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Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the
key release button is used.
To remove the key, turn the key to the OFF position.
While pressing the key release button, turn the key to
the LOCK position. Pull the key straight out.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
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.
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Page 77 of 371

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Pontiac has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK
(P) when the
ignition key is in the
RUN position. If you cannot shift
out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
-- as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting Out
of
PARK (P)” later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
I NOTICE:
~~
1
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
1
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
I
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out
of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
r
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Page 144 of 371

RDM (3): Press this button to hear the tracks in random. Remote Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)
rather than sequential, order. The display will show
RDM. Press RDM again to turn
off random play. Playing a Cassette Tape
REV (5): Press and hold this button to quickly reverse
within a track. Release it to play the passage. You will
hear sound at a reduced volume. The display will show
elapsed time.
FWD (6): Press and hold this button to quickly advance
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
RECALL: Press this button to see what track is
currently playing. Press RECALL again within
five
seconds to see how long the track has been playing.
When a new track starts to play, the track number will
also appear. Press RECALL a third time and the time
of
day will be displayed. With this option,
the remote single cassette player is
mounted to the console.
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than
that are
so thin they may not work well in this player.
AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a disc With the rad\
io on, insert a cassette tape. Once the tape is
is playing. The disc will stop but remain in the player. playing, use the con\
trol knobs for VOL, BAL,
FADE,
CD/PLAY Press this button to change to the disc BASS and
TREB just as you do for the radio. A lighted
function when the radio is on. cassette symbol shows when a cassette tape is
in the
player. A lighted arrow will also appear and show the
EJECT Press this button to remove the disc or stop the direction of play when a tape is active,
disc and switch to the radio. EJECT will work with the
radio
off. If you leave a compact disc in the player while
listening to the radio, it may become warm.
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