check engine light PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 User Guide

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the
dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see Part D:
Recommended Fluids and lubricants on page 6- 15.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you
will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page
5-12 for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
.1. ,- 5 * -,
LOW
Your vehicle has a low
washer fluid telltale that
will come on in the
instrument panel cluster
when the washer fluid
is low.
See
low Washer Fluid Warning light on page 3-36 for
more information.
5-37

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice: If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can be
damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able
to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice: If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off the radio and all lamps that aren’t
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative
(-) terminal locations on
each vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page
5-12 for more information on location.
c
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
5-44

Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don’t need to add water to the ACDelco@
battery installed in your new vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure
the right
amount of fluid is there. If
it is low, add water
to take care of that first. If you don’t, explosive
gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get
it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately. 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
qet 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.
5-45

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240
QQO km) should be repeated at the same interval
after
150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9
and Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page
6- 13.
Footnotes
t The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion
of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page
6- 14.
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the GM
Oil Life SystemTM (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Reset the system.
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when
to change the engine oil and filter. 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 light will come on. Change
your
oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel.
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, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the svstem
must be reset.
It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
6-5

A
Adding Washer Fluid ....................................... 5-37
Additional Program Information
........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel
................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment
............................ 5-81
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)
............................ 3-41 ~ 3-48, 3-59
Air Bag
Readiness Light
.......................................... 3-25
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)
............................................. 1-53
Air CleanedFilter, Engine ................................. 5-21
All Overseas Locations ...................................... 7-4
Aluminum Wheels
........................................... 5-77
Antenna, Fixed Mast
....................................... 3-72
Antenna, XMTM Satellite Radio System
............... 3-72
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light
.............. 3-28
Appearance Care
............................................ 5-72
Care
of Safety Belts .................................... 5-75
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Vehicle ................ 5-72
Finish Damage
............................................ 5-77
AM
............................................................... 3-70
ChPMim! Psi nt SFQttinCJ ............................... 5-78
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle .............. 5-75
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
.......... 5-78
Sheet Metal Damage
................................... 5-77
Underbody MaiGtenanee
............................... 5-78
Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-75 Ashtrays
........................................................ 3-17
Audio System(s)
............................................. 3-38
Audio Systems
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
...................... 3-69
Care
of Your Cassette Tape Player ................ 3-70
Care of Your CD Player
............................... 3-72
Care of Your CDs
........................................ 3-71
Chime Level Adjustment
............................... 3-72
DAB Radio Antenna System
.......................... 3-72
Fixed Mast Antenna
..................................... 3-72
Radio with Cassette and CD
......................... 3-55
Radio with CD
.................................... 3-39, 3-43
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)
................................ 3-39
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)
................................ 3-38
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................ 3-68
Understanding Radio Reception
..................... 3-70
XMTM Satellite Radio Antenna System
............ 3-72
Automatic Headlamp System
............................ 3-14
Automatic Transaxle
........................................ 2-19
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-22
Automatic Transaxle Check
.............................. 6-10
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
............................................. 6-11
Annrqtinn vy- IULIVII 1 L-r r) r)A ...................................................
1

Backing Up .................................................... 4-41
Battery
.......................................................... 5-42
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-1 7
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-23
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-10
Brake Parking
...................................................... 2-29
System Inspection
....................................... 6-1 4
System Warning Light
.................................. 3-26
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-42
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-39
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-42
Brake System Warning Light
............................ 3-26
Brake Wear
................................................... 5-41
Brakes .......................................................... 5-39
Braking
........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
..................................... 4-9
Break-in, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-18
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
........ 5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
............. 5-50
Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-49
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-51
Buying New Tires
........................................... 5-56
Headlamps
................................................. 5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
............ 5-51
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada
........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners
................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specifications
............................ 5-86
Carbon Monoxide
........................... 4-26, 4-37, 4-33
Care of Safety Belts
........................................ 5-75
Care of Your
Cassette Tape Player
................................... 3-70
CDS
.......................................................... 3-71
Cassette Deck Service ...................................... 6-9
Cassette Tape Messages
................................. 3-65
Center Console Storage Area
........................... 2-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
........... 5-50
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts
..... 1-27
Chains, Tires
.................................................. 5-60
Charging System Light
.................................... 3-26
Check
Checking Coolant
............................................ 5-25
Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood
...................... 5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-60
Chemical Paint Spotting
................................... 5-78
CD Player
.................................................. 3-72
CD Adapter Kits
............................................. 3-66
Engine Light
............................................... 3-31
2

DAB Radio .................................................... 3-70
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
......................... 3-13
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-1 9
Delayed Headlamps ........................................ 3-1 5
Delayed Locking ............................................... 2-8
Dinghy Towing
................................................ 4-33
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing
.................................................. 4-34
Dome Lamp
................................................... 3-16
Door
Delayed Locking
........................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-8
Rear Security Locks
..................................... 2-10
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-14
Six-Way Power Seat
...................................... 1-3
At Night
..................................................... 4-17
City
........................................................... 4-21
Defensive
..................................................... 4-2
Drunken
....................................................... 4-2
Freeway
..................................................... 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads
........................... 4-19
Winter
........................................................ 4-26
Locks
.......................................................... 2-7
Driver
Driving Driving
On Grades
.......................................... 4-42
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-20
Driving with
a Trailer ....................................... 4-40
Driving
Through Flowing Water
......................... 4-21
E
Easy Entry Seat ............................................... 1-6
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-81
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................... 5-81
Power Windows and Other Power Options
...... 5-81
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-81
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
..................... 2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
................................................... 3-33
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
......................................... 5-21
Battery
....................................................... 5-42
Change Engine Oil Light
............................... 3-35
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-31
Coolant
...................................................... 5-23
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage
........................... 3-30
Cooling System Inspection
............................ 6-14
Engine Compartment Overview
...................... 5-12
4

Engine (cont.) Exhaust
..................................................... 2-33
Oil
............................................................. 5-15
Overheating
................................................ 5-26
Starting
...................................................... 2-1 9
Engine Compartment Fuse Block ...................... 5-84
Engine Coolant Level Check
.............................. 6-9
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
.................. 4-43
Engine Oil Additives
........................................ 5-19
Engine Oil Level Check
..................................... 6-9
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
..................... 6-5
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
................................................ 3-29
Warning Light
............................................. 3-28
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
........................ 4-9
Entry/Exit Lighting
........................................... 3-1 6
Express-Down Window
.................................... 2-1 6
Extender, Safety Belt
....................................... 1-31
Exterior Lamps
............................................... 3-13
F
r-L-:- /r ...... rdulwualpct LI-IL r 7n .................................................
Filter Engine Air Cleaner
...................................... 5-21
Finding a PTY Station
(RDS, XMTM and DAB)
......................... 3.48. 3-59
Finding a Station
............................ 3.40, 3.45. 3-57
Finish Care
.................................................... 5-76
Finish Damage ............................................... 5-77 Fixed Mast Antenna
........................................ 3-72
Flash-to-Pass
................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire
........................................................ 5-61
Flat Tire, Changing
......................................... 5-62
FI
u id
Automatic Transaxle ..................................... 5-22
Manual Transaxle
........................................ 5-22
Power Steering
........................................... 5-36
Windshield Washer
...................................... 5-37
FM Stereo
..................................................... 3-70
Fog Lamps
.................................................... 3-15
Folding the Seatback
........................................ 1-8
Following Distance
.......................................... 4-41
Footnotes
........................................................ 6-5
Fuel
............................................................... 5-5
Additives
...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel
.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank
........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries
.............................. 5-7
Gasoline Octane
........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications
.................................. 5-5
System Inspection
....................................... 6-13
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................... 5-81
Windshield Wiper ......................................... 5-81
Gage
......................................................... 3-37
Fuses 5

G
Gage Engine Coolant Temperature
......................... 3-30
Fuel
.......................................................... 3-37
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-24
Tachometer
................................................. 3-24
Octane
........................................................ 5-5
Specifications ............................................... 5-5
Glass Surfaces ............................................... 5-74
Glove Box
..................................................... 2-37
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
.................................................... 7-5
Gasoline
H
Hazard
Warning Flashers .......................
Head Restraints ...................................
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer ........
Headlamps ..........................................
Bulb Replacement .............................
Halogen Bulbs ..................................
Headlamps Off in Park (P) .....................
Headlamps On Reminder .......................
Highway Hypnosis .................................
Hill and Mountain Roads ........................
Hitches ................................................
Hood Front
Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
...
........... 3-4
........... 1-5
........... 3-7
......... 5-49
......... 5-49
......... 5-50
......... 5-49
......... 3-15
........... 3-7
......... 4-24
......... 4-25
......... 4-39 Hood
(cont.)
Checking Things Under
................................ 5-10
Release ..................................................... 5-10
Horn
............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
................................................. 5-31
How
to Check ................................................ 5-54
How to Check and Add Fluid
............................ 5-23
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
.................. 5-37
How
to Use This Manual ...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14
Hydraulic Clutch
............................................. 5-23
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
........................ 6-10
Hydroplaning .................................................. 4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-27
If the Light Is Flashing ..................................... 3-32
If the Light Is On Steady ................................. 3-32
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ....... 4-31
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-37
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ........................... 4-29
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-18
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-12
Indicators
....................................................... 3-22
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-54
Infants
and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-34
6

Light (cont.) Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-31
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-34
Security
..................................................... 3-36
Service Vehicle Soon
................................... 3-36
Up-Shift
..................................................... 3-26
Loading Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-35
Lockout Protection
.......................................... 2-1 1
Locks Delayed Locking
........................................... 2-8
Door
........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
.................................... 2-1 1
Lockout Protection
....................................... 2-1 1
Power Door
.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks
............................. 2-10
Loss of Control
............................................... 4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light
.............................. 3-30
Safety
Belt Reminder
................................... 3-25
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
....................... 3-36
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
......
Maintenance Schedule At Each Fuel Fill
...................................
At Least Once a Month ..........................
At Least Once a Year ............................
At Least Twice a Year ............................
Brake System Inspection ........................
..... 5-88
....... 6-9
....... 6-9
..... 6-10
..... 6-10
..... 6-14 Maintenance Schedule
(cont.)
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-13
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-13
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ............... 6-9
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-13
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
............................................... 6-15
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................ 6-16
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ 6-14
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................... 6-2
Making Turns
................................................. 4-41
Malfunction Indicator Light
................................ 3-31
Manual Seats
................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
............................................ 2-20
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-22
Operation
................................................... 2-27
Manual Transaxle Check
.................................. 6-10
Manual Windows
............................................ 2-15
How
This Section is Organized
....................... 6-3
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
..................... 4-43
Matching Transmitterts) to Your Vehicle
............... 2-5
8