1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM traction control

Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise
control
does not work at speeds below about 25 mph
(40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes or push the clutch pedal
(if you have a manual transaxle), the cruise control
shuts off.
A CAUTION:
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Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and
you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
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Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how \
your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, how much
fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive \
safely and economically.
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Fuse Panel
B. Vent
C. Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
D. Horn
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch F. Instrument Cluster
G. Windshield WipersNasher Stalk
H. Audio System
I. Side Window Defogger Vent
J. Glove Box
K. Climate Control System L. Gear Shift Lever
M. CupholdedAshtray (If Equipped)
N. Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Switch
0. Accessory Power
Outlenighter (If Equipped)
(If Equipped)
P. Ignition Switch
Q. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (If Equipped)
R. Fog Lamp Switch
S. Hood
Release Handle
T. Instrument Panel Intensity ControlDnterior
Lamps Switch
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Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
ETS
OFF
t With the Enhanced Traction System (ETS),
this warning
light should come on briefly
as you start the engine.
If the warning light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on when you’re
driving, there may be a problem with your Enhanced
Traction System and your vehicle may need service.
When
this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:
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If you turn the system off by pressing the button an
the shift lever, the warning light will come on and
stay on. To
turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should go
off. (See
“Enhanced Traction System” in the Index for more
information.)
The warning light will
come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If
the system is turned on and the warning light stays
on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means there’s
a problem with the system.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system
is turned on and the parking brake is fully
released, your vehicle needs service.
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Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of
us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you
turn
the fkont wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep \
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this\
.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you’re steering through
a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places.
You can lose control. Refer to
“Enhanced Traction System”
in the Index.
What should you do
if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out
of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
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Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive
drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care
suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking
skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling.
In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Enhanced Traction System, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid.
If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System, or if
the system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best
handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for
a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is
on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting
to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make
a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps
avoid only the braking
skid.
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A CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires
of different sizes may also cause
damage to
your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires
on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use
on your vehicle.
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A CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles
of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply
tires
with the wheels on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform
Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare
tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger cars and light
trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
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Treadwear Temperature -- A, B, C
The treadwear grade
is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half
(1 112) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and
concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction. The temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire faiIure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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Fuse
WIPER
02
DR UNLK
ALARM
FOG/FTP
PRNDL
DR LK
2
Usage
Windshield Wipersmashers
Heated Oxygen Sensors
Automatic Door Unlock
Automatic Transaxle, Automatic
Door Unlock, Alarm Module (Illuminated Entry, Warning
Chimes), Traction Telltale, Rear
Window Defogger, Remote
Keyless Entry
Fog Lamps
Instrument Cluster, Powertrain
Computer,
Park-Lock Solenoid,
Electronic PRNDL
Door Locks
Fuse
AIR BAG
HORN
INST
STOP HAZ
PCM
DR LK
1
Usage
Air Bag Power
Horn, Service Tool Power
Instrument Cluster
Stoplamps, Hazard Lamps,
Anti-Lock Brakes
Powertrain Control Module
Door Locks, Remote
Keyless Entry
Fog Lamps
INST LPS Instrument Panel Lights,
RELAY RR DEF Rear Window Defogger
HDLP Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps (Circuit Breaker)
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