1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM Owners Manual

Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank located on the inside of each door to open and
close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
The power window switches are located on the door
armrests; the driver’s door armrest has controls for all
of
the windows. These switches will only work when the
ignition is on.
Auto-Down Feature
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the switch back, and
the driver’s window will open a small amount. When the switch is moved all the way back, the window will go
down all the way.
To stop the window while it
is lowering, move the
switch forward.
To raise the window, move and hold the
switch forward.
Lock-Out Switch
On four-door models, the driver’s power window
controls also include a lock-out switch. Press
LOCK to
stop front and rear passengers
from using their window
switches. The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock
on. Press the other side of the LOCK
button for normal window operation.
Horn
Press the center of your steering wheel to sound
the horn.
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Tilt Wheel (If Equipped) Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a Comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place. The lever on the left
side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp HighLow Beam Changer
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
A warning chime signal will come on
if you have left
your turn signal on for more than
3/4 mile (1 km).
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index). If the arrows still do not flash,
have your Pontiac Dealer service department check the
bulb in the instrument panel.
Headlamp High/Low Beam
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high or
high to low, pull the turn
signal lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel
also will be on.
The headlamp high/low beam indicator may flash
if the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) system is experiencing
a problem
or if a headlamp is malfunctioning.
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Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by moving the stalk
with the wiper symbol on it up or down.
For a single wiper cycle, push the stalk down to
MIST, then release it. For more cycles, hold the stalk
down longer.
For steady wiping at low speed, move the stalk up to the
(1) position. For high-speed wiping, move the stalk up
further, to
(2). To stop the wipers, move the stalk
to OFF. Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely.
To avoid
damage, be sure to clear
ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your
blades do become damaged, get new blades or
blade inserts.
Heavy snow
or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Controlled Cycle Wipers (If Equipped)
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow.
Move the stalk to DELAY, then rotate the inner band
and choose the delay you want. Rotate the inner band
up for shorter delay times between wiper cycles. Rotate
the band down for a longer delay time between
wiper cycles.
With controlled cycle wipers, you can also use
MIST for
a single wiper cycle.
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Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the stalk with the
windshield washer symbol toward you until the washers
begin. When the lever is pulled with the wipers in
OFF,
the wipers will continue to work until you return the
lever to
OFF. If your vehicle is equipped with the
controlled cycle wipers, the wipers will automatically
shut off after you release the lever if no speed
was selected.
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
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Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 h/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This
can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph
(40 km/h). When you apply your brakes
or push the clutch pedal
(if you have a manual transaxle), the cruise control
shuts off.
A CAUTION:
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. On such roads,
fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
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Setting Cruise Control
A CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using 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. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release
it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
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Resuming a Set Speed
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.
Once you’re going about
25 mph (40 h/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from
ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate) for about half a second.
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there. If you
hold the switch at R/A longer than half a second,
the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
switch or apply the brake, or clutch pedal (if you have a
manual transaxle).
You could be startled and even lose
control,
So unless you want to go faster, don’t hold the
switch to R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed. Push the
SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. 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 about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
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