2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX service indicator

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-56
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-36
Sunroof
..................................................2-39
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-31
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-45
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-88Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-33
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-56
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-67
Tires
......................................................5-68
Appearance Care
.....................................5-90
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-99
Capacities and Speci®cations
...................5-104
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-105
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner ManualM

Notice:If your key seems stuck in OFF and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers while the engine
is off.
R(RUN):This position is where the key returns to
after you start the vehicle. With the engine off, you can
use RUN to display some of the warning and indicator
lights.
/(START):This position starts the engine. Let go of
the key when the engine starts. The key will return
to the RUN position.
A continuous warning chime will sound and a KEY IN
IGNITION warning message will display on the DIC
if the key is in the ignition in the OFF or ACCESSORY
positions and the driver's door is opened.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power (RAP), the power
windows, audio system and sunroof will continue to
work up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned
to OFF and none of the doors are opened.
Starting Your Engine
1. Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's
a safety feature. To restart while you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the transaxle.
Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
2. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2-19

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The Check Engine light comes on
to indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
may not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modi®cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi®cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
3-40

The broken tape detection feature of your cassette tape
player may identify the cleaning cassette as a damaged
tape, in error. To prevent the cleaning cassette from
being ejected, use the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press and hold the CD TAPE button for ®ve
seconds. READY will appear on the display for
®ve seconds.
4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette.
5. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer's
recommended cleaning time.
After the cleaning cassette is ejected, the broken tape
detection feature will be active again.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to
clean the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will
not eject on its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner
may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type
cleaner. The use of a non-scrubbing action, dry-type
cleaning cassette is not recommended.After you clean the player, press and hold the eject
button for ®ve seconds to reset the CLEAN PLAYER
indicator. The radio will display CLEANED to show the
indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your CDs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen
a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution
and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer
edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your CD Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics
with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
3-131

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. General Motors
recommends that you buy gasolines that are advertised
to help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean. If your
vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, try a different brand of gasoline.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the speci®cations described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn't be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
5-6

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc 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 ®rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won't 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 ®rst 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 speci®cations.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See
Brake System Inspection on page 6-15.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-47

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-14
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-14
Part D - Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-16
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-14
Throttle System Inspection............................6-15
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-44
Making Turns.................................................4-42
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Climate Control System........................3-25
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle................. 2-5
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ± Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
ž.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-34
Mode............................................................3-25
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-105
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-16
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Supercharger, Engine...................................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-36
OnStaržServices............................................2-35
9

United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer........................3-53
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-35
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-76
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-91
Using Song List Mode...................................3-126
V
Variable Effort Steering....................................4-14
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-35
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identi®cation
Number (VIN).............................................5-98
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-98
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-48
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-29
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-13
Visors...........................................................2-13
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-31
Warnings.......................................................3-65
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4Warnings (cont.)
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-93
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-11
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-39
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-18
What Kind of Oil to Use..................................5-21
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-21
What to Use..........................................5-27, 5-43
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-75
Replacement...............................................5-75
When to Add..................................................5-43
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-20
When to Check......................................5-21, 5-69
When to Check and Change............................5-24
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-42
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill.........................................4-43
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-38
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-11
Window Lock-Out............................................2-13
Windows.......................................................2-12
Power........................................................2-13
15