2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX brake fluid

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Underhood Fuse Block D. Remote Positive
(+) Battery Terminal
E. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
H. Electric Cooling Fan
(low
in engine compartment, below generator)
I. Engine Oil Dipstick
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap
K. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
L. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
M. Engine Air CleanedFilter
Before closing the hood
of your vehicle, be sure all the
filler caps are on properly. Then pull the
hood down
and close it firmly.
5-1 7

To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F (1 0°C). If it's colder than 50°F (IO'C), you may
have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in
PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then,
without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
3100 V6 Engine 3800 V6 or 3800 V6
Supercharged Engine
The transaxle fluid dipstick handle is the black loop
located near the rear of the engine. See Engine
Comparfment Overview
on page 5-12 for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
paper
towel.
then pull it back out again.
5-28

Brakes
Brake Fluid
I
A L
r DOT3
7
L
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.
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
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
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
5-49

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
3-28.
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.
r
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.
5-50

Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule ...................................... 6-2
Introduction
................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6-2
How This Section is Organized
......................... 6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
........... 6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
.................... 6.4
Scheduled Maintenance
.................. ......... 6.5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
.... ..... 6.9
At Each Fuel Fill
........................................ 6-9
At Least Once a Month
................................... 6.9
At Least Twice a Year
................................... 6.10 At
Least Once a Year
................................... 6.10
Pari C: Periodic
Maintenance inspections ......... 6.13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
............................ 6-13
Exhaust System Inspection
............................ 6.13
Fuel System Inspection
.................................. 6.13
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................... 6.13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ -6-14
Brake System Inspection
................................ 6.14
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
.... 6-15
Part
E: Maintenance Record ........................... 6.16
6- 1

A
Accessory Power Outlets ................................. 3-1 8
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature
................ 3-54
Adding Washer Fluid
....................................... 5-48
Additional Program Information
........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel
................................................. 5-6
Add-on Electrical Equipment
............................ 5-97
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)
............................ 3-46, 3-49, 3-52
Air Bag Readiness Light
.................................... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3-26
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)
............................................. 1-51
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine
................................. 5-25
All Overseas Locations ...................................... 7-4
Aluminum or Chrome Plated Wheels
............. 5-93
Antenna, Backglass
......................................... 3-59
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light
.............. 3-29
Appearance Care
............................................ 5-88
Care of Safety Belts
.................................... 5-91
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
................ 5-88
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
.............. 5-91
Finish Damage
............................................ 5-93
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
.......... 5-94
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-93
AM
........................................................... 3-57
Chemical Paint Spotting
............................... 5-94
Sheet Metal Damage
................................... 5-93 Appearance
Care (cont.)
Weatherstrips
.......................................... 5-91
Arming and Disarming the Content
Theft-Deterrent System
................................. 2-52
Arming Confirmation
........................................ 2-16
Arming with the Power Lock Switch
................... 2-15
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry
Transmitter
................................................. 2-16
Ashtrays
............. ............................... 3-19
Assist Handles
.... ................................... 2-41
Audio System(s)
......................................... 3-44
Audio Systems Audio Steering Wheel Controls
...... ........ 3-56
Backglass Antenna
...................................... 3-59
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................ 3-58
Care of Your CD Player
............................... 3-59
Care of Your CDs
........................................ 3-59
Radio with Cassette
..................................... 3-45
Radio with CD .................................... 3-48, 3-51
Setting the Time
.......................................... 3-44
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................ 3-54
Understanding Radio Reception
..................... 3-57
Automatic Door Locks
..................................... 2-45
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-27
Operation
................................................... 2-24
Automatic Transaxle Check
.............................. 6-10
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
............................................. 6-11
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
........... 3-19
1

Backglass Antenna .......................................... 3-59
Backing Up .................................................... 4-41
Battery .......................................................... 5-52
Battery Replacement ......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection ............................ 3-1 5
Before Leaving on a Long Trip ......................... 4-24
Body Lubrication Service .......................... 6-10
Brake
Parking
...................................................... 2-27
System Inspection ....................................... 6-1 4
System Warning Light .................................. 3-28
Brake Fluid .................................................... 5-49
Brake Wear ................................................... 5-51
Brakes .......................................................... 5-49
Braking ........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-19
Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-60
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ........ 5-63
Front Turn Signal and Sidemarker Lamps ....... 5-62
Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-60
Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-59
Headlamps ................................................. 5-60
Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-66
Taillamps, Sidemarker and Back-up Lamps ..... 5-64
Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-71
Braking in Emergencies ..................................... 4-9
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada ........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners ................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specifications .......................... 5-1 02
Carbon Monoxide ................... 4-27, 4-37, 2-1 1, 2-31
Care of
Safety Belts ................................................ 5-91
Care of the HUD ............................................ 3-17
Care of Your
Cassette Tape Player
................................... 3-58
CD Player .................................................. 3-59
Cassette Tape Messages ................................. 3-47
Cassette Tape Player Service ............................. 6-9
Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-40
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ........... 5-63
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts ............. 1-21
Chains, Tires .................................................. 5-75
Check
Checking Coolant
............................................ 5-31
Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-58
CDS .......................................................... 3-59
CD Adapter Kits ............................................. 3-48
Charging System Light .................................... 3-27
Engine Light ............................................... 3-32
Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-18
Chemical Paint Spotting ................................... 5-94
2

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running ...... 2-29
Air Bag Readiness
....................................... 3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
................... 3-29
Brake System Warning
................................. 3-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
............. 3-31
Warning Light
.......................................... 3-30
Low Fuel Warning
....................................... 3-37
Light
Charging System
......................................... 3-27
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Low Oil Level
............................................. 3-36
Low Traction
............................................... 3-30
Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-32
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-35
Safety Belt Reminder
................................... 3-26
Security
..................................................... 3-36
TCS Warning Light
...................................... 3-29
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
.......... 3-29
Loading Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-35
Litter
Bag or Purse Holder
............................... 2-41
Lockout Protection
.................................. 2-10, 2-47
Locks
Automatic Door
........................................... 2-45
Door
........................................................... 2-8
Last Door Closed Locking
.............................. 2-9
Lockout Protection
....................................... 2-1 0
Power Door .................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............. 2-1 0
Leaving Your Vehicle .................................... 2-1 1 Loss
of Control
.............................................. 4-16
Low Fuel Warning Light
................................... 3-37
Low Traction Light
...................................... 3-30
Lumbar Power Controls
........... ........... ... 1-3
M
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts .......... 5-1 04
Maintenance Schedule At Each Fuel Fill
........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month
.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year
.................................. 6-10
At Least Twice a Year
.................................. 6-10
Brake System Inspection
.............................. 6-14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-13
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-13
How This Section is Organized ....................... 6-3
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
Fuel
System Inspection
................................ 6-13
a