2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX oil level

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when your vehicle is
in PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks the front wheels. It’s
the best position to
use when you start the engine
because the vehicle can’t move easily.
The automatic transaxle has a shift lever on the console
between the seats. There is also a display of the gear
positions on the instrument panel cluster near the
speedometer and tachometer.
It is 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 have 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). See “Shifting
Into Park (P)”
in the Index. If you’re pulling a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.
2-24

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

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

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

Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light appears on the
instrument cluster, it
means you need to
check your engine oil
level right away.
LOW OIL
LEVEL
For more information, see Low Oil Level Light on
page
3-36.
Checking Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
3100 V6 Engine
3800 V6 or 3800 V6
Supercharged Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop located
near the front of the engine. See Engine Comparfment
Overview on page
5-12 for more information on location.
5-1 8

Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
3100 V6 Engine 3800
V6 or 3800 V6 Supercharged Engine
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the bottom hatchmark, then you’ll
need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must
use the right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications on page 5- 102.
Nofice: Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, your engine could be damaged.
5-1 9

I-
3100 . - Engine
A
A
*
SAE 1OW-30
m
I
3800 V6 or 3800 V6
Supercharged Engine
The engine oil fill cap will have one of these symbols on
it, depending on the engine. It is located on the front
of the engine, near the center of the engine
compartment and the yellow-looped engine oil dipstick.
See Engine Compartment Overview on page
5-12
for more information on location.
Be sure to
fill it enough to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range in the cross-hatched area.
Push the dipstick
all the way back in when you're
through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use
any oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you choose to perform
the engine oil change
service yourself, be sure
the oil you use has
the starburst symbol on
the front of the oil
container. If you have your
oil changed for you, be
sure the oil put into
your engine is American Petroleum Institute certified
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the viscosity chart.
5-20

When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil
Life SystemTM)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine
oil and filter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated
can vary considerably. For the oil life system to
work properly, you must reset the system every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary.
A CHANGE OIL SOON light will come on.
Change your
oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel.
It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember
to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the GM Oil Life System
The GM Oil Life SystemTM calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system
so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required.
If a situation occurs
where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE
OIL SOON
light being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the GM Oil Life SystemTM after the oil has
been changed, use one of the following two procedures:
Using the Driver Information Center (DIC)
1.
2.
3.
With the ignition key in RUN but the engine off, fully
push and release the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within five seconds.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light flashes, the system
is resetting.
Turn the key to OFF after the light stops flashing,
then start the vehicle.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes back on, the
engine oil life monitor has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Using the Trip Computer (If Equipped)
1. Press the MODE button until the light appears lit
2. Press and hold the RESET button for three seconds.
next to
OIL LIFE.
The
oil life percentage should change to 100%.
5-23