key PONTIAC GRAND-AM 1994 User Guide

1 Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's best to lock it
up and take your keys. But what if you
have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in
your vehicle?
e Put your valuables in a storage area,
like your trunk or glove box.
e Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver's.
0 Then take the door key with you.
rn Trunk Lock
To unlock the trunk from the outside,
insert the door key and turn the trunk lock
cylinder.
G
rn Remote Trunk Release
Pull upward on the remote release.handle,
located
on the floor near the left side of
the driver's seat, to release the trui& lid.
Make sure the lockout feature
is not
activated.
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Features & Controls
. .
Remote Trunk Release
(CONT.)
Lockout Feature:
The remote trunk release is equipped wit1
a lockout feature to help prevent
unauthorized entry into the trunk when
leaving the vehicle unattended. The
switch is located on the inside of the trun
lid, mounted to the trunk lid latch.
To turn the lockout on, slide the switch a1
the way to the right.
To turn the lockout
off, slide the switch all the way to the lefi
When the lockout is on, the mechanical
remote trunk release will not release the
trunk lid. However, the trunk lid can still
be opened with the key.
54
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the
glove box.
To open, pull the glove box
handle toward you.
New Vehicle
“Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modem Pontiac doesn’t need
an elaborate “break-in.” But it
will
perform better in the long run if you
follow these guidelines:
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or slow -- for the first
500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for
the first
200 miles (322 km)
or so. During this time your
new brake linings aren’t yet
broken
in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this “breaking-in” guideline
every time you get new
brake linings.
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LOCK
ACCESSORY
I Ignition Switch-
Vith the ignition key in the ignition
witch, you can
turn the switch ‘to five
ositions:
,CCESSORE An “on” position in
lhich you can operate some of your
lectrical power accessories. Press
in the
;nition switch as you turn the top of
it
)ward you.
,OCK: The only position in which you
!n remove the key. This locks your
:cering wheel, ignition and transaxle
~n automatic models).
IFF: Unlocks the steering wheel,
;nition, and transaxle (on’ automatic
todels), but.does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this
position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try
to push-start your
vehicle.
A warning’chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the
ignition is off and the key is in the
ignition.
RUN: An “on” position to which the
switch returns after you start your engine
and release the switch. The switch stays
in the RUN position when the engine is
running. But ‘even when the engine is not
running, you can use RUN io operate
your electrical power accessories,
and to
display
some instrument panel warning
lights.
START: Starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch
will return to RUN for normal
driving.
Note that even if the engine is not
running, ‘the positions
ACCESSORY and
RUN are “on” positions that allow you to
operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio.
,.
Key Release Button
‘MANUAL TRANSAXLE)
The ignition key cannot be removed from
he ignition unless.the key release button
s used.
ro Remwe the Key:
rum the key to the OFF position. Press
he key release button while turning
the
Ley from OFF to LOCK. Keeping your
inger on
the button, pull the key straight
)Ut.
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Features & Controls
Key Release Button
(MANUAL TRANSAXLE) (CONT.)
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK
and you can’t turn it, be sure it is all
the.way in. If
it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while
you
turn the key hard. But turn the
key only
with your hand. Using a
tool to force
it could break the key
or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs
service.
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of
your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
shows
the code letter or number for your
engine. You
will find the VIN at the top
left
of your instrument panel. (See
”Vehicle Identification Number”
in the
Index.) Follow the proper steps to start
the engine.
Automatic transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t start
in any other position -- that’s a safety
feature. To restart when you’re already
.EUTRAL (N) only.
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if
your Pontiac is moving. If you do,
you could damage the transaxle.
Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual transaxle
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor, then
shift your gear selector to neutral while
starting the engine. Your vehicle won’t
start
if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Both Transaxles
To Start Your 2.3 Liter EnEine
(Codes
3. D or A):
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal,
turn your ignition key to START.
When the engine starts, let
go of the
key. The idle speed
will go down as
your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for
longer than
15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery to be drained
much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor.
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2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the
weather is very cold (below
-20” F, or
-29” C), push the accelerator pedal
about one-quarter of
the way down
while you
turn the key to “Start.” Do
this until the engine starts. As soon as
it does, let go of the key.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or
starts but then stops), it could be
flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key
in “Start”.for about
three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from
the engine. If the car
starts briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing, but this time keep the
pedal
about one-quarter of the way
down for five or six seconds.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work
with the electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change the
way the fuel injection system
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your engine might not
perform properly.
If you ever have to have your
vehicle towed, see the part of this
manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See
“Towing Your Pontiac”
in the
Index.
To Start Your V6 Engine (Code M):
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal,
turn your ignition key to “Start.”
When the engine starts, let
go of the
key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for
longer than
15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery to
be drained
much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor.
. If your engine won’t start (or starts but
then stops), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing your
accelerator pedal all the way
to the
floor and holding it there as you hold
the key
in “Start” for about three
seconds. If the car starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing,
but this time keep the pedal down for
five or six seconds. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
range before starting the engine. Your
Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift
interlock.
You have to fully apply your
regular brake before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the
RUN position. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on
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 wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift
lever.) See “Shifting
Out of PARK (P)”
later
in this section.
I
Reverse
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while
your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transaxle. Shift
to REVERSE only after your
vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get
out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging your transaxle, see “If You’re
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the
Index.
Neutral
NEUTRAL (N): In this position,,your
engine doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL when your vehicle is Geing
towed.
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Features & Controls
T
Shifting Into
PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle
Models Only) (cow)
1. 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:
a. Hold
in the button on the lever.
b.
Push the lever all the way toward
the front of your vehicle into the
PARK position.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can walk away from your
vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With
the Engine Running
(Automatic Transaxle
Models Only)
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
’ARK (P) position, hold the regular brake
Jedal down. Then, see
if you can move
he shift lever away from
PARK (P)
without first pushing the button.
:f you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t
fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
(Automatic Transaxle)
[f 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
[he transaxle. You may find it difficult to
pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This
is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into
PARK (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 of PARK (P) BEFORE you
release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, 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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H Shifting Out of
PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle
Models Only)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift
interlock. You have to
fully apply your
regular brake before you can shift from
PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic
Transaxle”
in the Index.
tf you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on 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.)
[f you ever hold the brake pedal down but
still can’t shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the
drive gear you want.
5. 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
vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
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Features & Controls
Rear Reading Lights
(OPTION)
These overhead lights and the interior courtesy lights will come on when you
open the doors.
To turn on a reading light when the doors
are closed, push the button. Press it again
to turn
off the light.
Trunk Light
This light comes on when you open your
trunk. It also comes on when you open
the doors or
turn on the courtesy lights.
Battery Rundown
Protection
Your Pontiac is equipped with a Battery
Rundown Protection feature designed to
protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior light (trunk, reading,
footwell or glove
box) is left on when the
ignition is turned
off, the Battery
Rundown Protection system will
automatically shut the light
off after 20
minutes. This will avoid draining the
battery.
To reactivate the interior lights, either:
0 The ignition must be turned on
0 The activated light switch must be
turned off and then on, OR
0 A front door must be opened.
The Battery Rundown Protection feature
will also be activated when any door of
your vehicle is left open.
Also, if your vehicle is left with the
ignition turned
off for over 24 days,
battery power to your clock, audio system
and Remote Keyless Entry (if you have
this option) will be turned
off to reduce
battery drain. When
the ignition is turned
on again, battery power will be
resupplied. However, under these
conditions, it will be necessary to reset
the clock and audio system settings.
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Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This section 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 wroug 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 go on when there may be
Dr 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 turn the
ignition key 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 the
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.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much
fuel you have left, when the ignition is on.
When
the indicator nears “E” (Empty),
you still have a little
fuel left, but you
should get more soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask
about. None of these show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump
shuts off before the gage reads “F”
(Full).
c
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