Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Pontiac, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-28
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2-33
2-33
2-34 Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry Trunk
Theft
Universal Theft-Deterrent
PASS-Key@
I1
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting
Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation Computer Command Ride
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Bum
Engine Exhaust 2-34
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2-3 6
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2-56
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2-5 8
2-64
2-77
2-80
2-82 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Horn
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Sun Visors
Air Inflator
System
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
Head-Up Display
Driver Information Center
Electronic Compass
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Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0 OF (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy 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.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 11 O-volt AC outlet.
m
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
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4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Pontiac dealer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular
area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats or
on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
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.
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Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out
of the courtesy lamps instead
of immediate turn off.
Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition.
This will give you time to find the door pull handle
or
lock switches as you exit the vehicle.
Illuminated Entry (Option) Front Reading Lamps
These lamps and
the
interior courtesy lamps
will come
on when you
open the doors.
When you press the unlock button on the optional
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter, the lamps inside your
TO turn on a reading lamp when the doors are closed,
vehicle will go
on. These lamps will go off after about press either switch. Press it again to turn the lamp off.
25 seconds, or when you start your engine. Pressing the
lock button on your Remote Keyless Entry transmitter
will turn the lights immediately off.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after
10 minutes to save your battery.
To avoid draining your vehicle’s battery, be sure to turn
off the reading lamps when leaving your vehicle.
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MAX: This setting provides maximum cooling with the
least amount
of work. MAX recirculates much of the air
inside your vehicle
so it cools quickly. The air is
directed through the instrument panel outlets.
A/C: This setting cools the air entering your vehicle
and directs
it through the instrument panel outlets.
The air conditioning compressor operates in all air
conditioner positions.
12 BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air into your
vehicle in two ways. Cool air is directed to the upper
portion of your body through the middle instrument
panel outlets while warmed air is directed to the floor.
2 VENT This setting directs airflow through the
middle
instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning
compressor is not working when
VENT is selected.
'I! HEATER: This setting directs warmed air through
the floor outlets. Some warm air is diverted to the
windshield to minimize fogging.
+# DEFOG: This setting directs air to the HEATER
outlets and toward the windshield.
w.
DEFROST This setting directs most of the air
toward the windshield.
Electronic Climate Control System (Option)
Fan Button
The button with the fan symbol adjusts the fan speed.
Press the up arrow to increase fan speed and the down
arrow to decrease fan speed.
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Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside
air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
If
you have the standard system, for 'quick cool-down on
very hot days, use
MAX with the temperature knob in
the blue
area. If this setting is used for long periods of
time, the air in your vehicle may become too cold and
dry. For normal cooling on hot
days, use A/C with the
temperature
knob in the blue area. This setting cools the
air entering your vehicle and directs it through the
instrument panel outlets.
If you have the electronic system, press the A/C button
to turn
the system on. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle.
Also while in
AUTO mode, the system will use RECIRC as necessary
to cool the air.
On cool but
sunny days, with the standard system or
through manual operation
of the electronic system, use
BI-LEVEL to deliver warm air to the floor and cooler air
to the middle instrument panel outlets. To warm or cool
the air delivered, push
the TEMP button up or down.
When the air conditioning system is in
AUTO mode,
the
A/C light will always be on. When the ambient
-/
temperature outside the vehicle reaches 40°F (4" C),
the compressor will remain on continuously.
Heating
If you have the standard system, on cold days use
HEATER with the temperature knob in the red area. If
you have the electronic system, press AUTO and adjust
the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down
arrow. You may also adjust the electronic system
nmnually
by pressing the MODE button and selecting
HEAT. Again, adjust the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down arrow.
With each system, outside air will
be brought in and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling
is needed, use VENT (on the standard system)
to direct outside air through your vehicle. Air will flow
through the middle instrument panel 'outlets.
Your vehicle's flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when
it's moving, When the
vehicle is not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any air choice (except the rear
window defogger) and any fan
speed.
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Ventilation Tips
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Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work better, reducing the chance
of
fogging your windows.
When you enter a vehicle with the standard system
in
cold weather, select HEATER to supply air through
the floor outlets. Then turn the fan
on high for a few
moments before driving away. This will blow moist
air from the intake outlets toward the floor, not the
windshield. It reduces
the chance #of fogging your
windows. If you have the electronic system, the
AUTO
setting will do this for you. Manual operation
of the electronic system
in the HEAT mode will also
supply air though the floor outlets.
Keep the air path under the front 'seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
When the engine idles for a long time, the exterior
temperature sensor may cause the system
to blow air
that is. too cool. Once the vehicle is moving again the
system will try to maintain the set temperature inside
your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle
and the EXT TEMP
display flashes (electronic system only) for some time,
the system may need repair. See your Pontiac dealer.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use DEFOG to keep the
windshield
and side windows clear. Use DEFROST to
remove fog or ice from the windshield quickly in
extremely humid or cold conditions.
If you have the standard system, use
DEFOG and adjust
the
fan speed to your comfort level. Use DEFROST
with the temperature toward'the red area and the fan
control toward high.
If you have the electronic system, press the
DEFOG
button and adjust the fan speed by pressing the fan
button up or down to your comfort level. Adjust
fan
speed by pressing the fan up or down mow. If you
select DEFROST from AUTO, the system will control
the fan speed. Adjust the temperature to your comfort
level by pressing the
TEMP up or down arrow.
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your heacllamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold, But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half
hour or so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP. WT.
TIRE-LOADING
INFORMATION
FRT, CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
’ MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSI/KPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
, INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found
on the rear edge of the driver’s door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It
also gives you
important information about the number
of people that
can be
in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options,
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