2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means the vehicle has a brake problem.
The PARKING BRAKE ON message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is going faster than 5 mph.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-72for
more information.
The brake warning light may also come on when the
brake uid is low. If this occurs, the LOW BRAKE FLUID
message will also appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-72for more information.If the brake warning light comes on while the vehicle is
being driven, pull off the road and stop carefully.
The brake pedal may be harder to push, or it may go
closer to the oor. It may also take the vehicle longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system warning light on
can lead to an accident. If the light is still on
after you have pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If the vehicle has the
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS), this light will come
on when the engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the anti-lock portion of the brake
system. If the brake system warning light is not on,
the vehicle still has brakes, but it does not have anti-lock
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-42.If the light stays on, the vehicle needs service. If the
light comes on while the vehicle is being driven, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the vehicle again to reset the system. If the light
still stays on, or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the vehicle still has brakes, but it
does not have anti-lock brakes. If the brake system
warning light is also on, the vehicle does not have
anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with the regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-42.
If both the brake system warning light and the anti-lock
brake system light is on, pull off the road and have
the vehicle towed for service.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when the ignition key is turned to RUN. This
is normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the vehicle has the
3800 supercharged V6
engine or the 5300 V8
engine and the Traction
Control System (TCS), this
light may come on for the
following reasons:
The Traction Control button, located on the center
console, is pressed, turning the system off. The light
will stay on. To turn the system back on, press the
button again and the warning light should go out. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9for more
information.
If there is a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the TCS will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the brakes begin to overheat, the TCS will turn off
and the warning light will come on until the brakes
cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, the vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
If the vehicle is equipped
with the Enhanced
Traction System (ETS),
this light may come on for
the following reasons:
If the Traction Control button located on the center
console is pressed, turning the system off. This
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again and the warning
light should turn off. SeeEnhanced Traction System
(ETS) on page 4-11.
If the system is affected by an engine-related
problem, the system will turn off and the warning
light will come on.
If the light comes on and stays on for an extended
period of time when the system is turned on, the vehicle
needs service.
3-45

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light indicates that
the engine coolant has
overheated or the
radiator cooling fan
is not working.
If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
SeeCooling System on page 5-30for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle has a gage
that shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area, the
engine is too hot. That reading means the engine
coolant has overheated. If you have been operating the
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeCooling System on page 5-30for more information.
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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 awhile, 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:Modications 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.
Modications 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. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
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If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-48

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x any
mechanical or electrical problems that may have
developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
3-49

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 5-112.
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 3-17for more information.
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