1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC brake

Torque Lock Shifting Out of PARK (P)
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 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. I
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 vou can pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P).
1 .:
Your Pontiac has .a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You must fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the
I RUN position. See “Automatic Transaxle Operation”
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on
, the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P),
. while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
.. . shift lever button if you have a console shift. Then move
the
shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button
if you have a console shift. .
If y’ou ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of
PARK (PI; try this:
1. Turn the key to the OFF position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle’ fixed as soon as you can.
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Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
It’s bewr not to park with the engine ruanhig. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
:- I .. .,
Idling the engine. with the air system control
off could allow dangerous exhaust into yo,ur
vehide (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhalast”).
Also, idling in
a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch
is at the highest setting. \One place
this an happen is a garage. Exhanst -- with
CO -- can come in easily. park in a
garage with. the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard: (See
‘CBlizzard”
in the Index.)
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.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To besure your
vehicle
won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
.move the shift lever to Pm (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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Cruise Control (Option)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator.
This can really help on long trips. Cniise
control does not work at
speeds below about 25 mph
(40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control- shuts off.
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. 00 such road& f@t change& ’.
in tire traction can muse neediem wheel
spinning, and you
could lose conirol, Don’t
use cruise. eontrol on slippery roads.
Cruise controi can be dangerous on
2-29
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Setting Cruise Control Resuming
a Set Speed
A CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not
lasing cruise, you might hit a button and
go into cruise when you don’t want to. You could
be startled and even lose control* Keep the cruise
control switch
OFF’ until you want to use it.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3.
4.
Push in the SET.button
at
the end of the lever
and release it.
Take
your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Suppose
you set your
cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
2-30
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Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
0
0
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push in the
SET button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise at the
higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from
ON to WA. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch.
(To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to
R/A for
less than half a second and then release it. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will only work after
you set the
cruise control speed by pushing the
SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
button for Less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you’ll go 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out
of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be
too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; OR
0 Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, or
shift into
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), your cruise
control set speed memory
is erased.
2-31
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Daytime Running Lamps (Option)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front
of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn’t covered.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off, and
0 The parking brake is released.
When
the DRL aye on, only your low-beam headlamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won’t be on.
Your instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When it’s dark enough outside, your low-beam headlamps
will change to
full brightness. The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also
come on. When
it’s bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go out, and your low-beam headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DIU off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is in the
OFF or LOCK
position. Then start your vehicle. The DRL will stay
off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
To turn the fog lamps on, press the top of the fog lamp
switch
(C). Press the bottom of the switch to turn the fog
lamps
off. Your parking lamps must be on, or your fog
lamps won’t come on.
The fog lamps will
go off whenever you change to
high-beam headlamps. When you return to low beams,
the fog lamps will come on again.
. 2-33
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Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two pats. If one part isn't working, the other pa;t.can
still work and stop you. For
good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it
doesn't come on then, have
it fixed
so it will be ready to
warn you if there's a
problem.
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.)
A CAUTION: -
~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can
lead
to an accident. If the light is still on or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light
is flashing
after you've pulled.off the
road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fdly
released,
it means you have a brake problem.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light (Option)
(@)
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and it will
stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light flashes when you’re ( ving, you don’t have
anti-lock brakes and there could be 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.)
A CAUTION:
I
Your regular brake system may not be working
properly if the anti-lock brake system warning
light is flashing. Driving with the anti-lock
brake system warning light flashing can lead to
an accident. After you’ve pulled
off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
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 on 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 have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
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