check engine PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2007 Owner's Manual

Service........................................................ 336
Accessories and Modications................... 336
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 337
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 337
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 338
Fuel............................................................. 338
Gasoline Octane........................................ 338
Gasoline Specications.............................. 339
California Fuel........................................... 340
Additives................................................... 340
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 341
Filling the Tank......................................... 342
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 344
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 344
Hood Release........................................... 345
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 346
Engine Oil................................................. 350
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 353
Supercharger Oil....................................... 355
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 355
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 357Engine Coolant.......................................... 360
Pressure Cap............................................ 364
Engine Overheating................................... 364
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 366
Cooling System......................................... 366
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 376
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 377
Brakes...................................................... 378
Battery...................................................... 381
Jump Starting............................................ 382
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 388
Bulb Replacement....................................... 391
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 391
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 391
Front Turn Signal, Parking and
Fog Lamps............................................ 394
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps...... 395
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 397
License Plate Lamp................................... 398
Replacement Bulbs................................... 398
Windshield Replacement............................ 399
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
333

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow 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
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your engine. You will nd the VIN at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 458.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 3800 V6 engine
(VIN Code 2), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you may notice an
audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
338

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. See
the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is
not available in states adopting California
emissions standards, your vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 180. 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.
Additives
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. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves
clean, or if your vehicle experiences problems due
to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that
is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Also, your dealer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
340

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll 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:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed, or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before
operating the nozzle. Contact should
be maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not 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.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, 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.
344

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 377.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 381.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 382.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 462.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 366.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 364.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in
engine compartment). SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 376.
H. Supercharger Oil Fill Location (If Equipped).
SeeSupercharger Oil on page 355.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 366.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 350.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 350.
L. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling
System on page 366.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 357.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 378.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 355.
347

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 377.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 381.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 462.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 382.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 364.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 376.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 350.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 350.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 357.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 378.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 355.
L. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 366.
349

Engine Oil
If this symbol, along with
the LOW OIL LEVEL
message appears on the
Driver Information
Center (DIC), it means
you need to check
the engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see LOW OIL LEVEL under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 200. You
should check the engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 346
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil
several minutes to drain back into the oil pan.
If you do not do this, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
350

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will
provide easier cold starting and better protection
for the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the engine oil. The
recommended oils with the starburst symbol that
meet GM Standard GM6094M are all you will need
for good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 200. Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system may not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However, the
engine oil and lter must be changed at least
once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important
to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
353

Supercharger Oil
Because they are technically qualied and have
the proper tools, you should have your dealer
perform this maintenance.
When to Check
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 476for
when the oil level should be checked.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 483.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 346for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 473for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil
change.
355

5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs
through the slots on the housing. If your
vehicle has one of the 3800 V6 engines, a
notch on the sides of the lter cover will
indicate the correct engagement.
6. Push the cover tabs on top of the housing to
lock the cover in place.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 476, and
be sure to use the transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 483.
357