check engine PONTIAC GTO 2004 Owner's Guide

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The coolant level should be checked at least weekly, by
looking at the level on the coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The vehicle must be on a level surface.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at or slightly above the COLD FILL mark, at
the center weld joint. The level rises when the engine is
running and drops when the engine cools down. If
the level falls below the weld joint, the coolant should
be added to a little over the mark. Do not overfill,
as coolant requires space to expand when warmed up.
If the Low Coolant message on the trip computer
display comes on and stays on, it means you’re low on
engine coolant. You should check the level as soon
as possible. You may have to check the coolant level
when it is hot. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-28.
5-27

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
with the parking brake applied, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle while
you get out and check that the cooling fan is
working.
2. If the fan is working and the temperature gauge
needle has not returned to its normal position
within a few minutes, stop the engine and remove
the ignition key.
Look for leaks at the radiator hoses and
connections, heater hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump. Be careful when checking
these areas as they will probably still be hot. If
you find a major leak or other problems that may
have caused the engine to overheat, do not run the
engine until these problems have been corrected.
If you do not find anything wrong, you should check
the engine coolant level. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25. You should also check the air intake
area below the front bumper to ensure that it is clear
of leaves and road grime.3. Turn off your air conditioning and turn on your
heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and
open the window as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-30

The coolant level should be at or above the COLD FILL
mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the pressure
cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running. If
the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it isn’t, your vehicle needs service.Notice:If you operate the engine without coolant
or fail to maintain the cooling system properly,
you could damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for
maintaining your cooling system. SeeCooling
System on page 5-31for more information.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-32

Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
The fluid level should be checked after the vehicle has
been driven for at least 20 minutes, so that the fluid
is warm. A convenient time is when stopping for
gas. The cold level check should only be used after the
engine has not been running for at least five hours.
However, the hot level check is always recommended.
The fluid level can be viewed through the reservoir.
The level markings are next to the fluid window. When
the fluid is cold the level should be between the
COLD MIN and MAX marks; when the vehicle has been
driven for awhile and the fluid is hot the level should
be between the HOT MIN and MAX marks. If fluid must
be added, undo the cap counterclockwise to the
stop; then the cap can be lifted off. Do not overfill and
remember to replace the cap tightly. If you often need to
add fluid, you should see your dealer. Remember to
secure the cap when the level is correct and clean up
any spillage.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-36

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT-4 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake Fluid”
in this section.
When your brake fluid falls
to a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on
page 3-27.
5-38

Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid level
should be between the MIN and MAX marks on
the reservoir. If it is not, have your brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-4 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of
uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-78.
5-39

{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle with the dead
battery has one.
Don’t connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts, too. And don’t connect
the negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this can cause sparks.6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Don’t let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black
negative (−) cable to
the negative (−)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
negative (−) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
5-44

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer rst.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-52.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the metallic band inside the fuse. If the band is
broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some
feature of your vehicle that you can get along
without — like the radio or cigarette lighter — and use
its fuse, if it is the size you need. Replace it as soon as
you can.
Before replacing a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
5-87

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions.
Please refer toRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13for more information.
Capacities and Specications
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 1.8 lbs 0.8 kg
Automatic Transmission (Drain and Refill) 5.3 quarts 5.0 L
Cooling System 15.1 quarts 14.3 L
Engine Oil with Filter (Drain and Refill) 6.5 quarts 6.2 L
Fuel Tank 18.5 gallons 70.0 L
Manual Transmission 4.6 quarts 4.4 L
Rear Axle Fluid 1.7 quarts 1.6 L
Wheel Nut Torque 74–92 lb ft 100–125Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap
LS1 V8 G Automatic/Manual 0.040 inches (1.0 mm)
5-92

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-3
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-8Owner Checks and Services............................6-9
At Each Fuel Fill............................................6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Once a Year...................................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-13
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........6-15
Engine Drive Belt Routing..............................6-16
Maintenance Record.....................................6-17
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1