Pontiac Grand Am (2002 year). Manual - part 18

6-42

When It’s Time for New Tires

One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.

You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
D You can see the indicators at three or more places

around the tire.

D You can see cord or fabric showing through the 

tire’s rubber.

D The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep

enough to show cord or fabric.

D The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
D The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that

can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.

6-43

Buying New Tires

To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire

-

Loading Information label.

The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all

-

season tread

design, the TPC number will be followed by an “MS”
(for mud and snow).

If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias

-

belted or radial) as your original tires.

CAUTION:

Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias

-

belted tires), the vehicle may not

handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.

It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.

CAUTION:

If you use bias

-

ply tires on your vehicle, the

wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial

-

ply

tires with the wheels on your vehicle.

6-44

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. 
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter

-

type snow

tires, space

-

saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with

nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited

-

production tires.

While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. 
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and 
a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course 
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction 

--

 AA, A, B, C

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, 
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight

-

ahead braking

traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

6-45

Temperature 

--

 A, B, C

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance

The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.

Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.

6-46

Wheel Replacement

Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.

Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.

Each new wheel should have the same load

-

carrying

capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.

CAUTION:

Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel 
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose 
air and make you lose control. You could have a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts for replacement.

NOTICE:

The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.

See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for 
more information.

6-47

Used Replacement Wheels

CAUTION:

Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel,
use a new GM original equipment wheel.

Tire Chains

CAUTION:

If your vehicle has P225/50R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.

Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension or other vehicle parts. The
area damaged by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.

Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.

If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the front tires.

6-48

NOTICE:

If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/50R16 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.

Appearance Care

Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.

Never use these to clean your vehicle:
D Gasoline
D Benzene
D Naphtha
D Carbon Tetrachloride
D Acetone
D Paint Thinner
D Turpentine
D Lacquer Thinner
D Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous 

--

 some more than 

others 

--

 and they can all damage your vehicle, too.

Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
D Alcohol
D Laundry Soap
D Bleach
D Reducing Agents

6-49

Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle

Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted surfaces
with a clean, damp cloth.

Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet

Your dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric and
carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well. You can get GM

-

approved cleaning products 

from your dealer. See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.

Here are some cleaning tips:
D Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
D Clean up stains as soon as you can 

--

 before they set.

D Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
D Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a 

clean area often. A soft brush may be used if 
stains are stubborn.

D If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean the

entire area immediately or it will set.

Using Cleaner on Fabric

1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.

2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask

surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.

3. Follow the directions on the container label.

4. Apply cleaner with a clean sponge. Don’t saturate

the material and don’t rub it roughly.

5. As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge

to remove any excess cleaner.

6. Wipe cleaned area with a clean, water

-

dampened

towel or cloth.

7. Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.

6-50

Special Fabric Cleaning Problems

Stains caused by such things as catsup, coffee (black),
egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine and
blood can be removed as follows:

1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the

soiled area with cool water.

2. If a stain remains, follow the cleaner instructions

described earlier.

3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, 

treat the area with a water/baking soda solution: 
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.

4. Let dry.

Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:

1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.

2. First, clean with cool water and allow to 

dry completely.

3. If a stain remains, follow the cleaner instructions

described earlier.

Cleaning Vinyl

Use warm water and a clean cloth.
D Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. 

You may have to do it more than once.

D Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain 

if you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and a vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for 
this product.

Cleaning Leather

Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
D For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your

dealer for this product.

D Never use oils, varnishes, solvent

-

based or abrasive

cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.

D Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned

immediately. If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.

6-51

Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel

Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.

Cleaning Interior Plastic Components

Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft 
cloth or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.

Care of Safety Belts

Keep belts clean and dry.

CAUTION:

Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.

Cleaning Glass Surfaces

Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or 
a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. See
“Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index.

NOTICE:

Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because 
they may cause scratches. Avoid placing decals 
on the inside rear window, since they may have 
to be scraped off later. If abrasive cleaners are
used on the inside of the rear window, an 
electric defogger element may be damaged. 
Any temporary license should not be 
attached across the defogger grid.

6-52

Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades

If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade 
or windshield.

Clean the outside of the windshield with a full

-

strength

glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads
do not form when you rinse it with water.

Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping
vigorously with a cloth soaked in full

-

strength

windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade 
with water.

Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.

Weatherstrips

Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them 
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. 
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every
six months. During very cold, damp weather 
more frequent application may be required. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle

The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.

Washing Your Vehicle

The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to 
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or 
cold water.

Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don’t use strong soaps or
chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,
removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM

-

approved cleaning products from your dealer. See

“Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index. Don’t
use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that
contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents should be
flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface,
or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all

-

cotton towel to avoid surface

scratches and water spotting.

High pressure car washes may cause water to enter 
your vehicle.

6-53

Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses

Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow
instructions under “Washing Your Vehicle.”

Finish Care

Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM

-

approved cleaning products

from your dealer. See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.

Your vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. 
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non

-

abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat 

paint finish.

NOTICE:

Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non

-

abrasive cleaners that are marked

safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.

Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.

6-54

Cleaning Aluminum Wheels 
(If Equipped)

Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.

The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners
with acid or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because
you could damage the surface. Do not use chrome polish
on aluminum wheels.

Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.

Cleaning Tires

To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.

NOTICE:

When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum

-

based products may damage the paint

finish and tires.

Sheet Metal Damage

If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti

-

corrosion material to the parts repaired or

replaced to restore corrosion protection.

Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide
the corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.

6-55

Finish Damage

Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.

Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch

-

up

materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.

Underbody Maintenance

Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and 
dust control can collect on the underbody. If these 
are not removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can 
occur on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.

At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.

Chemical Paint Spotting

Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create 
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon 
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet

-

shaped

discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched 
into the paint surface.

Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.

6-56

GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials

6-57

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.

Engine Identification

The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.

Service Parts Identification Label

You’ll find this label on the bottom of your spare tire
cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label is:
D your VIN,
D the model designation,
D paint information and
D a list of all production options and 

special equipment.

Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.