PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1999 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1999, Model line: GRAND PRIX, Model: PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1999Pages: 376, PDF Size: 2.91 MB
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The first is located
underneath the steering
column below the
lock cylinder.To use this slot:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P) (with the
shift knob button released if console shift).
2. Locate the override access slot below the
lock cylinder.
3. Remove the override access slot cap.
4. Insert a key or screwdriver into the access slot, press
in and hold.
5. Rotate the ignition key to OFF.
6. Remove the key or screwdriver from the slot.
7. Remove the ignition key from the ignition switch.
8. Replace the override access slot cap.
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For vehicles with center console mounted gear shift
levers, the second override access slot is located on the
upper right hand side of the console shift panel.To use this slot:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P) and that the
shift knob button is fully released.
2. Locate the override access slot on the upper right
hand side of the shift panel.
3. Remove the override access slot cap.
4. Insert a key or screwdriver into the access slot, press
in and hold.
5. Press the shift knob button in and hold.
6. Remove the key or screwdriver from the slot.
7. Pull the shift lever into the desired gear position.
8. Replace the override access slot cap.
NOTE:
You will not be able to remove the key from the
ignition unless the shift lever is in the PARK (P)
position (with the shift knob button fully released).
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Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.
Repairs weren't done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
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Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
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Power Windows
Switches on the driver's door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a switch for its own window.The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the driver's window will open a small amount. If the
rear of the switch is pressed all the way down and
released, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
On four
-door models, the driver's window controls also
include a lock
-out switch. Push LOCK OUT to stop
front and rear passengers from using their window
switches. The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock on. Push LOCK OUT again for normal
window operation. When the orange band on the switch
is showing, the passengers can operate their windows.
Full Floating Horn
The full floating horn is designed so that you may press
anywhere on the steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
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Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows
you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You
can also raise it to the
highest level to give your
legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever located on the left
-hand side of the steering
column below the turn signal/multifunction lever. Move
the steering wheel to a comfortable level, then release
the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn and Lane Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
Flash
-to-Pass Feature
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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2-47 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 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 arrow
flashes faster than normal, 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 (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
A chime will sound if you leave the turn signal on for
more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high
beam, or high to low, pull
the multifunction lever all
the way toward you. Then
release it.
When the high beams are on, a light on the instrument
panel also will be on.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you
to momentarily switch on the high beams (to signal that
you are going to pass). When you release the lever, they
will turn off.
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2-48 Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked WIPER on the turn signal/multifunction lever.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band to LOW.
For high
-speed wiping, turn the band further, to HIGH.
To stop the wipers, turn the band to OFF.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LOW, the shorter the delay.
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 the blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there's a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run for
several sweeps and then either stop or return to your
preset speed. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
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2-49 Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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 about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply the brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't 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. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system on the 3800 Supercharged V6 engine, or
the enhanced traction system on the 3100 V6 and
3800 V6 engine begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See ªTraction
Control Systemº or ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the
Index.) When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
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Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set the 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 move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A
(Resume/Accelerate) briefly. You'll go right back up to
your chosen speed and stay there.
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.
Push in the SET button, then release the button and
the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch. To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to R/A for less
than half a second and then release it. Each time you
do this, your vehicle will go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you set the
cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.