brakes PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1999 Owners Manual

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For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

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Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has a Brake
-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (BTSI). You must fully apply the regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it all the way
into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal pushed
down. Release the shift lever button if you have a
console shift. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button if
you have a console shift. See ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transaxle, see ªStuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

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DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If the vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or if it
seems not to shift gears as you go faster, something
may be wrong with a transaxle system sensor. If
you drive very far that way, the vehicle can be
damaged. So, if this happens, have the vehicle
serviced right away. Until then, you can use
SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for
higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than DRIVE (D).Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of DRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power, but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would
also want to use the brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage the transaxle. Use
DRIVE (D) or THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage the engine.

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FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift
lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift into
first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If the front wheels can't rotate, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage the transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold the
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transaxle. Use the
brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold the vehicle
in position on a hill.
Performance Shifting (If Equipped)
Press the performance shift
button, located on the side
of the console shift lever, to
allow the transaxle to shift
at higher engine speeds,
increasing firmness and
acceleration performance.
If you have a vehicle with the 3800 Supercharged
engine option, the PERFORMANCE SHIFT message in
the driver information center will come on.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of
accelerator use while you're in the performance
shift mode.
Press the button again to return to normal shifting. The
transaxle will then shift at lower engine speeds,
increasing fuel economy.

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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal
down with the right foot.
Push down on the parking
brake pedal with the
left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with the right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with the left foot. When you lift the left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
released position.NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause the
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them, and you could also damage other parts of
the vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You must fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in
RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button if you have a console shift. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button if you have a console shift.If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P) with column shift, try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
For vehicles equipped with the console shift lever, see
ªShift Lock Releaseº in the Index.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric Shift Lock
Release system. The shift lock release is designed to:

Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P) (with the shift knob button fully
released if console shift), and

prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than OFF or
LOCK. The shift lock release is always functional
except in the case of a dead or low voltage
(less than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there are two override access slots that will
allow you to override the shift lock release.

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2-49 Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control
does not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply the brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system on the 3800 Supercharged V6 engine, or
the enhanced traction system on the 3100 V6 and
3800 V6 engine begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See ªTraction
Control Systemº or ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the
Index.) When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.

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2-73 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and it will stay on
for three seconds.
That's normal.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you've started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you're driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the
system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you're driving, your vehicle needs service. If the
light is on and the regular brake system warning light
isn't on, you still have brakes, but you don't have
anti
-lock brakes. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
(3800 Supercharged V6 Engine Only)
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the TCS button
located on the far right hand side of the Driver
Information Center, the warning light will come on and
stay on. To turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should go off. (See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index for more information.)

If there's a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

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The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up. ªI'll be carefulº isn't the
right answer. What if there's an emergency, a need to
take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street?
A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able
to react quickly enough to avoid the collision.
There's something else about drinking and driving that
many people don't know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person's system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking
-- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, that
person's chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness and
judgment can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol. You can have a serious
-- or even
fatal
-- collision if you drive after drinking.
Please don't drink and drive or ride with a driver
who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab;
or if you're with a group, designate a driver who
will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.

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Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that's only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.