3-12
RDS Messages
ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off
alert announcements. ALERT! appears on the display
when an alert announcement plays. When an alert
announcement comes on the current radio station, you
will hear it, even if the volume is muted or a compact
disc is playing. If the compact disc player is playing,
play will stop for the announcement and resume when
the announcement is finished.
This function will only work during actual emergency
broadcasts, and will not work during tests of the
emergency broadcast system. This feature is not
supported by all RDS stations.INFO (Information): If the current station has a
message, INFO will appear on the display. These text
messages are from the RDS broadcaster to the listening
public and may be general information such as artist and
song title, call in phone numbers, etc. Press this button
to see the message. If the whole message does not
appear on the display, parts of the message will appear
every three seconds until the message is completed.
To scroll through the message at your own speed press
the INFO button again for less than one second.
A new group of words will appear on the display.
Once the complete message has been displayed, INFO
will disappear from the display until another new
message is received.
The old message can be displayed by pressing the INFO
button until a new message is received or a different
station is tuned to. If the INFO button is pressed when
INFO is not displayed and an old message has not been
stored by the radio, the radio will display NO INFO.
3-21
RDS Messages
ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off alert
announcements. ALERT! appears on the display when an
alert announcement plays. When an alert announcement
comes on the current radio station, you will hear it, even if
the volume is muted or a cassette tape or a compact disc is
playing. If the cassette tape or compact disc player is
playing, play will stop for the announcement and resume
when the announcement is finished.
This function will only work during actual emergency
broadcasts, and will not work during tests of the
emergency broadcast system. This feature is not
supported by all RDS stations.
INFO (Information): If the current station has a
message, INFO will appear on the display. These text
messages are from the RDS broadcaster to the listening
public and may be general information such as artist and
song title, call in phone numbers, etc. Press this button to
see the message. If the whole message does not appear on
the display, parts of the message will appear every three
seconds until the message is completed. To scroll through
the message at your own speed press the INFO button
again for less than one second. A new group of words will
appear on the display. Once the complete message has
been displayed, INFO will disappear from the display until
another new message is received.The old message can be displayed by pressing the INFO
button until a new message is received or a different
station is tuned to. If the INFO button is pressed when
INFO is not displayed and an old message has not been
stored by the radio, the radio will display NO INFO.
TRAF (Traffic): Press this button to receive traffic
announcements. The traffic announcement brackets will
appear on the display. TRAF will appear on the display
if the current station broadcasts traffic announcements.
If the current station does not broadcast traffic
announcements, the radio will seek to a station that
does. When the radio finds a station that broadcasts
traffic announcements, it will stop. TRAF will appear on
the display. If no station is found, NO TRAFFIC will
appear on the display.
Your radio can be programmed to interrupt the playback
of a CD, cassette or FM radio by enabling the traffic
interrupt feature. Press the TRAF button once to turn on
the traffic feature, if supported by the current RDS
station. If the station does not support the traffic
interrupt feature, the radio will search for an RDS
station that does support the feature. When the traffic
interrupt feature is on, TRAF will appear on the display.
3-28 Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage do the following:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's engine, Delphi Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
4-2
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. See ªSafety Beltsº in the Index.Defensive driving really means ªbe ready for anything.º
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
ªalways expect the unexpected.º
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear
-end collisions are about the most preventable
of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It's the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on the
floor
-- makes proper defensive driving more difficult
and can even cause a collision, with resulting injury.
Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or pull off
the road in a safe place to do them yourself. These
simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.
4-19
CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't work
as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you're
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops ªdimpleº the
water's surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine's air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you
can't avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
8-
8-1
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and how to report any safety defects.
8
-2 Pontiac Cares
8
-2 What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
8
-3 Customer Satisfaction Procedure
8
-5 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
8
-5 Customer Assistance Offices
8
-6 GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
8
-6 Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program8
-8 Canadian Roadside Assistance
8
-8 Courtesy Transportation
8
-10 Warranty Information
8
-10 Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
8
-11 Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
8
-11 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
8-2
Pontiac Cares
With PONTIAC CARES, you are never more than
a phone call away from having your concern taken
care of.The PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are
designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes
you as a valuable customer, appreciates your purchase
decision, and is dedicated to taking care of the most
important person ... YOU! PONTIAC CARES is:
A valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac,
a feature that offers a multitude of benefits that can
give you safety, security, comfort and convenience.
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
A 3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 km)
Bumper
-to-Bumper Warranty
Customer Assistance
Roadside Assistance
Courtesy Transportation
All of these elements combine to make your driving
experience an enjoyable one and are discussed in greater
detail in your owner's manual. Pontiac is focusing on
the changing needs of our customers and is committed
to giving you an exceptional level of customer care
throughout your ownership experience. Our goal is
to create total customer enthusiasm in our product and
our services and make you the most satisfied customer
in the world.
8-4
We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order
to give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have the
following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate
at the top left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
When contacting Pontiac, please remember that
your concern will likely be resolved at a dealer's facility.
That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if
you have a concern.
STEP THREE -- Both General Motors and your
dealer are committed to making sure you are
completely satisfied with your new vehicle. However,
if you continue to remain unsatisfied after following the
procedure outlined in Steps One and Two, you should
file with the GM/BBB Auto Line Program to enforce
any additional rights you may have. Canadian owners
refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet for information on the Canadian
Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court program
administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus
to settle automotive disputes regarding vehicle repairs or
the interpretation of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Although you may be required to resort to this informal
dispute resolution program prior to filing a court action,
use of the program is free of charge and your case
will generally be heard within 40 days. If you do not
agree with the decision given in your case, you may
reject it and proceed with any other venue for relief
available to you.
You may contact the BBB using the toll
-free telephone
number or write them at the following address:
BBB Auto Line
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
-1804
Telephone: 1
-800-955-5100
This program is available in all 50 states and the
District of Columbia. Eligibility is limited by vehicle age,
mileage and other factors. General Motors reserves the
right to change eligibility limitations and/or discontinue
its participation in this program.