2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM heater

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
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-14 Trunk
2
-17 Theft
2
-18 Passlock

2-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-20 Starting Your Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-28 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Parking Brake
2
-31 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-33 Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transaxle Only)2
-33 Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal (Manual
Transaxle Models Only)
2
-34 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-34 Engine Exhaust
2
-35 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-36 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-50 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
2
-51 Sun Visors
2
-51 Sunroof (Option)
2
-52 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-56 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-23
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine
3400 V6 Engine
In very cold weather, 0
F (
-18
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. At temperatures above 32
F (0
C),
use of the coolant heater is not required.

2-24 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine the engine
coolant heater cord is located in front of the engine
coolant surge tank on the passenger's side of the
engine compartment. On the 3400 V6 engine the
engine coolant heater cord is located near the engine
air cleaner/filter.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
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
11 0
-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.
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
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.

3-3
(Floor): In this mode most of the airflow comes
through the floor outlets. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window vents. Set the
center knob to the desired temperature for comfort.
(Defog): This mode divides the airflow between
the floor outlets and the windshield defroster vent. The
air conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this mode when it is needed to help dry the air in
the vehicle.
(Front Defroster): This mode directs most of the
airflow through the windshield defroster vent. Some of
the air goes to the floor outlets. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this mode when it
is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle.
Mode Button
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press A/C to operate the
air conditioning. The indicator light above the button
will glow when the button is pressed to indicate that the
air conditioning system has been turned on. The fan
knob must be set to a speed for the air conditioning
to operate.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
For normal cooling on hot days, use the vent mode with
the temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C
indicator light glowing. The system will bring in outside
air and cool it.
On very hot days, begin by opening the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should
help fuel economy.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use bi
-level mode with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C indicator light glowing. The
system will bring in outside air and direct slightly
warmer air to your lower body.

3-4 Heating
On cold days, use floor mode with the temperature knob
all the way in the red area. The system will bring in
outside air, heat it and send it to the floor outlets.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats
clear of objects so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant in your engine and heating
system that is used to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Your system has two modes for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.
To defrost the front window quickly, turn the
temperature knob all the way in the red area. Use front
defroster and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To
warm passengers while keeping the front window clean,
use defog.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located on
the outside of the side instrument panel vents. To defrost
the side windows, turn the temperature knob all the way
in the red area. Use floor mode and adjust the fan to the
highest speed.
To defog the side windows while using air conditioning,
use bi
-level mode and adjust the fan to the highest speed
and press the A/C button so that the indicator light is
glowing. For added airflow to the side windows, aim
the side vents toward the windows and close the
center vents.

3-6
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and the area around the windshield
wipers free of ice, snow or any other obstruction,
such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work
better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside
of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects, to help air circulate throughout your vehicle.

When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is
encountered, use MAX, with the temperature knob
at a comfortable setting to prevent the odor from
being drawn into the vehicle through the ventilation
system. For example, this usage of recirculation can
be helpful when driving through a long tunnel with
poor ventilation. However, extended usage of
recirculation in cold or cool weather can cause
window fogging.Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
ªRetained Accessory Power (RAP)º in the Index.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds. Then
press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. AM
will appear on the display. Press and hold MIN until the
correct minute appears. The clock may be set with the
ignition on or off.
To set the clock to the time of an FM station
broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) information,
press and hold HR and MIN at the same time for
two seconds until TIME UPDATED and the clock
symbol appear on the display. If the time is not available
from the station, NO UPDATE will appear on the
display instead.

4-29
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery
to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.

5-10 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light,
can indicate a serious problem. See ªLow Coolant
Lightº in the Index.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the problem
may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:

Climb a long hill on a hot day.

Stop after high
-speed driving.

Idle for long periods in traffic.

Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for
an automatic transaxle, or for a manual transaxle
shift to FIFTH (5) or FOURTH (4).If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn't come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.