Pontiac Grand Am (2002 year). Manual - part 15

5-23

4. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench

clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room for the compact
spare tire to fit underneath the wheel well.

5. Remove all of the wheel nuts.

6. Remove the flat tire.

7. Remove any rust or dirt

from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.

CAUTION:

Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.

5-24

CAUTION:

Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.

8. Install the compact spare tire.

9. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of

the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held against the hub.

10. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench

counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

11. Tighten the 

wheel nuts 
firmly in a
crisscross
sequence, 
as shown.

5-25

CAUTION:

Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.

Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have 
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 
100 lb

-

ft (140 N·m).

NOTICE:

Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.

NOTICE:

Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.

5-26

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools

CAUTION:

Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.

Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the adapter
and wing nut. Place the cover and the nut on top of the
flat tire. Store the jack and the wrench in the foam tray.

A. Nut

B. Cover

C. Wing Bolt

D. Adapter

E. Wrench

F. Jack

G. Tool Tray

H. Flat Tire

5-27

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools

CAUTION:

Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.

The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full

-

size tire as soon as you

can. See “Compact Spare Tire” in the Index. See the
storage instructions label to replace your compact spare
into your trunk properly.

A. Nut

B. Cover

C. Wing Bolt

D. Adapter

E. Wrench

F. Jack

G. Tool Tray

H. Compact Spare Tire

5-28

Compact Spare Tire

Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated 
when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 
60 psi (420 kPa).

After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, 
you should stop as soon as possible and make sure 
your spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph 
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full

-

size tire

repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s best
to replace your spare with a full

-

size tire as soon as you

can. Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in
case you need it again.

NOTICE:

When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.

Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.

And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.

NOTICE:

Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.

5-29

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, 
Ice or Snow

In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you 
will need to spin the wheels, but you don’t want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as “rocking”
can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must
use caution.

CAUTION:

If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.

NOTICE:

Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.

For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out

First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear 
(or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.

6-

6-1

Section 6

Service and Appearance Care

Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.

6

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2

Service

6

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3

Fuel

6

-

5

Fuels in Foreign Countries

6

-

6

Filling Your Tank

6

-

8

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

6

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8

Checking Things Under the Hood

6

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13

Engine Oil

6

-

20

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6

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22

Automatic Transaxle Fluid

6

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23

Manual Transaxle Fluid

6

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23

Hydraulic Clutch

6

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24

Engine Coolant

6

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28

Power Steering Fluid

6

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28

Windshield Washer Fluid

6

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30

Brakes

6

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33

Battery

6

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34

Bulb Replacement

6

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38

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

6

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39

Tires

6

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48

Appearance Care

6

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49

Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle

6

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51

Care of Safety Belts

6

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52

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle

6

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55

Finish Damage

6

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56

GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials

6

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57

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

6

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58

Electrical System

6

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63

Replacement Bulbs

6

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63

Capacities and Specifications

6

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64

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-2

Service

Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and
GM

-

trained and supported service people.

We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

Doing Your Own Service Work

If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service manual, see “Service
and Owner Publications” in the Index.

Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag

-

Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.

You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.

6-3

CAUTION:

You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
D Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,

experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

D Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and

other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.

Adding Equipment to the Outside of 
Your Vehicle

Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.

Fuel

Gasoline Octane

Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane 
of 87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may 
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is considered
normal. This does not indicate a problem exists or that 
a higher

-

octane fuel is necessary.

6-4

Gasoline Specifications

It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications
which were developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association for better
vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasolines
meeting these specifications could provide improved
driveability and emission control system performance
compared to other gasolines.

In Canada, look for 
the “Auto Makers’
Choice” label on 
the pump.

Canada Only

California Fuel

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label), 
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index)
and your vehicle may fail a smog

-

check test. If this

occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.

6-5

Additives

Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane

-

enhancing additive

called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. 
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer 
for service.

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available 
in your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly 
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.

NOTICE:

Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your 
fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under
your warranty.

Fuels in Foreign Countries

If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard 
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.

To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.

6-6

Filling Your Tank

CAUTION:

Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

The tethered fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle.

While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside the fuel door.

To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; 
if you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back 
to the right.

6-7

CAUTION:

If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for
any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.

Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in 
the Index.

NOTICE:

If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you
get the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This
may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See “Malfunction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.

6-8

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

CAUTION:

Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
D Dispense gasoline only into 

approved containers.

D Do not fill a container while it is inside a

vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

D Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the

inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

D Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.

Checking Things Under the Hood

CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.

6-9

CAUTION:

Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.

Hood Release

To open the hood, do the following:

1. Pull the handle located

under the instrument
panel on the driver’s
side of the vehicle.