1994 PONTIAC GRAND-AM parking brake

...
dele you can learn about the many
tandard and optional features on our Pontiac. and information on
tarting. shifting and braking
. Also
!xplained are the instrument panel
nd the warning systems that tell you
’ everything is working properly ..
ind what to do if you have a problem .
Part 2
Features & Controls
Keys ..... ....................................................... 46
DoorLocks ........................................................ 47
Keyless Entry System
............................................... 50
GloveBox ........................................................ 54
Ignitionswitch
..................................................... 55
StartingYourEngine ................................................ 56
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater) ............................ 58
Shifting the Automatic Transaxle ...................................... 59
Shifting the Five-Speed Manual Transaxle ............................... 64
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transaxle) ................................ 67
Windows
......................................................... 72
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ....................................... 73
CruiseControl
..................................................... 74
Lightcontrols
..................................................... 77
Battery Rundown Protection
.......................................... 80
Windshield Wipers .................................................. 81
Windshield Washer ................................................. 82
Mirrors ........................................................... 82
SunVisors ........................................................ 84
Instrumentpanel ................................................... 88
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................................... 93
ParkingBrake ...................................................... 66
45.0.
ProCarManuals.com

1 3 5
2 4 R
C
E
il
F
4
h
II
t'
C
4
I1
C
F
'his is your shift pattern. Here's how to
bperate your transaxle:
rIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shi
nto FIRST. Then, slowly let up on the clutc
kedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
lou can shift into FIRST when you're
;oing less than
20 mph (32 km/h). If
fou've come to a complete stop and it's
lard to
shift into FIRST, put the shift
ever
in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the
Iutch. Press the clutch pedal back down
hen shift into FIRST.
iECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as
'ou let up on the accelerator pedal and shij
nto
SECOND. Then, slowly let up on the
:lutch pedal as
you press the accelerator
Iedal.
HIRD (3), FOURTH (4) AND FIFTH
;): Shift into THIRD, FOURTH and
IFTH the same way you do for
ECOND. Slowly let up on the clutch
:dal as you press the accelerator pedal.
o Stop: Let up on the accelerator pedal
Id press the brake pedal. Just before the
:hicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and
le brake pedal, and shift into NEUTRAL
9.
'EUTRAL (N): Use this position when
3u start or idle your engine.
.EVERSE (R): To back up, press down
Le clutch pedal and shift into REVERSE.
et
up on the clutch pedal slowly while
ressing the accelerator pedal. ~
NOTICE:
Shift
to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped. Shifting to
REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving could damage your
transaxle.
ho, use REVERSE (R), along with the
arking brake, for parking your vehicle.
Shift Light
If you have a manual transaxle, you have
a SHIFT light. This light will show you
when to shift to the next higher gear for
best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to
the next higher gear if weather, road and
traffic conditions let you. For the best fuel
economy, accelerate slowly and shift
when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the
light to go on and off if you quickly
change the position of the accelerator.
Ignore the SHIFT light when you
downshift.
ProCarManuals.com

Features & Controls
Shift Speeds
(Manual Transaxle)
This chart shows when to shift to the next
higher gear for best fuel economy.
Acceleration Shift Speeds for 2.3L
OHC and 2.3L High Output Quad 4
Engines (Codes 3 and A):
FIRST to SECOND 15 mph (24 km/h)
SECOND to THIRD
25 mph (40 km/h)
THIRD to FOURTH 40 mph
(64 km/h)
FOURTH to FIFTH 45 mph (72 km/h)
If your speed drops below 20 mph
(32 km/h), or if the engine is not running
smoothly, you should downshift to the
next lower gear.
You may have to
downshift two or more gears to keep the
engine running smoothly or for good
performance.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear
when you downshift, or if you race
the engine when you downshift, you
can damage the clutch or transaxle.
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.
... 66
ProCarManuals.com

To Release the Parking Brake:
Hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull
the “BRAKE RELEASE” lever.
1 NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on
overheat. You may have to replace
them, and
you could also damage
other parts of
your vehicle. ~
can cause your rear brakes to
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.
Shifting Into “P”
(Park)
(Automatic Transaxle
Models
Only)
E
ProCarManuals.com

Features & Controls
T
Shifting Into
PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle
Models Only) (cow)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your
right foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P)
position like this:
a. Hold
in the button on the lever.
b.
Push the lever all the way toward
the front of your vehicle into the
PARK position.
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 PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With
the Engine Running
(Automatic Transaxle
Models Only)
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
’ARK (P) position, hold the regular brake
Jedal down. Then, see
if you can move
he shift lever away from
PARK (P)
without first pushing the button.
:f you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t
fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
(Automatic Transaxle)
[f 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
[he 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.
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 you can pull the
shift lever out of
PARK (P).
... 68
ProCarManuals.com

H Shifting Out of
PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle
Models Only)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift
interlock. You have to
fully apply your
regular brake before you can shift from
PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic
Transaxle”
in the Index.
tf you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever
- push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) -as
you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you
want. (Press the
shift lever button before
moving the shift lever.)
[f you ever hold the brake pedal down but
still can’t shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the
drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you
can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle
Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put
your manual transaxle
in REVERSE (R)
and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your
vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
ProCarManuals.com

rn Light Controls
Parking Lights:
Rotate the switch up to PC to turn on:
Parking Lights
0 Side Marker Lights
Taillights
Instrument Panel Lights
Headlights:
Rotate the switch to ’ , to turn on:
0 Headlights
0 Parking Lights
0 Side Marker Lights
0 Taillights
0 Instrument Panel Lights
Rotate the switch
to OFF to turn all the
lights off.
-‘a-
Operation of Lights
Although your vehicle’s lighting system
(headlights, parking lights, fog lamps,
side marker lights and taillights)
meet all
applicable federal lighting requirements,
certain states and provinces may apply
their own lighting regulations that may
require special attention before you
operate these lights.
For example, some jurisdictions may
require that you operate your lower beam
lights with fog lamps at all times, or that
headlights be turned
on whenever you
must use your windshield wipers.
In
addition, most jurisdictions prohibit
driving solely with parking lights,
especially at dawn or dusk.
It is
recommended that you check with your
own state or provincial highway authority
for applicable lighting regulations.
Lights On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door while
leaving the lights
on, you will hear a
warning chime.
Daytime Running Lights
(CANADA ONLY)
Your DRL work with a light sensor on top
of the instrument panel. Don’t cover
it up.
The high beam headlights will come
on at
reduced brightness in daylight when:
0 The ignition is on
0 The headlight switch is off, and
0 The parking brake is released on a
manual transaxle; or
77 a I
ProCarManuals.com

Features & Controls
Daytime Running Lights
(CANADA ONLY) (CONT.)
The shift lever is shifted out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) on an automatic
transaxle.
At dusk, the exterior lights and headlights
will come on automatically. At dawn, the
exterior lights will go out and the high
beams will change to the reduced
brightness of DRL again (if the headlight
switch is off).
Of course, you may still turn on the
headlights any time you need to.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set
the parking brake
on a manual transaxle
or put the vehicle
in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) on an automatic
transaxle, while the ignition is in the OFF
or LOCK position. Then start the vehicle.
The DRL will stay off until
you release
the parking brake on a manual transaxle
or shift out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N) on an automatic transaxle.
Yeadlight High-Low Beam
%anger
To change the headlights from low beam
o high or high to low, pull the turn signal
ever all the way toward you. Then
elease it. When the high beams are on,
his blue light on the instrument panel
dso will be on.
Flash-To-Pass
(EXCEPT CANADA)
Flash-to-pass lets you use your high
beam headlights to signal a driver
in front
of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/
multifunction lever toward you.
If Your Headlights are Off
Your high beam headlights will turn on.
They’ll stay on as long as you hold the
lever there. Release the lever to turn them
off.
If Your Headlights are On:
No flash-to-pass. Use the lever to change
between high and low beams.
mm.78
ProCarManuals.com