starting PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2003 Owners Manual

The 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Manual a
Seats and Restpaint Systems ........................... ? -1
Front Seats ............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-7
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-29
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) ......... 1-51
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-58
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
................................................. 2-1 3
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-1 5
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-19
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-33
Onstar@ System
...................................... 2-38
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-40
Sunroof
.................................................. 2-42
Vehicle Personalization
............................. 2-43
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-20
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
......... 3-23
Driver Information Center (DIC)
.................. 3-38
Trip Computer
......................................... 3-40
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-44
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
~rivingi yoerr Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-33
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-10
Headlamp Aiming
..................................... 5-59
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-60
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-67
Tires
...................................................... 5-68
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-88
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-96
Electrical System
...................................... 5-97
Capacities and Specifications
................... 5-1 02
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts .... 5-1 04
Maintenance Schedule ........................... ,6-1 ..
Maintenance Schedule ................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Reporting Safety Defects
......................... 7-9
Index ........................................ ..... 1

Section 2 Features and Controls
Keys ............................................................... 2.3
Remote Keyless Entry System
......................... 2.4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ........... 2.5
Doors and Locks ............................................. 2-8
Door Locks
.................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks
.......................................... 2-9
Last Door Closed Locking
................................ 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
.............. 2-10
Lockout Protection
........................................ 2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle
.................................... 2-1 1
Trunk
.......................................................... 2-1 1
Windows ........................................................ 2.13
Power Windows
............................................ 2-14
Sun Visors
................................................... 2.14
Theft-Deterrent Systems .................................. 2.15
Content Theft-Deterrent
................................. 2.15
PASS-Key@
Ill .......................................... 2.16
PASS-Key@
Ill Operation ........................... 2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ............... -2-1 9
New Vehicle Break-In
.................................... 2-19
Ignition Positions
.......................................... 2.19
Starting Your Engine
..................................... 2-20
Engine Coolant Heater
.................................. 2-23
Automatic Transaxle Operation
....................... 2.24 Shifting Into
Park
(P) ..................................... 2-28
Parking Over Things That Burn
....................... 2-30
Shifting
Out
of Park (PI ................................. 2-30
Engine Exhaust ............................................ 2-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
.... 2-32
Mirrors ........................................................... 2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror
................................ -2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Onstar@, Compass and Temperature
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display
.............. 2-34
Outside Power Mirrors
................................... 2-37
Outside Convex Mirror
................................... 2-37
OnStar@ System ............................................. 2-38
Storage Areas .... -2-40
Glove Box
................................................... 2-40
Overhead Console
........................................ 2-40
Center Console Storage Area
......................... 2-40
Assist Handles
............................................. 2-41
Purse or Litter Bag Holder
............................. 2-41
Rear Storage Area
........................................ 2-41
Convenience Net
.......................................... 2-41
Trunk Access Panel
...................................... 2-41
Display
.................................................... 2-33
....................................
Parking Brake .............................................. 2-27 Sunroof .................. ........... ............. 2.42
2-1

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In Ignition Positions
With
the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
five different positions. The ignition switch is located
on the right side of the steering column.
Notice: Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
e
e
e Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or
slow
- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index for
more information. A
(ACCESSORY): This position lets
you use things like
the radio and windshield wipers while the engine is
off. To use accessory, push in the key and turn it toward
you. The steering wheel will stay locked.
3-1 9

Notice: If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the
key or the ignition switch. If none
of these works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (LOCK): This position locks the ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature. It’s also
the only position from which you can remove the key.
C (OFF): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the
steering wheel like LOCK. Use
OFF if you must have
the vehicle pushed or towed.
D (RUN): This position is where the key returns to after
you start the vehicle. With the engine
off, you can use
RUN to display some of the warning and indicator lights.
E (START): This position starts the engine.
A warning chime will sound
if you open the driver’s door
while the ignition is in
OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power, (RAP), the power
windows, audio system and sunroof will continue to work
up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to
OFF and none of the doors are opened.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position - that’s a
safety feature. To restart while you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
Nofice: Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to
do the following:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully released.
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than
OFF or
LOCK. The shift lock release is always functional
except in the case
of a dead or low voltage
(less than
9 V) battery.
2-20

If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there is an override access slot that will
allow you to override the shift lock release.
. ": The override access slot is
located on the upper right
side of the console
shift panel.
To use the slot, do the following:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P) and that
2. Locate the override access slot on the upper right
the shift lever button
is fully released.
side of the shift panel.
3. Remove the override access slot cap.
4. insert a key into the access slot, press in and hold.
5. Press the shift lever button in and hold.
6. Remove the key from the slot.
7. Pull the shift lever into the desired gear position.
8. Reinstall the override access slot cap.
You will not be able to remove the key from the ignition
unless the shift lever is in the PARK (P) position with
the shift lever button fully released.
Starting Your 3100 V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds
between each try to help avoid draining your battery
or damaging your starter.
2-21

2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key
in START for not more than 15 seconds at a time.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine might not perform properly.
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
your ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And
the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds
between each try to help avoid draining your battery
or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, hold your key in
START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
This time keep the pedal down for five or six
seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine
might not perform properly.
2-22

Engine Coolant Heater

Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater. In very cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior
to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F
(OOC), use of the coolant
heater
is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located below the engine air
cleaner/filter near the coolant reservoir bottle. See
Engine Comparfment Overview on page
5-12
for more information on location.
3. Plug
it into a normal, grounded 1 IO-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord
won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before
to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
2-23

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
the regular brakes and press the shift control button
located on the front of the shift lever, before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever by pushing
it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release
the shift lever button. Then move the shift lever out
of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button.
See Shifting
Out of Park (P) on page 2-30.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transaxle, see If
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, ice or Snow on
page
4-32.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when the vehicle is being towed.
ini a d ‘e gea your enc_ e is
“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and
hit people or objects.
Don’t shift into a drive gear while your engine
is racing.
Notice: Damage to your transaxle caused by
shifting into a drive gear with the engine racing
isn’t
covered by your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(a): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power
for passing, and
you’re:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal about halfway
down.
accelerator pedal all the way down.
2-25

CD/PLAY: Press this button to play a CD when
listening to the radio.
EJECT: Press this button to stop a CD when it is
playing or to remove a CD when it is not playing.
The EJECT button will work with the radio
off.
Compact Disc Messages
E (Error): If this message and a number appears on
the radio display or
if the disc comes out, it could be for
one of the following reasons:
You’re driving on a very rough road. When the road
becomes smoother, the disc should play.
It’s very hot. When the temperature returns to
normal, the disc should play.
The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.
If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,
try a known good
CD.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, contact your dealer.
If your radio displays an
error number, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK@ is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is interrupted.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored.
If ignored, the system plays normally and
the radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK
is activated, your radio will not operate
if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret
code before it will operate.
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter
your secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system.
Read through all nine steps before starting the
procedure.
If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between
any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time
and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.
1. Write down any three or four-digit number from 000
to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
3-54

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity.
For one thing, following too closely reduces your
area of vision, especially
if you’re following a larger
vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space
if
the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops.
Keep back a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move
so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane.
If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And
if
something happens to cause you to cancel your
pass, you need only slow down and drop back again
and wait for another opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow vehicle,
wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying
to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate
your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror
is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following
driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease
a
little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens
when the three control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
4-1 6