2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX trailer

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

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
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.
5-23

Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-30for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.If an overheat warning occurs without any sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Set the heater at the highest setting and the fan at
the highest speed and open the windows as
necessary.
If the overheat warning no longer exists, the vehicle can
be driven. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not come back on, the
vehicle can be driven normally.
If the warning continues, and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-29

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The overheated engine protection operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine condition
exists, this protection mode alternates ring groups
of cylinders to help prevent engine damage. In
this mode, there will be a signicant loss in power and
engine performance. The engine coolant temperature
gage indicator will move to the shaded area, and
the engine coolant temperature warning light will come
on, showing that an overheated engine condition
exists. Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a
trailer in the overheated engine protection mode should
be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-16.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan(s)
C. Pressure Cap3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown, 3800 V6
Engine similar
5-30

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.(l)For supercharged engines only: Have your dealer
check the supercharger oil level and add the proper
supercharger oil as needed (or every 36 months,
whichever occurs rst). See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
(m)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(n)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
6-8

T
Tachometer....................................................3-37
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-57
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-139
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-17
PASS-Key
®III .............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III Operation..............................2-20
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tires.............................................................5-60
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........................5-106
Buying New Tires........................................5-72
Chains.......................................................5-77
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-88
Cleaning...................................................5-107
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-99
Different Size..............................................5-73
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-77
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-67
Inspection and Rotation................................5-70
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-91
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-91
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-90
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-97Tires (cont.)
Tire Inator Kit............................................5-79
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-62
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-75
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-71
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-38
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-40
Your Vehicle...............................................4-38
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-45
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)...................4-11
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-45
StabiliTrak
®Plus System..............................4-12
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-23
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-25
Transmission
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-42
Trunk............................................................2-13
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
12