1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Park brake warning light

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
CAUSTIC
I
BURNS I
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD
FLAME
EXPLODE BAllERY
These symbols are important for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
n
UNLOCK Fol
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
op
AIR BAG p
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6
TURN
PARKING
p$ LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
VENTILATING
1
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT
TEMP
-
CHARGING I-1
BAllERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
h
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
m
HORN tcr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL e3
V

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and inform\
ation on starting,
shifting and braking.
Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that\
tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4
2-7
2-
12
2-13
2-14
2- 16
2-16
2-
17
2-20
2-2
1
2-26 2-27 2-30
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
TrUnk
Theft
Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2-3 1
2-3 1
2-32
2-33
2-34
2-40
2-42
2-45
2-52
2-54
2-59
2-60
2-64
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
Power Windows
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Locks and Lighting Choices
Mirrors
Storage Compartments Sunroof
(If Equipped)
The Instrument Panel
-- Your
Information System
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
when you turn the key to
STmT. If it doesn’t come
on then, have
it fixed so it
will
be ready to warn you if
there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road
and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
I A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light
on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
I I
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means
you have a brake problem.
2-66

When you turn the system off, the Enhanced Traction
System warning light
will come on and stay on. If the
Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin when
you press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on
-- and the system will shut-off
instantly. It will
wait until there’s no longer a current
need
to limit wheel spin.
You can
turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The Enhanced Traction System
warning light should go off.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system
is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Variable Effort Steering (Option)
This steering system provides lighter steering effort
for parking and when driving at speeds below
20 mph
(32 km/h). Steering effort will increase at higher speeds
for improved road feel.
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 front 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.
4-12

Section 9 Index
Accessory Power outlet ......................... 2-58
Adding Equipment to the outside of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
AirBag ....................................... 1-23
How it Works ................................ 1-24
Readiness Light ......................... 1.23. 2.67
Air Cleaner .................................... 6-20
Air Conditioning ............................ 3.3. 3.7
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-70
Alignment and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-50
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning ...................... 6-57
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.67. 4.9
Brakes ...................................... 4-7
Anti.Theft. Radio .............................. 3-27
Appearance Care ............................... 6-52
Appearance Care Materials Chart .................. 6-60
ArbitrationPro gram .............................. 8-9
Arming Confirmation ............................. 2-15
Arming with the Power Lock Switch ................ 2-14
Ashtrays and Lighter ............................ 2-57
Audio Controls. Steering Wheel ................... 3-29
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-30
Audio Systems ................................. 3-10
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter .... 2-15
Automatic
Auxiliary Temp Control
....................... 3-4
Doorhcks .............................. 2.6. 2.47
Check ...................................... 7-15
Fluid ....................................... 6-22
Operation ................................... 2-21
Park Mechanism Check ....................... 7-17
Backglass Antenna ............................. 3-21
With a Trailer ................................ 4.37
Battery ....................................... 6-36
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Replacement, Remote Keyless Entry .............. 2-10
Resynchronizing, Remote Keyless Entry ........... 2-11
Warnings ........................... 5-3,5-5, 6-37
Battery Replacement ............................ 2-10
BatterySaver .................................. 2-43
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-9
Before leaving on a Long Trip ..................... 4-24
Better Business Bureau Mediation ......... ..... 8-9
Blizzard ............................. .... 4-29
9-1

Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-36
hti-Lock
................................... 4-7
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-33
Replacing System
Parts ........................ 6-36
System Warning Light
......................... 2-66
Trailer
...................................... 4-37
Transaxle
Shift Interlock ....................... 2-29
Transaxle
Shift Interlock Check .................. 7-16
Wear
....................................... 6-35
WhattoAdd
................................. 6-34
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4- 12
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2-16
BTSI
......................................... 2-29
Built in Child Restraints .......................... 1-38
Adjusting the Harness Height
................... 1-40
Removing a Child from
........................ 1-50
Securing a Child in
............................ 1-45
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-37
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Capacities and Specifications ...................... 6-68
Carbon Monoxide
.......... 2-12,2-31,2-32,4-30, 4-36
Child Restraint Harness
......................... 6-55
Fluid
....................................... 6-33
Parking
..................................... 2-26
PedalTravel
................................. 6-36
BTSICheck
................................... 7-16
Storing
..................................... l-51
Care of Safety Belts and Built-in Care
of Your Cassette Tape Player .... ....... 3-31
Care
of Your Compact Disc Player ................. 3-32
Care
of Your Compact Discs ...................... 3-32
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-14
Cassette Tape Player
....................... 3.12. 3.16
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-31
Cassette Tape Player Errors
.................. 3.14. 3.17
CD Player Thefi-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-27
Center Console Storage
.......................... 2-54
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-28
Certification Label .............................. 4-32
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-51
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-27
Charging System Light .......................... 2-65
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-68
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-59
Child Restraints
................................ 1-52
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-60
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-62
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-57
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-41
Securing
in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-58
TopStrap
................................... l-58
WheretoPut .....................,.........., l-56
Circuit Breakers and Fuses ....................... 6-62
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-20
Cleaning AluminumWhels
............................ 6-57
Fabric ...................................... 6-53
Exterior
Lampshnses
........................ 6-56
9-2

Other Warning Devices ........................... 5-2
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-55
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
....... 5-15
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- 15
Owner Checks
and Services ....................... 7-14
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 1 1
Paint Spotting. Chemical
................. . . 6-59
Park
Shifting Into
............................... 2-27
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-30
Parking AtNight
.................................... 2-13
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Lots ....................................... 2-13
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-31
When
You Are Ready to Leave. on Hills ........... 4-40
With a Trailer on Hills
......................... 4-39
Temp Control
.................................. 3-5
Performance Shift Light
.......................... 2-72
Performance Shifting
............................ 2-26
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-1 8
Accessory Outlet ............................. 2-58
DoorLoc
ks ................................... 2-5
OptionFuses
................................ 6-63
Outside Mirror
............................... 2-53
Passenger’s Temperature Knob. Automatic and Auxiliary
Pasing
....................................... 4-15
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
PontiacCares
................................... 8-2
Power Retained Accessory
........................... 2- 17
Six-Way Driver’s Seat
.......................... 1-3
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Power Steering Fluid ............................ 6-30
When to Check
............................... 6-31
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-21
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service
and Owner ................... 8-11
Purse or Litter Bag Holder
...................... 2-59
Radiator
..................................... 5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-30
Radio Reception. Understanding ................... 3-30
Radios
................... 3-11.3-12.3-16.3-19. 3-22
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-19
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-30
Safety Belt Comfort Guides
..................... 1-33
Window Defogger
............................. 3-9
Rear Armrest Storage ............................ 2-57
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps
................. 2-44
Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 2-7
Rearview Mirror, Electrochromic Daymight
......... 2-52
Rearview Mirror, Inside Daymight
................. 2-52
Steering
.................................... 4-12
Windows
................................... 2-33
PowerDropFeature
............................. 2-84
Howtocheck
............................... 6-31
Whattouse
................................. 6-32
Rear Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-30
Towing
..................................... 5-13
9-8

Tachometer ................................ 2-63
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-42
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-31
Theft
......................................... 2-13
Theft-Deterrent Feature. CD Player
................ 3-27
THEFTLOCK”
................................ 3-27
Themostat .................................. 6-30
Tilt Steering Wheel
. . .................... 2-34
Time. Setting the
............................... 3-10
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-51
TireLoading ................................... 4-31
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-3 1
Tires ......................................... 6-44
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-50
BuyingNew
................................. 6-48
Chains
..................................... 6-51
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-27
Cleaning .................................... 6-58
Compact Spare ............................... 5-37
Inflation
.................................... 6-45
Inflation Check
............................... 7-14
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-46
Loading
.................................... 4-31
Pressure
.................................... 6-45
Temperature
................................. 6-50
Traction
........................ ........ 6-49
Treadwear
................................... 6-49
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-49
Used Replacement Wheels
...................... 6-51
Wear Indicators .............................. 6-47
Wheel Replacement ........................... 6-50
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-47 When to Check
............................... 6-46
TopStrap
..................................... 1-58
Torque Lock ................................... 2-30
Torque. Wheel Nut
.............................. 5-34
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-33
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Traction Control System
.......................... 4-9
Traction Control System Warning Light
............. 2-67
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-37
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-39
Driving With
................................ 4-37
Engine Cooling When Towing
................... 4-40
Following Distance
........................... 4-37
Hitches
..................................... 4-36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-40
MakingTurns
................................ 4-38
Parking on Hills .............................. 4-39
Safety Chains ................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-35
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.............. 4-36
Towing
..................................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-38
Weight
..................................... 4-35
Automatic
............................... 6-22
HowtoAdd
................................. 6-26
How to Check
............................... 6-22
When to Check and Change ..................... 6-22
Transportation Error Courtesy ...................... 8-8
Trip Computer ............................ 2.78. 2.79
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-63
Transaxle Fluid
9-11