2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM warning light

When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-27.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
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.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid 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
uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid 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 will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of
uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-78. United States
Canada
5-38

Brake Wear
The GT Series has four-wheel disc brakes and the SE
Series has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal firmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
5-39

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, B, 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.
5-63

A
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-35
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-87
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-40, 3-46, 3-57
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS).............................................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
AM ...............................................................3-70
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-71
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-71
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-78
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-81
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-84
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-78
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-81
Finish Damage............................................5-83Appearance Care (cont.)
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-84
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-38
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-69
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-70
Care of Your CDs........................................3-70
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-71
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-71
Radio with CD............................3-39, 3-43, 3-54
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-38
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-38
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-68
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-70
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-71
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-19
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-24
1

B
Backing Up....................................................4-45
Battery..........................................................5-40
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
Brake
Parking......................................................2-29
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-40
Brake Fluid....................................................5-37
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-40
Brake Wear...................................................5-39
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-48
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications............................5-92
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-12, 2-33, 4-26, 4-41
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-81
Your CD Player...........................................3-70
Your CDs ...................................................3-70
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Messages................................3-42, 3-53, 3-68
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-36
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-48
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-27
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-31
Checking Coolant............................................5-24
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-84
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-51
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-71
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-78
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-81
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-82
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-78
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-80
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-80
Cleaning Leather............................................5-80
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-80
Cleaning Tires................................................5-83
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-80
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-82
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-22
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-77
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-30
Heater, Engine............................................2-22
Low Warning Light.......................................3-30
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-36
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
3

E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-6
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-87
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-87
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-87
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-87
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-33
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-40
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-31
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-30
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-33
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-19Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-90
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-47
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Active Light................................................3-29
Warning Light.............................................3-28
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-47, 3-57
Finding a Station............................3-39, 3-44, 3-55
Finish Care....................................................5-82
Finish Damage...............................................5-83
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-71
Flat Tire........................................................5-67
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-68
5

L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lap Belt........................................................1-28
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-14, 1-23
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-47
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transaxle Only)...........................2-31
Lift Seat, Power............................................... 1-7
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-28
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
Change Engine Oil......................................3-35
Charging System.........................................3-26
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Active Light....3-29Light (cont.)
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-28
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-30
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-36
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-31
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-25
Security.....................................................3-35
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-36
Up-Shift.....................................................3-26
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-35
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-30
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-36
8