maintenance PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Airbag System
.........................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-66
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-23
Mirrors
....................................................2-38
OnStar
®System
......................................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-38
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-55
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-94Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-27
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-54
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-61
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-61
Tires
......................................................5-62
Appearance Care
...................................5-109
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-119
Electrical System
....................................5-120
Capacities and Specications
...................5-128
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner ManualM

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or
frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-41for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-114.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, seeWhat
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-58. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
1-66

Outlet Adjustment
Turn the air outlets, located in the middle and at each
outboard side of the instrument panel, to adjust the
direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air
lter may need to be replaced. See “Passenger
Compartment Air Filter” following, for more
information.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter is located near the
passenger’s side windshield wiper arm, under the
inlet grille.
The lter traps most of the pollen from entering the
climate control system. Similar to the engine’s air lter,
it may need to be changed periodically to insure
system performance. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information.
To change the passenger compartment air lter,
1. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY and the
windshield wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF when the windshield
wipers are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and the air inlet grille.
5. Remove the hood weather-strip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, peeling it back
halfway.
3-36

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of
the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
The check engine
light comes on to
indicate that there is
an OBD II problem and
service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light comes on, as a check to show it is working,
when the ignition is turned ON/RUN but the engine is not
running. If the light does not come on, have it repaired.
This light also comes on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-50

If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection. This can
happen if you have recently replaced the battery or
if the battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This can take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If there is a problem with
the vehicle’s oil pressure,
this light may stay on
when the engine is started.
It may also come on while the vehicle is being driven.
This indicates that the engine could be low on oil or could
have some other oil problem. Have it xed right away.
3-52

The oil light could also come on in two other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to indicate
it is working. The light will go out when the
engine is started. If it does not come on while the
ignition is in the on position, there may be a problem
with the fuse or bulb. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-121.
If the brakes are applied quickly and the vehicle
makes a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light will
come on when the fog
lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-18for more information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set the
cruise control.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-12for more information.
3-53

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives important
safety and maintenance facts. When the vehicle’s
ignition is turned on, all of the DIC lights illuminate for a
few seconds and an introductory message will appear.
After this, the DIC will begin working.
DIC Operation and Displays
(Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) control buttons and
the message display screen are located above the
radio. The DIC gives important safety and maintenance
facts concerning the vehicle. The status of many of
the vehicle’s systems along with driver personalization
menus and warning messages about the vehicle’s
systems may display on the DIC screen.
The outside temperature automatically appears on
the bottom right corner of the DIC display screen.
If the outside temperature is below 38°F (3°C), the
temperature reading will toggle between displaying the
outside temperature and the word ICE for two minutes.
If there is a problem with the system that controls
the temperature display, the letters OC (Open Circuit)
or SC (Short Circuit) will appear on the display.
If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.The vehicle’s shift lever position and the direction the
vehicle is traveling will also appear on the DIC screen.
The compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates
the need to manually set the compass. However, under
certain circumstances, such as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to compensate
for compass variance and reset the zone through
the DIC. SeeDIC Compass (Uplevel DIC) on page 3-65
for more information.
The buttons on the DIC trip computer are gages,
trip odometer, set/reset, options, and fuel.
Gages
2(Gages):Press this button to access the OIL LIFE
REMAINING, TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE,
BATTERY, ENGINE HOURS, and MAXIMUM Gs modes.
3-55

DIC Operation and Displays
(Base Level DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) control buttons and
the message display screen are located above the
radio. The DIC gives important safety and maintenance
facts concerning the vehicle. The status of many of
the vehicle’s systems along with driver personal
programming mode menus and warning messages
about the vehicle’s systems may display on the
DIC screen.
The vehicle’s shift lever position will also appear.
The buttons on the base level are trip odometer,
set/reset, and options.
Trip Odometer
3(Trip Odometer):Press this button to access the
odometer and trip distance modes.
The rst menu on the DIC screen will be the odometer
reading, or cumulative mileage of the vehicle. The
odometer cannot be reset.
Press the trip odometer button to advance to the
next menu.
Trip Distances:This menu shows the distances that
the vehicle has driven between specic points. The
trip odometer will record the number of miles up to
9,999.9 miles or 9 999.9 km travelled for up to two trips.
When 9,999.9 miles or 9 999.9 km is reached for either
trip, the odometer for that trip will go back to zero.
Press the trip odometer button again to access TRIP A.
Press the trip odometer button again to access TRIP B.
To reset the trip odometer(s) back to zero miles or
kilometers, access the trip to reset and press the set/
reset button.
The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active
reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to the
number of miles or kilometers driven since the ignition
was last turned on. This can be used if the trip odometer
was not reset at the beginning of the trip.
3-62

AJAR
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when a door or the trunk is not
closed properly. If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, this message also displays when the hood is not
closed properly. The graphic highlights the area that
is not closed properly. Make sure that the area indicated
is closed completely.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds for two seconds when the gear
position is shifted out of PARK (P). Press the set/reset
button to acknowledge this message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message continues to display for three seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for three seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects that the
battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable level.
The battery saver system starts reducing certain features
of the vehicle which you may be able to notice. At the point
that the features are disabled, this message is displayed.
It means that the vehicle is trying to save the charge in
the battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge. The normal battery voltage range
is 11.5 to 15.5 volts. If your vehicle has the uplevel DIC,
you can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by pressing
the gages button until BATTERY appears.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message displays when service is required for the
vehicle. See your dealer/retailer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information.
3-68

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle will need service more often when it
pulls a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid, which should not be overlled, engine oil, drive
belts, cooling, and brake systems. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will help locate
them quickly. If trailering, it is a good idea to review
this information before starting on a trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.
4-36