check engine PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2007 Owner's Guide

How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage the transaxle. Too much can mean
that some of the uid could come out and fall
on hot engine or exhaust system parts,
starting a re. Too little uid could cause the
transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle
uid.Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
358

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear, pausing for
about three seconds in each one. Then,
position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to
ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
The transaxle uid
dipstick handle has this
symbol on it, and is
located near the rear of
the engine compartment.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 346
for more information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
crosshatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
359

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 483.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the crosshatched
area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 483.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever
occurs rst, if only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant is added.
The following explains the cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If there is
a problem with engine overheating or if coolant
needs to be added to the radiator, seeEngine
Overheating on page 364.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
360

If coolant needs to be added more than four times
a year, have your dealer check the cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 483for more information.Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery
tank cap has this
symbol on it.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 346
for more information on the location of the
coolant recovery tank.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at the cold ll line or a little higher. The
cold ll line is marked with the same symbol as
the coolant recovery tank cap.
362

Adding Coolant
If more coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the coolant
recovery tank, but be careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty,
add coolant to the radiator. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 364.
{CAUTION:
Turning the 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 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. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the
radiator. For information on how to add coolant to
the radiator, seeCooling System on page 366.
363

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at or above the cold ll line on the coolant
recovery tank. To check the coolant level, look for
the cold ll line on the side of the coolant
recovery tank that faces the engine. If the level is
not correct, there may be 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(s) are running. If the engine is overheating,
the fan(s) should be running. If the fan(s) are not
running, the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 366for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could 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.
368

10. Start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan(s).
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the
radiator ller neck may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture through the ller neck until the
level reaches the base of the ller neck.12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time
during this procedure if coolant begins to ow
out of the ller neck, reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight
and fully seated.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The
level in the coolant recovery tank should be
at the cold ll line when the engine is cold.
How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (5.3L V8 Engine)
Notice:Your engine has a specic cooling
system drain and ll procedure. Failure
to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
If your engine’s cooling system needs to
be drained and re-lled, please see your dealer.
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown,
3800 V6 Engine similar
374

Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 346for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless a leak is suspected in the
system, or an unusual noise is heard. A uid loss
in this system could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir
clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the
uid level on the dipstick
The uid level should be between the ADD and
HOT marks when the engine is cold.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the HOT mark.
If the uid is at the ADD mark when the engine is
cold or hot, power steering uid should be added.
376

{CAUTION:
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 ashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
battery installed in your new vehicle. But
if a battery has ller caps, be sure the
right amount of uid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that rst. If you
do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.5. Check that the jumper cables do not 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 has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−), or
you will get a short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts too. And do not
connect the negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the dead battery
because this can cause sparks.
385

If a Tire Goes Flat (GXP)
GXP models have no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment, and no place for storing a spare or
at tire. If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level
place and stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 134.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake rmly
and put the shift lever in PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 116for
additional information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel or
has damaged sidewalls or large tears that
allow rapid air loss, call a tire repair facility. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 498.
If the at tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail
or other similar road hazard, the tire inator kit may
be used to temporarily repair the damaged tire.The kit uses a liquid tire sealant to seal small
punctures in the tread area of the tire. The at tire is
then inated to at least 30 psi (207 kPa) and driven
to evenly distribute the tire sealant. The tire
pressure is checked after driving for a maximum of
ve miles (8.0 km) to see if the slow leak has been
stopped. If the tire pressure is 19 psi (131 kPa) or
more, inate the tire up to the standard operating
pressure as shown on the tire and loading
information label. This label is attached to the
vehicle’s center-pillar below the driver’s door latch.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 408.
Notice:If the tire pressure has dropped below
19 psi (131 kPa), the vehicle should not be
driven. Damage to the tire may be severe and
the sealant will not be effective. Contact
Roadside Assistance, seeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 498.
You should have the damaged tire repaired as
soon as possible. The tire sealant is a temporary
repair only. If the tire has been lled with tire
sealant, take the tire to a GM dealer for inspection
and repair. SeeTire Inator Kit (GXP) on
page 424for additional information.
423