1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM ignition

NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and
soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you
start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts.
If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning
off the vehicle immediately.
Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless
the battery cables are first disconnected.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone
is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the Grand Am Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
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1 A CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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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 everythmg is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
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Keys
Door
Locks
Keyless Entry System
TrUnk
Theft
Passlock@
New Vehicle “Break-In’’
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
Shifting Out of PARK(P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models
Only)
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Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Only)
Parking Over Things That
Burn
Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof
(If Equipped)
The Instrument Panel --Your
Information System
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
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Keys
A CAUTION:
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.
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One key is used for the
ignition, the
doors and all
other locks.
When a new Pontiac is delivered, the dealer removes the
tags
from the keys, and gives them to the first owner.
Each
tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tags in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have new ones made easily using these tags.
If you need a new key, go to your Pontiac dealer for the
correct key code.
In an emergency, call the Poatiac
Roadside Assistance
Program at 1-800-ROADSIDE or
1-800-762-3743 (in Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore, 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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Power Door Locks
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With power door locks, you can lock or unlock
all the
doors
of your vehicle from
On four-door models, slide the lock lever on each rear
door to lock or unlock that door.
Automatic Door Locks
Just close your doors and turn on the ignition. If you
have an automatic transaxle, all of the doors will lock
when
you move your shift lever out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). If you have a manual transaxle, all of
the doors will lock when the vehicle reaches about
8 mph (13 km/h). If someone needs to get out while the
vehicle is running, have that person use the manual or
power lock. When the door
is closed again, it will lock
automatically when you move your shift lever out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If you have a manual
transaxle, the doors will lock when the vehicle reaches
about
8 mph (13 km/h). All doors will automatically
unlock when the key is turned to
OFF.
If you don’t want the doors to automatically unlock
when the key is turned to the OFF position, you can
remove the
DR UNLK fuse (1OA) from the vehicle fuse
block. For fuse location, see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index.
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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 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:
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Check to determine if battery replacement or
synchronization 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.
Operation
The following functions are available with the keyless
entry system:
LOCK: All doors will automatically lock when the
LOCK button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior
lamps stay on for a few seconds after all of the doors
are closed.
UNLOCK: The driver’s door will unlock automatically
when the UNLOCK button on the transmitter is pressed.
If the UNLOCK button is pressed again within
five
seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will stay on for
40 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
Trunk Release: The
trunk will unlock anytime the
vehicle symbol on the transmitter is pressed and the
ignition is
OFF. If the ignition is on, the trunk will
unlock if the parking brake is set (manual transaxle)
or
the gear selector is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
(automatic transaxle). The interior lamps will come on
for
40 seconds or until the ignition switch is turned to
the
ON position.
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Trunk Security Override
The remote trunk release is
equipped with
an override
feature
to help prevent
unauthorized
entry into the
trunk when leaving the
vehicle unattended. The
switch
is located on the
inside
of the trunk lid,
mounted to the
trunk
lid latch.
To turn the override feature on, slide the switch all the
way to the right.
To turn the override feature off, slide
the switch all the way to the left.
When the override is on, the mechanical remote
trunk
release will not release the trunk lid. However, the trunk
lid can still be opened with the key.
This
lockout feature is only available on vehicles that do
not have the keyless entry system.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although
your vehicle 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 vehicle 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. If you have an automatic transaxle, taking your
key out also locks your transaxle. And remember to lock
the doors.
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.
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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 key?
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If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Slide the remote trunk release lockout switch all the
way to the right.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Passlock@
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 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-ROADSIDE or 1-800-762-3743.
(In Canada, call 1-800-268-6800).
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