2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

6-35
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.
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.

6-36
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 tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM torque 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.
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.

6-37
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco
battery. When it's time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
battery. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for battery location.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
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.

6-38
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.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact the service department of your dealer.
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
To replace the headlamps, do the following:
1. Open the hood and support it properly.
2. Remove the two bolts
from the top of the
headlamp assembly.

6-39
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 turn
counterclockwise to remove it from the
headlamp assembly.

6-40
6. Pull the old bulb from the socket.
7. Place the new bulb into the socket.
8. Turn the lamp socket ring a quarter turn clockwise
to place it back into the headlamp assembly.
9. Lift the plastic tab on the electrical connector and
reinstall the connector.10. Carefully reinstall the headlamp assembly.
Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping the
paint on the vehicle while reinstalling the assembly.
11. Reinstall the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
12. Close the hood.
Headlamp Aiming
The aim of your vehicle's headlamps can be adjusted by
using aim tips located on the outer surface of the lens.
The aim has been pre
-set at the factory and should need
no further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam
may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers
(for horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers flash their
high beams at you (for vertical aim). If you believe your
headlamps need to be re
-aimed, it is recommended that
you take your vehicle to the dealer for assistance.

6-41 Front Turn Signal and Front Sidemarker
1. Open the hood, and support it properly.
2. Remove the two bolts from the top of the
headlamp assembly.
3. Remove the headlamp assembly from the vehicle.
Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping the paint
on the vehicle while removing it.
4. Turn the front sidemarker bulb socket a quarter turn
counterclockwise to remove.
5. Remove the old bulb from the socket.
6. Place the new bulb into the socket.
7. Turn the bulb socket a quarter turn clockwise to
reinstall it.
8. Carefully reinstall the headlamp assembly.
Be careful to avoid scratching or chipping the
paint on the vehicle.
9. Reinstall the two bolts on the top of the
headlamp assembly.
10. Close the hood.

6-42 Fog Lamps
1. Reach behind the fog lamp that needs to be replaced
from underneath the front of the vehicle.
2. The bulb socket is above the wing nut.
3. Turn the bulb socket a quarter turn counterclockwise
to remove the socket from the assembly.
4. Remove the old bulb from the socket.
5. Place the new bulb into the socket.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the assembly.
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.