Page 7 of 356
For example,
these symbols
me used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BAllERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR FLAMES
FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
yorr passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
Op
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have
to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e
TURN
PARKING
pf
LAMPS
RUNNING
' ' 0
DAYTIME *
LAMPS *
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING FAN
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE k
COOLANT - rd
TEMP -
BRAKE (0)
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may
see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
il'
FUEL
V
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Page 62 of 356

Keyless Entry System Should interference to this system occur, try this:
If your Pontiac has this option, you can lock and unlock Check to determine if battery replacement is
your doors or unlock your trunk from up to 38 feet (9 m) necessary. See the instructions on battery
away
using the key chain transmitter supplied with your replacement.
vehicle.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
Your Keyless Entry
System operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal
Communications
Commission (FCC)
Rules
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful intederence, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. vehicle.
This product has a maximum range.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
0 See
your Pontiac dealer OF a qualified twhnicim for
service.
Changes or modifications to this system
by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment,
Operation
The driver's door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed. If UNLOCK is pressed twice
quickly, all
doors will unlock. All the doors will lock
when
DOOR is pressed, The trunk will unlock any time
the opened trunk symbol is pressed if the ignition is
OFF. If the ignition is on, the trunk will unlock if the
automatic tramaxle
is in NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).
On vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle, the
parking brake must be set.
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Page 74 of 356

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your Grand Am may be.equipped with a four-speed
automatic transaxle. The shift lever
is located on the
console between the seats. i
P
R
N
ID1
3
2
1
There are seven different
positions
for the shift lever
on the four-speed
autom&ic transaxle.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have 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, even when
you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See &‘Shifting Into PARK,(P)” in the Index, Tf
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a in
the Index.
2- 18
ProCarManuals.com
Page 78 of 356
NEUTRAL '(N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly
while pressing the accelerator pedal.
'1 NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (It) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
..
1
Also, use WVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
Shift Speeds
I A CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And you could injure yourself or others. DonY
shift from
FIFTH (5) to SECOND (2) or from
FOURTH (4) to FIRST (1).
This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best
fuel economy.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 80 of 356
Parkiaag.’Brake handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull
the parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever all the way down.
Driving with the parking, brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
To set the parking brake hold the .regular brake pedal If you are towing a trailer and are parking on my hill,
see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
down with Your ‘ght foot* On the parking brake what to do first to keep the bailer from moving.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com
Page 81 of 356
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly
set. Your vehicle can roll.
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, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that
follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
YI‘owing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2. 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:
Hold in the button on the lever.
0 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
leave your vehicle yith the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P)
2-25
ProCarManuals.com
Page 82 of 356

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle
Models Only) -
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the.
engine running, Your vehicle
could move
suddenly if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire.
You or others could
b’e injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless
you have to,
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 PARK (P)
I
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK
(P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If 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
the transaxle. YOU may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P), This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque l’ock, set &e parking brake and then shift
into
BARK (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 Qf
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does opcus, 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).
2-26
ProCarManuals.com
Page 83 of 356

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the RUN
position. See “Automatic-Transaxle Operation” in the
Index.
If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure wn
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.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF, not LOCK. , ,<. j:~+!-,. , , ‘(, . .I. ”
,..I_ . , , . P ., , :. a -9 -- ....,. 4 -’. .:‘.I..: .,:- ;.
i.. ’ .--4 ..
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
Step
4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
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 vehic1e.k
equipped to tow
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
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