2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM clock

A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is
off and the key is in the ignition.
Notice: If your key seems stuck in OFF and
you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct
key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only
with your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY): This position unlocks the transaxle.
It also lets you use things like the radio and windshield
wipers when the engine is not running. To use
ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise to the first
position. Use this position
if your vehicle must be pushed
or towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
C (ON): This position is where the key returns to after
you start your engine and release the key. The
ignition switch stays in ON when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can
use ON to operate your electrical accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning lights.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue to work up to
10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to
OFF.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in ON or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from ON to
OFF,
the radio will continue to work up to 10 minutes or
until the driver’s door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
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
transaxie.
shift to PARK (Pj oniy when your
vehicle
is stopped.
D (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON for normal driving.
2-1 9

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
f;’ (MAX): This mode is used for maximum cooling.
It will recirculate much of the air inside your vehicle.
It maximizes your air conditioner’s performance and your
vehicle’s fuel economy. The air-conditioning compressor
will run automatically in this mode when it is needed
to help dry the air in the vehicle.
2 (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
tf;’ (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, then directs most of the
remaining air
to the floor outlets with some air directed
at the side windows.
@ (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets with some air directed to the side windows.
The right knob can
also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging
and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
@ (Fan): Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Temperature Control: Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to manually increase or decrease
the temperature inside your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside
0°F (-18°C) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater,
if equipped, to provide warmer air
faster to your vehicle. An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant that the engine uses
to provide heat to
warm the inside of your vehicle. For more information,
see Engine
Coolant Heater on page 2-22.
3-1 8

A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the
air-conditioning system on or off. When
NC is pressed,
an indicator light above the button will come on
to let
you know that air conditioning is activated. The fan knob
must be set
to a speed for the air conditioning to
operate.
On hot days, open the windows
to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps
to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system
to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select NC.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle
to become
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off
tc
dry. Tc prevent
this frcl?? hsppenin& s!?er the 2i!- i!7
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from
the air,
so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning
Gf! the engine. This is nCx??ml.
Defogging and Defrosting
There are two modes to choose from to clear fog or
frost from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to
select defog or defrost mode.
+3 (Defog): This mode directs half of the air to the
windshield with most of the remaining air directed
to the
floor outlets and some air directed at the side windows.
When you select this mode, the system turns
off
recirculation automatically and runs the air-conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the defog mode.
To help clear the side windows quickly while using air
conditioning, do the following:
1. Select the bi-level mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select NC.
4. Select the temperature.
3-1 9

SEEK v : Your tape must have at least three
seconds of silence between each selection for seek to
work. Press the up or the down arrow to search for
the next
or the previous selection on the tape. You can
skip as many as nine selections up or down on the
tape. Choose how many selections you want to skip,
then press the SEEK arrow that many times. The
number of selections to be skipped will appear on the
display.
A SCAN v : Press and hold one of the arrows for
more than two seconds until SCAN appears on
the display and you hear a beep. The tape will go to the
next selection, play for a few seconds, then go on to
the next selection. The tape will scan in forward
only. Press this button again to stop scanning.
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
tape
is playing. The inactive tape or CD will remain
safely inside the radio for future listening.
CD TAPE: Press this button to switch between playing
a cassette tape and a compact disc,
if both are
loaded, when listening to the radio. The display will
show tape and CD symbols.
A (Eject): Press this button, located next to the
cassette tape
slot, to eject a tape. Eject may be
activated with either the ignition or radio
off. Cassettes
may be loaded with the radio and ignition
off if this
button is pressed first.
Cassette Tape Messages
If an error occurs while trying to play a cassette tape, it
could be for one of the following reasons:
TIGHT TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is tight and the player can’t turn the tape hubs.
Remove the tape. Hold the tape with the open end down
and try to turn the right hub counterclockwise with a
pencil. Turn the tape over and repeat. If the hubs do not
turn easily, your tape may be damaged and should
not be used in the player. Try a new tape to make sure
your player is working properly.
BROKEN TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is broken. Try a new tape.
WRAPPED TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is wrapped around the tape head. Attempt to get
the cassette out. Try a new tape.
3-65

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock positions, you
can turn it a
full 180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason
to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
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Off-Road Recovery
You may find that your right wheels have dropped off
the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re
driving.
!f the !eve! nf the sholrlder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease
off the
accelerator and then,
if there is nothing in the way,
steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of
the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to
one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts
tne pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel
io yo
straight down the roadway.
4-1 3

While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap inside the
fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has
a spring in it; if
you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the
right.
I
If you get fuel on yourself and then something
ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too
quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any
“hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle on page 5-75.
5-8

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear
a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-3 1.
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type,
it may not fit properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp
to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged
if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
0 Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
0 Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling
is complete.
0 Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.
5-9

Park the vehicle on a level surface.
You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two
or two and
one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still left to
be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly, and remove
it.
5-34