tow PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2005 User Guide

If the vehicle cannot be shifted out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever by pushing it all the way into
PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal pushed
down. Release the shift lever button. Then move the
shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift
lever button. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-32.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transaxle, seeIf
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-32.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when the vehicle
is already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also,
use NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine racing may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not racing when shifting
your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If the vehicle needs more power
for passing, and it is:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator pedal all the way down.
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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

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

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

The net is not for larger, heavier loads. Store those in
the trunk as far forward as possible.
Unhook the net so that it will lie at when not in use.
Sunroof
If the vehicle has a sunroof, it includes a sliding glass
panel and a sunshade. The switch to control the sunroof
is located in the headliner. The switch works only
while the ignition is on or in ACC, or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is on. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-22.
Vent:Open the sunshade by hand. Push the switch
toward the rear of the vehicle once and the sunroof
will open to the vent position. Push the switch forward
to close.
Open/Express-Open:Push the switch toward the
rear of the vehicle a second time and the sunroof will
open the remainder of the way. The sunshade will open
with the sunroof if the switch is pushed toward the
rear of the vehicle twice.
Close:Push and hold the front of the switch until the
sunroof motor stops. The sunshade must be closed
by hand.
Uplevel Version Shown
2-41

Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then
the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
But the cruise control does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle is traveling approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, the cruise control lever can be
pushed upward toward the plus (resume/accelerate)
position to return to the preset cruise speed.
The vehicle will return to and stay at the preset cruise
speed. If the cruise control lever is pushed up and
held toward the plus (resume/accelerate) position, the
vehicle speed will increase until the lever is released or
the brakes are applied. Do not continue to hold the
lever in the plus (resume/accelerate) position, unless
a faster speed is desired.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Push up on the cruise control lever toward
the plus (resume/accelerate) position, then
release the lever and take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. The vehicle will now cruise at
the higher speed.
Push up and hold the cruise control lever toward
the plus (resume/accelerate) position until the
vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then release
the cruise control lever. To increase the vehicle’s
speed in very small amounts, push up briey on the
cruise control lever and release it. Each time this
is done, the vehicle will speed up approximately
one mph (1.6 km/h).
The acceleration feature will only work after the cruise
control speed has been set by pushing the cruise control
lever down to the set position.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce the vehicle’s speed while
using cruise control:
Push the cruise control lever downward toward the
minus (set/coast/decelerate) position until a lower
speed is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
cruise control lever downward toward the minus
(set/coast/decelerate) position briey. Each time this
is done, the vehicle will slow down approximately
one mph (1.6 km/h).
3-13

The HUD information can be displayed in one of three
languages, English, French, or Spanish. The
speedometer reading and other numerical values can
be displayed in either English or metric units.
The language selection and the units of measurement
are changed through the trip computer in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See “Options” under
DIC Controls and Displays (Base Level DIC) on
page 3-49orDIC Controls and Displays (Uplevel DIC
with Trip Computer) on page 3-57.
The HUD information appears as an image focused out
toward the front of the vehicle.When the ignition key is turned to run, the HUD will
display an introductory message for a short time, until
the HUD has warmed up.
The following indicator lights come on the instrument
panel when activated and will also appear on the HUD:
Turn Signal Indicators
High-Beam Indicator Symbol
The HUD will temporarily display CHECK TRIP
COMPUTER when there are messages on the DIC trip
computer.
The HUD will also display the following messages when
these systems, if equipped, are active:
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE
The HUD will temporarily display the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message when the traction control
system is turned off.
The HUD will temporarily display the CRUISE SET
message when cruise control is activated or cruise
speed is increased.
Notice:If you try to use the HUD image as a parking
aid, you may misjudge the distance and damage your
vehicle. Do not use the HUD image as a parking aid.
3-21

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The climate control system allows manual control of the
heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle.
Fan
9
(Fan):Turn the knob by this symbol, located on the
left side of the climate control panel, clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
During the highest fan speed selections, the fan
speed will be temporarily reduced between the transition
to a new mode. The fan will resume the original
speed when the transition to the new mode is complete.
9(Off):Turn the knob to this position to turn the
fan off.
Mode
Turn the middle knob to select the following modes:
H(Vent) Outside Air:This mode directs outside air to
the instrument panel outlets. If driving in city traffic,
and the vehicle is stopped and idling, or the weather is
hot, switch from this mode to the recirculation mode.
To prevent the air inside the vehicle from becoming
stale, be sure to return to the vent mode periodically.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to the oor
outlets. Some air may be directed toward the windshield.
Slightly cooler air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets and warmer air is directed to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the oor
outlets with some air directed toward the side window
outlets and a little air directed to the windshield.
In this mode, the system will automatically use outside
air. The air conditioning compressor will be engaged
unless the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below.
Recirculation cannot be selected when in this mode.
The middle knob on the climate control panel can also
be used to select the defog or defrost mode.
3-26

Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking,
though, both parts should be working well.
This light should come on briey when the ignition
key is turned to RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means the vehicle has a brake problem.
The PARKING BRAKE ON message will also appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is going faster than 5 mph.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-69for
more information.
The brake warning light may also come on when the
brake uid is low. If this occurs, the LOW BRAKE FLUID
message will also appear in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-69for more information.
If the brake warning light comes on while the vehicle
is being driven, pull off the road and stop carefully.
The brake pedal may be harder to push, or it may go
closer to the oor. It may also take the vehicle longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-38. United States
Canada
3-40