1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

Content Theft-Deterrent
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has’this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system.
A red light located on top of your instrument panel (near
the center
of the vehicle, next to the windshield) will
flash slowly when the system is armed.
While armed, the doors will not unlock with the power
lock switch. The
alarm will go off if someone damages
the vehicle, tampers with the trunk lock, enters the
vehicle (without using the remote keyless
entry
transmitter or key to unlock the doors), or turns the
ignition on. Your
horn will sound and your headlamps
will
flash for up to two minutes. The system will also
cut off the fuel supply, preventing the vehicle from
being driven.
Arming with the Power Lock Switch
Your alarm system will arm when you use either the
power lock switch to lock the doors while any door is
open and the key is removed from the ignition (if you
would like to
turn off the power door lock switch
arming, see “Locks and Lighting Choices” in the Index).
The security light flashes quickly to let you know when
the system is ready
to arm with the power door switches.
The security light will stop flashing
and stay on when
you press the rear of the power lock switch, to let you
know the system is arming. After all doors are closed
and locked, the security light will begin flashing at a
very slow rate to let you know the system is armed.
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Arming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
Your alarm system will arm when you use your remote
keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors after the key
is removed from the ignition. The security light will turn
on to let you know the system is arming. After all doors
are closed and locked, the security light will begin
flashing at
a very slow rate to let you know the system
is armed.
Arming Confirmation
If remote unlock confirmation is on (see “Locks and
Lighting Choices” in the Index), your headlamps will
flash briefly to let you know when your alarm system.
has armed.
Disarming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your
remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock
the doors.
The security light will stop flashing to let you know the
system
is disarmed.
Disarming with Your Key
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key
to unlock the doors. The security light will stop flashing
to let you
know the system is disarmed. If you would
like your key
to disarm the alarm system, see “Locks
and Lighting Choices” in the Index.
Nuisance Alarms
If you experience nuisance alarms (alarms which are
not caused by
the opening of a door and are not
desirable), you may need to reduce the damage
detection sensitivity.
Try programming your Content
Theft-Deterrent to mode
1 (see “Locks and Lighting
Choices” in the Index).
If you continue to experience
nuisance alarms,
you may want to try turning off
damage detection by programming your Content
Theft-Deterrent to mode
2 (see “Locks and Lighting
Choices” in the Index).
If you are still having trouble with nuisance alarms, you
can
turn off the Content Theft-Deterrent system by
programming your Content Theft-Deterrent to mode
3
(see “Locks and Lighting Choices” in the Index).
See your dealer or a qualified technician
for service.

New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t
tow a trailer during break-in.
See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
C
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like
the radio and windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To use ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward you. Your steering wheel will
stay locked.
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LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is in LOCK. It’s
also the only position
from which you can remove your key.
This position
locks your ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s a
theft-deterrent feature.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like
LOCK. Use OFF if you must have your
vehicle pushed or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns
after you start your vehicle. With the engine
off, you
can use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in
OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition.
NOTICE:
If your key seem stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while
you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key
or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Retained Accessory Power
With retained accessory power, your power windows, audio system and sunroof will continue to work up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF and
none of the doors are opened.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
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~~

NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Pontiac is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your 3100 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds
at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
.
2. If your engine won’t start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline
from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual
that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Starting Your 3800 Series I1 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets
warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2.
3.
If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three to five seconds at a time until
your engine starts.
Wait about 15 seconds between
each
try to help avoid draining your battery or
damaging your starter.
If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds.
If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
After
waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
NOTICE:
Your engine isdesigned to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts
or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
6
In very cold weather, 0 OF (- 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.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located below the
air cleaner near the coolant
reservoir bottle.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
I
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.
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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.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
I ‘%
6
10
Your automatic transaxle may have a shift lever on the
steering column or on the console between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited when you’re in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation. There are several different positions
for your shift lever.
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.
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” in
the Index.
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