automatic transmission PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 Owners Manual

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-4
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-11
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-12
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III Electronic Immobilizer...............2-20
PASS-Key®III Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-23
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-23
Ignition Positions..........................................2-23Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-24
Starting the Engine.......................................2-25
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-26
Active Fuel Management™.............................2-28
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-28
Parking Brake..............................................2-33
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-34
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-35
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-36
Engine Exhaust............................................2-36
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-37
Mirrors...........................................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-38
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-39
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-39
OnStar
®System.............................................2-40
Storage Areas................................................2-43
Glove Box...................................................2-43
Cupholder(s)................................................2-43
Sunglasses Storage Compartment...................2-44
Center Console Storage.................................2-44
Convenience Net..........................................2-44
Sunroof.........................................................2-44
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Active Fuel Management™
Your vehicle’s engine may be equipped with Active
Fuel Management™. This system allows the engine
to operate on either all or half of its cylinders,
depending on your driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing your vehicle to
achieve better fuel economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as accelerating from
a stop, passing, or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder operation.
Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever for the automatic transmission is
located on the console between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited when the vehicle
is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several
different positions
for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the front wheels.
It is the best position to use when the engine is
started because the vehicle cannot move easily.3800 V6 Engine
2-28

{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into PARK (P)
on page 2-34. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-29.Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes rst and then press the
shift lever button, located on the front of the shift lever,
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
key is in RUN. If the vehicle cannot be shifted out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing
it all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
PARK (P) on page 2-35.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-21.
2-29

3. The paddles are
located on the steering
wheel. They are used to
up-shift or down-shift
the transmission.
4. Push either paddle once to up-shift to the next
gear. Pull either paddle once to down-shift to
the next gear.
The vehicle will begin moving in rst gear upon
acceleration. For better control in icy or slippery
conditions, the vehicle may start out in SECOND (2),
rather than FIRST (1). This will only occur if you
have “tapped up” to second gear.
The up-shift light on the
instrument panel cluster,
or the up-shift symbol on
the HUD, if equipped, is
given as a prompt to use
the TAP-Shift
®paddle.For more information, seeUp-Shift Light on page 3-45
The up-shift light will only appear in the instrument
panel cluster if the HUD is off or if the vehicle does
not have HUD.
This prompt to up-shift, as needed, will be given
throughout acceleration. If up-shifting does not occur
when prompted, the vehicle speed will be limited
to protect the engine.
The gear position will display on the DIC and HUD,
if equipped, when in manual mode.
Pressing the accelerator while driving in the highest
gear (FOURTH (4)) between 20 mph (32 km/h)
and 50 mph (80 km/h), will make the transmission
automatically downshift. As your speed gets closer to
50 mph (80 km/h), you will need to increase accelerator
pedal travel to get the vehicle to downshift. At 50 mph
(80 km/h), even with the accelerator fully depressed,
the transmission will always remain in FOURTH (4).
The transmission will also automatically downshift as
the vehicle decelerates and comes to a stop.
If a paddle is pushed or pulled and the vehicle cannot
respond to a transmission gear change, a chime will
sound. The system will not allow either an up-shift or a
down-shift if the vehicle speed is too fast or too slow,
nor will it allow a start from THIRD (3) or higher gear.
2-32

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Outlets. SeeOutlet
Adjustment on page 3-36.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-36.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Cruise Controls.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7
andCruise Control on page 3-12.
D. TAP-Shift
®Control (If Equipped). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-39.
G. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wiper
Lever on page 3-10.
H. Ignition. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23.
I. Driver Information Center (DIC) (If Equipped). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-55.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-94.
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-115.L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
M. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever, on Steering Column.
SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Interior Lamps Brightness Control. SeeInterior
Lamps on page 3-19.
O. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-43.
P. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-28.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
R. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
S. Head Up Display (HUD) Control (If Equipped).
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-23.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
U. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-122.
3-5

Use the following settings to adjust the HUD.
9(Off):Turn the outer ring on the HUD control to
this position to turn the HUD off.
I II III IIII (Brightness):Turn the outer ring on the
HUD control clockwise to dim the display and
counterclockwise to brighten it.
w(Up):Press this portion of the switch on the
HUD control to move the image up.
x(Down):Press this portion of the switch on the HUD
control to move the image down. Move the image as
low as possible on the windshield, keeping it in full view.
?(Page):Press this button to select the display
formats. Release the page button when the format
number with the desired display is shown on the HUD.
Format One:This display gives the speedometer
reading (in English or metric units), transmission
positions, compass direction, and the outside
air temperature.
Format Two:This display includes the information
in Format One without the compass direction and
the outside air temperature.
Format Three:This display includes all the
information in Format One, but turns the instrument
cluster lighting off. Format three is only available
at night.All formats will show the turn-by-turn guidance
information. It will display the next turn, direction,
street name, and distance to the selected destination.
When you near your destination, the HUD will display a
distance bar that will ll in the closer you get to your
destination. All navigation information is provided to the
HUD by the navigation radio, if the vehicle has one.
The warning indicators still appear on the instrument
panel when required. The HUD will display Stealth
Mode On.
The HUD will store the last display format selected.
If the last format displayed was Format One or
Format Three, then Format One will be displayed
when the vehicle is started.
If the last format was Format Two, then Format Two
will be displayed.
The HUD image displayed on the windshield will
automatically dim and brighten to compensate for
outside lighting.
The HUD image can temporarily light up depending
on the angle and position of the sunlight on the
HUD display. This is normal and will change when the
angle of the sunlight on the HUD display changes.
Polarized sunglasses could make the HUD image
harder to see.
3-25

Up-Shift Light
If your vehicle has this
light, it will come on when
the shift lever is in the
manual transmission
position.
It will appear as a prompt to up-shift to the next gear
using one of the Tap-Shift
®paddles located on the
steering wheel.
If your vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD), it will
only appear on it.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-28
andHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-23for more
information.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking,
though, both parts should be working well.
This light should come on briey when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-45

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives important
safety and maintenance facts. When the vehicle’s
ignition is turned on, all of the DIC lights illuminate for a
few seconds and an introductory message will appear.
After this, the DIC will begin working.
DIC Operation and Displays
(Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) control buttons and
the message display screen are located above the
radio. The DIC gives important safety and maintenance
facts concerning the vehicle. The status of many of
the vehicle’s systems along with driver personalization
menus and warning messages about the vehicle’s
systems may display on the DIC screen.
The outside temperature automatically appears on
the bottom right corner of the DIC display screen.
If the outside temperature is below 38°F (3°C), the
temperature reading will toggle between displaying the
outside temperature and the word ICE for two minutes.
If there is a problem with the system that controls
the temperature display, the letters OC (Open Circuit)
or SC (Short Circuit) will appear on the display.
If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.The vehicle’s shift lever position and the direction the
vehicle is traveling will also appear on the DIC screen.
The compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates
the need to manually set the compass. However, under
certain circumstances, such as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to compensate
for compass variance and reset the zone through
the DIC. SeeDIC Compass (Uplevel DIC) on page 3-65
for more information.
The buttons on the DIC trip computer are gages,
trip odometer, set/reset, options, and fuel.
Gages
2(Gages):Press this button to access the OIL LIFE
REMAINING, TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE,
BATTERY, ENGINE HOURS, and MAXIMUM Gs modes.
3-55

If the vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow safe use of it, the cruise control can
be used again. SeeCruise Control on page 3-12.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for more information.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If the vehicle has the 3.8L V6 engine and Antilock
brakes, it has an Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only
if it senses that one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and
may also upshift the transmission to limit wheel spin.This symbol comes on
the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when
the ETS is limiting
wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when ETS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of it,
the cruise control can be used again. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-12.
ETS operates in all transmission shift lever positions.
But the system can upshift the transmission only as
high as the chosen shift lever position, so use the
lower gears only when necessary. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
4-7

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle will need service more often when it
pulls a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid, which should not be overlled, engine oil, drive
belts, cooling, and brake systems. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will help locate
them quickly. If trailering, it is a good idea to review
this information before starting on a trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.
4-36