2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM instrument panel

The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
the exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the parking
the light sensor detects daytime light,
lamps
only position.
the parking brake is released, and
0 the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights
will not be illuminated unless you have turned the
exterior lamps control
to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
an automatic transaxle only.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it
is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim. Your
vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so
be sure it is not covered which will cause the
automatic headlamp system
to be on whenever the
ignition is on.
The automatic headlamp system may also be on when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation
of the DRL and the automatic
headlamp systems
so that driving under bridges or
bright overhead street lights does not affect the system.
The DRL and automatic headlamp systems will only
be affected when the light sensor sees a change
in lighting lasting longer than this delay.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system
off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off.
Then start the vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay
off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
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Headlamps Off in Park (P) Fog Lamps
To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control
to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be
off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control
to
the AUTO or headlamp position.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn
off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while
it is active turn the turn signaVmultifunction
lever up one position and then back
to AUTO. If
your vehicle has this
feature, the button for your
fog lamps is located on
the instrument panel,
to the
left of the steering wheel,
beside the instrument
panel brightness
thumbwheel.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low-beam headlamps.
Press the button
to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Press the button again
to turn the fog lamps off. The
fog lamps will turn
off whenever the high-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature
is located on the
instrument panel
to the left of the steering wheel.
Entry/Exit Lighting
When you lift the driver’s door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out after about
10 seconds after all of the doors
have been closed or when the ignition is turned to
ON. These lamps will also go on when you press the
trunk release, unlock symbol button or the horn symbol on the keyless entry system transmitter (if equipped).
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Dome Lamp
If your vehicle has this feature, the switch on this lamp
has three positions. The
ON position will turn on the
light. The
DOOR position will turn on the light whenever
a door is opened or when the instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel is moved up. The OFF position
will shut
off the lamp completely, even when a door
is opened.
Move the thumbwheel right
to brighten the lights and left
to dim them.
3-1 6

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.
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9 FRONT (Defrost): This mode directs most of the
air to the windshield, with some air directed to the
floor outlets. In this mode, the system will automatically
turn
off recirculation and run the air-conditioning
compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected while
in the defrost mode.
To help clear the windshield quickly, do the following:
1. Select the defrost mode.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
outlets located on the outside of the side instrument
panel outlets. To help clear the side windows quickly, do
the following:
1. Select the floor mode.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog of frost from the rear window.
REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or
off. An indicator light above the
button will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated. Be sure to clear as much snow
from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn
off approximately
10 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximately
five minutes before turning
off. The defogger can also
be turned
off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Notice: Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window.
If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
3-20

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you have, and many other things you’ll need
to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has 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.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several 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 several seconds,
then it will flash for
several more.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks
the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you
if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag modules, the wiring and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see
Supplemental
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AIR
BAG
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes
on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
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Low Oil Level Light
LOW
OIL
If your vehicle is equipped
with a
3400 V6 engine,
then you will have a
LOW
OIL light in your
instrument panel cluster.
This light will come on briefly when you start your
vehicle.
If the light stays on after starting your vehicle, or comes
on and chimes while you are driving, your engine oil
level should be checked.
Prior to checking the oil level, be sure your vehicle has
been shut
off for several minutes and is on a level
surface. Check the oil level on your dipstick and bring it
to the proper level. See Engine Oil on page 5-15.
A false LOW OIL light may be generated when parking
on steep grades.
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between when the key is on and
the engine is cranking.
It does not monitor engine oil level
when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil
level check is only performed
if the engine has
been turned
off for a considerable period of time
allowing the
oil normally in circulation to drain back into
the oil pan.
CHANGE
OIL
The CHANGE OIL light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you start the engine. If the light
doesn’t come on, have it
serviced.
If the CHANGE OIL light comes on and stays on after
you start the engine, have the oil changed.
To reset the CHANGE
OIL light, see Engine oil On
page
5- 15.
3-35