2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX warning light

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

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
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-14 Multifunction Alarm Locks and
Lighting Choices
2
-25 Trunk
2
-27 Theft
2
-28 Content Theft-Deterrent System (If Equipped)
2
-30 PASS-Key
III
2
-32 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-33 Ignition Positions
2
-34 Starting Your Engine
2
-38 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-39 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-43 Parking Brake
2
-44 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-46 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-47 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-47 Engine Exhaust
2
-48 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-49 Tilt Wheel
2
-49 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-55 Exterior Lamps
2
-57 Interior Lamps
2
-60 Mirrors
2
-64 Storage Compartments
2
-68 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-69 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-69 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-73 Power Sunroof (Option)
2
-74 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-78 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-91 Driver Information Center (DIC)
2
-93 Trip Computer (If Equipped)
2
-96 Head-Up Display (HUD) (Option)

2-34
D (RUN): This position is where the key returns to after
you start the vehicle. With the engine off, you can use
run to display some of the warning and indicator lights.
E (START): This position starts the engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when the ignition is in OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With Retained Accessory Power, (RAP), the power
windows, audio system and sunroof will continue to
work up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to
off and none of the doors are opened.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to
do the following:

Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) (with the shift lever button
fully released).

Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than OFF or
LOCK. The shift lock release is always functional
except in the case of a dead or low voltage
(less than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there is an override access slot that will allow
you to override the shift lock release.

2-55
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the lower
left side of the instrument panel, to the left of the
steering wheel.The exterior lamp has three positions.
OFF: Turning the control to this position, turns off all
lamps, except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to
this position turns on the parking lamps, together
with the following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamp

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver's
door when you turn the ignition switch to LOCK or
ACCESSORY with the lamps on.

2-75
The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Vents
B. Fog Lamp Switch
C. Multifunction Lever
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Hazard Warning Button
F. Horn
G. Trip Computer (If Equipped) and/or Driver
Information Center (DIC)
H. Instrument Panel Vents
I. Interior Lamps ControlJ. Exterior Lamps Control
K. Tilt Steering Wheel Control
L. Audio Steering Controls (If Equipped)
M. Head Up Display (HUD) Controls (Option)
N. Comfort Controls
O. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
P. Audio System
Q. Glove Box
R. Instrument Panel Fuse Block

2-77
Your vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very
similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and
gages that are explained on the following pages. Be sure
to read about them.
Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). The
odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven in
either miles (used in the United States) or in kilometers
(used in Canada).
The vehicle has a tamper
-resistant odometer. If you see
silver lines between the numbers, you'll know someone
has probably tampered with it and the numbers may not
be correct.
You may wonder what happens if the vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be done.
If it can't, then it will be set at zero and a label must be
put on the driver's door to show the old mileage reading
when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it. To set it to zero, press the reset button
located to the right of the instrument panel cluster.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the shaded area, or engine damage may occur.

2-78
Warning Lights, Gages
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a driver information center
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN, a chime will come
on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for
about 55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.

2-80
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
light will come on briefly
when you turn on the
ignition, as a check to
show you it's working.
Then it will go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose drive belt or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on when you turn the key to
RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there's a problem.