2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX ECU

Low Oil Level Light
LOW OIL
LEVEL
The engine is equipped
with an oil level monitoring
system. When the
ignition key is turned to
RUN, the LOW
OIL LEVEL
light will briefly flash.
If the light does not flash, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine
off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 5-18.
The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil
level during the brief period when the ignition key is
between
RUN and START. It does not monitor engine
oil level while the engine is running. Additionally,
an oil level check is only performed
if the engine has
been turned
off for a considerable period of time,
allowing the oil normally in circulation to drain back
into the oil pan.
Security Light
This message is
displayed to monitor
the PASS-Key@
Ill
system. SECURITY
If the SECURITY message is displayed continuously
while driving, there may be a problem with the
PASS-Key@
Ill system. Your vehicle will not be protected
by PASS-Key@
Ill, and you should see your dealer for
service. For more information see
PASS-Key 111
on page 2- 16.
3-36

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Turn the ignition on.
Turn the radio
off.
Press the 1 and 4 pushbuttons at the same time.
Hold them down until
--- shows on the display.
Next you will use the secret code number which you
have written down.
Press MIN and
000 will appear on the display.
Press MIN again
to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
Press
HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
Press AM/FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written
down. The display will show REP to let you know
that you need to repeat Steps
5 through 7 to confirm
your secret code.
Press AM/FM and this time the disdav will show
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature
After
a Power Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds betweer! steps:
1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the
2. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
display.
with your code.
4. Press HR to
make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
5. Press AM/FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written
down. The display will show SEC, indicating
the radio is now operable and secure.
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
SEC to let you know that your radio
is secure. appear on the
display. You wilj have to wait an hour
I,
with the ignition on before you can try again. When
(eight tries per chance) to enter the correct code before
With the
ignition off, the THEFTLOCK LED indicator will you try again, you only have three chances
flash, indicating a secured radio.
INOP appears.
If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealership.
3-55

Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 pushbuttons at the same time.
Hold them down until
SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press AM/FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written
down. The display will show
---, indicating that the
radio is no longer secured.
If the code entered is incorrect,
SEC will appear on the
display. The radio will remain secured until the correct
code is entered.
When battery power is removed and later applied to
a
secured radio, the radio won’t turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.
To unlock a secured radio, see “Unlocking the
Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power
Loss” earlier in
this section.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering
wheel.
PRESET: Press this button to play the stations you
have programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons.
The radio will go to a preset station, play for a few
seconds, then go to the next station. When a cassette
tape is playing, press this button to change tape
sides. Press this button again to stop scanning the
preset stations.
3-56

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk. Include
an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight,
a red
cloth and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
4-27

If you do have a heavy load, spread it out. Don’t carry
more than
167 pounds (75 kg) in your trunk.
~ 3 not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and
it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash.
Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Notice: Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because
of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle - like suitcases,
tools, packages or anything else - they will go as
fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or
turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going. Things you
put insi your
ve--.:le can s.. .. and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as you
can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
4-36

Driving with a Trailer
Passing
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel
of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns. You’ll need more
passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing
a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer
to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-4 1

Tire Chains
If your vehicle is an SE model with P225/60R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains, there’s not
enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if
its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions.
Follow that manufacturer’s
CAUTION: (Continued) instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if
it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the front tires.
Notice; If your vehicle is a GT model, a GTP model,
or if you have an
SE model without P225/60R16
size tires, use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use only SAE Class
”S” type
chains that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact
continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
5-75

10. Don’t try to put the wheel cover on your compact
spare tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover in the
trunk until you have the flat tire repaired or
replaced.
Notice: Wheei covers won’t fit on your compact
spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your
compact spare, you could damage the cover or
the spare.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury.
In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone.
Store all these
in the proper place.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need to store the flat tire in the trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk. When
storing a full-size tire, you must use the extension
to help avoid wheel surface damage. Use the extension
and protector/guide located in the foam holder.
To store a
full-size tire, place the tire in the trunk valve stem facing
down, with the protector/guide placed through a wheel
bolt hole. Remove the protector and attach the retainer
securely. When putting the compact spare back in the
trunk, place the protector/guide back
in the foam holder.
Store the cover as far forward as possible.
5-85