
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional featur\
es on your vehicle, 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.
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10
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2-29 2-32
2-33 2-33 Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry (Option)
TnXnk
Theft
Universal Theft-Deterrent (Option)
PASS-Key@
I1
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting
Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) Automatic Transaxle Operation
Computer Command Ride (Option)
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust 2-34
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2-48 2-5
1
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2-56 2-62
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2-77
2-79 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows Horn
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignaYMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Sun Visors
Air Inflator System (Option)
Sunroof (Option)
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators Head-Up Display (Option)
Driver Information Center (Option)
Electronic Compass (Option)
2-1

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0” F (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
/1 CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends
on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-22

Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off.
Exit Lighting
With this feature, the interior lamps will come on for
25 seconds after you remove the key from the ignition.
This will give you time to find the door pull handle or
lock switches as you exit the vehicle.
Illuminated Entry (Option)
When you press the unlock button on the optional
remote keyless entry transmitter, the lamps inside your
vehicle will
go on. These lamps will go off after about
25 seconds, or when you start your engine. Pressing the
lock button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
will turn the lights immediately
off.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off
after 10 minutes to save your battery.
Front Reading Lamps
These front reading lamps
and the interior courtesy
lamps will come on when
you open the doors.
To turn on a reading lamp when the doors are closed,
press either switch. Press it again to turn the lamp
off.
To avoid draining your vehicle’s battery, be sure to turn
off the reading lamps when leaving your vehicle.
2-47

0
‘fl HEATER: This setting directs warmed air
through the floor outlets. Some warm air is diverted to
the windshield to minimize fogging.
vfl DEFOG: This setting directs air to the HEATER
outlets and toward the windshield.
w.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
toward the windshield.
Fan Button
The button with the fan symbol adjusts the fan speed.
Press the up
arrow to increase fan speed and the down
arrow to decrease fan speed.
Temperature Button
The TEMP button changes the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Press the up arrow for
warmer
air and the down arrow for cooler air.
Electronic Climate Control system (option) Mode Button
Press this button to deliver air through the floor, middle
or windshield outlets. The system will stay in the
selected mode until the
MODE or AUTO button is
pushed. Press the
up arrow to cycle through the
available modes.
Automatic Operation
When the system is set for AUTO, sensors will control
middle and windshield outlets. The
fan speed will vary
as the system maintains the selected temperature setting.
I the air delivery mode. Air will come from the floor,

When the air conditioning system is in AUTO mode, the
A/C light will always be on. When the ambient
temperature outside the vehicle reaches
40°F (4"C), the
compressor will remain
on continuously.
Heating
If you have the standard system, on cold days use
HEAmR with the temperature
knob in the red area. If
you have the electronic system, press AUTO and adjust
the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down
button.
You may also adjust the electronic system
manually
by pressing the MODE button and selecting
HEAT. Again, adjust the temperature by pressing the
TEMP up or down button.
With each system, outside
air will be brought in and sent
through the floor outlets. The heater works best
if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling
is needed, use VENT. (on the standard system)
to direct outside air through your vehicle. Air will
flow
through the middle instrument panel outlets.
Your vehicle's flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it's moving. When the
vehicle
is not moving, you can get outside air to flow
through by selecting any air choice (except the rear
window defogger) and
any fan speed.
3-6

Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust the
direction and amount of airflow inside the vehicle. Push
the outlet up or down to direct airflow to your
preference. Increase or reduce the amount of airflow by
opening and closing the louvers. Opening and closing
the louvers
will also direct airflow from side-to-side.
If you have the rear seat passenger outlet, it's attached to
the back
of the console. You can adjust the airflow
toward either seating area, the floor or upward. Turn the
end
knobs up and down to direct airflow. Increase or
reduce the amount of airflow by adjusting the lever
between
the two rear vents up or down. Open and close
the louvers to direct airflow from side-to-side.
Ventilation Tips
0 Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work better, reducing the chance of
fogging your windows.
0 When you enter a vehicle with the standard system in
cold weather, select HEATER to supply air through the
floor outlets. Then turn the fan on high for a few
moments before driving away.
This will blow moist air
from the intake outlets toward the floor, not the
windshield. It reduces the chance
of fogging your
windows. If you have the electronic system, the AUTO
setting will do this for you. Manual operation of the
electronic system in the HEAT mode will also supply
air through the floor outlets.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
0 When the engine idles for a long time, the exterior
temperature sensor may cause the system to blow
air
that is too cool. Once the vehicle is moving again the
system
will try to maintain the set temperature inside
your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle and the EXT TEMP
display flashes (electronic system only) for some time,
the system may
need repair. See your Pontiac dealer.

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for .the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need
a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do
it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour
or so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
;"
7
TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
OCCUPANTS
VEHICLE CAP. WT.
FRT. CTR.
RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING & GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT
XXX COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSVKPa
FRT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT, ADD 4PS1/28KPa
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
, INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on
the rear edge of the driver's door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-29

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat waming but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
0 Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed
and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a trafEc jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@)
or DRIVE (D).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s
still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
turn oflthe engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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