1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM parking brake

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTlC
ACID COULD x
BAllERY
CAUSE
.~ .. ~
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your vehicle is
driven:
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols
have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6
TURN
PARKING
PC
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS # 0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(e)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you
may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
n
HORN )tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
V

v
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.
2-2
2-4
2-7
2-11
2- 12
2- 13
2- 14
2- 14
2-
16
2- 19
2-2 1
2-25
2-27
2-28
2-30
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)
2-30
2-3
1
2-3 1
2-32
2-33
2-34 2-34
2-42
2-44
2-47 2-48
2-50
2-5 1
2-52
2-56
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

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:
0
0
0
0
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.
2-8

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle may be equipped with a four-speed
automatic transaxle. The
shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
There are seven different
positions for the shift
lever
on the four-speed
N
@I
3
2
1
automatic transaxle.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position
to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ i~
the Index.
2-21

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and
shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake,
for parking your vehicle.
Shift Speeds
A CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And you could
injure yourself or others. Don’t
shift from FIFTH (5) to SECOND (2) or from
FOURTH (4) to FIRST (1).
Up Shift Light
SHIFT
If you have a manual
transaxle, you have a
SHIFT light. This light will
show you when to
shift to
the next higher gear for best
fuel economy.
When this light comes on,
you can shift to the next
higher
gear if weather, road and traffic conditions let
you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on
and
off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the
SHIETT light when you downshift.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
downshift, you
can damage the clutch
or transaxle.
2-26

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down
with your right foot. Pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button in as you move the brake lever all the way down.
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-27

Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could
be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on
fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow.
If you're pulling a trailer, see "Towing a
Tkailer" in the Index.
i
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your
vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in
PARK (P)
2-28

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine
running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You
or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is
in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly
set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the
PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat.
To find out how, see ‘‘Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P).
2-29