1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

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6-33
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
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.
CAUTION:
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.
NOTICE:

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 ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

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6-34 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).
CAUTION:
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.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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 ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this manual
under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspections.º
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.

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6-35 Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a 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
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. 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.
If your battery has a very low charge or is dead, you
may not be able to remove the ignition key from the
ignition switch or shift out of PARK (P). Refer to
ªShifting Out of Park (P)º in the Index.
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.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.

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6-36
Bulb Replacement
In this section, you'll find directions for changing the
bulbs on your vehicle. See ªReplacement Bulbsº in the
Index to find the type of bulb you should use.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
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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6-37
3. Carefully remove the headlamp assembly from the
vehicle. Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping
the paint on the vehicle while removing.
4. Lift the plastic tab on the electrical connector and
pull the connector.5. Turn the lamp socket ring a quarter of a turn
counterclockwise to remove it from the
headlamp assembly.

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6. Pull the bulb from the socket.
7. Place the new bulb into the socket.
8. Turn the lamp socket ring a quarter of a turn clockwise
to place it back into the headlamp assembly.
9. Lift the plastic tab on the electrical connector and
replace the connector.
10. Carefully replace the headlamp assembly. Be
careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint on
the vehicle while replacing the assembly.
11. Replace the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
12. Close the hood.
Front Turn Signal
1. Open the hood and support properly.
2. Remove the two bolts from the top of the headlamp
assembly.
3. Carefully remove the headlamp assembly from the
vehicle. Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping
the paint on the vehicle while replacing.
4. Turn the front sidemarker bulb socket a quarter of a
turn counterclockwise to remove.

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6-39
5. Remove the bulb from the socket.
6. Place the new bulb into the socket.
7. Turn the bulb socket a quarter of a turn clockwise
to replace it.
8. Carefully replace the headlamp assembly. Be
careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint on
the vehicle while replacing.
9. Replace the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
10. Close the hood.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk and
remove the slotted vent by squeezing the ends and
pulling down.

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6-40
3. Remove the bulb by turning it a quarter of a
turn counterclockwise.
4. Place the new bulb into the bulb socket.
5. Turn the bulb a quarter of a turn clockwise to
replace. Replace the vent you removed earlier.
6. Close the trunk.
Taillamps
1. Unhook the convenience net (if equipped)
and remove.
2. Unscrew the upper convenience net
hook attachment.
3. Pull the trunk trim carpeting back from the rear of
the trunk.
4. Remove the upper trunk trim hook and the two
plastic wing nuts from the taillamp.