1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX oil temperature

yellowblue
2-31 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located below the air cleaner near the coolant
reservoir bottle.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

yellowblue
2-79 Low Oil Level Light
The engine is equipped with
an oil level monitoring
system. When the ignition
key is turned to ON, the
LOW OIL LEVEL light
will briefly flash.
If the light does not flash, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.)
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period when the ignition key is between
RUN and START. It does not monitor engine oil level
when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil level
check is only performed if the engine has been turned
off for a considerable period of time, allowing the oil
normally in circulation to drain back into the oil pan.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
This light tells you that the
engine coolant has
overheated or the radiator
cooling fan is not working.
If you have been operating the vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop the
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In ªProblems on the Road,º this manual shows what to
do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

yellowblue
2-82
Head-Up Display (Option)
CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your field of view, it may take you more time to
see things you need to see when it's dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your field of view.
If you have the Head-Up
Display (HUD), you can see
the speedometer reading (in
English or metric units) and
a brief display of the current
radio station or CD track,
displayed ªthroughº
the windshield.The HUD also shows these lights when they are lit on
the instrument panel:

Turn Signal Indicators

High
-Beam Indicator Symbol

Low Fuel Symbol
The HUD will display ªCHECK GAGEº when the
following items are lit on the instrument panel:

Oil Warning Symbol

Coolant Temperature Symbol

Charging System Symbol
When you sit straight in your seat, the HUD image will
appear straight ahead near the front bumper.

yellowblue
2-87 Functions
: If one of the doors is ajar, a light will appear
next to that door on the vehicle outline.
CHANGE OIL SOON: This light will appear when the
system predicts that the oil's remaining useful life is
almost up. The system predicts remaining oil life using
inputs from length of drives, coolant temperature,
engine rpm and vehicle speed. It alerts you to change
the oil on a schedule consistent with the vehicle's
driving conditions.
After changing the oil, the system must be reset. With
the ignition key in ON but the engine off, fully push and
release the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds. If the CHANGE OIL SOON light flashes,
the system is resetting. Turn the ignition key to OFF,
then start the vehicle. If the CHANGE OIL SOON light
comes back on, the Oil Life Monitor has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.LOW: This light will come on when the ignition is
on and the fluid container is low.
AJAR: This light alerts you that the trunk is not
fully closed.
LOW TRAC: This light will come on when the
Traction Control System is limiting wheel spin. See
ªTrac Systemº or ªLow Traction Lightº in the Index.
TRAC OFF: This light lets you know that the Traction
Control System has been disabled and will not limit
wheel spin. See ªEnhanced Traction System Warning
Lightº or ªLow Traction Lightº in the Index.
TRAC switch: If the vehicle has the Traction Control
System, you will have a disable switch on the far right
side of the Driver Information Center. The Traction
Control System is automatically activated when you turn
the ignition on. This switch will activate/deactivate the
Traction Control System. If you need to disable the
system, such as when you are stuck and are rocking the
vehicle back and forth, push this switch. See ªStuck: In
Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

yellowblue
2-90 Control Buttons
The trip computer has three buttons that control its
functions.
ENG/MET: Press this button to change the display from
English to metric units or metric to English.
RESET: Press this button for two seconds to reset the
mode displayed.
MODE: Press this button to change the mode
being displayed.
Functions
PERFORMANCE SHIFT: This light comes on when
you press the performance shift button (located on the
console shift) to indicate that the vehicle is in
performance shifting mode.
See ªPerformance Shiftingº in the Index.
FUEL USED: Shows the total amount of fuel used
since you last reset this mode. The amount can be
displayed in gallons or liters.AVG ECON: Shows the average fuel economy since
you last reset this mode.
OIL LIFE: Shows a percentage of the oil's remaining
useful life. The system predicts remaining oil life using
inputs from length of drives, coolant temperature,
engine rpm and vehicle speed. Each time you get an oil
change, be sure to reset this function so that it will give
you an accurate percentage. See ªHow to Reset the Oil
Life Monitorº in the Index.
RANGE: Shows how much farther you can travel with
the fuel you have before refueling. When the range
displays L
, for 40 to 50 miles (64.36 to 80.45 km), the
display will flash the word LOW continuously and the
vehicle will chime three times. The range is calculated
from the average econ value times the fuel remaining in
the tank.
LOW: This light will come on when the ignition is
on and the fluid container is low.

yellowblue
5-9
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel lift
or car carrier equipment. Don't have your vehicle towed
on the drive wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must
be towed on the drive wheels, do not tow the vehicle
more than 500 cumulative miles (800 km) or exceed
50 mph (80 km/h). If these limitations must be
exceeded, then the drive wheels have to be supported
on a dolly.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel. See
ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and ªEngine
Coolant Temperature Lightº in the Index. You also have
a low coolant light on your instrument panel. See ªLow
Coolant Lightº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (3100 V6 Engine Only)
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of three cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a significant loss in power and
engine performance. The low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. Towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the oil.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

yellowblue
6-18
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3800 V6 engine,
SAE 10W
-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE 5W
-30 if it's going to be colder than 60
F
(16
C) before your next oil change. When it's very cold,
you should use SAE 5W
-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
ªStarburstº symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.

yellowblue
6-19 Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. Your dealer is ready to
advise if you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer that lets you know when to
change your engine oil. This is not based on mileage,
but on engine revolutions and engine operating
temperature. When the computer has calculated that the
oil needs changing, the Oil Life Monitor will indicate
that a change is necessary. The mileage between oil
changes will vary depending on how you drive your
vehicle
-- usually between 3,000 miles (5 000 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
(whichever occurs first) without an oil change.
The system won't detect dust in the oil. So, if you drive
in a dusty area, be sure to change your oil every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or sooner. Remember to reset
the Oil Life Monitor whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Oil Life Monitor
To reset the Oil Life Monitor after the oil has been changed:
1. Press the MODE button until the light appears lit
next to OIL LIFE.
2. Press and hold the RESET button for three seconds.
The oil life percentage should change to 100%.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer's warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free
-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.