2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX brake fluid

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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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.
LEFT REAR TURN LAMP OUT
This warning message comes on when the left rear turn
signal lamp needs to be replaced. SeeTaillamps,
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps on page 5-57for
replacement procedures.
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.
LOW BRAKE FLUID
This symbol comes on with
the LOW BRAKE FLUID
warning message.
This warning message will appear when the brake uid
level is low. Have the brake system serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible. SeeBrakes on
page 5-42.
The brake light will also appear on the instrument panel
cluster when this message appears on the DIC. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-42.
This message will display only while the ignition is
in RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds while
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 exists, the message will re-appear when
the engine is turned on.
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Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Pressure Cap...............................................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-40
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-41
Brakes........................................................5-42
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-50
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-53
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-54
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps......5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-57
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Replacement.................................5-60
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-60
Tires..............................................................5-60
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-62
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-64
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-67
Tire Ination Monitor System..........................5-68
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-70
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-46.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-114.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-28.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-40.
H. Supercharger Oil Fill Location (If Equipped). See
Supercharger Oil on page 5-20.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-30.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
L. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling System on
page 5-30.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-23.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-114.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-46.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-28.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-40.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-23.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
L. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
5-15

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear, pausing for about
three seconds in each one. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
The transaxle uid dipstick
handle has this symbol on
it, and is located near
the rear of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
crosshatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
5-24

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-42.
5-42

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-105.
5-43