2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX engine overheat

Starting the Engine
Place the transaxle in the proper gear.
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position — this is a safety feature.
To restart when you are already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go
down as your engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transaxle gently
to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to the START
position, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the
ignition switch to the ACC or OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
107

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The cord is located above the engine
air cleaner/lter. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 346for more information on
location.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before, making
sure to keep it away from moving engine parts.
If this is not done, the cord could be damaged.
How long should the coolant heater be kept
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil that is in the vehicle,
and some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your
dealer in the area where the vehicle will be parked.
The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Active Fuel Management™
Your vehicle’s engine may be equipped with
Active Fuel Management™. This system allows
the engine to operate on either all or half of
its cylinders, depending on your driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising
at a constant vehicle speed, the system will
operate in the half cylinder mode, allowing your
vehicle to achieve better fuel economy. When
greater power demands are required, such
as accelerating from a stop, passing, or merging
onto a freeway, the system will maintain
full-cylinder operation.
109

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 324.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in the button on the shift lever and pushing
the shift lever all the way toward the front
of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and
your parking brake is rmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked in PARK (P).
116

Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light should come
on briey as you start
the engine.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires is signicantly under-inated. Stop and
check your tires as soon as it is safe to do so.
If underinated, inate them to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 400for more information. This
light will ash for 60 seconds and then turn on solid
if a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 409for more information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the vehicle has 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 292
for 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 TCS warning light comes on and stays on
for an extended period of time when the system is
turned on, the vehicle needs service.
178

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

HOT COOLANT
Notice:If the HOT COOLANT warning message
appears on the DIC display, stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Do not increase the engine
speed above normal idling speed. Severe
engine damage can result from driving a vehicle
with an overheated engine. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 364for more information.
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant
temperature warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. Also, the engine coolant
temperature gage will read in the red or hot area.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 179andEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 180for more information.To avoid added strain, turn off the air conditioner if it
is on. When the coolant temperature returns to
normal, the air conditioner can be turned back on.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds continuously 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.
206

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck,
you will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when
you are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin
the wheels too fast while shifting the transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy the transaxle.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 316.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 421.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
If your vehicle has traction control, you should turn
the traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 292. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out. If
your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 322.
316