PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1996 Manual Online

Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly
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 won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that
follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
YI‘owing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position‘like
this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
0 Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle yith the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P)
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle
Models Only) -
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 firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire.
You or others could
b’e injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless
you have to,
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the
shift lever into the PARK (P)
I
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK
(P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking’on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. YOU may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P), This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque l’ock, set &e parking brake and then shift
into
BARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you
are ready to drive, move the shift lever out Qf
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does opcus, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours
a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic-Transaxle Operation” in the
Index.
If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure wn
the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P)
-- as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF, not LOCK. , ,<. j:~+!-,. , , ‘(, . .I. ”
,..I_ . , , . P ., , :. a -9 -- ....,. 4 -’. .:‘.I..: .,:- ;.
i.. ’ .--4 ..
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
Step
4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
Have the vehicle fixed
as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transaxle in’REVERSE
(R) and firmly apply the-parking
brake.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehic1e.k
equipped to tow
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
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Parking Over Things That Burn , Engine Exhaust
r
' ings that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under
your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves,
dry grass or othkr things that
can burn.
A CAUTION:.
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath,
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points
on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren't done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all 'the windows down to
H'ave your vehicle fixed immediately.
different.
modified improperly.
blow out any CO; and
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Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
/$ CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine
Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen
is a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. (See
“Blizzard” in
the Index.)
1
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground,
always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer? also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank located on the inside of each door to open and
close each window.
Power Windows (Option)
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition is on.
In addition, each
passenger door has a switch for its own window. The driver’s window switch has
an auto-down feature.
This switch
is labeled AUTO. Tap the switch back, and
the driver’s window will open a
small amount. When the
switch is moved all the way back, the window will go
down all the way.
To stop the window while it is lowering, move the .
switch forward. To raise the window, move and hold the
switch forward.
On four-door models, the driver’s window controls also
include a lock-out switch.
Press REAR LOCK OUT to
stop front and rear passengers from using their window switches.
The driver can still control all of the windows
with the switch in the lock position. Press the other side
of the
REAR LOCK OUT button for normal window
operation.
--
Horn
Press the center of your steering wheel to sound the
horn.
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Tilt Wheel (Option)
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn SignallMultifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
0 Cruise Control (Option)
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Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a %urn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the
turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
Q
A green arrow on the
instrument panel
will flash
in the direction of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change; just raise or lower the lever
until the mow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when
you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may be burned
out.
If a bulb is burned,out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see
"Fuses and Circuit Breakers" in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low Beam
To change the headlamps
from low
bearn to high or
high to
low, pull the turn
signal lever all
the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this blue light on the
instrument panel also will
be on.
The headlamp highfiow beam indicator light may flash
if the Daytime Running Lights (Dm) system is
experiencing a problem or if a headlamp is
malfunctioning. ~
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Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by moving the stalk
up or down.
For a single wiper cycle push the stalk down
to MIST, then
release it. For more cycles, hold the stalk down longer.
For fixed delay wiper cycles, move the wiper switch to
DELAY for wiper cycles with a fixed time delay
between them.
For steady wiper cycles, move the stalk up to either 1 or
2, depending on the wiper speed you want.
To turn the wipers off, move the stalk down to OFF.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be
sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them.
If they're frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your
blades do become damaged, get new blades or blade
inserts.
Heavy snow or ice c& overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop them until the motor cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Controlled Cycle Wipers (Option)
If your vehicle has controlled-cycle wipers, you can set
the wiper speed for a short or long delay between wiper
cycles. The controlled-cycle delay is very useful
in light
rain or snow.
Move the stalk to DELAY, then rotate the band and
choose the delay you want. Rotate the inner band
clockwise for shorter delay times between wiper cycles.
Rotate the band counterclockwise for a longer delay
time between wiper cycles.
With controlled-cycle wipers
you can also use MIST for
a single wiper cycle. ,
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Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the stalk with th'e
windshield washer symbol toward you until the washers
begin.
The wipers will resume the speed you were using
before. If you had no speed selected, the wipers will
stop.
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield
is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can
form ice on the windshield, blocking
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