1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM instrument panel

Instrument Panel Cluster
2-54

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how
far your vehicle has been driven,
in either
miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).
Your vehicle also has
a tamper-resistant odometer. If
you see silver lines between the numbers, you’ll know
that someone has probably tried
to turn it back, so the
numbers may not be true.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed.
If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be. But if
it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be put on
the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when
the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far you have driven
since you last reset it.
To reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the
knob at the top left side of the instrument
panel cluster.
2-55

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come
on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor
the light will come on.
AIR
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR
BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensor, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the
air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your
air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The
air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
BAG
2-57

Comfort Controls Temperature Knob
With this system, you can control the ventilation and heating
in your vehicle. The
center control knob regulates the temperature of the
air coming through
the system.
Your
vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation Mode Knob
system described later in this section.
Climate Control System with your system.
Air Conditioning MAX: Use for maximum cooling. This setting
The right control knob changes
the functions
of
recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle. It
maximizes your air conditioner’s performance and your
vehicle’s fuel economy.
A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting
cools outside
air and directs it through the instrument
panel outlets.
A0
BI-LEVEL: Use on cool, but sunny days. This
setting brings in the outside air, but directs it in two
ways. Cooler
air is directed to the upper portion of your
body through the instrument panel outlets, but slightly
Fan Knob
The left control knob sets the fan speed. To select the
force
of air you want, turn the knob. The fan is always
running unless the mode control
is moved to OFF.
warher airis directed through the heater ducts and
defroster vents. At times,
this temperature difference
may be more apparent than others.
3-2

Am
/J VENT: Use when outside temperatures are mild,
and little heating or cooling
is needed. Airflow is
through the instrument panel outlets. Set the center
control knob to the temperature desired.
‘fl HEATER: This setting brings heated air through
the heater ducts, and some through the windshield
defroster vents.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and use it during cold weather, 0°F
(- 18 O C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide heat because the engine coolant is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
v# BLEND: This setting divides airflow equally
between the heater ducts and the windshield defroster vents.
w.
DEFROST This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents located on top of the
instrument panel.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough
to let hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time it
takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should help
fuel economy.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use
MAX with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area.
If the
setting is used for long periods of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use
A/C with the
temperature knob in the blue area. The system will bring
in outside air and cool it.
On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body,
but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle. The system will bring in outside air and
direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly warmed air to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than
at others.
3-3

Heating Defrosting and Defogging
Turning the right control knob to HEATER and the
center CUR^^ knob to the right sends some heated air
through the heater ducts toward your feet, and some
through the defroster
vents.
VENT and HEATER are economical positions because
the air conditioner compressor doesn’t run in these
two
settings. This reduces engine load, resulting in improved
fuel economy. If either setting fails to keep you
comfortable, or causes your windows to fog up, turn the
right control
knob to one of the air conditioning
positions,
or to DEFROST.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater (engine
block heater) and
use it during cold weather, 0°F
(- 1 8 O C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly
provide
heat because the engine coolant is already
warmed. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
To defrost the windshield, turn all three control knobs to
the far right.
The
DEFROST setting directs air through the defroster
vents located on top
of the instrument panel.
To warm passengers while keeping the windows clean,
use
BLEND.
To defog the side windows, turn the right control knob
to
BI-LEVEL and the fan control knob to HIGH. Aim
the side vents toward the side windows. For increased
airflow
to the side vents, close the center vents.
3-4

Ventilation System
Use when outside temperatures are mild, and little heating or cooling is needed.
Turn the right knob to
VENT. Airflow is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Set the center
knob to the temperature desired.
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside
air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air
conditioning fan is running.
Adjust the direction
of
airflow by moving the
Ventilation Tips
0
0
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 far better, reducing the
chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.
When
you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan control knob to the highest position for
a few
moments before driving
off. This helps clear the
intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
3-6

NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle with the front wheels in
contact with the ground, or the automatic transaxle could be damaged.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Set the parking brake.
Open the fuse panel on the driver’s side of the
instrument panel. Remove the fuse labeled
PRNDL. This will keep your battery from draining
while towing.
Turn the ignition key to OFF to unlock the steering
wheel.
See “Ignition Positions” in the Index.
Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position, with a clamping device designed for towing.
Release the parking brake.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Front
(Manual Transaxle Only)
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle, you may tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
F
@- I
Follow these steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
4-31