2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX radiator

5-24
10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-20 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-21 Supercharger Oil
6
-22 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-27 Engine Coolant
6
-31 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-31 Power Steering Fluid
6
-33 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-35 Brakes
6
-39 Battery
6
-40 Bulb Replacement
6
-48 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-49 Tires6
-58 Appearance Care
6
-58 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-61 Care of Safety Belts
6
-62 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-64 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-64 Cleaning Tires
6
-64 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-65 Finish Damage
6
-65 Underbody Maintenance
6
-65 Chemical Paint Spotting
6
-66 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-67 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-67 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-68 Electrical System
6
-74 Replacement Bulbs
6
-74 Capacities and Specifications
6
-75 Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
6
-76 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of a vehicle with a 3100 V6 (Code J) engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Underhood Fuse Block
D. Radiator Fill CapE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap
H. Engine Oil DipstickI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-11
When you open the hood of a vehicle with a the 3800 V6 (Code K) engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Underhood Fuse Block
D. Radiator Fill Cap
E. Engine Coolant Recovery TankF. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment)
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill CapI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-12
When you open the hood of a vehicle with a 3800 V6 Supercharged (Code 1) engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Underhood Fuse Block
D. Radiator Fill Cap
E. Engine Coolant Recovery TankF. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment)
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill CapI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-27
Engine Coolant
The cooling system 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 ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-28 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-30
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.