2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX brake fluid

Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the vehicle. For
good braking, though, both parts should be
working well.
This light should come on briey when the ignition
key is turned to RUN. If it does not come on
then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.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 200for 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 200for 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. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 322.
United StatesCanada
176

LOW BRAKE FLUID
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message displays when the brake uid level
is low. Have the brake system serviced by
your dealer as soon as possible. SeeBrakes on
page 378.
The brake system warning light also appears on
the instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 176.This message displays only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds 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 continues to display if it has not
been acknowledged when the engine is turned off.
It also re-displays 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 re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
210

LOW WASHER FLUID
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message displays when the windshield
washer uid is low. Fill the windshield washer uid
reservoir as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 346for location
of the windshield washer uid reservoir. Also,
seeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 377
for more information.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds 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 continues to display if it has not
been acknowledged when the engine is turned off.
It also re-displays 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
re-appears when the engine is turned on.
PARKING BRAKE ON
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message displays to alert the driver when the
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in
RUN, and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph
(8 km/h). SeeParking Brake on page 115for
more information.
The brake system warning light also appears on
the instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 176.
213

Service........................................................ 336
Accessories and Modications................... 336
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 337
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 337
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 338
Fuel............................................................. 338
Gasoline Octane........................................ 338
Gasoline Specications.............................. 339
California Fuel........................................... 340
Additives................................................... 340
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 341
Filling the Tank......................................... 342
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 344
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 344
Hood Release........................................... 345
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 346
Engine Oil................................................. 350
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 353
Supercharger Oil....................................... 355
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 355
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 357Engine Coolant.......................................... 360
Pressure Cap............................................ 364
Engine Overheating................................... 364
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 366
Cooling System......................................... 366
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 376
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 377
Brakes...................................................... 378
Battery...................................................... 381
Jump Starting............................................ 382
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 388
Bulb Replacement....................................... 391
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 391
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 391
Front Turn Signal, Parking and
Fog Lamps............................................ 394
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps...... 395
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 397
License Plate Lamp................................... 398
Replacement Bulbs................................... 398
Windshield Replacement............................ 399
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
333

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 377.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 381.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 382.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 462.
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 366.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 364.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in
engine compartment). SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 376.
H. Supercharger Oil Fill Location (If Equipped).
SeeSupercharger Oil on page 355.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 366.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 350.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 350.
L. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. See “How to Add
Coolant to the Radiator” underCooling
System on page 366.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 357.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 378.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 355.
347

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 377.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 381.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 462.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 382.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 364.
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 376.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 350.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 350.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 357.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 378.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 355.
L. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 366.
349

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 346
for 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.
359

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 346for 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 your vehicle has 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 176.
378