2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM service indicator

Brake Wear
The GT Series has four-wheel disc brakes and the SE
Series has front disc brakes and rear drum 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).
A 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 tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to
GM torque specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but
if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-14.
5-4 1

When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is
to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only
1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remainina.
You need a new tire
if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
around the tire.
tire’s rubber.
The
tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough
to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue
to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on your vehicle.
If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
5-56

Light (cont.) Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-31
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-34
Security
..................................................... 3-36
Service Vehicle Soon
................................... 3-36
Up-Shift
..................................................... 3-26
Loading Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-35
Lockout Protection
.......................................... 2-1 1
Locks Delayed Locking
........................................... 2-8
Door
........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
.................................... 2-1 1
Lockout Protection
....................................... 2-1 1
Power Door
.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks
............................. 2-10
Loss of Control
............................................... 4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light
.............................. 3-30
Safety
Belt Reminder
................................... 3-25
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
....................... 3-36
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
......
Maintenance Schedule At Each Fuel Fill
...................................
At Least Once a Month ..........................
At Least Once a Year ............................
At Least Twice a Year ............................
Brake System Inspection ........................
..... 5-88
....... 6-9
....... 6-9
..... 6-10
..... 6-10
..... 6-14 Maintenance Schedule
(cont.)
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-13
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-13
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ............... 6-9
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-13
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
............................................... 6-15
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................ 6-16
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ 6-14
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................... 6-2
Making Turns
................................................. 4-41
Malfunction Indicator Light
................................ 3-31
Manual Seats
................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
............................................ 2-20
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-22
Operation
................................................... 2-27
Manual Transaxle Check
.................................. 6-10
Manual Windows
............................................ 2-15
How
This Section is Organized
....................... 6-3
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
..................... 4-43
Matching Transmitterts) to Your Vehicle
............... 2-5
8

Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-21 When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
Vinyl
............................................................. 5-74 on a Hill ..................................................... 4-43
Visor Vanity Mirror
.......................................... 2-16 Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-41
Visors
........................................................... 2-16 Why Safety Belts Work .................................... 1-10
Window Lock Out ........................................... 2-16
Windows 2-15
Manual
...................................................... 2-15
.......................................................
W
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ................ 3-22
Warnings Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices
.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols
......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv
Washer Fluid, Low Warning Light
...................... 3-36
Washing Your Vehicle
...................................... 5-75
Weatherstrip Lubrication
................................... 6-1 0
Weight of the Trailer ........................................ 4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
............................. 4-38
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
........................ 5-18
What
to Do with Used Oil ................................ 5-20
What to Use
.......................................... 5-24, 5-37
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance
.......................... 5-59
Replacement
............................................... 5-59
When to Add Engine Oil
.................................. 5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life SystemTM)
................................ 5-19
When to Check
.............................................. 5-54 Power
........................................................ 2-16
Windshield and Wiper Blades
........................... 5-76
Windshield Washer
........................................... 3-9
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
................. 6-9
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
...................................... 5-52
Fuses
........................................................ 5-81
Windshield Wipers
............................................ 3-8
Wiper Blade Check
......................................... 6-10
Winter Driving
................................................ 4-26
XMTM Satellite Radio Antenna System
................ 3-72
XMTM Satellite Radio Service
............................ 3-70
Your Vehicle and the Environment
. ......... 6-2
When
to Check and What to Use ..................... 5-23
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................ 5-36
14