2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX maintenance

DIC Controls and Displays (Uplevel
DIC with Trip Computer)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) control buttons and
the message display screen are located above the
radio. The DIC gives important safety and maintenance
facts concerning the vehicle. The status of many of
the vehicle’s systems along with driver personalization
menus and warning messages about the vehicle’s
systems may display on the DIC screen.
The outside temperature automatically appears on the
bottom right corner of the DIC display screen. If the
outside temperature is below 38°F (3°C), the temperature
reading will toggle between displaying the outside
temperature and the word ICE for two minutes. If there is
a problem with the system that controls the temperature
display, the letters OC (Open Circuit) or SC (Short
Circuit) will appear on the display. If this occurs, have the
vehicle serviced by
your GM dealer.
The vehicle’s transaxle position and the direction the
vehicle is traveling will also appear on the DIC screen.The compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. However, under
certain circumstances, such as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to compensate for
compass variance and reset the zone through the
DIC. See “Setting the Compass” later in this section for
more information.
The buttons on the DIC trip computer are gages, trip
odometer, set/reset, options, and fuel.
Gages
2(Gages):Press this button to access the OIL LIFE
REMAINING, TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE,
BATTERY, ENGINE HOURS, ENGINE BOOST, and
MAXIMUM Gs modes.
3-60

AJAR
This symbol appears
with the AJAR
warning message.
This warning message comes on when a door, the
trunk, or the hood of the vehicle is not properly closed.
The graphic will highlight the hood or trunk if either
one is not closed properly. The graphic will indicate a
highlighted, open door to show which door or doors are
not properly closed.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A
chime will sound for two seconds when the ignition is
shifted out of PARK (P). 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.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message appears when the system detects that
the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable
level. The battery saver system will start reducing certain
features of the vehicle which you may not be able to
notice. At the point that the features are disabled,
this message is displayed. It means that the vehicle is
trying to save the charge in the battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories to allow the battery to
recharge. The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to
15.5 volts. If you have the uplevel DIC, you can monitor
battery voltage on the DIC by pressing the gages
button until BATTERY appears.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This symbol comes on with
the CHANGE OIL SOON
warning message.
This warning message indicates that service is required
for the vehicle. See your GM dealer. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-16andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
3-73

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 6-4for
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 5-28.
4-46

When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-71
Buying New Tires.........................................5-72
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-75
Wheel Replacement......................................5-75
Tire Chains..................................................5-77
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-77
Tire Inator Kit (GXP)....................................5-79
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-88
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-90
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-91
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-97
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-99
Appearance Care............................................5-99
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.................5-99
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-101
Leather......................................................5-103
Ultra Lux Suede..........................................5-103
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-104
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-104
Weatherstrips.............................................5-104Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-105
Finish Care................................................5-105
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-106
Aluminum Wheels.......................................5-106
Tires.........................................................5-107
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-107
Finish Damage...........................................5-107
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-108
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-108
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-109
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-110
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-110
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-110
Electrical System..........................................5-111
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-111
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-111
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-111
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-111
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-112
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-112
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-114
Capacities and Specications........................5-118
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Doing Your Own Service Work
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts,
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.If you want to do some of your own service work, you
will want to use the proper service manual. It tells
you much more about how to service your vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-14.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-65.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. SeeMaintenance Record on page 6-14.
5-4

How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Anytime
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change the oil prior to a CHANGE
OIL SOON message appearing on the DIC, reset
the system.
To reset the oil life system, after the oil has been
changed, use the following procedure:
1. Press the options button on the DIC until ENGINE
OIL MONITOR appears on the DIC screen.
2. Press the set/reset button to reset the system.
The next screen indicates that the engine oil
monitor system has been reset.
If the vehicle is equipped with the trip computer
DIC, when the gage button is pressed and the OIL
LIFE REMAINING mode appears, it should read
100 percent OIL LIFE REMAINING.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of used oil, ask your dealer, a service
station, or a local recycling center for help.
Supercharger Oil
Because they are technically qualied and have the
proper tools, you should have your dealer perform this
maintenance.
5-20

When to Check
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 6-6for when
the oil level should be checked.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
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 it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a
new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter do the
following:
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown, 3800 V6
Engine similar
5-21

How to Add Automatic Transaxle 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 the incorrect automatic transaxle
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” 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 5-28.
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 the rst maintenance
service after each 25,000 miles (41 500 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.
5-25