
The 2003 Pontiac  Grand  Prix  Owner  Manual a 
Seats  and  Restpaint  Systems ........................... ? -1 
Front  Seats ............................................... 1-2 
Safety  Belts 
.............................................. 1-7 
Child  Restraints 
....................................... 1-29 
Supplemental  Restraint  System 
(SRS) ......... 1-51 
Restraint  System  Check 
............................ 1-58 
Keys 
........................................................ 2-3 
Doors  and  Locks 
....................................... 2-8 
Windows 
................................................. 2-1 3 
Theft-Deterrent  Systems 
............................ 2-1 5 
Starting  and Operating  Your Vehicle 
........... 2-19 
Mirrors 
.................................................... 2-33 
Onstar@  System 
...................................... 2-38 
Storage  Areas 
......................................... 2-40 
Sunroof 
.................................................. 2-42 
Vehicle  Personalization 
............................. 2-43 
Instrument Panel  Overview 
.......................... 3-2 
Climate  Controls 
...................................... 3-20 
Warning  Lights, Gages  and  Indicators 
......... 3-23 
Driver  Information Center  (DIC) 
.................. 3-38 
Trip  Computer 
......................................... 3-40 
Audio  System(s) 
....................................... 3-44 
Features  and Controls ..................................... 2-1 
Instrument  Panel ............................................. 3-1 
~rivingi yoerr Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 
Your  Driving, the  Road, and Your  Vehicle 
..... 4-2 
Towing 
................................................... 4-33 
Service 
..................................................... 5-3 
Fuel 
......................................................... 5-5 
Checking  Things  Under  the Hood 
............... 5-10 
Headlamp  Aiming 
..................................... 5-59 
Bulb  Replacement 
.................................... 5-60 
Windshield  Wiper  Blade  Replacement 
......... 5-67 
Tires 
...................................................... 5-68 
Appearance  Care 
..................................... 5-88 
Vehicle  Identification 
................................. 5-96 
Electrical  System 
...................................... 5-97 
Capacities  and Specifications 
................... 5-1 02 
Normal  Maintenance  Replacement  Parts .... 5-1  04 
Maintenance Schedule ........................... ,6-1 .. 
Maintenance  Schedule ................................ 6-2 
Customer Assistance  Information .................... 7-1 
Customer  Assistance  Information 
.................. 7-2 
Service and  Appearance  Care .......................... 5-1 
Reporting  Safety  Defects 
......................... 7-9 
Index ........................................ ..... 1  

Vehicle Damage  Warnings 
Also, in this  book  you  will find these  notices: 
Notice: These mean there is something that could 
damage  your  vehicle. 
A notice will tell  you  about  something  that can damage 
your vehicle.  Many  times, this damage  would  not  be 
covered  by your  warranty, and  it  could  be costly. 
But  the notice will tell  you what  to do  to  help avoid the 
damage. 
When  you read other  manuals, you might  see 
CAUTION  and  NOTICE  warnings  in different colors 
or 
in different words. 
You’ll  also see warning labels 
on your vehicle.  They 
use  the  same  words,  CAUTION  or NOTICE. 
Vehicle Symbols 
Your  vehicle  has  components  and  labels that use 
symbols  instead of text.  Symbols,  used  on  your  vehicle, 
are  shown  along with  the text describing the operation 
or  information relating to  a specific  component,  control, 
message,  gage  or  indicator. 
If you  need help figuring  out a specific name of a 
component,  gage  or  indicator reference the following 
topics: 
Seats  and  Restraint Systems in Section 1 
Features and Controls in Section 2 
Instrument Panel  Overview in Section 3 
Climate Controls in  Section 3 
Warning Lights, Gages  and  Indicators in Section 3 
Audio  System(s) in Section 3 
Engine  Compartment  Overview  in Section 5 
iv  

Leaving Your Vehicle 
If  you  are leaving the  vehicle, take your keys,  open your 1 
door  and  set  the  locks from inside.  Then get out and 
dose the door. 
ur ’ 
It can  be  dangerous  to  drive  with  the trunk lid 
open  because  carbon  monoxide 
(CO) gas  can 
come  into  your  vehicle.  You  can’t  see or 
smell 
CO. It can  cause  unconsciousness  and 
even  death. 
CAUTION: (Continued)  if  you  must  drive  with  the  trunk 
lid aen or if 
electrical  wiring  or  other  cable  connections 
must  pass  through  the  seal  between  the  body 
and  the  trunk  lid: 
0 Make  sure  all  other  windows  are shut. 
0 Turn  the  fan  on  your  heating  or  cooling  system  to  its  highest  speed  and  select  the 
control  setting  that  will  force  outside  air  into  your  vehicle.  See “Climate  Controls” 
in the  Index. 
instrument  panel,  open  them  all  the  way. 
If  you  have  air  outlets  on  or  under  the 
See  “Engine  Exhaust”  in  the  Index. 
Trunk Lock 
To unlock  the trunk from the outside, insert  the  key into 
the lock  on the  trunk and turn it clockwise.  You can  also 
press  the trunk  symbol  on  the remote  keyless entry 
transmitter. 
2-1 1  

Running Your  Engine  While You 
Are Parked 
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you 
ever  ha.--  to, here are som-  ‘hings to know. 
Idling the  engine  with  the  climate  control 
system 
off could  allow  dangerous  exhaust  into 
your  vehicle.  See the  earlier  Caution  under 
“Engine  Exhaust.” 
Also,  idling 
in a  closed-in  place  can  let  deadly 
carbon  monoxide  (CO) into  your  vehicle  even 
if  the  fan 
is at  the  highest  setting.  One  place 
this can  happen is a garage.  Exhaust - with 
CO - can  come in easily. NEVER  park in a 
garage  with  the  engine  running. 
Another  closed-in  place  can  be  a  blizzard.  See  “Winter  Driving”  in  the  Index. 
It can  be  dangerous  to  get  out  of  your  vehicle 
if  the 
shift lever  is  not  fully in PARK  (P)  with 
the  parking  brake  firmly  set. Your  vehicle  can 
roll.  Don’t  leave  your  vehicle  when  the  engine 
is  running  unless  you  have  to. 
If you’ve  left  the 
engine  running,  the  vehicle  can  move 
suddenly.  You  or  others  could  be  injured. 
To 
be  sure  your  vehicle  won’t move, even  when 
you’re  on  fairly  level  ground,  always  set  your  parking  brake  and  move  the  shift  lever to 
PARK 
(P). 
Follow the  proper  steps to be  sure  your  vehicle  won’t 
move.  See  Shifting 
Into Park (P) on page 2-28. 
If you are parking  on  a hill and if you’re  pulling a trailer, 
also  see  Towing  a  Trailer 
on page 4-37. 
2-32  

Section 3 Instrument Panel 
Instrument  Panel  Overview .......................... -3-2 
Hazard  Warning  Flashers 
-3-3 
Other  Warning  Devices ................................... 3.4 
Horn 
............................................................. 3.4 
Tilt  Wheel 
..................................................... 3.4 
Turn  Signal/Multifunction Lever 
......................... 3.5 
Exterior  Lamps 
............................................. 3.10 
Interior  Lamps 
.............................................. 3.12 
Head-Up  Display (HUD) 
................................. 3-15 
Accessory  Power  Outlets 
............................... 3.18 
Auxiliary  Power  Connection (Power  Drop) 
......... 3.19 
Ashtrays  and  Cigarette  Lighter 
........................ 3-19 
Climate  Controls ............................................ 3.20 
Dual  Climate  Control System 
.......................... 3.20 
Outlet  Adjustment 
......................................... 3.22 
Warning  Lights,  Gages  and  Indicators ............. 3.23 
Instrument  Panel Cluster 
................................ 3.24 
Speedometer  and  Odometer 
........................... 3.25 
Tachometer 
................................................. 3.25 
Safety  Belt  Reminder  Light 
............................. 3.26 
Air  Bag  Readiness  Light 
................................ 3-26 
Charging  System  Light 
.................................. 3.27 
Brake  System  Warning  Light 
......................... -3-28 
Anti-Lock  Brake  System  Warning  Light 
............. 3.29 
Traction Control  System  (TCS)  Warning  Light 
...... 3.29 
Enhanced  Traction System  Warning  Light 
........ -3-30 
.. ............................... 
Low Traction  Light ....................................... -3-30 
Engine  Coolant  Temperature  Gage 
.................. 3-31 
Malfunction  Indicator  Lamp 
............................ -3-32 
Oil  Pressure Light 
........................................ -3-35 
Security  Light 
............................................... 3-36 
Fuel  Gage 
................................................... 3-37 
Low  Fuel  Warning  Light 
................................. 3-37 
Driver  Information  Center (DE) ....................... 3-38 
Trip Computer ................................... ..... 3-40 
Control  Buttons 
............................................ 3-42 
Functions 
.................................................... 3-42 
Audio  System(s) ............................................. 3-44 
Setting the  Time 
........................................... 3-44 
Radio  with  Cassette 
...................................... 3-45 
Radio  with CD  (Base  Level) 
........................... 3-48 
Radio  with CD 
(Up Level) .............................. 3-51 
Theft-Deterrent  Feature 
.................................. 3-54 
Engine 
Coolant  Temperature  'Warning  Light 
...... 3.31 
Low Oil Level  Light ....................................... 3-36 
Audio  Steering  Wheel Controls 
....................... 3-56 
Understanding  Radio Reception 
...................... 3-57 
Care  of  Your  Cassette  Tape Player 
................. 3-58 
Care 
of Your  CDs ......................................... 3-59 
Care  of Your  CD  Player 
................................ 3-59 
Backglass  Antenna 
....................................... 3-59 
3- 
1  

The  main  components of the  instrument panel  are 
the  following: 
A. Side  Window  Defogger  Outlets 
B.  Fog  Lamps  Switch 
C.  Turn  SignaVMultifunction  Lever 
D.  Instrument  Panel  Cluster 
E. Hazard  Warning  Button 
F. Horn 
G. Trip  Computer  (If  Equipped)  and/or Driver 
Information  Center  (DIC) 
H.  Instrument  Panel  Outlets 
I. Interior  Lamps  Control 
J. Exterior  Lamps Control 
K. Tilt  Steering  Wheel  Control 
L.  Audio  Steering  Controls 
(If Equipped) 
M. Head  Up  Display  (HUD)  Controls (Option) 
N. Climate  Controls 
0. Ashtray and Cigarette  Lighter 
P.  Audio  System 
Q. Glove Box 
R. Instrument  Panel  Fuse  Block 
Hazard  Warning  Flashers 
Your hazard warning flashers  let you warn others. They 
also  let police know you  have  a problem.  Your front 
and  rear  turn  signa!  !amps 
will flash or! and off. 
The  hazard warning 
flasher button is 
located  on top of the 
steering column. 
The  hazard warning flashers  work  no matter what 
position  your key is in, and even 
if the  key isn’t  in. 
Press the  button to  make your front  and rear turn signal 
lamps flash on and 
off. Press the button again to turn 
the flashers 
off. 
When  the  hazard warning flashers are  on, your turn 
signals and brake lamps  won’t  work. 
3-3  

Climate Controls 
Dual Climate Control System 
f;' (Vent): This mode  directs  air to  the  instrument 
panel outlets. 
+2 (Bi-Level): This  mode  directs  half  of the  air  to  the 
instrument panel  outlets,  and  then  directs  the 
With  this system  you  can  control the heating, cooling 
and  ventilation  for  your  vehicle.  remaining air 
to the  floor  outlets.  Some  air  may  be 
directed  toward the  windshield.  Cooler  air  is  directed  to 
the  upper  outlets and  warmer  air  to  the  floor  outlets. 
(Floor): This mode  directs  most  of the  air to 
the  floor  outlets with  some  air  directed  toward  the 
outboard outlets (for  the  side  windows)  and  a little air 
directed  to  the  windshield. 
The  mode  knob can also  be  used  to  select  defog  or 
defrost  mode. Information  on  defogging  and  defrosting, 
see "Defogging and  Defrosting" later in this  section. 
3f (Fan): Turn  the knob  located  on  the  left of 
the climate  control panel  clockwise  or  counterclockwise 
Use  the  mode  knob  located on  the right side  of the  to  increase or  decrease  the  fan  speed. 
climate  control panel  to select the following  modes: 
Driver  or Passenger  (Temperature  Levers): Slide  the 
2 MAX (Maximum): This  mode recirculates  much of 
the  air  inside  your vehicle and sends  it through  the 
instrument  panel  outlets.  The  air conditioning 
compressor  will  run automatically  in this  setting  unless 
the temperature  is  at  or below freezing.  lever(s) 
up  or down  to  increase  or  decrease  the 
temperature. 
3-20  

Uniform Tire  Quality Grading 
Quality grades  can  be  found where  applicable  on the 
tire  sidewall  between tread shoulder and  maximum 
section width. For  example: 
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A 
The following information relates  to the  system 
developed  by the  United States National  Highway 
Traffic  Safety Administration,  which  grades tires  by 
treadwear, traction  and temperature performance. 
(This applies only to vehicles sold  in  the United States.) 
The  grades  are molded  on  the sidewalls  of most 
passenger  car  tires.  The  Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
system  does  not  apply to deep tread, winter-type 
snow  tires, space-saver  or temporary  use spare tires, 
tires  with  nominal  rim diameters  of 
10 to  12 inches 
(25  to 
30 cm),  or  to some  limited-production tires. 
While  the tires available  on General  Motors  passenger 
cars  and light trucks  may  vary with  respect  to these 
grades, they  must also conform  to federal safety 
requirements  and additional General  Motors Tire 
Performance  Criteria (TPC) standards. 
Treadwear 
The treadwear  grade is a comparative rating  based  on 
the  wear  rate of the  tire when  tested  under controlled 
conditions  on  a specified  government  test  course. 
For  example,  a tire  graded 
150 would  wear  one  and 
a  half 
(1.5) times as  well  on  the  government  course as 
a  tire  graded 
100. The  relative  performance  of  tires 
depends  upon  the actual  conditions  of their  use, 
however,  and  may  depart  significantly  from  the  norm 
due  to variations  in driving  habits,  service  practices and 
differences  in road characteristics  and  climate. 
Traction - AA, A, 9, C 
The traction grades,  from  highest to lowest,  are  AA,  A, 
B, and  C.  Those  grades  represent  the  tire’s  ability 
to  stop  on  wet  pavement  as  measured  under  controlled 
conditions  on specified  government  test  surfaces 
of 
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may  have  poor 
traction performance.  Warning:  The  traction  grade 
assigned to this tire  is based  on  straight-ahead braking 
traction tests, and  does  not  include  acceleration, 
cornering, hydroplaning,  or  peak traction characteristics. 
5-72