top Strap	49
Top Strap Anchor Location	50
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	51
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System	53
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position	53
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position	55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	57
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	60
Where Are the Air Bags?	62
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	63
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	64
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	64
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	65
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	66
Restraint System Check	67
Checking Your Restraint Systems	67
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	67
Features and Controls	70
Keys	71
Remote Keyless Entry System	72
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	73
Doors and Locks	76
Door Locks	76
Power Door Locks	77
Delayed Locking	77
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	77
Rear Door Security Locks	79
Lockout Protection	80
Leaving Your Vehicle	80
Trunk	81
Windows	84
Manual Windows	84
Power Windows	85
Sun Visors	85
Theft-Deterrent Systems	86
Passlock	86
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	87
New Vehicle Break-In	87
Ignition Positions	87
Starting Your Engine	88
Engine Coolant Heater	91
Automatic Transaxle Operation	93
Manual Transaxle Operation	96
Parking Brake	98
Shifting Into Park (P)	99
Shifting Out of Park (P)	101
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal	101
Parking Over Things That Burn	102
Engine Exhaust	102
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	103
Mirrors	104
Manual Rearview Mirror	104
Outside Remote Control Mirror	104
Outside Power Mirrors	105
Outside Convex Mirror	105
Storage Areas	106
Glove Box	106
Cupholder(s)	106
Center Console Storage Area	106
Sunroof	107
Instrument Panel	108
Instrument Panel Overview	109
Hazard Warning Flashers	111
Other Warning Devices	112
Horn	112
Tilt Wheel	112
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	113
Exterior Lamps	120
Interior Lamps	123
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	124
Climate Controls	125
Climate Control System	125
Outlet Adjustment	128
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	129
Instrument Panel Cluster	130
Speedometer and Odometer	131
Tachometer	131
Safety Belt Reminder Light	132
Air Bag Readiness Light	132
Charging System Light	133
Up-Shift Light	133
Brake System Warning Light	133
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	135
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	135
Enhanced Traction System Active Light	136
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	137
Low Coolant Warning Light	137
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	138
Oil Pressure Light	141
Low Oil Level Light	142
Change Engine Oil Light	142
Security Light	143
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light	143
Service Vehicle Soon Light	143
Fuel Gage	144
Audio System(s)	145
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)	145
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)	146
Radio with CD (Base Level)	146
Radio with CD (Up Level)	150
Radio with Cassette and CD	162
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios)	175
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios)	175
Audio Steering Wheel Controls	176
Understanding Radio Reception	177
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	177
Care of Your CDs	178
Care of Your CD Player	179
Fixed Mast Antenna	179
XM Satellite Radio Antenna System	179
DAB Radio Antenna System	179
Chime Level Adjustment	179
Driving Your Vehicle	180
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	181
Defensive Driving	181
Drunken Driving	181
Control of a Vehicle	185
Braking	185
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)	188
Steering	190
Off-Road Recovery	192
Passing	193
Loss of Control	194
Driving at Night	196
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	198
City Driving	200
Freeway Driving	201
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	202
Highway Hypnosis	203
Hill and Mountain Roads	204
Winter Driving	205
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	210
Towing	211
Towing Your Vehicle	211
Recreational Vehicle Towing	211
Loading Your Vehicle	214
Towing a Trailer	216
Service and Appearance Care	224
Service	226
Doing Your Own Service Work	226
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	227
Fuel	228
Gasoline Octane	228
Gasoline Specifications	228
California Fuel	229
Additives	229
Fuels in Foreign Countries	230
Filling Your Tank	230
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	232
Checking Things Under the Hood	233
Hood Release	233
Engine Compartment Overview	235
Engine Oil	238
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	244
Automotic Transaxle Fluid	245
Manual Transaxle Fluid	245
Hydraulic Clutch	246
Engine Coolant	246
Engine Overheating	249
Cooling System	252
Power Steering Fluid	259
Windshield Washer Fluid	260
Brakes	262
Battery	265
Jump Starting	266
Bulb Replacement	272
Halogen Bulbs	272
Headlamps	272
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps	273
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	273
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps	274
Replacement Bulbs	274
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	275
Tires	276
Inflation - Tire Pressure	277
Tire Inspection and Rotation	278
When It Is Time for New Tires	279
Buying New Tires	279
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	280
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	282
Wheel Replacement	282
Tire Chains	283
If a Tire Goes Flat	284
Changing a Flat Tire	285
Compact Spare Tire	294
Appearance Care	295
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	295
Care of Safety Belts	298
Weatherstrips	298
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	298
Sheet Metal Damage	300
Finish Damage	300
Underbody Maintenance	301
Chemical Paint Spotting	301
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	301
Vehicle Identification	303
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	303
Service Parts Identification Label	303
Electrical System	304
Add-On Electrical Equipment	304
Windshield Wiper Fuses	304
Power Windows and Other Power Options	304
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	304
Capacities and Specifications	309
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	311
Maintenance Schedule	312
Maintenance Schedule	313
Introduction	313
Your Vehicle and the Environment	313
Maintenance Requirements	313
How This Section is Organized	314
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	315
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	315
Scheduled Maintenance	316
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	320
At Each Fuel Fill	320
At Least Once a Month	320
At Least Twice a Year	321
At Least Once a Year	321
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	324
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	324
Exhaust System Inspection	324
Fuel System Inspection	324
Engine Cooling System Inspection	325
Throttle System Inspection	325
Brake System Inspection	325
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	326
Part E: Maintenance Record	327
Customer Assistance Information	330
Customer Assistance Information	331
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	331
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	332
Customer Assistance Offices	332
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	334
Roadside Assistance Program	334
Courtesy Transportation	335
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	337
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	338
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	338
Service Publications Ordering Information	338

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Towing

a Trailer

you

don’t

use

the

correct

equipment

and

drive

properly,

you

can

lose

control

when

you

pull

trailer. For

example,

the

trailer is

too

heavy, the

brakes

may

not

work

well

even

all. You and

your

passengers

could

seriously injured. You may also damage your

vehicle;

the

resulting

repairs

would

not

covered

your

warranty.

Pull

trailer

only

you

have

followed

all

the

steps

this

section.

Ask

your

dealer

for

advice

and

information

about

towing

trailer

with

your

vehicle.

Your

vehicle

can

tow a trailer

it is equipped with the

proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what

the

vehicle trailerinq capacity is for Vour vehicle, vou

should

read

the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that

appears

later in this section. But trailering is different

than just driving your

vehicle by itself. Trailering means

changes in handling, durability and fuel economy.

Successful,

safe trailering takes correct equipment, and

has

L!sed

proper!)/.

That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested,

important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of

these are important for your safety and that of your

passengers.

please read this section carefully before

you pull a trailer.

Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,

wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder

against the drag

the added weight. The engine

is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and

under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,

the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,

increasing the pulling requirements.

You

Decide

Pull

Trailer

If you do, here are some important points:

There are many different laws, including speed limit

restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure

your rig will be legal, not only where you live

but also

where you’ll be driving.

good source for

this information can be state or provincial police.

Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch

dealer about sway controls.

4-37