air condition PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2001 Owners Manual

Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio Clock
Radio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road
Section
3
Section
4
Section
5
Your Driving and the Road Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
iii

2-76 Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
as a check to show you
it's working. Then it will
go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose drive belt or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on when you turn the key to
RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there's a problem.

2-82
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.

2-83
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. See
ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. It will take a few
driving trips to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
ªFuelº in the Index. Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start
-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE
light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.

3-2
Comfort Controls
Dual Climate Control System
This system allows the driver and passenger to maintain
separate temperature settings. The system works best if
you keep the windows closed while using it.Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
regulates the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the
knob to OFF. The fan must be on to run the air
conditioning compressor.
Driver's Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on the
driver's side of the vehicle only. The passenger's side
has its own lever for temperature control. Slide the lever
upward to raise the temperature. Slide the lever
downward to lower the temperature.
Passenger's Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on the
passenger's side of the vehicle only. The driver's side
has its own lever for temperature control. Slide the lever
upward to raise the temperature. Slide the lever
downward to lower the temperature.

3-3
Mode Knob
The knob on the right side of the climate control panel
has several settings to adjust the direction of the airflow:
MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle and sends it through the instrument
panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will
run automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 38
F (3.3
C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
UPPER: This setting brings in outside air and
directs it through the instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and
directs it two ways. Half of the air is directed through
the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is
directed through the floor ducts and a small amount to
the defrost and side window vents.
FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The remaining airflow
comes out of the defroster and side window vents.
DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go
to the floor ducts and half to the defroster and side
window vents.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
through the defroster. Some of the air goes to the floor
ducts and the side window vent. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this setting unless
the outside temperature is below 38
F (3.3
C).
Air Conditioning Compressor Button
Press the A/C button to operate the air conditioning
compressor. The indicator light above the button will glow
when the button is pressed. You don't have to press the
button to run the compressor in MAX or DEFROST
because it will already be running in these modes.

3-4
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle to cool down.
For quick cool down on very hot days, use MAX with
the temperature levers all the way in the blue area. If
this setting is used for long periods of time, the air in
your vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER with the
temperature levers in the blue area and the A/C button
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
To remedy this you can use BI
-LEVEL with the
temperature levers in the middle and the A/C button
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and
direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body.Heating
On cold days use FLOOR with the temperature levers
all the way in the red area. The system will bring in
outside air, heat it and send it to the floor ducts.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use it
to help your system provide warm air faster when it's cold
outside 0
F (
-18
C) or lower. An engine coolant heater
warms the coolant your engine and heating system use to
provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use UPPER, with the A/C button off,
to direct outside air through your vehicle.
Defogging and Defrosting
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. To defrost the windows quickly, use
DEFROST with the temperature levers all the way in the
red area. To warm passengers while keeping the
windows clear, use DEFOG.

3-6 Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the louvered vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
mode knob to FLOOR and the fan to the highest speed
for a few seconds before driving off. This helps clear
the intake ducts of snow and moisture and reduces the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold the HR or MIN arrow for two seconds.
Then press the HR arrow until the correct hour appears.
Press and hold the MIN arrow until the correct minute
appears. The clock may be set with the ignition on
or off.

3-22
After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will
display ª
---º to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette tape is in
good condition before you have your tape player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges
or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Backglass Antenna
Your AM FM antenna is integrated with your rear window
defogger, located in the rear window. Be sure that the
inside surface of the rear window is not scratched and that
the lines on the glass are not damaged. If the inside surface
is damaged, it could interfere with radio reception.
NOTICE:
Do not try to clear frost or other material from
the inside of the rear window with a razor blade
or anything else that is sharp. This may damage
the rear defogger grid and affect your radio's
ability to pick up stations clearly. The repairs
wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Because this antenna is built into your rear window, there is a
reduced risk of damage caused by car washes and vandals.
If you choose to add a cellular telephone to your vehicle,
and the antenna needs to be attached to the glass, be sure
that you do not damage the grid lines for the AM FM
antenna. There is enough space between the lines to
attach a cellular telephone antenna without interfering
with radio reception.

5-10
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a warning
light about a hot engine on your instrument panel
cluster. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and
ªEngine Coolant Temperature Lightº in the Index.
You also have a low coolant light on your instrument
panel cluster. See ªLow Coolant Lightº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on and
the temperature gage will indicate an overheat condition
exists. Towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset
the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.