Page 7 of 306
How to Use this Manual
Vehicle Symbols (CONT.:)
These symbols are on some of your
controls:
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Windshield Defroster
Rear Window Defogger
Ventilating Fan
Power Window
These symbols are used on warning and
Here are some other symbols you may
indicator lights: see:
Engine Coolant
Temperature
Battery Charging
System
Fuel
Engine Oil Pressure
Brake
Anti-Lock Brakes Fuse
(0)
Speaker
(@I
Hood Release
... 6
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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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Page 51 of 306

Features & Controls
Remote Trunk Release (CONK)
Lockout Feature:
The remote trunk release is equipped
with a lockout feature to help prevent
unauthorized entry into the trunk when
leaving the vehicle unattended. The
switch is located on the inside of the
trunk lid, mounted to the
trunk lid latch.
To turn the lockout on, slide the switch
all the way to the right.
To turn the
lockout off, slide the switch all the way
to the left.
When the lockout is on, the mechanical
remote trunk release will not release the
trunk lid. However, the trunk lid can
still be opened with the key.
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the
glove box. To open, pull the glove box
handle toward you. Your
modern Pontiac doesn’t need
an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed-
fast or slow-for the first 500
miles (804 km). Don’t make full-
throttle
starts
Avoid making hard st+ for the
first
200 miles (322 km) or so.
During this time your new brake
linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
“breaking-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings
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Page 58 of 306

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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Page 59 of 306

Features & Controls
Park (CONT.)
Ensure the shift lever is fully in P (Park)
range before starting the engine. 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 key is in the
Run position. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever-push the shift lever all the way
into
P (Park)-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,) See
Shifting Out of P (Park) later
in this section.
Reverse
R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
Shifting to
R (Reverse) while your
vehicle
is moving forward could
damage your transaxle. Shift
to
R only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of
snow, ice or sand without
damaging your transaxle,
see the Index
under If You ’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow.
Neutral
N (Neutral): In this position, your
engine doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
N (Neutral) only. Also, use N when
your vehicle is being towed.
A Shifting out of P (Park) or
1 N (Neutral) while your engine I
‘racing” (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You
could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don’t shift out
of
P (Park) or N (Neutral) while your
engine is racing.
I.. 58
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Page 60 of 306
Forwad Gears
D (Drive): This position is for normal
driving.
2
Y(
e(
hc
st
a1
W
b
(Second Gear): This position gives
IU more power but lower fuel
:onomy. You can use 2 on hills. It can
:lp control your speed as you go down
eep mountain roads, but then
you
rould also want to use your brakes off
Id on.
59 ...
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Page 61 of 306
Forward Gears (CONT.)
1 (First Gear): This position gives you
even more power (but lower fuel
economy) than
2. You can use it on very
steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. If
the selector lever is put in 1, the
transaxle won’t shift into
first gear until
the vehicle is going slowly enough. If your front wheels can’t rotate,
don’t
try to drive. This might
happen if you were stuck in very
deep sand or mud or were up
against a solid object. You could
damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going
uphill, don’t hold your vehicle
there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and
damage the transaxle. Use your
,.brakes
or shift into P (Park) to
:hold your vehicle
in position on a ’ hill.
PN2033.
..
Shiftins the Five-Speed
Manual Transaxle
There are seven different positions:
N Neutral
1 First Gear
2 Second Gear
3 Third Gear
4 Fourth Gear
5 Fifth Gear
R Reverse
888 60
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Page 62 of 306

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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