PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 Workshop Manual

Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.
5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
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6. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while
you push down
on the child restraint.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back
all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.
directions
to be sure it is secure.
Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window
so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
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Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are. Never
do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by
only one person at
a time.
e.’ What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child
is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in
a rear seat outside position, see
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index. If
the child is
so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child’s face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one
that has only a lap belt.
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Never do this.
Here
a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child.
If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then
be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion
of the belt
should be worn low and snug
on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.
1-47

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use
it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired
or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be neces
san 1-
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section,

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Pontiac, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-7
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10
2-12 2-13 2-13
2-
14
2- 16
2-19
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1
2-25
2-28
2-29
2-3
1
Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
Trunk
Theft
Passlock
TM
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle
Models Only) Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transaxle Models Only) 2-3
1
2-32
2-32
2-33
2-34
2-35
2-35 2-43
2-48
2-50
2-52
2-53
2-53
2-54
2-58
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Only)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
Turn SignaUMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Accessory Power Outlet
Garment Hook
Sunroof (If Equipped)
The Instrument Panel
--
Your Information System
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1

Keys
A CAUTION:
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
.* ...... ....... ........ >..* ..o..*..*.L..L... ........ .........
2-2

One key is used for the
ignition, the doors and all
other locks. If you need
a new key, go to your Pontiac dealer for the
correct key code. Remember to carry the pre-cut
emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery. In an
emergency, call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance
Program at
1 -800-ROADSIE or 1-800-762-3743
(in Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
When a new Pontiac is delivered, the dealer removes the
tags from the keys, and gives them to the first owner.
Each tag has a
code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tags in a safe place.
If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have new ones made easily using these tags.
I NOTICE:
Your Pontiac has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore, you can have a
lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle
to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.
2-3

Door Locks
A CAUTION: '" '
Unlocked doors can be dangerous. .
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and
fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out
of the vehicle in a
. .. . *_
---
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, you can use your key in the door lock.
You can also use the Keyless Entry System if your
vehicle has this option. From
the inside, you can lock the door by sliding the
locking lever rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the locking lever forward.
2-4

Power Door Locks
With power door locks, you
can lock or unlock all the
doors of your vehicle from
the driver or front passenger door lock switch.
On four-door models, slide the lock lever on each rear
door to lock or unlock that door.
Automatic Door Locks
Just close your doors and turn on the ignition. If you
have an automatic transaxle, all of the doors will lock
when
you move your shift lever out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). If you have a manual transaxle, all
of the doors will lock when the vehicle reaches about
8 mph (13 km/h). If someone needs to get out while the
vehicle is running, have that person use the manual or
power lock. When the door is closed again,
it will lock
automatically when you move your shift lever out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If you have a manual
transaxle, the doors will lock when the vehicle reaches about
8 mph (13 km/h). All doors will automatically
unlock when the key
is turned to the OFF position.
If you don’t want the doors to automatically unlock
when the key
is turned to the OFF position, you can
remove the DR UNLK fuse (1OA) from the vehicle fuse
block. For fuse location, see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index.
2-5