check engine light PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004 User Guide

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOLžengine coolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOLž(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOLžis added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner ± at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
žis not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOLžengine coolant which won't
damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
{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 ®re and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you don't
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-27

{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap -- even a little -- when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
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.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see
Cooling System on page 5-32.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
over¯ow tube on the radiator ®ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger's side, near
the diagonal cross brace. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light concerning an overheated engine condition on
the instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-39andEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-39.
5-29

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 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 6-10andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-14.
Footnotes
²The 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 6-15.
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and ®lter as indicated by the GM
Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs ®rst). Reset the system.
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 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 ®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.
6-5

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-64
Chains, Tires..................................................5-77
CHANGE OIL SOON.......................................3-66
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE........................3-67
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-40
Check Engine Light.........................................3-40
CHECK GAS CAP..........................................3-67
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE...............................3-68
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-16
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-56
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-41
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-45
Top Strap...................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-40
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-24
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-90
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-93
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-95
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-94
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-90
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-92
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-92
Cleaning Leather............................................5-92
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-92
Cleaning Tires................................................5-95
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-92
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-29
Compact Disc Messages..............3-99, 3-113, 3-128
Compact Spare Tire................................5-88, 5-89
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-14
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-38
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-39
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-39
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-17
3

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-99
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-99
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-99
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-99
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-11
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-42
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-48
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-39
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-39
Coolant......................................................5-26
Cooling System Inspection............................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-19
Supercharger Oil.........................................5-21
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-10
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-44
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-10
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance..................... 6-5
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)......................4-11
Warning Light.............................................3-38
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Express-Down Window....................................2-13
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamp Control Lever.............................3-12
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver..........................3-16
F
Fan ..............................................................3-25
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finding a PTY Station
(RDS and XMŸ).....................3-93, 3-104, 3-118
Finding a Station.........................3-91, 3-102, 3-116
Finish Care....................................................5-94
Finish Damage...............................................5-95
Flash-To-Pass Feature.....................................3-14
Flat Tire........................................................5-78
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-24
Power Steering...........................................5-42
Windshield Washer......................................5-43
FM Stereo....................................................3-130
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-44
5

Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Following Distance..........................................4-41
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-18
Front Seat Storage Net....................................2-37
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps.........5-62
Fuel
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-44
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-14
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-99
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-39
Fuel..........................................................3-44
Speedometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5Glove Box.....................................................2-36
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-56
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-99
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps.....5-62
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-59
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps................5-60
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED.............................3-70
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-19
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-44
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-26
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-26
Hitches..........................................................4-40
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-5
HOT COOLANT..............................................3-70
HOT ENGINE OIL. REDUCE SPEED................3-71
6

HOT TRANS FLUID........................................3-72
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-35
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-37
How to Add Fluid............................................5-26
How to Check and Add Oil...............................5-22
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-42
How to Check........................................5-24, 5-69
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydroplaning..................................................4-22
I
If No Steam is Coming From Your Engine..........5-31
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-30
If the HUD Image Is Not Clear.........................3-22
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-41
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-32
If You Can't See the HUD Image When the
Ignition Is On..............................................3-22
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-38
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-30
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-69Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-15
Engine Cooling System................................6-15
Exhaust System..........................................6-14
Fuel System...............................................6-14
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-14
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-14
Throttle System...........................................6-15
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-32
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Interior Lamps................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-16
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-100
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-49
K
KEY FOB BATTERY LOW...............................3-73
KEY IN IGNITION...........................................3-73
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-11
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
7

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-14
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-14
Part D - Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-16
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-14
Throttle System Inspection............................6-15
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-44
Making Turns.................................................4-42
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Climate Control System........................3-25
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle................. 2-5
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ± Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
ž.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-34
Mode............................................................3-25
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-105
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-16
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Supercharger, Engine...................................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-36
OnStaržServices............................................2-35
9

Setting the Time.............................................3-88
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble).......3-92, 3-103, 3-117
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-95
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-18
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-22
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-91
Speci®cations, Capacities...............................5-104
Speedometer..................................................3-33
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-8
Stabilitrak
žPlus System..................................4-13
STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE.........................3-85
STABILITY CONTROL OFF..............................3-85
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-12
STARTING DISABLED DUE TO
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL............3-86
STARTING DISABLED DUE TO
THEFT SYSTEM.........................................3-86
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-19
Steering........................................................4-14
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-15
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-14
Steering Tips..................................................4-14
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-129Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-37
Convenience Net.........................................2-38
Front Seat Storage Net................................2-37
Glove Box..................................................2-36
Overhead Console.......................................2-36
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-87
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-88
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-32
Sun Visors.....................................................2-13
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-37
Sunroof.........................................................2-39
T
3800 V6 Engine.............................................5-12
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine.........................5-14
Tachometer....................................................3-33
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-64
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-38
Temperature...................................................3-27
THEFT SYSTEM NOT PROGRAMMED.............3-86
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-128
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-14
PASS-Key
žIII .............................................2-15
PASS-KeyžIII Operation..............................2-16
13

Throttle System Inspection...............................6-15
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire In¯ation Check.........................................6-10
Tires.............................................................5-68
Buying New Tires........................................5-73
Chains.......................................................5-77
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-78
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-89
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-78
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-69
Inspection and Rotation................................5-71
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-70
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-75
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-72
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-40
Torque Lock...................................................2-29
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-33
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-37
Your Vehicle...............................................4-33
Traction
Control System (TCS)..................................4-10
Control System Warning Light.......................3-38
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)...................4-11Traction (cont.)
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-38
Stabilitrak
ž& Plus System.............................4-13
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE.........................3-87
TRACTION CONTROL OFF.............................3-87
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-40
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-24
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transmission
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-35
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trunk............................................................2-10
Trunk Assist Handle........................................2-11
Trunk Lock....................................................2-10
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-14
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-87
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-42
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-13
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-102
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-130
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-74
14