engine PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 2004, Model line: GRAND PRIX, Model: PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2004Pages: 432, PDF Size: 2.99 MB
Page 88 of 432

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:
·Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
·Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until
then, you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
·When going down a steep hill.
·When driving in non-highway scenarios
(i.e. city streets, etc.).
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) as
much as possible. Don't shift into SECOND (2)
unless you are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h)
or you can damage your engine.
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Page 89 of 432

FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is moved to FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into ®rst gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
Notice:If your front wheels won't turn, don't try
to drive. This might happen if you were stuck
in very deep sand or mud or were up against a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal.
This could overheat and damage the transaxle.
Use your brakes to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
Performance Shifting with TAP-ShiftŸ
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3800 V6 Supercharged
engine, it may have
a console gearshift with
a MANUAL (M) position.
The other gearshift positions available are
PARK (P), REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N) and
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D), and operate as
explained earlier in this section.
While in the MANUAL (M) position, you may up-shift or
down-shift the transaxle using the paddles located
on the steering wheel, under certain circumstances.
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Page 90 of 432

While in the MANUAL (M)
mode, push either paddle
once to up-shift to the
next gear. Pull either
paddle once to down-shift
to the next gear.
To fully use the system, select MANUAL (M) while
stopped, with the engine running. The vehicle will begin
moving in ®rst gear upon acceleration. (In icy or slippery
conditions, you may start out in second gear, rather than
®rst gear, for better vehicle control.)
Then you will be prompted
to up-shift by the indicator
light on the instrument
panel or by the up-shift
symbol on Head-Up Display
(HUD), if equipped, using a
TAP-Shift Ÿ paddle.Throughout acceleration you will be prompted in this
way to up-shift as needed. If you do not up-shift when
prompted, vehicle speed will be limited to protect
the engine.
Press the accelerator quickly while driving in the highest
gear to make the transaxle automatically down-shift.
The transaxle will also automatically down-shift as the
vehicle decelerates and comes to a stop.
A chime will sound if you push or pull a paddle requesting
a transaxle gear change when the vehicle cannot
respond. The system will not allow either an up-shift or a
down-shift if the vehicle speed is too fast or too slow, nor
will it allow a start from third or higher gear.
You may also select MANUAL (M) while the vehicle is
already moving. The current transaxle position will
continue to be displayed on the DIC and HUD,
if equipped. The transaxle up-shifts and down-shifts can
be done using the TAP-Shift Ÿ paddles as described
previously.
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Page 92 of 432

Shifting Into Park (P)
{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 ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have 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,
use the steps that follow. If you're pulling a
trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
·Press in and hold the
shift lever button,
located on the front
of the shift lever.
·Push the lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Page 93 of 432

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure the vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) (without ®rst
pushing the shift lever button). If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transaxle. You may ®nd it difficult to move the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-28.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push your vehicle uphill. This should
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in
the transaxle, so you can move the shift lever out
of PARK (P).
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Page 95 of 432

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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
·
Repairs weren't done correctly.
·Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modi®ed 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 ®xed immediately.
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Page 96 of 432

Running Your Engine While You
Are 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 Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªWinter Drivingº 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 ®rmly 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
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a trailer,
also see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-37.
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Page 105 of 432

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Windshield Washer Lever................................3-6
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-8
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-23
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-25
Climate Control System.................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-34
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-34
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-37
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-38Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-44
High-Beam On Light......................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-45
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-65
Audio System(s).............................................3-88
Setting the Time...........................................3-88
Radio with CD..............................................3-89
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-100
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-114
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-128
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-129
Understanding Radio Reception....................3-130
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-130
Care of Your CDs.......................................3-131
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-131
Backglass Antenna......................................3-132
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only).................................3-132
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
Page 125 of 432

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.
The HUD control is located
on the console.
To adjust the HUD so you can see the display properly
do the following:
1. Adjust your seat, if necessary, to a comfortable
position. Start the engine and adjust the HUD
controls.
2.
9(OFF):Rotate the outer ring on the HUD
control to this position to turn the HUD off.3.I II III IIII (BRIGHTNESS):Rotate the outer ring on
the HUD control to select the brightness of the
display. The group of four slash marks is the
selection which will make the display the brightest.
4.
w(Up):Press this switch on the HUD control to
move the image up.
5.
x(Down ):Press this switch on the HUD control
to move the image down. Move the image as low
as possible on the windshield, but so that it is still
in full view.
6.
?(Page ):Press this button to select the display
formats. Release the page button when the format
number with the displays you want on the HUD is
shown.
·Format One:This display gives the speedometer
reading (in English or metric units), transaxle
positions, compass direction and the outside air
temperature.
·Format Two:This display includes the information in
Format One without the compass direction and the
outside air temperature.
·Format Three:This display includes all the
information in Format One, but turns the instrument
cluster lighting off. The warning indicators still appear
on the instrument panel when required.
Format Three is only available at night.
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Page 131 of 432

Temperature
The knob on the right of the climate control panel is the
temperature adjustment that can be used with any of
the climate control modes.
Turn the knob clockwise for warmer settings and
counterclockwise for colder settings.
Air Conditioning
#
(Air Conditioner):Press this button on the climate
control panel to turn the air-conditioning system on
or off. When A/C is pressed, an indicator light to the right
of 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 lamp.
On hot days during initial start-up, 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 quicker cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent/outside air mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioner.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. 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, select the vent mode
once the interior of the vehicle is cooled.
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.
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