1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC Owners Manual

The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch
is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the driver’s window will open a small amount. If the
rear of the switch is pressed all the way down and
released, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it
is lowering, press the front
of the switch.
To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
On four-door models, the driver’s window controls also
include a lock-out switch. Press
LOCK OUT to stop
front and rear passengers from using their window
switches. The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock
on. Push LOCK OUT again for normal
window operation. When the orange band on the switch
is showing, the passengers can operate their windows.
Full Floating Horn
The full floating horn is designed so that you may press
anywhere on the steering wheel pad
to sound the horn.
Tilt Steering Wheel
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.
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Wm Signal/Multifunction Lever
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Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
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.
The lever
on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlamp High/Low Beam
0 Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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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.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes faster than normal,
a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
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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 for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
A chme will sound if you leave your turn signal on for
more than
3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp HigWLow Beam
To change your headlamps
from low beam to high
beam, or high to low, pull
the multifunction 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.
Flash-to-Pass
When your headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you
to momentarily switch on the high beams (to signal that
you are going to pass). When you release the lever they
will
turn off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked
WIPER. For a single wiping cycle, turn the band
to MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go.
The wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more
cycles, hold the band on
MIST longer.
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For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band to LO. For
high-speed wiping, turn the band further, to
HI. To stop
the
wipers, turn the band to OFF.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band
to choose the delay time. The
closer to
LO, the shorter the delay.
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 wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there’s a paddle
with the word
PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run for
several sweeps and then either stop or return
to your
preset speed. See “Windshield Washer Fluid”
in
the Index.
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)
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Cruise control can b'e dangerous where you7-'" ;: 1
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
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.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40km/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, the cruise control shuts off.
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Setting Cruise Control
A CAUTION:
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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 km/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.
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 in the SET button, 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 WA for less than
half a second and then release it. Each time you do
this, your vehicle will go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
The accelerate feature will only work after you set
the
cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push in the SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.
0 To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
button €or less than half a second. Each time you do
this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed
you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills,
you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain
your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear
to keep your speed down.
Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control, Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; OR
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, or
shift into
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), your cruise
control set speed memory is erased.
Lamps
The lamp controls are located on the lower, left side of
the instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel.
They control these systems:
Headlamps
@ Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Lamps
0 Sidemarker Lamps
0 Instrument Panel Lights
0 Courtesy Lamps
0 Fo'g Lamps
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