light PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 User Guide

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or
frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-41for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-114.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, seeWhat
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-58. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
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Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system (if equipped) parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary.
But the belt assemblies that were used during any crash
may have been stressed or damaged. See your
dealer/retailer to have your safety belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
If your vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being
used during a crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not being used
at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your
vehicle has been in a crash, if your airbag readiness
light stays on after you start your vehicle, or while you
are driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-42.
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Remote Trunk Release
This feature is used to unlock the trunk from inside
the vehicle using the power door lock switch.
Press and hold the
driver’s side power
door lock switch to
unlock the trunk.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only
intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the trunk latch of the trunk lid.
This handle will glow following exposure to light.
If ever needed, pull the emergency trunk release
handle to open the trunk from the inside. Driver’s Side
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Express-Down Window
The driver’s window switch has an express-down
feature. This allows the window to open fully without
having to continuously hold the switch. Tap the switch
down, and the driver’s window will open a small
amount. Press the switch fully down and release
and the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the
bottom of the switch. To raise the window, press
and hold the bottom of the switch.
Window Lockout
o
(Window Lockout):The driver’s window switch
includes a lockout feature located above the power
window switches on the driver’s door. Move the switch
to the right to prevent the passengers sitting in the
rear from using their window switches. The driver can
still control all the windows with the lockout on. Move
the switch to the left to disengage the lockout feature.
Sun Visors
To help block out glare, pull the sun visors down.
Pull on the inside edges of the sun visors to swing
them from the front windshield to the side window.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Raise the cover on the top of the sun visor to expose
the vanity mirror. If the vehicle has lighted vanity mirrors,
the lamps come on when the cover is opened.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
The vehicle has a content theft-deterrent alarm system.
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Your vehicle may have
a red light located on top
of the instrument panel,
toward the center of
the vehicle and near
the windshield, that will
ash slowly when the
system is armed.
The theft-deterrent alarm system needs to be
activated through the Driver’s Information Center (DIC).
See “Theft Deterrent” under the Personal Programming
Mode Screens inDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 3-89. While armed, the doors will not unlock with
the power door lock switch. The remote alarm will
sound if someone tampers with the trunk or enters
the vehicle without using the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or key to unlock the doors.
The horn will sound and the headlamps will ash for
up to two minutes. The system will also cut off the fuel
supply, preventing the vehicle from being driven.Arming with the Power Lock Switch
The vehicle’s content theft-deterrent alarm system
can be activated when the key is removed from
the ignition and the power door lock switch of either
the driver’s or front passenger’s door is used to lock
the vehicle. The door needs to be in the open
position when pressing the power door lock switch.
The alarm system will not activate if the door is
closed and the power door lock switch is pressed.
This system can be activated through the Driver’s
Information Center (DIC). See “Lock Switch Arm”
under the Personal Programming Mode Screens in
DIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-89.
When the doors are locked using the power door
lock switch of either front door, the red light, if your
vehicle has one, will start ashing indicating that
the system is arming. After all the doors are closed
there will be a time delay and then the red light,
if your vehicle has one, will begin to ash at a very
slow rate indicating the system is armed.
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Arming with the RKE Transmitter
The alarm system will arm when the RKE transmitter
is used to lock the doors after the key is removed
from the ignition. The red light, if your vehicle has
one, will come on to indicate that the system is
arming. After all doors are closed and locked,
and after a time delay, the red light, if your vehicle
has one, will begin ashing at a very slow rate
to show the system is armed.
Arming Conrmation
Your vehicle may have a red light located on top
of the instrument panel, towards the center of the
vehicle and near the windshield, that will ash
slowly to conrm when the system is armed.
Disarming with the RKE Transmitter
The alarm system will disarm when the RKE transmitter
is used to unlock the doors. The red light, if your
vehicle has one, will go out to show that the system
is disarmed.
Disarming with Your Key
The alarm system will disarm when the key is used
to unlock the doors. The red light, if your vehicle has
one, will stop ashing when the system is disarmed.
If you would like the key to disarm the alarm system,
see “Personal Programming Mode Screens” under
DIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-89for more
information.
PASS-Key®III Electronic
Immobilizer
Your PASS-Key III system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
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This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
PASS-Key III uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
PASS-Key®III Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
The vehicle is equipped with PASS-Key®III
(Personalized Automotive Security System)
theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key
®III is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the
key is removed from the ignition.You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III uses a transponder in the ignition
key that matches a decoder in the vehicle.
When the PASS-Key
®III system senses that the wrong
key has been inserted into the ignition, it shuts down the
vehicle’s starter and fuel systems. The starter will not
work and fuel will stop owing to the engine. If someone
tries to start the vehicle again with the wrong key, the
vehicle will not start. Anyone using a trial-and-error
method to start the vehicle will be discouraged to do so
because of the high number of electrical key codes.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the STARTING DISABLED DUE TO THEFT
SYSTEM warning message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) comes on, there may be a problem
with your theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off
and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-121. If the engine still does
not start with the other key, the vehicle needs service.
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If the steering wheel is locked, move it from right to
left and turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If none
of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position allows things
like the radio and windshield wipers to operate while
the engine is off.
R(ON/RUN):This position is where the key returns
to after the vehicle is started. With the engine off,
the ON/RUN position displays some of the warning
and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine. Let go
of the key when the engine starts. The key will return
to the ON/RUN for normal driving.
A continuous warning chime will sound and a KEY IN
IGNITION message will display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the key is turned to LOCK/OFF or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the driver’s door is opened.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s door.
Always remember to remove your key from the ignition
and take it with you. This will lock your ignition and
transmission. Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in
the ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not
be able to start your vehicle after it has been parked
for an extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to these features will continue to operate for
up to 10 minutes after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF
until a door is opened.
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3. The paddles are
located on the steering
wheel. They are used to
up-shift or down-shift
the transmission.
4. Push either paddle once to up-shift to the next
gear. Pull either paddle once to down-shift to
the next gear.
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 (2),
rather than FIRST (1). This will only occur if you
have “tapped up” to second gear.
The up-shift light on the
instrument panel cluster,
or the up-shift symbol on
the HUD, if equipped, is
given as a prompt to use
the TAP-Shift
®paddle.For more information, seeUp-Shift Light on page 3-45
The up-shift 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.
The gear position will display on the DIC and HUD,
if equipped, when in manual mode.
Pressing the accelerator while driving in the highest
gear (FOURTH (4)) between 20 mph (32 km/h)
and 50 mph (80 km/h), will make the transmission
automatically downshift. As your speed gets closer to
50 mph (80 km/h), you will need to increase accelerator
pedal travel to get the vehicle to downshift. At 50 mph
(80 km/h), even with the accelerator fully depressed,
the transmission will always remain in FOURTH (4).
The transmission will also automatically downshift as
the vehicle decelerates and comes to a stop.
If a paddle is pushed or pulled and the vehicle cannot
respond to a transmission gear change, a chime will
sound. 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.
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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. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-67for more information.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
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 4-29. That section shows
what to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
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