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Parking
Parking Brake
The parking brake uses the brakes on the
rear wheels.
To set the parking brake: Hold the brake
pedal down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake: Hold the
brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake
lever up until you can push in the release
button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on
can cause your rear brakes to over-
heat. You may have to replace them,
and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on any hill:
See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from
moving.
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Features and Controls
Shifting into P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your
right foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into T“ (Park)
position like this:
Hold in the button on the lever,
and 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 TRANSMISSION)
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).
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Torque Lock
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t
shift your transmission into “P” (Park)
properly, the weight of the vehicle may
put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of “P” (Park)
This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into “P’7 (Park) properly before
you leave the driver’s Seat. To find out
how, see “Shifting Into “P” (Park)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the
shift lever out of
“P” (Park) 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 transmission,
so you can pull the
shift lever out of “P” (Park).
Shifting out of P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transmission
shift interlock. You have to fully apply
your regular brake before you can shift
from “P” (Park) when the ignition is in
the “Run” position. See “Automatic
Transmission” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of
“F”’ (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever
- push the
shift lever all the way into
“P” (Park) and
release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press
the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you wish.
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 end
3. Shift to “N’ (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the
drive gear you want.
of
Step
4.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you
can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put
your manual transmission in
“R’
(Reverse) and firmly apply the parking
brake.
If your vehicle is equipped
to tow a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
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Running Your Engine While
You’re
Parked (AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION)
It’s better not to park with the engine
running. But if you ever have to, here are
some things to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into
“P” (Park)” in the Index.
[f you are parlung on a hill and if you’re
pulling a trailer, also see “Towing a
Trailer’’ in the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close
each door window.
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Features and Controls
A green arrow on the instrument panel
will flash in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or
lower the lever until the green arrow start
to flash. Hold it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever will return b!
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if
the arrows don’t flash but just stay on, a
signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help
avoid an accident. If the green arrows
don’t go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse (see “Fuses” in the Index)
and for burned-out bulbs.
feadlight High/Low Beam
’0 change the headlights from low beam
3 high or high to low, pull the turn signal
:ver all the way toward you. Then
:lease it. When the high beams are on,
lis blue light on the instrument panel
lso will be on.
Windshield Wipers
fou control the windshield wipers by
urning the band
with the wiper symbol
In it.
;or a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
‘MIST.” Hold it there until the wipers
;tart, then let go. The wipers will stop
ifter one cycle. If
you want more cycles,
lold the band on “MIST” longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or
;hort delay between wipes. This can be
iery useful in light rain or snow. Turn the
>and to choose the delay time. The closer
:o “LO,” the shorter the delay.
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Then push on the release handle to
unlatch the panel. Lift the outer edge of
the panel and pull it toward you. Open the
close-out panel completely.
Place the panel in the correct slot
(“DRIVER’ or “PASSENGER’) in the
rear area of your vehicle. Make sure the
handle
is open and facing you when you
put it in the storage slot. lush
the handle closed to secui-e the panel
I the slot. To lock each panel in the
torage’area, use your door key.
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Features and Controls
Map Pocket
Each door has a map pocket. There may
also be a map pocket on the back of the
seats.
Front Console
To use the storage area, push the tab ns
pull
up on the front end of the console.
There is a cupholder and light and may be
a coinholder in the console.
The console will also have a storage area
for either cassette tapes or compact discs.
Jose-Out Panel
The close-out panel can be closed for
lidden storage
in the rear area of your
rehicle.
ro remove the close-out panel:
I. Close the panel. If the close-out panel
is not closed and resting on the trim
panel, it cannot be removed.
!. Pull the panel toward you to unsnap it.
Then slide the close-out panel along
the groove in the trim panel.
Ceverse the steps to install the panel. When carrying large or heavy items, it is
a good idea to open the panel and place
the items in the rear area.
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If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on,
or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is
flashing, have the vehicle towed for
service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light” and “Towing Your
Vehicle” in
the Index.) The brake
system warning light will also
come on when you set your parlung
brake, and it will stay on if your parking
brake doesn’t release fully. If
it stays on
after your parking brake
is fully released,
it means
you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With anti-lock, this light will come on
when you start your engine and it will
stay on for three seconds. That’s normal.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
If the light flashes when you’re driving,
you don’t have anti-lock brakes and
there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. Pull
off the road and stop
carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. Have the vehicle towed for service.
(See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the
Index.)
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