brake light PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2003 Owners Manual

Section 3 Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview .......................... -3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
-3-3
Other Warning Devices ................................... 3.4
Horn
............................................................. 3.4
Tilt Wheel
..................................................... 3.4
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
......................... 3.5
Exterior Lamps
............................................. 3.10
Interior Lamps
.............................................. 3.12
Head-Up Display (HUD)
................................. 3-15
Accessory Power Outlets
............................... 3.18
Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
......... 3.19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
........................ 3-19
Climate Controls ............................................ 3.20
Dual Climate Control System
.......................... 3.20
Outlet Adjustment
......................................... 3.22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ............. 3.23
Instrument Panel Cluster
................................ 3.24
Speedometer and Odometer
........................... 3.25
Tachometer
................................................. 3.25
Safety Belt Reminder Light
............................. 3.26
Air Bag Readiness Light
................................ 3-26
Charging System Light
.................................. 3.27
Brake System Warning Light
......................... -3-28
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
............. 3.29
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
...... 3.29
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
........ -3-30
.. ...............................
Low Traction Light ....................................... -3-30
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
.................. 3-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
............................ -3-32
Oil Pressure Light
........................................ -3-35
Security Light
............................................... 3-36
Fuel Gage
................................................... 3-37
Low Fuel Warning Light
................................. 3-37
Driver Information Center (DE) ....................... 3-38
Trip Computer ................................... ..... 3-40
Control Buttons
............................................ 3-42
Functions
.................................................... 3-42
Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-44
Setting the Time
........................................... 3-44
Radio with Cassette
...................................... 3-45
Radio with CD (Base Level)
........................... 3-48
Radio with CD
(Up Level) .............................. 3-51
Theft-Deterrent Feature
.................................. 3-54
Engine
Coolant Temperature 'Warning Light
...... 3.31
Low Oil Level Light ....................................... 3-36
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
....................... 3-56
Understanding Radio Reception
...................... 3-57
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................. 3-58
Care
of Your CDs ......................................... 3-59
Care of Your CD Player
................................ 3-59
Backglass Antenna
....................................... 3-59
3-
1

The main components of the instrument panel are
the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Outlets
B. Fog Lamps Switch
C. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Hazard Warning Button
F. Horn
G. Trip Computer (If Equipped) and/or Driver
Information Center (DIC)
H. Instrument Panel Outlets
I. Interior Lamps Control
J. Exterior Lamps Control
K. Tilt Steering Wheel Control
L. Audio Steering Controls
(If Equipped)
M. Head Up Display (HUD) Controls (Option)
N. Climate Controls
0. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
P. Audio System
Q. Glove Box
R. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signa! !amps
will flash or! and off.
The hazard warning
flasher button is
located on top of the
steering column.
The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even
if the key isn’t in.
Press the button to make your front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and
off. Press the button again to turn
the flashers
off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals and brake lamps won’t work.
3-3

Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal,
or move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
or shift into PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N), the cruise
control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control
is located on the lower
left side of the instrument
panel, to the left of the
steering wheel. The
exterior lamp has three positions.
OFF: Turning the control to this position, turns off all
lamps, except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
pf (Parking Lamps): Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with the
following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
4 20 (Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
A warning chime will sound
if you open the driver’s door
when you turn the ignition switch to LOCK or
ACCESSORY with the lamps on.
3-1 0

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) /
Automatic Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (BRL) can make it easier for
others
to see the front of y~ur 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.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work,
so be sure it isn’t covered.
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,
0 the exterior lamps control is off,
0 the transaxle is not in PARK (P) and
the parking brake is released. When
the DRL are on, only your low-beam headlamps,
at a reduced brightness, will be on. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on. Your
instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your headlamps
will
change to full brightness. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on.
When it’s bright enough outside, the headlamps will go
out, and your low-beam headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then
start your vehicle. The DRL will stay
off until you shift
out of PARK (P) and release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps system when you need
it.
3-1 1

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 light comes on while you are driving, carefully pull
off the road and stop. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to
the floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. See Towing
Your
Vehicle on page 4-33.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
I 3 I I
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.
Your oraKe system may not be working
properly
if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
While the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
3-28

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
if your vehicle has the
optional anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition
off. If the light comes on and stays on
while you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, your vehicle needs service.
If
the light is on and the regular brake system warning
light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have
anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. This is
normal.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
TCS
OFF
If your vehicle is
equipped with the 3800
supercharged V6 engine,
the traction control
system warning light
may come on for the
following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the TCS
button located on the far right side of the trip
computer, the warning light will come on and stay
on. To turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should go
off. See Traction
Control System (TCS) on page
4-10 for more
information.
@ If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn
off and the warning light will come
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn
off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system
is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
3-29

Enhanced Traction System Warning
Light
TRAC
OFF
If your vehicle is equipped
with a
31 00 V6 or 3800 V6
engine and the optional
ABS brake system, the
Enhanced Traction System
warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
e
e
e
If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC
button on the far right side of the Driver Information
Center or trip computer (if equipped), the warning
light will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning light
should go
off. See Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 4-1 1 for more information.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light
comes on and stays on for an extended period of
time while the system is turned on, your vehicle
needs service. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Low Traction Light
LOW
TRAC
If your vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction
System or the Traction
Control System, this light
will also come on while
the system is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. Slippery road conditions may exist
if the
low traction light comes on,
so adjust your driving
accordingly. The light will stay on for a few seconds after
the Enhanced Traction System or the Traction Control
System stops limiting wheel spin. See Enhanced
Traction System
(ETS) on page 4-1 1 or Traction Control
System (TCS) on page
4- 10.
The low traction light also comes on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t come on
then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when
the Traction Control System or Enhanced Traction
System is active.
3-30

The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives you important
safety and maintenance facts. When you turn the
ignition on, all of the DIC lights illuminate for a few
seconds. After this, the DIC will begin working.
Functions
__ (Door Ajar): If one of the doors is ajar, this light
will appear next to that door on the vehicle outline.
CHANGE OIL SOON: This light will appear when the
system indicates that it’s time for an oil change. The
system predicts remaining oil life using data from length
of drives, coolant temperature, engine rpm and
vehicle speed. It alerts you to change the oil on a
schedule consistent with the vehicle’s driving conditions.
After changing the oil, the system must be reset. See
How to Reset the GM
Oil Life SystemTM under
Engine
Oil on page 5- 18.
e LOW: This light will come on when the ignition is
on and the fluid in the washer fluid container is low.
AJAR: This light alerts you that the trunk is not
fully closed.
LOW TRAC (Low Traction): If your vehicle is equipped
with anti-lock brakes, this light will come on when the
enhanced traction system is limiting wheel spin. See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-
I I or
Low Traction Light on page 3-30.
TRAC OFF (Traction Off): If your vehicle is equipped
with anti-lock brakes, this light lets you know that
the enhanced traction system has been disabled and
will not limit wheel spin. See Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
on page 3-30 or Low Traction Light on
page 3-30.
TRAC (Traction): If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes
and the enhanced traction system, you will have a
disable button on the far right side of the DIC.
The enhanced traction system is automatically activated
when you turn the ignition on. This button will
activate/deactivate the system. If you need to disable
the system, such
as when you are stuck and are rocking
the vehicle back and forth, push this button. See If
You Are Stuck: in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-32.
3-39

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.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time
to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster
if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes.
If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briefly when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little.
This is normal.
4-7

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
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However,
if you don’t have anti-lock,
your first reaction
- to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down
- may be the wrong thing to do. Your
wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle
can’t respond to your steering. Momentum will carry
it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the
very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you don’t have anti-lock, use a “squeeze’’ braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control.
If you do have
anti-lock, it’s different. See “Anti-Lock Brakes.”
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
4-9