1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC ignition

v Section 2 Features and Controls
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.
2-2
2-4
2-8
2- 10
2-12
2-15
2-15
2- 16
2-18
2-19
2-24
2-29
2-30
2-3 1
Important Information About Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry Battery Replacement for RKE
Preventing Theft
of Your Vehicle
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Tips on Starting Your Engine
Using the Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Guidelines
Important Information on Engine Exhaust
Operation of Your Windows
Adjusting the Tilt Steering Wheel 2-32
2-33
2-33
2-35
2-3 8
2-39
2-40
2-5 3
2-54
2-62
2-64
2-78
2-83
Functions of the Multifunction Lever
How to Use the HighLow Beam
Headlamp Changer
Windshield Wipers and Fluid
Using Cruise Control
Exterior Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL)
Interior Lamps
Rearview Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Instrument Panel Overview
All About Your Warning Lights and Gages
Driver Information Center
Head-Up Display
2-1
ProCarManuals.com

Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
2-2
ProCarManuals.com

The master key can be
used for the ignition,
as well as all door locks and
storage compartments.
The valet key can be used
for the ignition and the two
side doors only. It will not
open the trunk, glove box or
fold down
rear seat trunk
access panel (if equipped). When
a new Pontiac is delivered, it will come with a bar
coded tag attached to the key ring.
This tag has a code
on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how
to make extra keys. Keep the
code in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have new ones made easily using this code.
If you need a new master key, contact your Pontiac
dealer who can obtain the correct key code,
or, in an
emergency, call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at
1-800-ROADSIB or 1-800-762-3743.
I I
I NOTICE: I
Your Pontiac has a number of features that can
help prevent theft. But
you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your
keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.
2-3
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Door(s)
To unlock either rear door from inside the vehicle, rotate
the lock lever back.
To lock either rear door from inside the vehicle, slide the
lock lever forward.
Power Door Locks
To unlock all doors from inside the vehicle, press the fiont
of
the power door lock switch on either front door. If your
vehicle is equipped with a Content Theft-Deterrent system,
the power door lock switch will not unlock
the doors until
the system
is disarmed. See “Content Theft-Deterrent” in
the Index for more details.
You can lock all doors from inside the vehicle by
pressing the rear
of the power lock switch on either
door. If your vehicle is equipped with
a Content
Theft-Deterrent system, the power lock switch may
cause the system
to arm see “Content Theft-Deterrent”
in the Index for more details.
To unlock any door from outside the vehicle with your
key, insert it fully into the key cylinder and turn it to the
unlock position. This will cause only the door you
are
operating to be unlocked. If equipped with content
theft-deterrent, you can unlock all doors by holding the
key cylinder in the unlock position for one second.
Lockout Deterrent
The Lockout Deterrent feature makes it difficult for you
to lock your keys in your vehicle. If the driver’s door is
open while the keys are in the ignition, you will not be
able to to use your power door locks.
This feature cannot guarantee that you’ll never be
locked out of your vehicle.
If you don’t leave the keys in
the ignition, or if you used the manual door lock, you
could still lock your keys inside your vehicle. Always
remember to take your keys with you.
To turn this feature on or off, see “Locks and Lighting
Choices” in the Index.
2-5
ProCarManuals.com

Last Door Closed Locking
The Last Door Closed Locking makes it more
convenient €or you to use your power door lo’cks to lock
all doors when leaving your vehicle. When any door
is
open, the first time you attempt to lock the doors using
the power
door lock switch or key chain transmitter will
result in three chimes to signal that Last
Door Closed
Locking is being used. All doors can be opened for any
reason for five seconds from the time the last door has
been closed. Five seconds after the last door is closed,
all doors will lock. You can lock the doors immediately
by using the power door lock switch or the key chain
transmitter
to lock again.
The Last Door Closed
Locking feature will not
occur and d’oors will not
be locked as a result of this
feature when
the ignition switch is in the RUN or
ACCESSORY position. The Last Door Closed Locking
feature
is not enabled from the factory.
Automatic Door Locks
I
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When
a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open
it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This
may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash
if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will
be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
To turn the Last Door Closed Locking feature on or off,
see “Locks and Lighting Choices” in the Index. All of the
doors will lock automatically when you move
your shift lever
out of PARK (P). All doors will. unl’ock
automatically when the ignition
is turned off while the
shift lever
is in PARK (P). If you prefer to have your
doors unlocked automatically at any time, see “Locks
and Lighting Choices” in the Index.
2-6
ProCarManuals.com

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
If someone needs to get in or out of the vehicle after
the doors have been automatically locked, place the shift
lever into PARK (P). Unlock all doors by using the
power door lock switch or unlock just the door you want
by using the inside lever.
If you have programmed your
automatic door locks (see ”Locks and Lighting choices”
in the Index.) to unlock the doors when the shift lever
is shifted into
PARK (P), the doors will be automatically
unlocked for you. The doors will be automatically
locked when you move your shift lever out of
PARK (P)
with the ignition on. If
you don’t want the doors to unlock automatically
when you turn
the ignition off, see “Locks and Lighting
Choices” in
the Index.
Rear Door Security Locks (4-DoOr Models)
A
1
Your Pontiac is equipped with rear door security locks that
help prevent passengers
from opening the rear doors of
your vehicle from the inside.
To use one of these locks:
1. Open one of the rear doors.
2. On the inside of the rear door will be a lock. Insert
your master key into this lock and rotate it upward.
This will engage the safety lock.
2-7
ProCarManuals.com

Trunk Lock Theft
To unlock the trunk from
the outside, insert the
master key and
turn it. You
can also use the Remote
Keyless Entry transmitter, if
your vehicle has this option.
Remote Trunk Release (If Equipped)
Press the button behind the
glove box
door to unlock
the trunk from inside your
vehicle. Your transaxle shift
lever
must be in PARK (P).
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Pontiac has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on
it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for
joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Pontiac and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you
to remove your key
from the ignition
and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the
doors.
2-12
ProCarManuals.com

Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area,
or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock
it up and take your keys.
But what
if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all doors except the driver’s.
0 Give the valet key to the valet. Then take the master
key with you.
Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
If your Grand Prix has this option, it has a
theft-deterrent alarm system.
A red light located on top of your instrument panel (near
the center
of the vehicle, next to the windshield) will
flash slowly when the system is armed.
While armed, the doors will not unlock with the power
lock switch. The alarm will go
off if someone damages
the vehicle, tampers with the trunk lock, enters the
vehicle (without using the key chain transmitter or key
to unlock the doors), or turns
the ignition on. Your horn
will sound and your headlamps will flash
for up to two
minutes. The system will also cut
off the fuel supply,
preventing the vehicle
from being driven.
2-13
ProCarManuals.com