2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX steering

I SRS AIR BAG
I
L
United States
L
Canada
There is a air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows
SRS AIR BAG or the air bag
symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you
if there is an electrical
problem. See Air Bag Readiness Light
on page 3-26
for more information.
Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.
1-53

If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or
it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path
of an
inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put
anything between an occupant and an air bag,
and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
air bag covering.
The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel
on the passenger’s side.
1-54

When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal, or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only
if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.”
If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h). The threshold
level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.
If your vehicle strikes something that will move or
deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will
be higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate
in
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts because
inflation would not help the occupant.
in any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact
and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in
a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release
of gas from the
inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag,
and related hardware are all part of the air bag
modules inside the steering wheel and
in the instrument
panel in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute
the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually.
But air bags would not help you in many types of
collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is
not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety
belts, and then only
in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions.
1-55

What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the air bag inflated.
Some components of the air bag module -the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s air bag or the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s bag
- will be hot for a
short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact
with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle,
no- ”oes it sto- Teople from leaving the vehicle
When an air
,,g inflates, there is dust i.. khe
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
CAUTION: (Continued) to do
so. If you hawe breath ...d prob.,.ns
butcan’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag
inflates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment,
you should seek medical attention.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
0 Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air
bag system won’t be there to help protect you
in another crash.
A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
I
1-56

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system,
when the system commands air bag inflation and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air
bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice: If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s air bag, the bag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
air bag module in
the steering wheel or both the
air bag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system
in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a senlice manual, see Service Publications
Ordering Informal
7 on page 7- 10.
For up to 10 seconds afi the ignitio ’ is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an air bag can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-57

Your vehicle has the PASS-Key@ Ill vehicle theft
system. The key has a transponder in the key head that
matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column.
If a replacement key or an additional key is needed,
it must be purchased from your dealer. The key will have
PK3 stamped on it.
Any new PASS-Key@
Ill key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. See PASS-Key
111 on
page 2-16 for more information on programming
your new key.
In an emergency, contact Pontiac Roadside Assistance.
See Roadside Assistance Program on page
7-5 for
more information.
Notice: Your vehicle has a number of features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of trouble
getting into your vehicle
if you ever lock your keys
inside. You may even have to damage your vehicle to
get in.
So be sure you have spare keys.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar system with
an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar may be able to send a command to
unlock your vehicle. See OnStap System on page
2-38
for more information.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
2-4

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In Ignition Positions
With
the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
five different positions. The ignition switch is located
on the right side of the steering column.
Notice: Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
e
e
e Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or
slow
- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index for
more information. A
(ACCESSORY): This position lets
you use things like
the radio and windshield wipers while the engine is
off. To use accessory, push in the key and turn it toward
you. The steering wheel will stay locked.
3-1 9

Notice: If your key seems stuck in LOCK 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 these works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (LOCK): This position locks the ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature. It’s also
the only position from which you can remove the key.
C (OFF): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the
steering wheel like LOCK. Use
OFF if you must have
the vehicle pushed or towed.
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
while 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 while you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
Nofice: 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.
2-20