ignition PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 1996, Model line: PONTIAC, Model: PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996Pages: 370, PDF Size: 17.69 MB
Page 90 of 370

Console Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
set the parking brake.
like
this:
I Hold in the button on the
lever,, and push ‘the lever
all
the way toward the front of
3. Move the ignition key to the ‘LOCK position.
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).
. /. 1 ,‘r ,*
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
A 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 firmly set. And, if you I
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake
is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK
(P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without
first pulling it toward you (or, if you have a
console shift lever, without first pushing the button). If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked
into PARK (P) .
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Page 91 of 370

Torque Lock Shifting Out of PARK (P)
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 find 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 find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in :.
the Index. I
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 yours a little uphill
to take some of the
pressure
from the transaxle. so vou can pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P).
1 .:
Your Pontiac has .a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You must fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the
I RUN position. See “Automatic Transaxle Operation”
in the Index.
If you cannot shift 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 if you have a console shift. Then move
the
shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button
if you have a console shift. .
If y’ou ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of
PARK (PI; try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle’ fixed as soon as you can.
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Page 94 of 370

Power Windows The driver's window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the driver's window will open
a small amount. If the
rear of the switch is pressed all the way down and
released, the window will
go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering,
press the front
of the switch.
To raise the window, press and hold the
front
of the switch.
.. . ._ 1 , ..1; 'T On four-door models, the driver's window controls also
7; include a lock-out switch. Press LOCK OUT to stop
. >. -. c with the lock on. Push LOCK OUT again for normal
. ., .I -. .. front and rear passengers from using their window . switches. The drivercan still control all the windows .- ..
. 5' .. .. window operation. When the orange band on the switch
is showing, the passengers can operate their windows.
Switches on
the driver's door armrest control each of the . Horn
windows when the ignition is on. In addition, each
Press either horn symbol on your steering wheel to
passenger's door has a switch for its own window.
sound the horn.
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Page 100 of 370

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
0
0
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push in the
SET button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise at the
higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from
ON to WA. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch.
(To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to
R/A for
less than half a second and then release it. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will only work after
you set the
cruise control speed by pushing the
SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
button for Less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you’ll go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out
of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be
too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; OR
0 Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, or
shift into
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), your cruise
control set speed memory
is erased.
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Page 101 of 370

Lamps
The lamp controls are on the instrument panel.Vhey
control these systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
0 License Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
0 Courtesy Lamps
0 Fog Lamps
-:q- Turn the knob to this symbol (B) to turn on the
headlamps and other operating lamps.
pf Turn the knob to this symbol (A) to turn on the
parking
and other operating lamps without the
headlamps.
Turn the knob to OFF to turn off the lamps.
A warning chime will sound when you turn the ignition
switch to the
OFF, LOCK or ACC position with the
lamps on.
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Page 102 of 370

Daytime Running Lamps (Option)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front
of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off, and
0 The parking brake is released.
When
the DRL aye on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won’t be on.
Your instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your low-beam headlamps
will change to
full brightness. The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also
come on. When
it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go out, and your low-beam headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DIU off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is in the
OFF or LOCK
position. Then start your vehicle. The DRL will stay
off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
To turn the fog lamps on, press the top of the fog lamp
switch
(C). Press the bottom of the switch to turn the fog
lamps
off. Your parking lamps must be on, or your fog
lamps won’t come on.
The fog lamps will
go off whenever you change to
high-beam headlamps. When you return to low beams,
the fog lamps will come on again.
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Page 103 of 370

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
You cm brighten or dim the instrument panel lights by
moving the
PANEL dial. If you turn the dial all the way
up, your courtesy or interior lamps will come on.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps come on. lltllese
lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easy for you
to
enter and leave your vehicle. You can also tun these
lamps on by moving the
PANEL dial all the way up.
Some of the lamps have switches
so you can turn them
on, even when the doors are closed. These lamps are
reading lamps. To avoid dtaining your battery, be sure to
turn
off all reading lamps when leaving your vehicle.
Sustained Interior Illumination
Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever
you:
Open a door.
Press UNLOCK on the Remote Lock Control
transmitter (if equipped).
transmitter (if equipped).
Press DOOR on the Remote Lock, Control
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it’s open
and then turn off automatically about 18 seconds after
you close
it. If you don”t open a door, the lamps will
turn
off after about 18 seconds, unless you pressed
UNLOCK on the Remote Lock Control transmitter.
If
you pressed UNLOCK and don’t open a door, the lamps
will turn
off after about 55 seconds.
Sustained interior illumination includes a feature called
theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps
don’t just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead,
they slowly
dim during the delay time until they go out.
The delay tirne is cancelled if you turn the ignition key to
the
RUN or START position, so the lamps will go out
right away.
When the ignition is
on, sustained interior illumination is
inactive, which means the courtesy lamps won’t come on.
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Page 105 of 370

Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will go on when YOU open the doors.
Next to the dome lamp are two reading lamps. Push the
button next
to each lamp to turn them on and oE
Rear Reading Lamps
These lamps are near each passenger’s door. They will
go on when you open the doors. When the doors are
closed, move the switch to turn the lamp on
and off.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave
the
courtesy lamps on. If you leave the PANEL dial turned
all the way
up or if you leave a door open, the lamps
will automatically turn
off after 10 minutes (if the
ignition
is off).
This feature will not turn off the reading lamps, only
the lamps controlled by the
PANEL dial. Be sure to turn
off any reading lamps using the switch before you leave
the vehicle.
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Page 111 of 370

Accessory Outlet Sunroof (Option)
If your vehicle has a center console, you have a 12-volt
outlet.
It is on the passenger’s side, near the floor. Open
the cover to
use the outlet.
I NOTICE:
Adding some electrical equipment to your vehicle
can damage
it or keep other things from working
as they should. This wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Check with
your dealer before adding
electrical equipment and never use anything
requiring more than
20 amps.
I
Your sunroof includes a sliding glass panel and a sliding
sunshade. The, switch works
only when the ignition is on.
To open the glass panel and sunshade, press the rear of
the switch. Let go of the switch to stop the panel in any
position.
Press the front of the switch to close the glass
panel. The sunshade can
only be closed by hand.
To open the rear vent, press the front of the switch when
the sunroof is closed. Open the sunshade by hand. Press
the rear of the switch to close the vent.
The
sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an elecbical failure.
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Page 116 of 370

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
pqel, which shows
SRS AIR BAG or the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag's electrical system for
malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors,
the
air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system,
see "Air Bag" in the Index.
SRS AIR BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to
RUN
or START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn't come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Charging System Light
Ifl
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
as a check to show you
it's working. Then
it should
go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the charging system. It could
indicate
that you have a loose drive belt or ansther
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving
while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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