2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM Owners Manual

Park the vehicle on a level surface.
You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two
or two and
one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still left to
be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly, and remove
it.
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3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the hash mark on the label. Wait
about five minutes, then check to see
if the level is
below the hash mark. If the level is below the
hash mark, add additional coolant to bring the level
up to the hash mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the hash mark
for at least five minutes.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower than
the FULL
COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the
level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
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5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer,
if necessary.
Power Steering Fluid
A
L- A
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the
dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see Part D:
Recommended Fluids and lubricants on page 6- 15.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you
will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page
5-12 for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
.1. ,- 5 * -,
LOW
Your vehicle has a low
washer fluid telltale that
will come on in the
instrument panel cluster
when the washer fluid
is low.
See
low Washer Fluid Warning light on page 3-36 for
more information.
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L
L
The windshield washer
fluid reservoir
is located in
the engine compartment
towards the front
of
the vehicle.
Notice:
e
@
Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer
fluid until the tank is full. When
using concentrated washer
fluid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t
clean as well
as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it’s very cold. This allows for expansion if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
A
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver’s
side
of the engine compartment. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5- 12.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first
is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear, When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well,
or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add (or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fl~~id ~n!y when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
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BRAKE
United States Canada
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning
Light on page
3-26.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page
6- 15.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause
a crash. Always use the proper brake
fluid.
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
“Appearance Care” in the Index.
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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.
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