PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2003 Owners Manual

Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
f;' (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
+2 (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, and then directs the
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle. remaining air
to the floor outlets. Some air may be
directed toward the windshield. Cooler air is directed to
the upper outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets.
(Floor): This mode directs most of the air to
the floor outlets with some air directed toward the
outboard outlets (for the side windows) and a little air
directed to the windshield.
The mode knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. Information on defogging and defrosting,
see "Defogging and Defrosting" later in this section.
3f (Fan): Turn the knob located on the left of
the climate control panel clockwise or counterclockwise
Use the mode knob located on the right side of the to increase or decrease the fan speed.
climate control panel to select the following modes:
Driver or Passenger (Temperature Levers): Slide the
2 MAX (Maximum): This mode 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 temperature is at or below freezing. lever(s)
up or down to increase or decrease the
temperature.
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A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the
air-conditioning system on or
off. When A/C is pressed,
an indicator light above the button will come on to let
you know that
A/C is active. The instrument brightness
control may have to be adjusted to
the highest setting
during the daytime in order to see the indicator light.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside
air escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down
on hot days:
1. Select the MAX recirculation mode.
2. Select A/C.
3. Select the coolest temperature.
4. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside your vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after the air in your
vehicle has cooled, change the mode from MAX
to another mode such as bi-level.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air,
so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning
off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
There are two modes to clear fog from your windshield.
Use the floor/defog mode
to clear the windows of fog
or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly.
Turn the mode knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
,2 (Floor/Defog): This mode directs the air equally
between the windshield and the floor outlets. When you
select this mode, the system turns on the
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing.
9 FRONT (Defrost): Pressing FRONT directs most
of the air to the windshield and the side window
outlets, with some air directed to the floor outlets. In this
mode, the system will automatically run the
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing.
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Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in
RUN.
REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or
off. When this button is pressed an
indicator light above the button will come on to show that
the rear window defogger is active. The instrument
brightness control may have to be adjusted to the
highest setting during the daytime in order to see the
indicator light.
Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn
off approximately
15 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximately seven
and one-half minutes before turning
off. The defogger
can also be turned
off by pressing the button again or by
turning
off the engine.
Notice: Don’t use a razor blade or something else
sharp on the inside of the rear window.
If you
do, you could cut or damage the defogger and the
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a
decal or anything similar to the defogger grid.
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the controls located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction
of the airflow.
Operation Tips
e
e
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside
of your vehicle more
effectively.

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come
on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working.
If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens. Gages can indicate
when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one
of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one
of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells
you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly
- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-38.
3-23

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, about how much fuel
is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and economically.
c 3 * SECURI TY
SRS AIR e,
/
r3
SERVICE ENG I NBOON
>>L LOW OIL
n /
APPLY BRAKE 10 SHIFT FROM PARK TEMP
I
United States ABS-Equipped Version Shown, Canada Similar
3-24

Your vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very
similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and
gages that are explained on the following pages.
Be sure to read about them.
Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). The
odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven in
either miles (used in the United States) or in kilometers
(used in Canada).
The vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer.
If you see
silver lines between the numbers, you’ll know someone
has probably tampered with
it and the numbers may
not be correct.
You may wonder what happens
if the vehicle needs a
new odometer installed.
If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be
done.
If it can’t, then it will be set at zero and a label
must be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it.
To set it to zero, press the reset button
located to the right of the instrument panel cluster.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice: Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, or engine
damage may occur.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN, a chime will come on
for several seconds to remind people to fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already
buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then
it will flash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt
is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the words SRS AIR BAG or the air
bag symbol. The system checks the air bag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you
if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the air
bag sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
on page 1-51.
SRS AIR BAG
United States
Canada
This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and
it will flash for a few seconds. Then the light should
go out. This means the system is ready.
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If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
If the air bag reai.---less light
s 1s on after you
start your vehicle,
it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags
in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
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.
3-27

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.
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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