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1. Twilight Sentinel/Headlamp Switch
2. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
3. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
4. Instrument Cluster/Gages
5. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls
6. Ignition Switch
7. Air Outlet
8. Climate Control System
9. Passenger’s Side Air Bag
10. Glove Box
11. Audio System
12. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
13. Driver’s Side SRS Air Bag
14. Hood Release
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Instrument Panel Clusters
Your instrument panel clusters are designed to let you know at a glance how your vehide is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.
Your Pontiac is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which includes indicator warning lights and -
gages that are explained on the following pages.
--
I ~~~~~~
~ -- -
FUEL ONLY UNLEADED
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Tachometer
The tachometer shows your
engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Do not
run your engine at speeds in
the red area.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may b’e on your vehicle.
The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair
or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights
come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working.
If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem
with one
of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to
do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a driver information system
that works
along with the warning lights and gages. See
“Driver Information Center” in the Index.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about
70 seconds. If the
driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither the chime
B E LTS nor the light will come on.
FASTEN
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR
BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you
if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
This light will come on when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds 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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Battery Light Voltmeter
VOLT
This light will come on
briefly when you start the
vehicle, as a check to show
you it is working; then it
should go out.
You may have a voltmeter
unless you have the
supercharged engine.
If it stays on, OF comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a generator problem
or another electrical system problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is
on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and climate control system.
Some clusters with gages do not have a battery warning
light. They have a
CHECK GAGES warning to indi'cate
a problem. Vehicles with th'e supercharged engine also
have
a simil'ar battery warning light. When the engine
is running, the
gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings outside the
red warning zone indicate the normal operating range.
geadings
in the red warning zone Indicate a possible
problem
in the electrical system. The CHECK GAGES
light will also come on, and a warning chime will sound.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part 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 (a)
This light should come on
when you turn the key to
START. 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 and chime come 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, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.)
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 after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopp,ed 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 you try to drive off with the parking brake set, a
chime will
also come on until you release the parking
brake.
If the light and chime stay on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means
you have a brake problem.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come
on when you start
your engine and
may stay
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.
If the light stays on, turn
the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes 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 regular brake system warning light
isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have
anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light
Is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and
there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake
System Warning Light” earlier in this section.
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Traction Control System Warning Light (Option)
TRACTION
OFF
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine.
If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if
there’s a problem.
Hit stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. The
traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
0
a
0
If you turn the system off by pressing the button
located on the center console, the warning light will
come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on,
press the button again. The warning light should go
off. (See “Traction Control System” in the Index for
more information.)
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on.
If
your brakes begin to overheat, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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