Features & Controls
. .
Remote Trunk Release
(CONT.)
Lockout Feature:
The remote trunk release is equipped wit1
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 trun
lid, mounted to the trunk lid latch.
To turn the lockout on, slide the switch a1
the way to the right.
To turn the lockout
off, slide the switch all the way to the lefi
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.
54
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the
glove box.
To open, pull the glove box
handle toward you.
New Vehicle
“Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modem Pontiac doesn’t need
an elaborate “break-in.” But it
will
perform better in the long run if you
follow these guidelines:
0
0
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 stops 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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Features & Controls
Key Release Button
(MANUAL TRANSAXLE) (CONT.)
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK
and you can’t turn it, be sure it is all
the.way in. If
it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while
you
turn the key hard. But turn the
key only
with your hand. Using a
tool to force
it could break the key
or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs
service.
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of
your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
shows
the code letter or number for your
engine. You
will find the VIN at the top
left
of your instrument panel. (See
”Vehicle Identification Number”
in the
Index.) Follow the proper steps to start
the engine.
Automatic transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t start
in any other position -- that’s a safety
feature. To restart when you’re already
.EUTRAL (N) only.
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if
your Pontiac is moving. If you do,
you could damage the transaxle.
Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual transaxle
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor, then
shift your gear selector to neutral while
starting the engine. Your vehicle won’t
start
if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Both Transaxles
To Start Your 2.3 Liter EnEine
(Codes
3. D or A):
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal,
turn your ignition key to START.
When the engine starts, let
go of the
key. The idle speed
will go down as
your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for
longer than
15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery to be drained
much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor.
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2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the
weather is very cold (below
-20” F, or
-29” C), push the accelerator pedal
about one-quarter of
the way down
while you
turn the key to “Start.” Do
this until the engine starts. As soon as
it does, let go of the key.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or
starts but then stops), it could be
flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key
in “Start”.for about
three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from
the engine. If the car
starts briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing, but this time keep the
pedal
about one-quarter of the way
down for five or six seconds.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work
with the electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change the
way the fuel injection system
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your engine might not
perform properly.
If you ever have to have your
vehicle towed, see the part of this
manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See
“Towing Your Pontiac”
in the
Index.
To Start Your V6 Engine (Code M):
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal,
turn your ignition key to “Start.”
When the engine starts, let
go of the
key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in “Start” for
longer than
15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery to
be drained
much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor.
. If your engine won’t start (or starts but
then stops), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing your
accelerator pedal all the way
to the
floor and holding it there as you hold
the key
in “Start” for about three
seconds. If the car starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same thing,
but this time keep the pedal down for
five or six seconds. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
range before starting the engine. 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 key is in the
RUN position. If 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 wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift
lever.) See “Shifting
Out of PARK (P)”
later
in this section.
I
Reverse
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while
your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transaxle. Shift
to REVERSE 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 “If You’re
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the
Index.
Neutral
NEUTRAL (N): In this position,,your
engine doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL when your vehicle is Geing
towed.
61 ...
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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.
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LOW
COOLANT
Low Coolant Warning
Light
F this light comes on and stays on, the
ehicle should be promptly pulled off the
Dad and the coolant level checked. See
Engine Coolant” in the Index. If there
re visible signs of steam see “Engine
herheating” in the Index before opening
le hood.
V6 Engine
Low Engine
Oil Level
Warning Light
Your vehicle may be equipped with an oil
level monitoring system. When the
ignition key is turned on, the light will
briefly flash. If the light stays on, stop the
vehicle on a level surface and turn the
engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. (See the Index under
“Engine Oil.”) If the light does not flash,
have the low oil level sensor system
repaired
so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
NOTE: The oil level monitoring system
only checks oil level during the brief
period between key on and and engine
crank.. It does not monitor engine ail level
when the engine
is running. Additionally,
an oil level check is only performed if the
engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time allowing the
oil normally in circulation to drain back
into the oil pan.
Oiil Warning Light
If you have a problem with your oil, this
light may stay on after you start your
engine, or come on when you are driving.
This indicates that oil is not going through
your engine quickly enough to
keep it
lubricated. The engine could be low on
oil, or could have some other oil problem.
Have
it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come on in three
other situations:
0 When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working, but
the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to “Start”. If it doesn’t come
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Features & Controls
BRAKE
Brake System Warning
light
four Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is
!ivided into two parts. If one part isn’t
qorking, the other part can still work and
top you. For good braking, though, you
leed both parts working well.
f the warning light comes on, there coulc
le a brake problem. Have your brake
ystem inspected right away.
ihis light should come on as you start tht
lehicle. If it doesn’t come
on then, have i
ixed so it will be ready to warn you if
here’s a problem.
[f the light comes on while you are
hiving, pull
off the road and stop
zarefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go
;loser 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 Car”
in the Index.)
The brake system warning light will also
come on when you set your parking
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.
... 98
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anti-Lock Brake System
Naming Light
Vith anti-lock, this light will come on
{hen you start your engine and it will
tay on for three seconds. That’s normal.
F the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed
D it will be ready to warn you if there is 2
roblem.
1 the light flashes when you’re driving,
ou don’t have anti-lock brakes and
lere’s a problem with your regular
rakes. Pull off the road and stop arefully. You may notice that the pedal
is
arder to push. Or, the pedal may go
loser to the floor. It may take longer to
:op. Have the vehicle towed for service.
See “Towing Your Car”
in the Index.)
If the anti-lock brake system warning
light stays on longer than normal after
you’ve started your engine, turn the
ignition
off. Or, if the light comes on and
stays on when you’re driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off.
Then start the engine again to reset the
system.
If the light still stays on, or comes
3n again while you’re driving, your
Pontiac needs service.
If the light is on
but not flashing and the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still
nave brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
xakes.
Shift Light
(MANUAL TRA NSAXL E)
This light comes on when you need to
shift to the next higher gear. See “Manual
Transaxle”
in the Index.
99. ..
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