2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

2-44
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxle
Operationº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.

2-45
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan switch is at the highest setting. One
place this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.

2-46
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.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
Press at or near the horn symbols to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle, or you can lower it so that you're
more comfortable while driving.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steering wheel and pull
the lever located on the
left side of the steering
column below the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
Move the steering wheel to
a comfortable level, then
release the lever to lock
the wheel in place.

2-47
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-to-Pass Feature

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control (If Equipped)
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return to its
original position automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return to its
original position when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow
flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.

2-48
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
A chime will sound if you leave the turn signal on for
more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km).
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
or high to low, pull the multifunction lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on. While
the high
-beam headlamps
are on, the fog lamps will
not be illuminated.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you
to momentarily turn on the high beams (to signal that
you are going to pass). When you release the lever,
they will turn off and stay off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
marked WIPER on the turn signal/multifunction lever.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band to LOW.
For high
-speed wiping, turn the band further, to HIGH.
To stop the wipers, turn the band to OFF.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LOW, the shorter the delay.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.

2-49 Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there's a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run for
several sweeps and then either stop or return to your
preset speed. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
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 the brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

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.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system on the 3800 Supercharged V6 engine or
the enhanced traction system on the 3100 V6 and
3800 V6 engine begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. See ªTraction
Control Systemº or ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in
the Index. When road conditions allow you to safely use
it again, you may turn the cruise control back on.

2-50
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set the cruise control at a desired speed and
then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off the
cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more
again, you can move the cruise control switch from ON
to R/A (Resume/Accelerate) briefly. You'll go right
back up to your chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push in the SET button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch. To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly
and then release it. Each time you do this, your
vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you set the
cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.

2-51
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push in the SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET
button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal, or

move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, or
shift into PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), the cruise
control set speed memory is erased.