2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX tow

2-41
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If the vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or if
it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.

2-42
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

When going down a steep hill.

When driving in non
-highway scenarios
(i.e. city streets, etc.).SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible.
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you
can damage your engine.

2-44
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N).
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause the
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace
them, and you could also damage other parts of
the vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
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. If
you have 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, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.

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).

2-48
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.

2-50
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.

2-60
Battery Saver
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave the
interior, trunk or underhood lamps on. If you leave
any of these lamps on while the ignition is in LOCK or
OFF, they will automatically turn off after 10 minutes.
The lamps won't come back on again until you do
one of the following:

Turn the ignition to RUN or ACCESSORY.

Turn the interior lamp thumbwheel completely to the
right, then back slightly to the left.

Open (or close and reopen) a door that is closed.
If the vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
Mirrors
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lamps behind you, pull the lever
located in the center of the bottom of the mirror toward
you to the night position. To return the mirror back to
the day position, push the lever away from you.
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview
Mirror with Compass and Temperature
Display (Option)
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview
mirror with a compass and temperature display.
When turned on, an electrochromic mirror automatically
dims to the proper level to minimize glare from
headlamps behind your after dark.
The mirror has an eight
-point compass and temperature
display in the upper right corner of the mirror face. The
display shows the current outside temperature and the
vehicle's current direction.