PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 Owners Manual

The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
the exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the parking
the light sensor detects daytime light,
lamps
only position.
the parking brake is released, and
0 the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights
will not be illuminated unless you have turned the
exterior lamps control
to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
an automatic transaxle only.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it
is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim. Your
vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so
be sure it is not covered which will cause the
automatic headlamp system
to be on whenever the
ignition is on.
The automatic headlamp system may also be on when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation
of the DRL and the automatic
headlamp systems
so that driving under bridges or
bright overhead street lights does not affect the system.
The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only
be affected when the light sensor sees a change
in lighting lasting longer than this delay.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system
off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off.
Then start the vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay
off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
3-1 4

Headlamps Off in Park (P) Fog Lamps
To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control
to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be
off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control
to
the AUTO or headlamp position.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn
off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while
it is active turn the turn signaVmultifunction
lever up one position and then back
to AUTO. If
your vehicle has this
feature, the button for your
fog lamps is located on
the instrument panel,
to the
left of the steering wheel,
beside the instrument
panel brightness
thumbwheel.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low-beam headlamps.
Press the button
to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Press the button again
to turn the fog lamps off. The
fog lamps will turn
off whenever the high-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature
is located on the
instrument panel
to the left of the steering wheel.
Entry/Exit Lighting
When you lift the driver’s door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out after about
10 seconds after all of the doors
have been closed or when the ignition is turned to
ON. These lamps will also go on when you press the
trunk release, unlock symbol button or the horn symbol on the keyless entry system transmitter (if equipped).
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Dome Lamp
If your vehicle has this feature, the switch on this lamp
has three positions. The
ON position will turn on the
light. The
DOOR position will turn on the light whenever
a door is opened or when the instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel is moved up. The OFF position
will shut
off the lamp completely, even when a door
is opened.
Move the thumbwheel right
to brighten the lights and left
to dim them.
3-1 6

Trunk Lamp Battery Run-Down Protection
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Your vehicle has a battery run-down feature designed
to
protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading lamps, dome
lamp or glove box) is left on when the ignition is turned
off, the battery run-down protection system will
automatically shut the lamp
off after 20 minutes. This
will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:
Lift the driver’s door handle,
open any door or
press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped),
press the power door lock switch,
~r~~~ rei-,-iGte ti-Ufik Gr
turn the lamp that was left on to off and then to on
again.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and
Nofices Don’t put papers or other flammable
items into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or otl let
go.
her
smoking materials could ignite them, causing
SI damaging fire.
Nofice: Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your
hand while
it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when
it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and
the heating element. It can also blow
the fuse.
3-1 7

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
f;’ (MAX): This mode is used for maximum cooling.
It will recirculate much of the air inside your vehicle.
It maximizes your air conditioner’s performance and your
vehicle’s fuel economy. The air-conditioning compressor
will run automatically in this mode when it is needed
to help dry the air in the vehicle.
2 (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
tf;’ (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, then directs most of the
remaining air
to the floor outlets with some air directed
at the side windows.
@ (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets with some air directed to the side windows.
The right knob can
also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging
and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
@ (Fan): Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Temperature Control: Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to manually increase or decrease
the temperature inside your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside
0°F (-18°C) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater,
if equipped, to provide warmer air
faster to your vehicle. An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant that the engine uses
to provide heat to
warm the inside of your vehicle. For more information,
see Engine
Coolant Heater on page 2-22.
3-1 8

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the
air-conditioning system on or off. When
NC is pressed,
an indicator light above the button will come on
to let
you know that air conditioning is activated. The fan knob
must be set
to a speed for the air conditioning to
operate.
On hot days, open the windows
to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps
to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system
to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select NC.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle
to become
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off
tc
dry. Tc prevent
this frcl?? hsppenin& s!?er the 2i!- i!7
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from
the air,
so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning
Gf! the engine. This is nCx??ml.
Defogging and Defrosting
There are two modes to choose from to clear fog or
frost from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to
select defog or defrost mode.
+3 (Defog): This mode directs half of the air to the
windshield with most of the remaining air directed
to the
floor outlets and some air directed at the side windows.
When you select this mode, the system turns
off
recirculation automatically and runs the air-conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the defog mode.
To help clear the side windows quickly while using air
conditioning, do the following:
1. Select the bi-level mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select NC.
4. Select the temperature.
3-1 9

9 FRONT (Defrost): This mode directs most of the
air to the windshield, with some air directed to the
floor outlets. In this mode, the system will automatically
turn
off recirculation and run the air-conditioning
compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected while
in the defrost mode.
To help clear the windshield quickly, do the following:
1. Select the defrost mode.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
outlets located on the outside of the side instrument
panel outlets. To help clear the side windows quickly, do
the following:
1. Select the floor mode.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog of frost from the rear window.
REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or
off. An indicator light above the
button will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated. Be sure to clear as much snow
from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn
off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximately
five minutes before turning
off. The defogger can also
be turned
off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Notice: Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window.
If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
3-20

Outlet Adjustment
Use the louvers on the air outlets to change the
direction of the airflow.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
0 Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
0 When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is
encountered, use the MAX mode, with the
temperature knob at
a comfortable setting to
prevent the odor from entering the vehicle through
the ventilation system. This can be helpful when
driving through a long tunnel with poor ventilation.
However, extended usage of this mode in cold
or cool weather can cause window fogging.
3-2 1

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the engine just to let you
know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to
do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting
to do repairs can be
costly
- and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
3-22

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you have, and many other things you’ll need
to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this cluster
or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.
3-23