2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX engine oil

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 function mode,
(Fuel Used, AVG ECON, OIL LIFE, RANGE) being
displayed.
OIL LIFE: This shows a percentage of the engine’s oil
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
“How to Reset the GM Oil Life System” under Engine
Oil on page
5-18.
RANGE: This mode 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.
Functions
LOW: This light will come on the vehicle outline when
FUEL USED: This mode shows the total amount of fuel the ignition is on and the fluid in the washer fluid
used since you last reset it. The amount can be container is low.
displayed in gallons or liters.
AVG ECON (Average Economy): This mode shows
the average fuel economy since you last reset
it.
3-42

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
- such as after a day’s
work
- don’t plan to make too many miles that first
part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to
go. If it
needs service, have it done before starting out.
Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in dealerships all across North America. They’ll
be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Is the reservior full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-24

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift to PARK
(P).
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
0 shift into a gear, and
0 release the parking brake. 2. Let
up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page
6-4 for more information. Things that
are especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, drive
belts, cooling system and brake system. Each of
these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good
idea to review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page
5-33.
4-43

Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
Service ............................................................ 5.3
Doing Your
Owr? Service Work ......................... 5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
.............................................. 5-4
Fuel ................................................................ 5-5
Gasoline Octane
............................................ 5-5
Gasoline Specifications
.................................... 5-5
California Fuel
............................................... 5-6
Additives
....................................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries
............................... 5-7
Filling Your Tank
............................................ 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
....................... 5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood .................... 5-10
Hood Release
.............................................. 5-10
Engine Compartment Overview
....................... 5-12
Engine Oil
................................................... 5-18
Supercharger Oil
.......................................... 5-24
Engine Air CleanedFilter
................................ 5-25
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
.............................. 5-27
Engine Coolant
............................................. 5-30
Radiator Pressure Cap
.................................. 5-33
Cooling System
........................................... -5-36
Power Steering Fluid
..................................... 5-46
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................ 5-48
Engine Overheating
....................................... 5-33 Brakes
........................................................ 5.49
Battery
........................................................ 5.52
Jump Starting
............................................... 5-53
Bulb Replacement .......................................... 5-60
Halogen Bulbs
.............................................. 5-60
Headlamps
.................................................. 5-60
Front Turn Signal and Sidemarker Lamps
........ 5-62
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
......... 5-63
Taillamps, Sidemarker and Back-up Lamps
...... 5-64
Replacement Bulbs
....................................... 5-66
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement .............. 5-67
Tires ............................................................. -5-68
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ................................ 5-68
Tire Inspection and Rotation
........................... 5-69
When It
Is Time for New Tires ....................... 5-70
Buying New Tires
......................................... 5-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
.......................... 5-72
Wheel Replacement
...................................... 5-73
Headlamp Aiming ........................................... 5-59
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................. 5-73
Tire Chains
.................................................. 5-75
If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................ 5-76
Changing a Flat Tire
..................................... 5-76
Compact Spare Tire
...................................... 5-87
5- 1

Checking Things Under
the
Hood
Ar. Jectric fan unl,.' the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
Hood Release
To open the hood do the following:
Things that burn can get on ..__ -.. 3"'- parts
and start
a fire. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle near
the parking brake.
5-1 0

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Underhood Fuse Block
B. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
E. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment, below generator)
H. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Engine Oil Dipstick
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir
M. Engine Air CleanedFilter
5-1 3

A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Battery
C. Remote Positive
(+) Battery Terminal
D. Underhood Fuse Block
E. Radiator Fill Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment, below generator)
H. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
I. Engine Oil Dipstick
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
1. Brake Fluid Reservoir
M. Engine Air CleanedFilter
5-1 5

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