PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2005 Owners Manual

The vehicle will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h)
and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.
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 THIRD (3) could be used 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 the vehicle more
power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3).
SECOND (2) can be used on hills. It can help control
the vehicle’s speed as it goes down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes
off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
FIRST (1):This position gives the vehicle even more
power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). It can
be used on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is moved to FIRST (1), the transaxle will
not shift into rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly
enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-27

Performance Shifting with TAP-Shift™
If the 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, the paddles, located
on the steering wheel, can be used to up-shift or
down-shift the transaxle, under certain circumstances.
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. For better
control in icy or slippery conditions, the vehicle may
start out in second gear, rather than rst gear.
2-28

The up-shift indicator light
on the instrument panel
cluster, or the up-shift
symbol on the Head-Up
Display (HUD), if equipped,
is given as a prompt to
use the TAP-Shift ™
paddle.
The up-shift indicator light will only appear in the
instrument panel cluster if the HUD is off or if the
vehicle does not have HUD.
This prompt to up-shift, as needed, will be given
throughout acceleration. If up-shifting does not occur
when prompted, the vehicle speed will be limited
to protect the engine.Press the accelerator while driving in the highest
gear (fourth gear) which is between 20 and 50 mph to
make the transaxle automatically down-shift. As
you’re speed gets closer to 50 mph, more effort will
be required to press the acclerator. At 50 mph, even
with the accelerator fully depressed, the transaxle
will always remain in the 4th gear. The transaxle will
also automatically down-shift as the vehicle decelerates
and comes to a stop.
When a paddle is pushed or pulled a chime will sound
when the vehicle cannot respond to a transaxle gear
change. 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 (3) or higher gear.
The MANUAL (M) gear can also be selected while
the vehicle is already moving. The current transaxle
position will continue to be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) and HUD, if equipped.
2-29

Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located to the left of the
brake pedal near the
driver’s door. To set the
parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal
down with the right
foot. Push down on the
parking brake pedal,
with the left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with the right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with the left foot. When the left foot is lifted,
the parking brake pedal will lift to the released position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is
set, the ignition is on, and the shift lever is not in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).The brake light will also appear on the instrument panel
cluster when the parking brake is set. It will stay on if
the parking brake does not release fully.
The PARKING BRAKE ON message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the parking
brake is set.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If the vehicle is towing a trailer and parked on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40. That section shows
what to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
2-30

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 will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the shift 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).
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. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have 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 button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
2-31

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not 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 pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
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, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-31.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
The vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control
system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P) when
the ignition is in OFF. In addition, the regular brakes
must be fully applied before shifting from PARK (P) while
the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25.
If the vehicle cannot be shifted out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way up into PARK (P) as brake application
is maintained. Then move the shift lever into the
desired gear.
If the brake pedal is held down but the vehicle still
cannot be shifted out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC. There is no shift interlock in
this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the desired
transaxle gear.
5. Have the system xed as soon as possible.
2-32

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot 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.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied 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.
2-33

Running Your Engine While
You Are Parked
It is 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
Engine Exhaust on page 2-33.
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 — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-28.
{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. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are 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 will
not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-31.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-34

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Use the control located at the bottom to change the
mirror from the day to the night position. To reduce
the glare of headlamps from behind, turn the control
counterclockwise. To return the mirror back to the
day position, turn the control clockwise.
Manual Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
If the vehicle has this feature, use the control, located
at the bottom of the mirror, to change the mirror from
the day to the night position. To reduce the glare
of headlamps from behind, turn the control
counterclockwise. To return the mirror to the day
position, turn the control clockwise.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-36for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
Outside Power Mirrors
The power mirror controls
are located near the
driver’s window, on the
driver’s door armrest.
Move the top control to the left to adjust the driver’s
side outside mirror. Move the control to the right
to adjust the passenger’s side mirror. The center
position turns the power control off and will not allow
the mirrors to move if the control pad is touched.
The round control pad adjusts the angle of the selected
outside mirror. Press the arrows on the control pad
to adjust the angle of the mirror. Adjust each mirror so
that the sides and the area behind the vehicle can
be seen.
2-35

Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger’s outside rearview mirror is convex. The
surface is curved so more area can be seen from the
driver’s seat. It also make things look farther away than
they really are.
OnStar®System
OnStar®uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite
technology, wireless communications, and call centers
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services.
A complete OnStar
®user’s guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in the vehicle’s glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com
or www.onstarcanada.com. Contact OnStar
®at
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827), or press the
OnStar
®button to speak to an OnStar®advisor
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service
Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com or
www.onstarcanada.com.
OnStar®Services
For new vehicles equipped with OnStar®, the Safe and
Sound Plan is included for the rst year. You can
extend this plan beyond the rst year, or upgrade to the
Directions and Connections Plan to meet your needs.
For more information, press the OnStar
®button to speak
with an advisor.
2-36