2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX cooling

When you want to open a rear door when the
security lock is on, do the following:
1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless
entry transmitter, if equipped, the power
door lock switch, or by lifting the rear door
manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the
following:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot
and turn it so the slot is in the vertical position.
Lockout Protection
The lockout protection feature makes it more
difficult to lock the key in the vehicle. If the driver’s
door is open while the key is in the ignition, the
door cannot be locked with the power door
lock switch.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of the vehicle. If the key is not left in the
ignition, or, if the manual door lock pin is used, the
key could still be locked inside the vehicle. Always
remember to take the key with you.
Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk
lid open because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death. If you
must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select
the control setting that will force
outside air into your vehicle. See
Climate Control System.
If you have air outlets on or under
the instrument panel, open them all
the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 119.
96

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or voltage
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you
may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action may
be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 200.
150

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a removable muffin
tin ashtray and cigarette lighter. The muffin tin
ashtray can be placed into the front center console
cupholder. To use the lighter, located on the
center console, push it in all the way and let go.
When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating will not allow the lighter to back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating may occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle. Never
put ammable items in the ashtray.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The climate control system allows manual control
of the heating, cooling, and ventilation in the
vehicle.
157

Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Turn both the fan and mode
knob to AUTO for automatic control of the inside
temperature, the air delivery mode and the fan
speed. You may notice a delay of two to
three minutes before the fan comes on when the
automatic operation is used in cold weather.For the automatic system to function, the
temperature must be set between 60°F (15°C) and
90°F (32°C).
1. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable
setting.
2. Press the PASS button to turn the passenger
climate control system on and off. When the
passenger system is off, the driver’s
temperature setting is also used for the
passenger and the passenger display is off.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced
fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your
vehicle until warmer air is available. The system
will start out blowing air at the oor but may
change modes automatically as the vehicle
warms up to maintain the chosen temperature
setting. The length of time needed for the air to
warm up will depend on the outside
temperature and the length of time that has
elapsed since your vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take
from 10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the
temperature, if necessary.
162

Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
If the vehicle has 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 293.
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.
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 366for more
information.
179

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 366for more
information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has 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.
180

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transaxle. These parts
can work hard on mountain roads.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, your brakes
could get so hot that they would not work
well. You would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let your engine assist
your brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Always have your
engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when
you go down a steep or long hill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift
down to a lower gear. The lower gears help
cool your engine and transaxle, and you can
climb the hill better.
310

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 473for 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 364.
331