1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
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 overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, a GM thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering
fluid reservoir
is toward
3100 Engine
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3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and the top
of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be
at the “C” mark. If necessary, add
only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
3800 or 3800 Supercharged Engine
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What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
‘‘Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Always
use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in
an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
A
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
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NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs.
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
Brakes
Brake Fluid
P
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only
two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The fxst is that the brake
fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new
linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back
up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fwd, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
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So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid
won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid
when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
b -
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The
fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned, and
your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid
only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to
a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on. See “Brake System Warning
Light”
in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme ll@ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
I
A CAUTIOP’
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work
at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care’’ in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of
this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to
be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes
may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve
come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has an ACDelco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one of these. When it’s
time for a
new battery, we recommend an ACDelco
Freedom battery. Get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label.
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Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery
from
running down.
/I CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
Halogen Bulbs
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
In this section, you’ll find directions for changing the
bulbs on your vehicle. See “Replacement Bulbs” in the
Index to find the type
of bulb you should use. Halogen
bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst
if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. Open the hood and support properly.
2. Remove the two bolts
from the top of the
headlamp assembly.
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