Section 2 Features and Controls
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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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Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
Hatch
Theft
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
Feature Customization New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Switch
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Parking Your Vehicle
PASS-K@ 11
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Windows
Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtray and Lighter
Sun Visors
Floor Mats
Convertible
Top
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights,
Cages and Indicators
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AlarmRanic Mode Operation
The driver’s door will unlock automatically when
UNLOCK is pressed.
If UNLOCK is pressed again
within five seconds, the passenger door will also unlock.
All doors will lock when
LOCK is pressed.
The hatch will unlock when the button with the trunk
symbol is pressed twice within five seconds, as long as
the ignition is turned to the
OFF position. If the ignition
is on, the trunk symbol button will only work if the
transmission is in
PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission, or if the parking brake is set on a manual
transmission.
The system will turn on the interior lamps for about
40
seconds (or until the ignition switch is turned to the
RUN position), when you unlock the doors or hatch.
The interior lamps will go
off when you lock the doors.
Operating the key chain transmitter may interact with
the Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System
(if you
have this option). See “Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle and Content
Theft-Deterrent System, you will have a fourth button
on your key chain transmitter. This button
is the panic
button. If you are involved in a panic situation, press
this button and your vehicle’s horn will sound and the
parking lamps will flash. This will draw needed
attention to you and your vehicle. To turn this feature
off, either push the panic button again or turn the
ignition to on. Note: This feature will not work if your
ignition is on
or if the key fob is 30 feet (9 m) or more
away from your vehicle.
Transmitter Range
The range of your Remote Keyless Entry system should
be about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m). At times you
may notice a decrease in the range. This is normal for
any Remote Keyless Entry system. If the transmitter
does not work, or you have to stand closer to your
vehicle than normal for the transmitter to work:
0 You may have to replace the battery in
your transmitter. See
the instructions for
battery replacement.
You may be too far from your vehicle. Check your
distance,
You may have to stand closer to your
vehicle in rain or snow.
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Hatch Release Remote Hatch Release (If Equipped)
Your
door key opens the hatch. If your vehicle has the
Vehicle and Content Theft-Deterrent System and the
system is armed, opening the hatch this way will trigger
the alarm. First disarm the system or
use the Remote
Lock Control transmitter
to open the hatch. Press
the switch under the Main Lamp Control to unlock
the hatch from inside your vehicle.
If you have an
automatic transmission, your shift lever must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to use the switch.
If you
have a manual transmission and the ignition switch is in
RUN, you must set the parking brake before you can use
the switch.
The switch
only works when the ignition switch is in
RUN or ACC, or when RAP is present. (See “Retained
Accessory Power” in the Index.)
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If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the PARK (P) position.
OFF (C): Unlocks the steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle
must be pushed or towed. A warning tone will
sound if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is
in OFF and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): Position to which the switch returns after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
RUN position when the engine is running,
But even when the engine is not running, you can
use RUN to operate your electrical power accessories
and to display some instrument panel warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): Starts the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch will return to RUN
€or normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, ACC and
RUN allow you to operate your electrical accessories,
such
as the radio and ventilation fan.
Key Release Button
If you have a manual
transmission, your ignition
lock has a key release
button.
You must press the
button before you can take
your key out
of the
ignition
lock.
On manual transmission vehicles, turn g the key
to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss
of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle
is moving.
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Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal
is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
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.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery.
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.
If the vehicle 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. After waiting about
15 seconds, repeat the normal starting procedure.
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 engine 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 Vehicle” in the Index.
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This feature is for improved traction only ,when the road
surface is slippery and is not intended for continuous use
or when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. Always use
NORMAL for normal road
conditions. You may press the 2ND GEAR START
switch again to turn
off this feature. The light on the
switch will
go out. Whenever you start your vehicle, the
transmission is in the NORMAL
mode.
Manual Transmission
5-Speed
1 3 5
2 4 R
This is your shift pattern.
Here’s how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s
hard to shift into FIRST (l), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL
(N) and let up on the clutch, Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST
(1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal to the floor as
you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND
(2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD
(3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you
do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To Stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL
(N),
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
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SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4),
FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (4) the same way you do for
SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
To Stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal and shift to
NEUTRAL
(N).
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. If you
shift from SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R), the shift lever
must
be first placed in NEUTRAL (N) position centered
between
SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) prior to shifting
into REVERSE (R).
Your six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows
you safely to shift into REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is rolling at less than
5 mph (8 km/h). You will
be locked-out
if you try to shift into REVERSE (R)
while your vehicle is movins fa ’ :r than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
If you have turned your ignition off and want to park
your car
in REVERSE (R), you will have to move the
shift lever quickly to the right, then forward into gear.
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Skip Shift
SKIP
SHIFT
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
gear instead of FIRST
(1) to
SECOND
(2) gear. This
helps you
to get the best
possible fuel economy.
FIRST
(1) tQ FOURTH '(4)
This light will come on under these conditions:
0 The engine coolant temperature is greater than
You are going 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h) and
0 You are at 35 percent throttle or less.
170°F (77°C).
When this light is on, the gear shift lever will let you
shift from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) gear only. Once
you are in FOURTH (4) gear,
you can press the clutch
again and shift into another gear.
Follow the shift speeds in this chart when the
SKIP SHIFT light is on.
Computer Aided Manual Transmission Shift Speeds
1st to 4th: 15 mph (24 kdh)
0 4th to 5th: 25 mph (40 km/h)*
5th to 6th: 40 mph (64 km/h)**
Each time you come to a stop, the engine's Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) determines when to activate the
SKIP SHIFT upshift system. Use SECOND (2) gear
only when you accelerate very quickly from a stop.
You
can then follow the full gear shift pattern.
*30 mph (48 kmh) when accelerating to
highway speeds.
**45 mph (72 km/h) when accelerating to
highway speeds.
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