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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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Page 59 of 274

Features & Controls
Bofh Transaxles (CONT.)
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.
Driving Through Deep
Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water,
water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly
damage your engine. If you can’t
avoid deep puddles or standing
water, drive through them very
slowly.
I Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heater)
(OPTION)
[n very cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or
;older, the engine coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
zconomy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged.
in a minimum of four hours prior
to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
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Features & Controls
Forward Gears
(Four Speed) (CONK)
3 (Third Gear): This is like D, but you
never
go into Overdrive. Here are some
times you might choose
3 instead of D:
0 When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less
shifting between gears.
When going down a steep hill.
2 (Second and First Gear): This
position provides second and first gear
performance. When in the
“2” position,
the transaxle will operate in second gear
at vehicle speeds greater than
20 mph and
in first gear at vehicle speeds less than
20 mph.
You can use “2” on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also
want to use your brakes
off and on.
Shifting 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
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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
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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
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Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer”
in the Index.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the
horn symbol
on your steering wheel.
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust
the steering wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level tc
give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel
and pull the lever. Move the steering
wheel to a comfortable level, then release
the lever
to lock the wheel in place,
71 ...
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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.
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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.
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