2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX fuel cap

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is
possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 342.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
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When the indicator nears empty, there is still a
little fuel left, but you should get more soon.
Here are four things owners usually ask about the
fuel gage. All these situations are normal and
do not indicate a problem with the fuel gage:
At the gas station the pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes more or less fuel to ll up than the
gage indicates. For example, the gage
reads half full, but it took more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to ll it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
The gage may not indicate full when the
ignition is turned off.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives
important safety and maintenance facts. When the
vehicle’s ignition is turned on, all of the DIC
lights illuminate for a few seconds and an
introductory message will appear. After this, the
DIC will begin working.
DIC Controls and Displays
(Base Level DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) control
buttons and the message display screen are
located above the radio. The DIC gives important
safety and maintenance facts concerning the
vehicle. The status of many of the vehicle’s
systems along with driver personal programming
mode menus and warning messages about
the vehicle’s systems may display on the DIC
screen.
The vehicle’s transaxle position will also appear.
The buttons on the base level are trip odometer,
set/reset, and options.
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This message displays 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.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays when the fuel cap is not
on, or is not fully tightened. Check the fuel cap to
ensure it is on and properly tightened. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn this message off. See
Filling the Tank on page 342for more information.This message displays while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime sounds for two seconds when this
message is displayed and then the message
continues to display. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
This message continues to display for
three seconds 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.
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Item Description Total
AMaximum Vehicle
Capacity Weight for
Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
200 lbs (91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight=0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information
label for specic information about your vehicle’s
maximum vehicle capacity weight and seating
positions. The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never exceed your
vehicle’s maximum vehicle capacity weight.
Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication label is found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door.
The label shows the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either
the front or rear axle.
Example 3
320

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. Trailering is different than
just driving the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, durability, and fuel
economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before pulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transaxle, wheel assemblies, and tires are forced
to work harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat. The trailer also adds
considerably to wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.
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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

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep
sparks, ames, and smoking materials
away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel
pump unattended when refueling your
vehicle. This is against the law in some
places. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
the cap is released too soon, it will spring back
to the right.
While refueling, let the fuel cap hang by the tether
below the fuel ll opening.
342

{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. Fuel
can spray out on you if you open the fuel
cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 453.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until
it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 180.The CHECK GAS CAP message will be displayed
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if the
fuel cap is not properly installed. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 200for more
information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant. Leave the
area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 180.
343