engine coolant PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 Owner's Manual

1 L% CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX
COOL@ coolant.
Notice: In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant xture.
-
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-33

3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the hash mark on the label. Wait
about five minutes, then check to see
if the level is
below the hash mark. If the level is below the
hash mark, add additional coolant to bring the level
up to the hash mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the hash mark
for at least five minutes.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower than
the FULL
COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the
level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5-35

L
L
The windshield washer
fluid reservoir
is located in
the engine compartment
towards the front
of
the vehicle.
Notice:
e
@
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer
fluid until the tank is full. When
using concentrated washer
fluid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t
clean as well
as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it’s very cold. This allows for expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
5-38

82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
0 Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
Control Service.
U Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire lnspection and Rotation on
page 5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.2L Code F
L4 engine). An Emission Control Service.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
40°F (32°C) or
higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
if you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
U Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-23 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
U Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
6-8

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specified
to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added
to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-15 for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page 5-23
for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-37 for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tries are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget
to check your spare tire. See Tires on
page 5-53
for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning sholdd be done every
50 hours of tape play. See Audio System(s) on
page 3-38
for further details.
6-9

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage
Engine Oil Fluid/Lubricant
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity.
To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil
on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake Svstem
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hydraulic
Clutch System 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See Engine Coolant
on page
5-23.
Delco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
GM Optikleen Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No.
U.S. 12345347 in
Canada 1095351 7, or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid). Usage
Power Steering System
Manual
Transaxle
Automatic Transaxle
Key Lock
Cylinders
Hood Latch Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door Hinges
Weatherstrip Conditioning Fluid/Lubricant
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No.
U.S. 1052884, in
Canada 993294, or equivalent).
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
DEXRON-Ill Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No.
US. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No.
US. 12346293, in
Canada 992723, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGl
#2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No.
U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease
Canada 1974984, or equivalent).
(a! Part ?!e. V.S. 123?557S, Ir!
6-1 5

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

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
............................... 1-38
Infants and Young Children
........................... 1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
.......................... 1-44
Older Children
............................................. 1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................ 1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position
........................................... 1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position
........................................... 1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position
........................................... 1-50
Top Strap
................................................... 1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................ 1-43
Where to Put the Restraint
........................... 1-41
Chime Level Adjustment
.................................. 3-72
Cigarette Lighter
............................................. 3-1 7
Cleaning Inside of Your Vehicle
.................................. 5-72
Outside
of Your Vehicle ................................ 5-75
Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-75
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ....................... 5-76
Climate Control System
................................... 3-18
Outlet Adjustment
........................................ 3-21
Clutch, Hydraulic
............................................. 5-23
Yl?derhndy
M2l!?f5!?9!?ce ............................... E;-7g
Compact Disc Messages ................. 3.43. 3.54.
3-68
Compact Spare Tire
........................................ 5-71
Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-6
Coolant Engine Temperature Gage
............................ 3-30
Heater. Engine
............................................ 2-22
Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-30
Cooling System
.............................................. 5-29
Cruise Control
.................................................. 3-9
Current and Past Model Order Forms
................ 7-10
Customer Assistance Information Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-6
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
....................................................... 7-3
Customer Assistance
Off ices ........................... 7-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Government
.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
......... 7-9
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks
................ 2-9
Cupholder(s)
.................................................. 2-37
Fep5flt-1~ saf&/ nnfnptc to the IJn]fed sfzfe~ J --'VV.-
3

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