PONTIAC GRAND AM 2005 Owners Manual

Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level to
give your legs more room when you exit and enter
your vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
3-7

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
•Turn and Lane-Change Signals
•Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
•Flash-to-Pass
•Exterior Lamps Control
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-80.
3-8

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on if the
ignition is in ON.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, press the button at the end of
the lever until the washers begin.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
When you release the button, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about three times
or will resume the speed you were using before.
3-9

Windshield Wiper Lever
Use this lever located on the right side of the steering
wheel to operate the windshield wipers.
OFF:Move the lever to OFF to turn off the windshield
wipers.INT (Intermittent):Move the lever to INT to choose a
delayed wiping cycle. Turn the INT ADJ band down
for a longer delay or up for a shorter delay. The further
the INT ADJ band is turned upward, the shorter the
delay will be and the further the INT ADJ band is turned
downward, the longer the delay will be. The wiper
speed can only be adjusted when the lever is in the INT
position. Use this position for light rain or snow.
LO (Low Speed):Move the lever up to the first setting
past INT, for steady wiping at low speed.
HI (High Speed):Move the lever up to the second
setting past INT, for steady wiping at high speed.
MIST:Move the lever all the way down to MIST for a
single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield
wipers start; then let go. The windshield wipers will stop
after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on mist longer.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades
do become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
3-10

Cruise Control
The cruise control buttons are located on the bottom of
the steering wheel.
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
25 mph (40 km/h).
The cruise control will turn off if any of the following
occur:
•The brakes are applied,
•the automatic transaxle is shifted to NEUTRAL (N),
•the parking brake is applied, or
•the brake system warning light is on.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not 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. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
Your vehicle may have Enhanced Traction
System (ETS). SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 4-8. If your vehicle is in cruise control while the
ETS begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.
3-11

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the cruise ON OFF button.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET COAST button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset
it. Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL
(Resume/Accelerate) button briefly.You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there.
If you press the RESUME ACCEL button longer, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the button
or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster,
don’t hold down the RESUME ACCEL button.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the SET COAST button, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now
cruise at the higher speed.
•Press the RESUME ACCEL button. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then release
the button. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, press the RESUME ACCEL button briefly
and then release it. Each time you do this, your
vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pressing the SET COAST button.
3-12

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
•Press the SET COAST button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.
•To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET COAST button briefly. Each time you do
this, you’ll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal.
•Press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL button
and the SET COAST buttons at the same time.
•Press the cruise ON OFF button.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
O(Exterior Lamps):Turn the outside part of the
lever with the symbol on it, to operate the lamps.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
<(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with the
following.
•Sidemarker Lamps
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
3(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
AUTO:Turning the control to this position turns the
headlamps, taillamps and parking lamps on and
off automatically, while the ignition is on, by sensing
how dark it is outside. For more information see
“Automatic Headlamp System” later in this section.
Headlamps Off in PARK (P)
To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control to
the AUTO or headlamp position.
3-14

Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction
lever up one position and then back to AUTO.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
•The ignition is on,
•the exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the parking
lamps only position,
•the light sensor detects daytime light,
•the parking brake is released, andWhen the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights
will not be illuminated unless you have turned the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the
top of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so
be sure it is not covered which will cause the
automatic headlamp system to be on whenever the
ignition is on.
The automatic headlamp system may also be on when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the automatic
headlamp systems so that driving under bridges or
bright overhead street lights does not affect the system.
3-15

The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only be
affected when the light sensor sees a change in
lighting lasting longer than this delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. See “Instrument
Panel Brightness Control” underInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-17.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off.
Then start the vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.Fog Lamps
The button to turn your fog
lamps on and off is located
on the instrument panel,
to the left of the steering
wheel, beside the
instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low-beam headlamps.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on and off.
An indicator light on the button will glow while the fog
lamps are on. The fog lamps will turn off while the
high-beam headlamps are turned on.
3-16