child restraint PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 Owner's Guide

Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which
helps the passenger sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child
Restraints” in the Index for additional information
about the importance of proper restraint use.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42for more on this, including
important safety information.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment other than any that GM has
approved for your specic vehicle. SeeAdding
Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-65for more information about modications that
can affect how the system operates.
1-63

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. If you
use remote start to start your vehicle from a distance,
if equipped, you may not see the system check.
Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol
to let you know the status of the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag.If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have
a rear-facing child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off
the passenger’s frontal airbag. A child in a
rear-facing child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front passenger’s
airbag inates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on. United States
Canada
3-43

{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no
one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-60
for more on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42for more on this, including
important safety information.
3-44

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward
as you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops
of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing, towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, and dolly towing,
towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a dolly.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
4-27

Audio System (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-115
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-118
Audio System(s).............................................3-95
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-28
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-117
Battery..........................................................5-45
Electric Power Management..........................3-22
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-19
Run-Down Protection...................................3-22
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-41
System Warning Light..................................3-45
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-23
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-54
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps.....5-57
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-54
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-51Bulb Replacement (cont.)
License Plate Lamps....................................5-60
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-60
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-58
Buying New Tires...........................................5-78
C
Calibration.....................................................3-65
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-128
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-36, 4-17, 4-29
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-114
CD, MP3 .....................................................3-109
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-44
Chains, Tire...................................................5-84
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-50
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-118
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-39
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-49
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Chime Level Adjustment.................................3-118
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-27
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels......................................5-116
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-115
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-111
Finish Care...............................................5-115
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................5-113
Interior.....................................................5-109
Leather....................................................5-112
Tires........................................................5-117
Ultra Lux Suede........................................5-113
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-117
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-114
Weatherstrips............................................5-114
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-116Climate Control System...................................3-28
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-36
Dual Automatic............................................3-32
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-36
Clock, Setting.................................................3-95
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-109
Compass.......................................................3-65
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant............................5-86
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-44
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-49
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-48
Heater, Engine............................................2-26
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-19
Cruise Control................................................3-12
Cruise Control Light........................................3-53
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-43
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
3

Headlamps (cont.)
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-17
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps...................5-54
Head-Up Display (HUD)...................................3-23
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-28
Heater...........................................................3-32
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-54
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-23
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-69
Inator Kit, Tire...............................................5-86
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-19
Cluster.......................................................3-39
Interior Lamps................................................3-19
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-46
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-63
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................3-19
Dome ........................................................3-20
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-19
Front Reading.............................................3-21
Overhead Console Reading..........................3-21
Rear Assist Handle Reading..........................3-21
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-39
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-60
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-42
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning...........3-47
Brake System Warning.................................3-45
Cruise Control.............................................3-53
7

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-50
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-67
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-38
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-39
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-39
MP3 ............................................................3-109
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-23
O
Odometer......................................................3-40
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-52
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-40
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-36
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-26
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-39
Power Mirrors.............................................2-39
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-21
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-29
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
9

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-98
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-60
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-13
Replacement, Windshield.................................5-61
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-66
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-67
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-24
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-22
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running Out of Fuel........................................2-37
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-41
Safety Belts
Care of ....................................................5-114
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-22Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-28
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-28
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback, Folding Passenger............................. 1-8
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Passenger Folding Seatback........................... 1-8
Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-4
Power Seat.................................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-5
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-9
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-46
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-49
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle.......................................... 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements..... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-50
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
11