2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX oil change

2-92
Functions
(Door Ajar): If one of the doors is ajar, this
light will appear next to that door on the vehicle outline.
CHANGE OIL SOON: This light will appear when the
system indicates that it's time for an oil change. The
system predicts remaining oil life using data 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. See ªHow to
Reset the GM Oil Life System
º in the Index.
LOW: This light will come on when the ignition is
on and the fluid in the washer fluid container is low.
AJAR: This light alerts you that the trunk is not
fully closed.LOW TRAC (Low Traction): This light will come on
when the enhanced traction system is limiting wheel
spin. See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº or ªLow Traction
Lightº in the Index.
TRAC OFF (Traction Off): This light lets you know
that the enhanced traction system has been disabled and
will not limit wheel spin. See ªEnhanced Traction
System Warning Lightº or ªLow Traction Lightº in
the Index.
TRAC (Traction): If the vehicle has the enhanced
traction system, you will have a disable button on the far
right side of the DIC. The enhanced traction system is
automatically activated when you turn the ignition on.
This button will activate/deactivate the system. If you
need to disable the system, such as when you are stuck
and are rocking the vehicle back and forth, push this
button. See ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in
the Index.

2-95 Control Buttons
The trip computer has three buttons that control its
functions.
ENG/MET (English/Metric): 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
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 (Average Economy): 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
data 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 GM Oil Life
System
º in the Index.RANGE: Shows how much farther you can travel with
the fuel you have remaining in the gas tank before
refueling. When the range displays L, for 40 to 50 miles
(64.36 to 80.45 km), the display will flash LOW
continuously. The range is calculated from the AVG
ECON value multiplied by the fuel remaining in
the tank.
LOW: This light will come on the vehicle outline when
the ignition is on and the fluid in the washer fluid
container is low.
DOOR AJAR: If one of the doors is left ajar, a light
will appear next to that door on the vehicle outline.
BOOST GAGE: If you have the 3800 V6 supercharged
engine, this gage will show the amount of boost the
engine is receiving.
TRUNK AJAR: If the trunk is not fully closed, the
trunk area will light up on the vehicle outline.
LOW TRAC (Low Traction): This light will come on
when the enhanced traction system (3100 or 3800 V6
engine) or the traction control system (3800
supercharged V6 engine) is limiting wheel spin. See
ªTraction Control Systemº ªEnhanced Traction Systemº
and ªLow Traction Lightº in the Index.

2-97
When you sit up straight in your seat, the HUD image
will appear straight ahead near the front bumper.
The HUD also shows the following lights when they are
lit on the instrument panel cluster:

Turn Signal Indicators

High
-Beam Indicator Symbol

Low Fuel Symbol
The HUD will display CHECK GAGES when the
following items are lit on the instrument panel cluster:

Oil Warning Symbol

Coolant Temperature Symbol

Charging System Symbol
When the ignition key is turned to RUN, the entire HUD
image will come on. Then the Head
-Up Display will
operate normally.
NOTICE:
Although the HUD image appears to be near
the front of the vehicle, do not use it as a parking
aid. The HUD was not designed for that purpose.
If you try to use it that way, such as in a parking
lot, you may misjudge distance and run
into something.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will be
displayed continually. The current radio station or CD
track number will only be displayed for three seconds
after the radio or CD track status changes. This will
happen whenever one of the radio controls is pressed,
either on the radio itself or on the optional steering
wheel controls.

5-11
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light concerning an overheated engine condition on the
instrument panel cluster. See ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº and ªEngine Coolant Temperature
Lightº in the Index. You also have a low coolant light on
your instrument panel cluster. See ªLow Coolant Lightº
in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of 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. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or 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, change the oil and reset
the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.

5-32
4. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
5. Place the spare on the wheel mounting surface.
6. Reinstall the wheel nuts
with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each nut
by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.

6-16 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
3100 V6 Engine

6-17
As in the chart shown previously, if you have the
3100 V6 engine, SAE 5W
-30 is best for your vehicle.
However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's going to be
0
F (
-18
C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
As shown in the following 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.
3800 V6 or 3800 V6 Supercharged Engine

6-18
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst 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.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON light will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over
a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.