The Pontiac Grand Prix was a car manufactured by General Motors from 1962 to 2008, with the seventh (and last) generation encompassing the 2006 model year. If you own a Grand Prix, one important maintenance task is routine oil changes. Your engine oil provides lubrication for the moving parts in your engine, and needs to be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles because deposits begin to collect in the oil, which can reduce its performance. In a worst-case scenario, your engine can seize up, rendering your Grand Prix undriveable. You can change the oil in less than an hour.
Park the Grand Prix on level ground. Allow the engine to cool off. Ideally, you want the oil to be warm, as it will flow out of the engine block better than if it is cold. If the oil is too hot, however, you can be severely burned.
Go underneath the car and locate the oil drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan.
Put a drain pan underneath the drain plug.
Loosen the drain plug with a socket wrench until it's loose enough to unscrew by hand. Continue unscrewing the drain plug with your hand, but press against the oil pan while you unscrew it to prevent the oil from gushing out.
Remove the drain plug from the oil pan and allow the oil to flow into the drain pan. Wipe the oil off the drain plug with an old rag.
Remove the cap labeled "Engine Oil Only" (the oil cap) in the top of the engine compartment. This equalizes the pressure in the engine block and helps the oil to drain out. Allow the oil to drain into the drain pan until the flow is down to a steady drip.
Wipe the oil off the area around the drain hole and screw the drain plug back into place. Tighten the drain plug with a socket wrench to form a tight seal, but do not over-tighten it, as you can strip the threads and it will fall out.
Pour the old engine oil from the drain pan into an old plastic container, like an antifreeze or windshield washer fluid container.
Place the drain pan underneath the oil filter.
Remove the oil filter by unscrewing it from the engine block. If it's too tight or slippery, use a filter wrench to loosen it, then remove it by hand. Keep the open end of the filter facing up because it still contains oil.
Cover the gasket on the new oil filter with new oil by dipping your finger in the oil and running it over the gasket. This helps the new filter slide into position on the engine.
Screw the new filter onto the engine. Turn it until it's fairly tight, then add a quarter-turn.
Add the new oil to the engine by pouring it through the hole at the top of the engine block. Using a funnel can help prevent spills. Replace the oil cap after the oil has been added.
Start the Grand Prix up and let it run for a few minutes. Turn it off, then check the oil level with the dipstick. Add more oil if necessary.
