2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX headlamp

CRUISE SET
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message and symbol display briey whenever the
cruise control is set. The cruise control light on the
instrument panel cluster also comes on when cruise
control is set. SeeCruise Control Light on page 3-53.
CRUISE SET also appears briey in the Head-Up
Display (HUD), if your vehicle has this feature. This
message displays when the ignition is in ON/RUN.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-12for more information.
This message does not need to be acknowledged.
DELAYED LOCKING
This message displays when the doors of the vehicle
are closed and the delayed locking feature has
been programmed through the DIC. See “DELAYED
LOCKING” underDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 3-89for more information.This message displays when the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF. A chime sounds for two seconds
when this message is displayed.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays when the amount of available
light outside the vehicle is low and the exterior
lamps control has been turned off. This condition
happens when the headlamps are turned off at night
or the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are turned
off during the day. This message informs the driver
that it has become dark enough outside to require the
headlamps to be turned on. When the headlamps
are turned on, this message clears from the screen.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-16andDaytime Running
Lamps (DRL) on page 3-17for more information.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds for two seconds when this message
is displayed. Press the set/reset button to acknowledge
this warning 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.
3-71

DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program certain features to one preferred
setting. Customization features can only be programmed
to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed
to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available will be displayed
on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then. The
customization preferences are automatically recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the
following procedure.
Entering the Personal Programming Mode
1. Turn the ignition on and make sure the vehicle
is in PARK (P).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the options button until PERSONAL
PROGRAMMING MODE appears on the DIC.3. Press the set/reset button to display the
rst screen.
4. Press the options button to access these modes:
Personal Programming Mode Screens
EXTERIOR LIGHTING DELAY:This screen allows
this feature to be turned off, or allows the selection of the
number of seconds the exterior lamps are turned on
after the key is removed from the ignition, or the vehicle
is unlocked using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
If OFF is selected, the exterior lamps will not turn on.
If a time delay is chosen, the lamps will turn on for
the selected time. The time delay will be cancelled
and the exterior lamps will turn on automatically when
the key is removed from the ignition, or the vehicle
is unlocked using the RKE transmitter.
To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
the selection you want to program. Choose from
OFF, 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
3-89

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But, as
we get older, these differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver might need at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warnings
and be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
4-14

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see
it or smell it, so you might not know it is in
your vehicle. Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with the headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-20

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
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....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Pressure Cap...............................................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-54
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-54
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps......5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-58
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-59
License Plate Lamp......................................5-60
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-60
Windshield Replacement.................................5-61
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-61
Tires..............................................................5-62
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-63
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-66
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-69
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-71
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-72
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77
Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-82
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-85
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (GXP)...........5-86
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-96
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-98
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..............................................5-100
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-107
Compact Spare Tire....................................5-109
Appearance Care..........................................5-109
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-109
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-111
Leather......................................................5-112
Ultra Lux Suede..........................................5-113
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-113
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-114Weatherstrips.............................................5-114
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-114
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-115
Finish Care................................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-116
Aluminum Wheels.......................................5-116
Tires.........................................................5-117
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-117
Finish Damage...........................................5-117
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-117
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-118
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-118
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-119
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-119
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-120
Electrical System..........................................5-120
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-120
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-120
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-121
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-121
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-121
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-122
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-124
Capacities and Specications........................5-128
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Headlamp Aiming
The visual optical headlamp aiming system has been
preset at the factory and should need no further
adjustment.
However, If the vehicle is damaged in an accident, the
headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment may
be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high beams at you, this
may also mean the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need to be
re-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim the
headlamps as described in the following procedure.The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are
25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light colored wall.
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all the way to the wall.
The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice, or
mudonit.
The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.
The vehicle should be normally loaded with a
full tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs (75 kg)
sitting on the driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inated.
5-51

Headlamp aiming is done with the low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will be correctly aimed if the
low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim, do the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
Find the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam lamp.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim
dot on the lamp. Record the distance.4. At the wall measure from the ground upward (A) to
the recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the
width of the vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being aimed. This should allow only
the beam of light from the headlamp being aimed to
be seen on the at surface.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
5-52