1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX check engine light

Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it fiiy.
3800 Supercharged Engine
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a 3800 Supercharged engine.
The supercharger is a device which is designed to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air, mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the supercharger is a pump and is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost is not desired, such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass.
All of these controls working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency
in the
3800 Supercharged engine.
Engine Oil
LOW OIL
LEVEL
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check
your
engine oil level right away.
For more information, see “Low
Oil Level Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick
handle is the yellow loop
near the front of the engine.
6-13

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less
than one
pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ovefill.
LOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that label
is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused
by fluid other than DEXRON-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
under “How to Check” earlier in this section.
dipstick back in
all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating
or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL’
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (129°C).
J
e Protect against rust and corrosion.
e Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-26

Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
OOO km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
? The US. 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.
* Your vehicle has an Engine Oil Life Monitor. This
monitor will show you when to change the engine oil
and filter
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 OOO km) and
7,500 miles (12 500 km) since your last oil change.
Under severe conditions, the indicator may come
on
before 3,000 miles (5 000 km). Never drive your vehicle
more than
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
without
an oil and filter change.
The system won’t detect dust
in the oil. So if you drive
in
a dusty area, be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner if the CHANGE
OIL SOON light comes on. Remember to reset the
Oil Life Monitor when the oil has been changed. For
more information, see “CHANGE
OIL SOON light”
in the Index.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections”
in Part C of this schedule.

Driving City
................ ................... 4-22
Defensive
.................................. 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-23
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-29
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
IntheRain
.................................. 4-19
Night
...................................... 4-17
On Curves .................................. 4-12
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-25
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-28
Throughwater ............................... 4-21
WetRoads
.................................. 4-19
Winter
...................................... 4-27
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Driving at Night
................................ 4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
................. 4-19
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
.............. 4-21
DIU ......................................... 2-41
Drunken
Driving ................................ 4-3
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-39
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.......... 2.18.3.30. 6.62
Electrical System
............................... 6-62
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview Mirror
.......... 2-52
Engine
............................. 6.10.6.11. 6.12
Coolant. Checking ............................ 6-28
Coolant Heater ............................... 2-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-14
Coolant ..................................... 6-26 Coolant Temperature Gage
.................... 2-73
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-73
Coolant Temperature Light
..................... 2-76
Coolant. What to use
.......................... 6-27
Exhaust
.......... ...................... 2-31
Identification
................................ 6-61
OilLmelCheck
.............................. 7-14
Overheating
................................. 5-15
Running While Parked
......................... 2-32
Specifications
................................ 6-69
StartingYour ................................ 2-17
EngineOil
.................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-19
Checking
................................... 6-14
Used ....................................... 6-19
What Kind of Oil to Use
....................... 6-16
When to Add
................................ 6-15
When to Change
.............................. 6-19
Engine Oil Life Monitor
......................... 6-19
Enhanced Traction Control System
................. 4-11
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
........... 2-68
Entering Programming Mode
...................... 2-46
Ethanol ........................................ 6-5
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-31
Exit Lighting ............................. 2.43. 2.47
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-40
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-53
Fan Button. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control ..... 3-6
Filling
A Portable Fuel Container ................... 6-8
Filling
Your Tank ................................ 6-6
9-4

Filter. Air . . ............ ............. 6-20
Finish Care .................. ............. 6-56
Finish Damage ............................... 6-58
Fixed Mast Antenna ............................. 3-32
Flashers. Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flash-to-PassFeature ........................... 2-35
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-27
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-19
FogLamps .................................... 2-41
With a Trailer ................................ 4-37
Foreign Countries, Fuel ........................... 6-5
French Language Manual ........................... ii
Front Reading Lamps ............................ 2-44
FrontTowing .................................. 5-11
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement ................ 6-40
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-6
Gage ....................................... 2-75
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-62
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-73
Fuel ....................................... 2-75
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-21
GloveBox .................................... 2-54
Guide en Frangais ................................. ii
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2
HeadRestraints ................................ .l-6
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-37
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-35
Wiring ..................................... 6-62
Head-Up Display ............................... 2-81
Head-Up Display Care of ........................ 2-83
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-5
Heating .................................... 3.4. 3.8
High-BeamHeadlamps .......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis .............................. 4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads. Driving On ............... 4-25
Hitches. Trailer ................................. 4-36
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release ...................................... 6-9
How This Section is Organized ..................... 7-2
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank .... 5-20
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator ................ 5-22
How to Reset Oil Life Monitor ............... 2-80. 6-19
How to Reset the Change Oil Soon Light ....... 2-77. 6-19
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-21
If a Tire Goes Flat ............................ 5-26
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ........... 5-17
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .............. 5-16
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ..................... 4-29
Ignition Positions ............................... 2-16
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check .................... 7-17
Illuminated Entry ............................... 2-42
Horn ......................................... 2-33
HUD ......................................... 2-81
9-5

TRACO FF ................... ... 2-77
Trunk Ajar Warning
........................... 2-74
Trunk Ajar Warning
........................... 2-77
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-3 1
Lockout Deterrent .......................... 2-5, 2-48
Automatic Door
.......................... 2-6, 2-47
Cylinders
................................... 7-15
Door
........................................ 2-4
FrontDoor
................................... 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-15
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
RearDoors
................................... 2-5
Locks and Lighting Choices
...................... 2-45
Loss
of Control ................................ 4- 16
Low Coolant Warning Light ...................... 2-74
Low Fuel Light ................................ 2-75
Low Oil Level Light
............................ 2-72
Low Traction Light
............................. 2-68
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
.................. 2-77
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7- 19
Lubrication Service, Body
........................ 7-15
Maintenance, Normal Replacement parts
........... 6-70
Maintenance, Normal Replacement
Parts ............ 6-70
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-20
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7- 1
Introduction .................................. 7-2
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-14
Traction Control System Warning
.... ..... 2-69
Locks ......................................... 2-4
Trunk
...................................... 2-12 Periodic Maintenance Inspections
...... .... 7-18
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 7-19
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................ 7-2
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-59
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-69
Manual Front Seat ............................... 1-2
Matching Transmitters
To Your Vehicle ............. 2-10
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors
....................................... 2-52
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-53
Electrochromic Daymight Rearview
.............. 2-52
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-52
Power Outside
............................... 2-53
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-58
MMT
......................................... 6-4
Mode
Buttons. Automatic and Auxiliary Temp Control . . 3-6
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-34
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-57
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-16
Nightvision
................................... 4-18
Nuisance Alarms
............................... 2-15
Odometer. Speedometer
...... ......... 2-63
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-63
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-14
Oil, Engine .................................... 6-13
Oil Life Monitor
........................... 2-80. 6-19
Oil Warning Light .............................. 2-71
9-7

Other Warning Devices ........................... 5-2
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-55
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
....... 5-15
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks
and Services ....................... 7-14
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 1 1
Paint Spotting. Chemical
................. . . 6-59
Park
Shifting Into
............................... 2-27
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-30
Parking AtNight
.................................... 2-13
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Lots ....................................... 2-13
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-31
When
You Are Ready to Leave. on Hills ........... 4-40
With a Trailer on Hills
......................... 4-39
Temp Control
.................................. 3-5
Performance Shift Light
.......................... 2-72
Performance Shifting
............................ 2-26
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-1 8
Accessory Outlet ............................. 2-58
DoorLoc
ks ................................... 2-5
OptionFuses
................................ 6-63
Outside Mirror
............................... 2-53
Passenger’s Temperature Knob. Automatic and Auxiliary
Pasing
....................................... 4-15
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
PontiacCares
................................... 8-2
Power Retained Accessory
........................... 2- 17
Six-Way Driver’s Seat
.......................... 1-3
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Power Steering Fluid ............................ 6-30
When to Check
............................... 6-31
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-21
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service
and Owner ................... 8-11
Purse or Litter Bag Holder
...................... 2-59
Radiator
..................................... 5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-30
Radio Reception. Understanding ................... 3-30
Radios
................... 3-11.3-12.3-16.3-19. 3-22
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-19
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-30
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-33
Window Defogger
............................. 3-9
Rear Armrest Storage ............................ 2-57
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps
................. 2-44
Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 2-7
Rearview Mirror, Electrochromic Daymight
......... 2-52
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight
................. 2-52
Steering
.................................... 4-12
Windows
................................... 2-33
PowerDropFeature
............................. 2-84
Howtocheck
............................... 6-31
Whattouse
................................. 6-32
Rear Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-30
Towing
..................................... 5-13
9-8

Seatback Latches
...................................... 1-7
Reclining Front
............................... 1-5
Four- Way Power Lumbar Driver’s ................ 1-4
Restraint Systems
.............................. 1 - 1
Six-Way Power Driver’s
........................ 1-3
TWO-Way Manual Front
......................... 1-2
TWO-Way Manual
Lumbar ....................... 1-4
Service
........................................ 6-2
Bulletins, Ordering
............................ 8- 11
Engine Soon Light
............................ 2-69
Manuals, Ordering
............................ 8-1 1
Parts Identification Label ....................... 6-61
Publications, Ordering
......................... 8-11
Work, Doing Your Own
......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications
................... 8- 11
Service Publications
............................. 8- 11
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
........... 1-27
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-58
ShiftLever
.................................... 2-21
Shift Lock Release .............................. 2-25
shifting Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-2 1
Into Park
(P) ................................. 2-27
Out
of Park .................................. 2-30
Performance
................................. 2-26
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
..................... 1-16
Seats
Heated
...................................... 1-5
Controls
..................................... l-2
Signaling Turns ................. ... 2-34
Spare Tire. Compact
............................. 5-37
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-68
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-5
Speedometer/Odometer
.......................... 2-63
SRS
......................................... l-22
Stains. Cleaning ................................ 6-53
Starter Switch Check
............................ 7-16
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-17
Steering
........................... ........ 4-12
In Emergencies .................... ........ 4-13
Power
...................................... 4-12
Skidding ...................................... 4-16
Sound Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-30
Specifications. Engine
........................... 6-69
Tips
........................................ 4-12
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-34
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-54
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-37
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
................... 5-36
Stuck:
In Sand, Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-38
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
..................... 5-35
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-58
Sunroof
....................................... 2-59
Supercharged Engine 6-13
Supercharger Oil
............................... 6-21
How to Check and add Oil ...................... 6-21
What Kind
of Oil to Use ....................... 6-21
When to Check ............................... 6-21
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-22
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
9-10