2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

2-45
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Press in and hold the shift lever button, located
on the front of the shift lever.

Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure the vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) (without first pushing
the shift lever button). If you can, it means that the shift
lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).

2-46
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's
seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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 down. Release the shift
lever button. Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P),
being sure to press the shift lever button.

2-47
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.
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.

2-48
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 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.
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 located on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.

2-49
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You can 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.
The lever to adjust it is located on the left side of the
steering column, below the turn signal/multifunction lever.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering
wheel to a comfortable
level, then release the lever
to lock the wheel in place.
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
For information on the exterior lamps, see ªExterior
Lampsº later in this section.

2-50
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.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, this light on the
instrument panel cluster will
appear. While the high
-beam
headlamps are on, the fog
lamps will not illuminate.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head
-Up-Display
(HUD), an arrow will appear in the display area to
indicate that the high beams are on. See
ªHead
-Up-Display (HUD)º in the Index for
more information.

2-51 Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic or
off position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If the headlamps are in the automatic position or on low
beam, the high
-beam headlamps will turn on and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. They will stay on as long as you hold the
lever toward you. Release the lever to return to the
initial position.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Head
-Up-Display
(HUD), an arrow will appear in the display area to
indicate that the high beams are on.
Windshield Wipers
To operate the windshield wipers, turn the band
marked WIPER located on the multifunction lever,
upward or downward.MIST:Turn the band to MIST for a single wiping cycle.
Hold it there until the windshield wipers start, then let it
go. The windshield wipers will stop after one cycle. For
more cycles, hold the band on MIST longer.
OFF:Turn the band to OFF to turn to windshield
wipers off.
DELAY (Delayed Wiping): Turn the band upward to
choose one of the five delay settings. For longer periods
of time between wiper blade cycles, select a low setting.
For shorter periods of time between wiper blade cycles,
select a higher setting. The further the band is turned
upward, the longer the delay between wiper cycles.
LOW: Turn the band to LOW for steady wiping at a
low speed.
HIGH: Turn the band to HIGH for steady wiping at a
high speed.
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.

2-52
Windshield Washer
PUSH:Press the paddle with the the word PUSH
and the washer symbol on it, located on top of the
multifunction lever, to spray washer fluid on the
windshield. The wipers will clear the windshield and
then either stop or return to the set speed.
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
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
approximately 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.