steering PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2000 User Guide

2-52
Exterior LampsThe lamp controls are located on the lower left side of
the instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel.
They control these systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Courtesy Lamps

Fog Lamps
: Turn the knob to this symbol to turn on the
headlamps and other operating lamps.
: Turn the knob to this symbol to turn on the parking
and other operating lamps without the headlamps.
Turn the knob to OFF to turn off the lamps.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when you turn the ignition switch to LOCK or
ACC with the lamps on.

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The main components of the instrument panel are:
A. Side Window Defogger Vents
B. Fog Lamp Switch
C. Multifunction Lever
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Hazard Button
F. Full Floating Horn
G. Trip Computer/Driver Information Center (DIC)
H. Instrument Panel Vents
I. Interior Lamp ControlJ. Exterior Lamp Control
K. Tilt Wheel Control
L. Audio Steering Controls (If Equipped)
M. HUD Display Controls (If Equipped)
N. Comfort Controls
O. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
P. Audio System
Q. Glove Box
R. Instrument Panel Fuse Block

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NOTICE:
Although the HUD image appears to be near the
front of the vehicle, do not use it as a parking aid.
The HUD was not designed for that purpose.
If you try to use it that way, such as in a parking
lot, you may misjudge distance and run
into something.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will be
displayed continually. The current radio station or CD
track number will only be displayed for three seconds
after the radio or CD track status changes. This will
happen whenever one of the radio controls is pressed,
either on the radio itself or on the optional steering
wheel controls.To adjust the HUD so you can see it properly:
1. Start your engine and turn the DIM thumbwheel to
the desired HUD image brightness.
2. Adjust your seat, if necessary, to a
comfortable position.
3. Press the top of the UP/DN switch until the HUD image
stops moving. Then press the bottom of the switch until
the image is as low as possible but in full view.
4. Turn the DIM thumbwheel down until the HUD
image is no brighter than necessary. To turn the HUD
off, turn the DIM thumbwheel all the way down.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls
3
-4 Air Conditioning with Automatic and
Auxiliary Temperature Control (If Equipped)
3
-8 Rear Window Defogger
3
-9 Ventilation System
3
-10 Audio Systems
3
-10 Setting the Clock
3
-10 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
3
-14 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
(If Equipped)
3
-17 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Equalizer (If Equipped)3
-20 Trunk-Mounted CD Changer (Option)
3
-23 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-26 Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
3
-27 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-27 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-28 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-29 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-29 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-29 Fixed Mast Antenna
3
-30 Backglass Antenna (If Equipped)

3-26 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio and remote playback functions using the buttons
on your steering wheel.
VOLUME: Press the up or down arrow to increase or
decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when the radio is playing.MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again, or any other radio button, to turn on the sound.
SEEK: Press the up arrow to tune to the next radio
station and the down arrow to tune to the previous radio
station. If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the
player will advance to the next selection with the up
arrow and go to the previous selection with the
down arrow.
PRESET: Press this button to play a station you have
programmed on the radio preset buttons. When a
cassette tape is playing, press this button to change tape
sides. If you have the trunk
-mounted CD changer, press
this button to advance to the next disc in the magazine.
AM FM: Press this button to choose AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, it will stop
and the radio will play.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-12 Steering
4
-14 Off-Road Recovery
4
-14 Passing
4
-16 Loss of Control
4
-17 Driving at Night
4
-18 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads4
-21 City Driving
4
-22 Freeway Driving
4
-23 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-24 Highway Hypnosis
4
-25 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-27 Winter Driving
4
-31 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-31 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-33 Towing a Trailer

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. (Also see ªTraction Control Systemº
and ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the Index.)
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that's only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

4-8
You slam on the brakes. Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at
both rear wheels.
The anti
-lock system can change the brake pressure faster
than any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti
-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.

4-12
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Variable Effort Steering (Option)
This steering system provides lighter steering effort for
parking and when driving at speeds below 20 mph
(32 km/h). Steering effort will increase at higher speeds
for improved road feel.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed.
While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems -- steering and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. Refer to ªTraction Control
Systemº or ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the Index.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.

4-13
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than
braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a
truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking
-- if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time for
evasive action
-- steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. (See ªBraking in
Emergenciesº earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.