How to Replace the Fuel Filter on a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix

Park the Grand Prix on a flat surface and set the parking brake. Chock the rear wheel to prevent the car from rolling backwards.

Open the hood to access the engine compartment. Disconnect the negative battery terminal with a crescent wrench. The battery will be located at the front of the engine compartment. The negative cables will be black and represented by the "minus" sign (-) on the battery.

Locate the Schrader valve on the fuel rail. It looks like the same type of valve you use to apply air to your tires. The fuel rail rail is located above the valve covers. Release the pressure of the fuel line by pressing a flathead screwdriver against the middle of the valve opening. Wipe off any fuel spilled on the engine with a clean rag.

Raise the front of the car with a jack. Raise it high enough to slide jack stands underneath the axles on both sides of the car. Lower the car to the jack.

Crawl under the car and locate the fuel filter on the driver's side. The filter is mounted along the Grand Prix's frame rail.

Place a crescent wrench on the large nut around the fuel filter. Hold the large nut with the crescent wrench and loosen the smaller nut next to it. Pull the fuel line out of the filter. Some fuel may pour out so it is best to have a small drain pan to catch it.

Squeeze the plastic clips on the inlet line of the fuel filter and pull the line away from the fuel filter. Allow the fuel line to hang over the drain pan to catch any excess fuel.

Loosen the fuel filter mounting bracket with a socket wrench. The nuts are located at the front of the filter.

Slide the old filter out of the mounting bracket. Place the new filter into the bracket.

Tighten the mounting bracket to the frame rail with a socket wrench. Ensure that the arrow is pointing toward the front of the vehicle. The arrow designates fuel flow.

Thread the outlet line onto the filter with your hands. Tighten the line to the filter with the crescent wrench. Hold the nut on the filter with another crescent wrench.

Push the inlet line onto the filter. The line will lock once it has been pushed on far enough.

Raise the car from the front with the jack. Take the jack stands away from the car. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

Connect the negative terminal to the battery. Tighten the battery cable to the terminal with a socket wrench.

Turn the ignition key to the start position. Listen for the fuel pump to engage. The fuel pump will run for five seconds and then turn off. Allowing the fuel pump to run before starting the car will prime it.

Turn the ignition key to start the vehicle. The vehicle may take a few seconds longer to start. The delay is due to air in the lines and the fuel needs to push the air out of the lines. Allow the car to idle for five minutes. Watch for any leaks around the fuel filter.