2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX maintenance schedule

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Airbag System
.........................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-57
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
OnStar
®System
......................................2-36
Storage Areas
.........................................2-38
Sunroof
..................................................2-41
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-35
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-49
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-92Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-38
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-57
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-94
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-102
Electrical System
....................................5-103
Capacities and Specications
...................5-108
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-12
Index................................................................ 1
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner ManualM

Outlet Adjustment
Rotate and turn the air outlets, located in the middle
and at each outboard side of the instrument panel,
to adjust the direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. See “Passenger
Compartment Air Filter” following, for more
information on this lter.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter is located near the
passenger’s side windshield wiper arm, underneath
the inlet grille.
The lter traps most of the pollen from entering the
climate control system. Similar to the engine’s air lter,
it may need to be changed periodically to insure
system performance. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information.
To change the passenger compartment air lter, do the
following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC and the windshield
wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to off when the windshield wipers
are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and the air inlet grille.
5. Remove the hood weather-strip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, peeling it back
halfway.
3-33

Oil Pressure Light
If there is a problem with
the vehicle’s oil pressure,
this light may stay on
when the engine is started,
or it may come on while
the vehicle is being driven.
This indicates that oil is not going through the engine
quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine
could be low on oil or could have some other oil
problem. Have it xed right away.
The oil light could also come on in two other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to indicate
it is working. The light will go out when the
ignition is turned to RUN. If it does not come on
while the ignition is in the on position, there may be
a problem with the fuse or bulb. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-103.
If the brakes are applied quickly and the vehicle
makes a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Fog Lamp Light
This light will come
on when the fog lamps
are in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16for more information.
3-47

This warning message indicates that service is required
for the vehicle. See your GM dealer. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-14andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
The CHANGE OIL SOON message is reset by
acknowledging the message. The ENGINE OIL
MONITOR SYSTEM screen under the options menu on
the DIC must also be reset. See “Engine Oil Monitor
System” in options underDIC Controls and Displays
(Base Level DIC) on page 3-49orDIC Controls
and Displays (Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer) on
page 3-57for more information.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.
Press the set/reset button to acknowledge this message
and to clear it from the screen.
This message will continue to display for three seconds
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.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
This symbol comes on with
the CHARGING SYSTEM
FAILURE warning
message.
This warning message indicates that there is a problem
with the generator and battery charging systems.
Have the electrical system checked by your GM dealer
as soon as possible.
This 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 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.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
3-71

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle will need service more often when it pulls
a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle
uid, which should not be overlled, engine oil,
drive belts, cooling, and brake systems. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will help
locate them quickly. If trailering, it is a good idea to
review this information before starting on a trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.
4-47

How to Check and Add Oil
{CAUTION:
If you remove the supercharger oil ll plug
while the engine is hot, pressure may cause
hot oil to blow out of the oil ll hole. You may
be burned. Do not remove the plug until the
engine cools.
Park the vehicle on a level
surface. Check oil only
when the engine is
cold. Allow the engine to
cool two to three hours
after running.1. Clean the area around the oil ll plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the oil ll plug.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place.
Tighten to 88 lb-in (10Y).
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace at the rst oil change after
50,000 miles (83 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for more information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter at each engine
oil change.
5-20

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If the vehicle is not used under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
uid could come out and fall on hot engine or
exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check the
transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
5-22

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the crosshatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transaxle uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant is added.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem
with engine overheating or if coolant needs to be added
to the radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-24