
Changes  or modifications  to this  system  by other than 
an  authorized service facility could void  authorization  to 
use  this  equipment. 
PASS-Key@ 
Ill uses  a  radio frequency transponder  in 
the  key  that matches  a  decoder  in your vehicle. 
PASS-Key@ 111 Operation 
Your  vehicle  is equipped  with PASS-Key@ Ill 
(Personalized  Automotive Security System) 
theft-deterrent  system.  PASS-Key@ 
Ill is a passive 
theft-deterrent  system. This means  you  don’t  have  to do 
anything  special to arm  or disarm the system. It  works 
when  you  insert or  remove  the key  from the  ignition. 
When  the  PASS-Key@ 
Ill system  senses  that someone 
is using the  wrong  key, it shuts down the vehicle’s 
starter  and  fuel systems.  The  starter will not  work and 
fuel  will  stop  being delivered 
to the engine.  Anyone 
using  a  trial-and-error  method to start the vehicle will 
be 
discouraged  because of the  high  number of electrical 
key  codes. 
When  trying to  start  the  vehicle 
if the engine  does not 
start  and  the SECURITY  light comes  on,  the key 
may  have  a  damaged  transponder. Turn the ignition 
off and  try again. 
If the engine still does not  start, and the  key  appears 
to  be  undamaged,  try  another ignition  key.  At this time, 
you  may  also want  to check  the fuse,  see  Fuses 
and  Circuit  Breakers 
on page 5-97. If the engine  still 
does  not start with  the other  key, your vehicle  needs 
service. 
If your vehicle does  start, the first  key may 
be  faulty.  See your dealer  who can service  the 
PASS-Key@ 
Ill to  have  a  new  key made.  In  an 
emergency,  contact Pontiac  Roadside Assistance. 
See  Roadside Assistance  Program 
on page 7-5 for 
more  information. 
It is possible  for the  PASS-Key@ 
Ill decoder  to  learn 
the transponder value  of a  new  or replacement  key. 
Up  to 
10 additional  keys  may  be  programmed  for 
the vehicle. This  procedure is for  learning additional 
keys  only. 
If all the  currently  programmed  keys  are lost 
or do  not operate,  you must  see  your dealer or  a 
locksmith  who can service  PASS-Key@ 
Ill to have  keys 
made  and  programmed  to the  system. 
See  your dealer  or  a locksmith  who can service 
PASS-Key@ 
Ill to  get  a  new  key blank that  is cut  exactly 
as  the  ignition  key that operates  the system. 
2-1 7  

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  

2. If your engine won’t start  (or starts but  then stops), 
it could  be  flooded with too  much gasoline. Try 
pushing your accelerator pedal all  the way  to  the 
floor  and holding  it there  as you  hold  the  key 
in  START  for  not more  than 15  seconds  at  a  time. 
This clears the  extra gasoline from  the engine. 
Notice: Your  engine is designed  to  work  with  the 
electronics 
in your  vehicle.  If you  add  electrical 
parts  or  accessories,  you  could  change  the  way  the 
engine  operates.  Before  adding  electrical  equipment, 
check  with  your  dealer.  If  you  don’t,  your  engine  might  not  perform  properly. 
Starting Your 3800 Series II V6 Engine 
1.  With  your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn 
your  ignition key  to START.  When  the  engine starts, 
let  go  of the  key.  The idle speed  will go  down  as 
your engine gets  warm. 
Notice: Holding  your  key  in START for  longer  than 
15 seconds at a  time  will  cause  your  battery  to  be 
drained  much  sooner.  And 
the excessive  heat  can 
damage  your  starter  motor.  Wait  about 
15 seconds 
between  each  try  to  help  avoid  draining  your  battery 
or damaging  your  starter. 
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds,  hold your  key in 
START  for  about  10 seconds  at a time until  your 
engine starts.  Wait about  15  seconds  between 
each  try. 
3. If your engine still  won’t  start  (or  starts  but  then 
stops), it could  be flooded  with too much  gasoline. 
Try  pushing your accelerator pedal  all  the  way to the 
floor  and holding  it there  as  you  hold the  key  in 
START  for  about  three seconds.  If  the  vehicle  starts 
briefly  but then stops  again,  do  the  same  thing. 
This time  keep  the pedal down  for  five  or  six 
seconds  to clear the extra gasoline  from  the  engine. 
After  waiting  about  15  seconds,  repeat  the  normal 
starting procedure. 
Notice: Your  engine  is  designed  to  work  with  the 
electronics  in  your  vehicle. 
If you  add  electrical 
parts  or  accessories,  you  could  change  the  way the 
engine  operates.  Before  adding  electrical  equipment, 
check  with  your  dealer.  If you don’t,  your  engine 
might  not  perform  properly. 
2-22  

Make sure the shift  lever is fully  in PARK  (P)  before 
starting the  engine.  The  vehicle has  an automatic 
transaxle  shift lock control system.  You  must fully apply 
the  regular  brakes and press  the  shift control button 
located  on  the front of the  shift lever, before  you 
can  shift  from  PARK  (P) when  the ignition  is  in RUN. 
If you cannot  shift  out  of PARK  (P), ease  pressure 
on  the  shift lever by pushing 
it all the  way  into PARK  (P) 
while  keeping the  brake pedal pushed  down.  Release 
the  shift  lever  button. Then  move  the shift lever out 
of  PARK  (P), being  sure to press  the shift lever button. 
See  Shifting 
Out of  Park (P) on page 2-30. 
REVERSE  (R):  Use  this  gear  to back  up. 
Notice: Shifting  to  REVERSE (R) while  your  vehicle 
is  moving  forward  could  damage  your  transaxle. 
Shift  to  REVERSE  (R)  only after  your  vehicle 
is  stopped. 
To rock  the  vehicle  back  and forth to get out of snow, 
ice  or sand  without  damaging  the transaxle,  see  If 
You Are Stuck: In Sand,  Mud, ice or  Snow  on 
page 
4-32. 
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. 
ini a d ‘e gea  your enc_ e is 
“racing”  (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  into  a  drive  gear while  your  engine 
is  racing. 
Notice: Damage  to  your  transaxle  caused  by 
shifting  into  a  drive  gear with  the  engine  racing 
isn’t 
covered  by  your  warranty. 
AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE 
(a): 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 
Going  about 35 mph  (55  km/h)  or  more, push  the 
accelerator pedal about halfway 
down. 
accelerator pedal all the  way  down. 
2-25  

You’ll shift down to the  next gear and have more  power. 
Notice: If your  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. 
THIRD 
(3): This position  is also used for  normal driving, 
but 
it offers more power and  lower fuel economy than 
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE 
(@ ). 
Here are  some times you  might choose THIRD (3) 
instead  of  AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE (a): 
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  than  THIRD 
(3). 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  THIRD 
(3) or AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE  (D)  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. 
FIRST 
(1): This  position  gives  you  even  more  power 
but  lower  fuel economy  than  SECOND  (2).  You  can use 
it on very steep hills,  or in deep  snow  or  mud.  If  the 
shift lever  is in 
FIRST (I), the  transaxle  won’t  shift  into 
first  gear  until the  vehicle is going  slowly  enough. 
Notice: If  your  front  wheels  won’t  turn,  don’t  try  to 
drive.  This  might  happen  if  you  were stuck  in 
very  deep  sand  or  mud  or  were up  against  a  solid 
object.  You could  damage  your  transaxle.  Also, 
if  you  stop  when  going  uphill,  don’t  hold  your 
vehicle  there  with  only  the  accelerator  pedal. This 
could  overheat  and  damage the  transaxle.  Use  your 
brakes  to  hold  your  vehicle  in  position  on 
a hill. 
2-26  

Assist  Handles 
An assist  handle  with  a  reading lamp is located over 
each  rear  side  window.  The  handle can be used to  help 
you  get  in or  out 
of the  vehicle.  Press  the  reading 
lamp  to  turn it  on.  Press 
it again to turn it off. 
Purse  or Litter  Bag  Holder 
On  the  front  of the  center  console, to the  right of the 
accessory  power  outlet,  there is a hook  that can be used 
to  hold  a  purse  or  litter  bag. 
Rear  Storage  Area 
If  you  have  a  trunk  access  panel, you will  also have a 
pull  down  armrest  that  contains an open  storage  bin and 
two  cupholders. 
Convenience  Net 
The  vehicle  may  have  a  convenience net.  You’ll  see  it 
on  the  back  wall  of the trunk. 
Put  small  loads,  like  grocery  bags,  behind the net. It can 
help  keep  them  from  falling over during sharp turns  or 
quick  starts  and stops.  The 
net  isn’t  for  larger,  heavier loads, which  should  be 
stored 
in the  trunk  as far  forward  as possible. 
You can  unhook the  net 
so that it will  lie flat when 
you’re  not using it. 
Trunk  Access  Panel 
If the vehicle has  rear  seat  armrests,  you will  also have 
a  trunk access  panel. 
This feature  allows  access  to the trunk from the  rear 
seat area.  To use  the trunk access panel, pull  the rear 
armrest down,  unlock the access  panel with  the 
ignition key and pull  it  down. 
2-41  

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 the 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 overioad  the  wipers. 
A circuit 
breaker will  stop them  until the  motor cools. Clear away 
snow  or  ice to  prevent an  overload. 
Windshield Washer 
0 PUSH: Press the  paddle  with  the word  PUSH and 
the  washer  symbol on 
it, located on top of the 
multifunction lever, to  spray  washer fluid on the 
windshield.  The wipers will clear  the windshield ana 
then  either  stop  or  return to the  se’ -peed. 
In freezing  weather, don’t use  your washer 
until  the windshield  is warmed.  Otherwise  the 
washer  fluid can form  ice  on the  windshield, 
blocking  your  vision. 
3-7