2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

1-53
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

1-54
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap
-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:If possible, an older child should wear a
lap
-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should
not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the
thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen,
which could cause severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can
strike other people who are buckled up, or can be
thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use
safety belts properly.

1-55
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can't properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's
shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
ªRear Safety Belt Comfort Guidesº in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child's face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.

1-56
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-57
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information 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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-9 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-13 Multifunction Alarm Locks and
Lighting Choices
2
-24 Trunk
2
-26 Theft
2
-27 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-28 PASS-Key
III
2
-30 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-31 Ignition Positions
2
-32 Starting Your Engine
2
-35 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-37 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-41 Parking Brake
2
-42 Shifting Into PARK (P)2
-44 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-44 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-45 Engine Exhaust
2
-45 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-47 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-52 Exterior Lamps
2
-54 Interior Lamps
2
-56 Mirrors
2
-61 Storage Compartments
2
-66 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-69 Sunroof (Option)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-74 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-87 Driver Information Center (DIC)
2
-89 Trip Computer (If Equipped)
2
-92 Head-Up Display (Option)

2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by
the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3 Power Windows
Switches on the driver's door armrest operate each of
the windows when the ignition or retained accessory
power (RAP) is active. See ªRetained Accessory Power
(RAP)º in the Index. In addition, each passenger door
has its own window switch.Express
-Down Window
The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the driver's window will open a small amount.
If the rear of the switch is fully pressed and released,
the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
Lock
-Out Switch
On four
-door models, the driver's window switch
includes a lock
-out feature. Push LOCK OUT to
stop front and rear passengers from using their window
switches. The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock on. Push LOCK OUT again to return to
normal window operation. When the orange band on
the switch is showing, the passengers can operate
their windows.