Page 35 of 406
Rear Seat Passengers
It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people
in the rear
seat are
hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out
of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The rear seats have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to
wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
On convertible models, the shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this
happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it,
Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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Page 37 of 406
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the
hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force
to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to
slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it,
the belt would apply force at your abdomen.
This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should
go over the shoulder and across the chest. These
parts of the body are best able to
take belt restraining
forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or
a crash.
On convertible models, the safety belt also locks if you
pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.
-
A CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should
fit against your body.
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Page 56 of 406

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and inform\
ation on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel a\
nd the warning systems that tell you if everything
is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-4
2-6
2-11
2-13
2- 14
2-17
2-18
2-23
2-24
2-26 2-29
2-30
2-35
2-39
2-4 1
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System
Hatch Theft
Content Theft-Deterrent System
(If Equipped)
PASS-Key@
I1
Feature Customization (If Equipped)
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Operation
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
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2-42
2-43
2-44
2-45
2-46
2-46 2-52
2-55
2-57
2-58
2-62
2-69
2-76
2-79
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Parking Brake
Windows
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
%in Lift-off Roof Panels
(If Equipped)
Convertible
Top
Instrument Panel
Waming Lights, Gages and Indicators
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Page 58 of 406

The ignition keys are
I for the ignition only.
The door keys
are for the
doors and all other locks.
When
a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
bar coded tags from the door keys and gives them to the
first owner. The
ignition keys don't have plugs. Instead they have
bar-coded key tags. These tags may be removed by
your dealer or even before the vehicle is delivered to
your dealer.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a
qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys. Keep
the plugs in a safe place.
If you lose your door keys,
you'll be able to have new ones made using these plugs.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery (this service is not available in Canada). In an
emergency, call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at
1-800-ROADSIE or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new 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.
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Door Locks
A CAU-ION:
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.
There are several ways to lock
and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use
your door key. If your vehicle has
the Content Theft-Deterrent System and it is med,
unlocking and opening a door this way will set off the
alarm. See “Content Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index.
L
To lock the door from the inside, slide the lock control
on the door rearward.
To unlock the door, slide the lock control on the
door
forward.
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Page 60 of 406

Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Press the power door lock
switch to lock or unlock
both doors at once.
Note: Operating the power door locks may affect the
Content Theft-Deterrent System (if you have this
option). See “Content Theft-Deterrent System” in
the Index.
The lock switch works at all times, except when
“Lockout Prevention” is enabled. The unlock switch
only works when the ignition is in
RUN, ACC or when
RAP is present. (See “Retained Accessory Power” in
the Index.)
Last Door Closed Locking (If Equipped)
If you have power door locks, you can program your
vehicle to have a delayed locking of the doors. This lets
you
and your passengers exit the vehicle after you’ve
pressed the power door lock switch. All
of the doors will
lock once everyone has gotten out of the vehicIe and
closed their doors.
When the power door lock switch is pressed, a chime will sound three times, indicating that the Last Door
Closed Locking feature has been activated. Pressing
the
LOCK switch again will lock the doors immediately.
Pressing the UNLOCK switch will cancel a previously
requested Last Door Closed Locking.
The vehicle is shipped from the factory with this feature
turned off. To turn this feature on, see “Feature
Customization” in the Index.
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Page 61 of 406
Lockout Prevention (If Equipped)
To protect you from locking your keys in the vehicle,
this feature stops the power door locks from locking
when the keys are in the ignition and a door
is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open,
a chime will sound five times as a reminder to take the
keys out
of the ignition before locking the door. The
vehicle is shipped from the factory with
this feature
turned
on. If you would like to turn this feature off,
see “Feature Customization” in the Index.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close
the door.
Remote Keyless Entry System
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your hatch from about
3 feet (1 m)
up to about 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless
entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
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Page 62 of 406

Your remote keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment. This
system has a range
of about 3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:
0
0
0
0
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary.
See the instructions that follow.
Check the distance.
You may be too far from your
vehicle.
You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps
to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
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