window PONTIAC GRAND AM 2002 Owners Manual

1-26
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near
-frontal collisions.What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's
bag
-- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, but not
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.

1-28 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, see ªService and Owner
Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Rear Seat Passengers
It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren't safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows have lap
-shoulder
belts. Here's how to wear one properly.

1-40
A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for
the child's body with the harness and also sometimes
with surfaces such as T
-shaped or shelf-like shields.
A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle's safety belt system. Some
booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some
high
-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A
booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

1-54
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats 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.
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:If possible, an older child should wear a
lap
-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should
not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the
thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen,
which could cause severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, 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.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-14 Trunk
2
-17 Theft
2
-18 Passlock

2-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-20 Starting Your Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-28 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Parking Brake
2
-31 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-33 Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transaxle Only)2
-33 Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal (Manual
Transaxle Models Only)
2
-34 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-34 Engine Exhaust
2
-35 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-36 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-50 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
2
-51 Sun Visors
2
-51 Sunroof (Option)
2
-52 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-56 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by
the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3 Manual Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
The power window switches are located on the armrest
on the driver's door. In addition, each passenger door
has a window switch.Auto
-Down Switch
The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
Pull the top of the switch partway, and the driver's
window will open a small amount. If the switch is
pulled all the way, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, push the
switch forward. To raise the window, push and hold
the switch forward.
Lock
-Out Switch
On four
-door models, the driver's power window
controls also include a lock
-out switch. When the
lock
-out switch is moved to the left (with the red
showing), the driver and passengers will be able to use
their window switches. Move the lock
-out switch to
the right to stop the passengers from using their window
switches. The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock on.

2-4
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving 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 the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-15
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on Vent. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Remote Trunk Release
Press the remote trunk release button, located on the
driver's door, to release the trunk lid.
Make sure the remote trunk release lockout feature
is not activated. Also, the remote trunk release will
only work when either the ignition is off, the parking
brake is engaged or the vehicle speed is less than
2 mph (3 km/h).

2-17
NOTICE:
The trunk release handle was not designed to be
used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk release handle could damage it.
There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located
inside the trunk on the trunk latch. This handle will glow
following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to
open the trunk from the inside.
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit
To help prevent a child from becoming trapped in your
trunk, you can order a trap
-resistant trunk kit from your
dealer. This kit includes:

a modified trunk latch,

a lighted release handle, and

seatback tethers (for vehicles with folding
rear seatbacks).
See your dealer for additional information.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition and transaxle will be locked. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.