
yellowblue
i
The 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual
1-1 Seats and Restraint SystemsThis section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the ªSRSº system.
2-1 Features and ControlsThis section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsThis section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.
4-1 Your Driving and the RoadHere you'll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
5-1 Problems on the RoadThis section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.
6-1 Service and Appearance CareHere the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.
7-1 Maintenance ScheduleThis section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
8-1 Customer Assistance InformationThis section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on ªReporting Safety Defectsº on page 8-12.
9-1 IndexHere's an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

yellowblue
ii
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem and the name
GRAND PRIX are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the
product after that time without further notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
ªGeneral Motors of Canada Limitedº for Pontiac
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you're on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propri‡taires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en fran†ais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9
Litho in U.S.A.
Copyright General Motors Corporation 1998
Part No. 10285614 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

yellowblue
1-27
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so
quickly that some people may not even realize the
air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag
module
-- the steering wheel hub for the driver's
air bag, or the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's bag
-- will be hot for a short time.
The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't prevent the driver
from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you'll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don't get them, the air bag system
won't be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the
sensors are activated and driver's safety belt usage
at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag
system won't work properly. See your dealer
for service.

yellowblue
1-28
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger's air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the Grand Prix Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see ªService and
Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

yellowblue
2-3
The master key can be used
for the ignition, as well
as all door locks and
storage compartments.
The valet key can be used
for the ignition and the two
side doors only. It will not
open the trunk, glove box or
fold
-down rear seat trunk
access panel (if equipped).When a new vehicle is delivered, it will come with a bar
coded tag attached to the key ring.
This tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
code in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have new ones made easily using this code.
If you need a new ignition key, contact your dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre
-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after delivery.
(This service is not available in Canada.) In an emergency,
call Pontiac Roadside Assistance at 1
-800-ROADSIDE
(1-800-762-3743). (In Canada call 1-800-268-6800.)
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of features that can
help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
extra keys.

yellowblue
2-8
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
3-Button Key Fob 4-Button Key FobYour keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.

yellowblue
2-9
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 remote 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:
Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization 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
Remote Driver's Door and All Door Unlock
When you press UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, only the driver's door will unlock. If you
press UNLOCK again within five seconds, all the doors
will unlock. If you would like all doors to unlock the
first time you press UNLOCK, see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index. If your vehicle is equipped withthe Content Theft
-Deterrent system, the UNLOCK
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter will
disarm the system. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the
Index for more details.
Remote All Door Lock
To lock all doors, press LOCK on the remote keyless
entry transmitter (see ªPower Door Locksº in the Index
for more details on power door lock features). If your
vehicle is equipped with the Content Theft
-Deterrent
system, the LOCK button may arm the system. See
ªContent Theft
-Deterrentº in the Index for more details.
Remote Lock/Unlock Confirmation (If Equipped)
This feature provides feedback to the holder of the
remote keyless entry transmitter that a command has
been received by the keyless entry receiver. To signal
that a command has been received, the headlamps will
flash and the horn will sound briefly. To program the
various modes available, see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index.
Remote Alarm (If Equipped)
When you press the horn button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the headlamps will flash and the horn
will sound. This will allow you to attract attention,
if needed.

yellowblue
2-25 Arming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
The alarm system will arm when you use the 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 ªLocks and
Lighting Choicesº in the Index), the headlamps will
flash briefly to let you know when the alarm system
has armed.
Disarming with the Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
The alarm system will disarm when you use the remote
keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors. The
security light will stop flashing to let you know the
system is disarmed.
Disarming with the Key
The alarm system will disarm when you use the key to
unlock the doors. The security light will stop flashing to
let you know the system is disarmed. If you would like
the key to disarm the alarm system, see ªLocks and
Lighting Choicesº in the Index.
Nuisance Alarms
If you experience nuisance alarms (alarms which are not
caused by the opening of a door and are not desired),
you may need to reduce the damage detection
sensitivity. Try programming the Content
Theft
-Deterrent to mode 1 (see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index). If you continue to experience
nuisance alarms, you may want to try turning off
damage detection by programming the Content
Theft
-Deterrent to mode 2 (see ªLocks and Lighting
Choicesº in the Index).
If you are still having trouble with nuisance alarms, you
can turn off the Content Theft
-Deterrent system by
programming the Content Theft
-Deterrent to mode 3
(see ªLocks and Lighting Choicesº in the Index). See
the dealer or a qualified technician for service.