1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM stop start

Passlock TM
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is
armed once the key is removed from the ignition. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key.
If a correct key is not used, fuel is disabled,
During normal operation, the THEFT SYS light will go
off after the engine is started. If the engine stalls and the
THEFT SYS light flashes, wait until the light stops
flashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to
release the key from the START position as soon as the
engine starts. If you are driving and the THEFT
SYS
light comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if
you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock system
is not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this
time.
You may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses
and Circuit Breakers” in the Index). See your Pontiac
dealer for service.
If the THEFT SYS light comes on while the engine is
running,
a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Pontiac Roadside Assistance
Center at 1-800-ROADSIB or 1-800-762-3743.
New Vehicle “Break-InSS
NOTICE:
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in,” But it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
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Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts,
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so, During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings,
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in,
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
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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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Starting Your 2.4 Liter Engine
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:
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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, and if the weather is
very cold (below
-20” F or -29” C), push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key to START.
Do this until the
engine starts, As soon as it does, let go
of the key.
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. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter of the way down
for five or six seconds.
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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Starting Your 3100 Engine
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 your engine 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 up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
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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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:
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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.
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Manual Transaxle Operation
1 3 5
2 w 4 R
This is your shift pattern. Here’s how
to operate your transaxle:
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 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 into
NEUTRAL
(N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
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Rear Seat Cupholder
There are cupholders on the underside of the front
storage armrest lid
for the rear passengers to use. Open
the lid completely to use the cupholders.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it
just inside the back wall
of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns
or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them
in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net
so that it will lie flat when
you’re not using it. Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
(If Equipped)
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back
out by itself.
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If the light comes 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.)
A CAUTION:
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 stopped 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 it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and it will stay
on for three seconds.
That’s normal.
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.
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.
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