1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM heater

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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
2-1

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2.4L Engine
3100 Engine
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.
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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 110-volt AC outlet.
A 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.
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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.
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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

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.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational towing. Follow the instructions for the
towing equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle from the From
I
Follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
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