Here you can learn about the
many standard and optional features
on your Pontiac. and information on
starting. shifting and braking
. Also
explained are the instrument panel
and the warning systems that tell
you
if everything is working
properly-and what to do
if you have
a problem
.
Part 2
Features & Controls
Keys .............................. ............................ 44
GloveBox ....................................................... 50
StartingYourEngine
............................................... 52
LOC
ks ........................................................... 45
Ignitionswitch
.................................................... 51
Engine Block Heater
............................................... 56
Shifting the Transaxle
.............................................. 57
ShiftingIntoPark
.................................................. 64
Turn SignaVHeadlight Beam Lever .................................... 69
Cruisecontrol .................................................... 70
Lightcontrols
.................................................... 74
Interior Lights
.................................................... 76
Windshield Wipers
................................................. 79
Windshield Washer ................................................ 80
Mirrors .......................................................... 81
Ashtray and Lighter ................................................ 85
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators .................................. 91
ParkingBrake
.................................................... 63
Windows
........................................................ 68
Sunvisors
....................................................... 82
InstrumentPanel
.................................................. 86
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Shifting the Automatic Transaxle
Your automatic transaxle has a shift
lever located on the console between the
seats.
There are several different positions for
your shift lever. In this manual, these
are referred
to by the commonly used
symbols in the right column below:
Park P
Reverse R
Neutral N
Drive D
Second 2
First 1
Park
P (hrk): This locks your front wheels.
It’s the best position to use when you
start your engine because your vehicle
can’t move easily.
I I
It can be dangerous to get out
b of your vehicle if the shift
hever is not fully in
P (Park) with
the parking brake firmly
set v-*7
vehicle can roll
Don’t leave your venue
WI I me
engine is running unless you llavr
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle
won’t move, when you’re on fair1
level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift
lever to
P (Park). See the Index
under Shifting into P (Park). If you
are parking
on a hill, or if you’re
pulling a trailer, also see the
Index
under Parking on Hills or %wing a
Trailer.
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1 3 5
2 4 R
This is your shift pattern. Here’s how to
operate your transaxle:
1 (First Gear): Press the clutch pedal
and shift into
1. Then, slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into
1 when you’re going
less than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve
come to a complete stop and it’s hard to
shift into
1, put the shift lever in
N (Neutral) and let up on the clutch.
Press the clutch pedal back down. Then
shift into
1.
2 (Second Gear): Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator pedal
and shift into
2. Then, slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
3,4 and 5 (Third, Fourth and Fifth
Gears): Shift into 3, 4 and 5 the same
way you do for
2. Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
To Stop: Let up on the accelerator pedal
and press the brake pedal. Just before
the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift into
N (Neutral).
N (Neutral): Use this position when
you
start or idle your engine.
R (Reverse): To back up, press the
clutch pedal and shift into
R. Let up on
the clutch pedal slowly while pressing
the accelerator pedal.
Shift to
R (Reverse) only after your
vehicle is stopped. Shifting to
R (Reverse) while your vehicle is
moving could damage your
transaxle.
Also, use
R (Reverse), along with the
parking brake, for parking your vehicle.
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1.
Parking Brake
To Set the Parking Brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down with
your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the
ignition is
on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To Release the Parking Brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull
the
BRAKE RELEASE lever.
%riving with the parking
can cause your
rear
overheat. You may have to replace
them,
and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If You are on a Hill:
See the Index under Parking on Hills.
That section shows how to turn your
front wheels.
If You are Towing a Trailer and are
Parking on a Hill:
See the Index under Towing a Trailer.
That section shows what to do first to
keep the trailer from moving.
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Shifting Into P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE)
A
It can be dangerous to get out
of your vehicle if the shift
I
lever is not fully in P (Park) with
the parking brake firmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running
the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
Tc
be sure your vehicle won’t move,
when you’re on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you arc
parking on a hill, or if you’re
I
pulling a trailer, also see the Inden
under ParkinP 01 lills or %wing .
“rail
I
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your
right foot and set the parking brake.
8.. 64
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
position like this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward
the front of your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to Lock.
4. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can walk away from your
vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in
P (Park).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
(AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE)
It is dangerous to leave your
running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not
fully
in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. And,
if you 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
rumins unless you,
have to.
h- *2-- ;,a,:+h .u ’ -. :.
L vehicle with the engine
i- ’-
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If you have to leave your vehicle with
the engine running, be sure your vehicle
is in
P (Park) and your parking brake is
firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the
shift lever into the
P (Park) position, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from
P (Park)
without first pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into
P (Park).
Shifting Out of P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift
interlock. You have to
apply your
regular brake
before you can shift from
P (Park) when the ignition is in the Run
position. See the Index under Automatic
Transaxle.
If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever-push the
shift lever all the way into
P (hrk)- as
you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you
wish. (Press the shift lever button before
moving the shift lever.) If you ever hold the
brake pedal down
but still can’t shift out
of P (Park), try
this:
1. Turn the key to Off.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the
drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you
can. end of Step
4.
65
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Features & Controls
Parking Your Vehicle
(MANUL TRANSAXLE)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put
your manual transaxle in
R (Reverse)
and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your
vehicle
is equipped to tow a trailer, see
the Index under Parking on Hills or
i%w*ng a Trailer.
36
1 Engine Exhaust
I
Parking Over Things That Burn
Things that can burn could
touch hot exhaust parts under
your vehicle
and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or
other things that can burn.
Engine exhaust can kill. It
contains the gas carbon
monoxide
(CO), which you can’t
see or smelt It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming
in if:
* Your exhaust system sounds
strange or different.
* Your vehicle gets rusty
undemath.
* Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
* Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the
road or over road debris.
* Repairs weren’t done correctly.
* Your vehicle or exhaust systkm
has been modified improperly.
If you eys suspect exhaust is
~rrmi@ into your vehicle:
Drive it only wifh all the
windows down to blow out any
co; and
* Have it -fixed immediately.
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Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (AuToMmc TRANSAXLE)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are
some things to know.
A Idling the engine with the air system control OFF could allow dangerous
1 exhaust into your vehicle (see the earlier CAUTION under Engine
Exhaust).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into
your vehicle even if the
hn switch is at tne 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. (See the Index under Blizzard.)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don’t leave
your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have
to. If you’ve left the
engine ruhing, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level\
ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to J’ (Park). .
If you are parking on a hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer, also see the Index
under Parking on Hills or Towing a Trailer.
I’
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the
horn symbol on your steering wheel.
67
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