2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX brakes

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This symbol appears
with the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning
message.
If the vehicle has ABS brakes, this warning message
will appear when the air pressure in one of the tires
is too low or too high. Check the vehicle's tire pressure
as soon as possible, and ®ll the affected tire to the
appropriate level. The correct tire in¯ation pressure
should be set to those shown on the tire-loading
information label on the vehicle. See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-35for more information.When you reset the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE screen
by acknowledging it, you must also reset the TIRE
INFLATION MONITOR SYSTEM screen located under
the option menu in the DIC. See ªTire In¯ation Monitor
Systemº in the options section under
DIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-45for more information.
This warning message will display while the ignition is
in RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds when
this message is displayed and then the screen will clear
after three seconds. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this warning message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
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CRUISE SET
This symbol appears with
the CRUISE SET message.
This message will appear whenever the cruise control
is set. See
Cruise Control Lever on page 3-8and
the ªDISPLAY UNITSº screen in the options menu under
DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-45for more
information.
The cruise symbol will disappear when the cruise control
is cancelled, the brakes are applied, or when the cruise
control is turned off.The cruise set speed and the speed indicated by the
speedometer may not always be exactly the same.
This message will display when the ignition is in RUN.
The screen clears after three seconds, and the message
does not re-display for three seconds after the ignition
is turned off or started.
This message does not need to be acknowledged.
DELAYED LOCKING
This message will appear when the doors of the vehicle
are closed and the delayed locking feature has been
programmed through the DIC. See ªDelayed Lockingº in
the options menu under
DIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-45for more information.
This message will appear when the ignition is in OFF.
A chime will sound for two seconds when this message
is displayed.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
3-69

LOW BRAKE FLUID
This symbol appears with
the LOW BRAKE FLUID
warning message.
This warning message will appear when the brake ¯uid
level is low. Fill the brake master cylinder to the proper
level. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for the location of the brake master cylinder reservoir.
Also, seeBrakes on page 5-45for proper ¯uid level.
The brake light will also appear on the instrument panel
cluster when this message appears on the DIC.
This warning message will display only when the ignition
is in RUN. A chime will sound continuously while this
message is displayed. Press the set/reset button
to acknowledge this warning message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
LOW FUEL
This symbol appears with
the LOW FUEL warning
message.
This warning message will appear when the vehicle is
low on fuel. Re®ll the fuel tank as soon as possible.
This warning message will display while the ignition is
in RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds when
this message is displayed. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this warning message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
3-75

RIGHT REAR TURN LAMP OUT
This warning message will appear when the
vehicle's right rear turn signal needs to be replaced.
See
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps on
page 5-64for bulb replacement procedures.
This warning message will display only while the ignition
is in RUN. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
SERVICE ABS SYSTEM
This symbol appears
with the SERVICE ABS
SYSTEM warning
message.
If the vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
this warning message will appear when the vehicle's
brakes are not functioning properly. Have the brake
system serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
This warning message will display only while the ignition
is in RUN. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
3-80

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This symbol appears with
the SERVICE BRAKE
SYSTEM warning
message.
This warning message will appear when the vehicle's
brakes are not funtioning properly. Have the brake
system serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
This warning message will display only while the ignition
is in RUN. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
SERVICE BRAKE APPLY SENSOR
This message will display when the brake apply sensor
is not functioning properly. The vehicle still has
brakes when this warning message displays, but you
should have the vehicle serviced by your dealer as soon
as possible.
This warning message will display only while the ignition
is in RUN. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
3-81

SERVICE VARIABLE EFFORT
STEERING
This symbol appears with
the SERVICE VARIABLE
EFFORT STEERING
warning message.
If the vehicle has Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), it has the
variable steering effort system. This warning message
will display if this system is not functioning properly.
See
Steering on page 4-14for more information.
Have your system serviced by your dealer as soon
as possible.
This warning message will display only while the ignition
is in RUN. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This symbol appears with
the SERVICE VEHICLE
SOON warning message.
This warning message displays when a non-emissions
related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible.
This warning message will display only while the ignition
is in RUN. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning message and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
The message will re-appear when the engine is turned
on and the condition still exists.
3-84

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control of
your vehicle. Also see
Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-10andEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-11.
Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeandreaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That'sperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That'sreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second.
But that's only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs
and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency,
so keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy);
tire tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
4-6

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts Ð heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking Ð rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel
will come on brie¯y when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
4-7