2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM ignition

Parking BrakeTo set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in as
you move the brake handle all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-41.
Automatic Transaxle shown,
Manual Transaxle similar
2-29

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-41.
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, do the
following to shift into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
•Press and hold the button on the shift lever.
•Push the shift lever all the way toward the front
of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-30

Shifting Out of Park (P)
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, it has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system which locks
the shift lever in PARK when the ignition is in the
(OFF/OFF LOCK) position. In addition, you have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN (ON). See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-24.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out
of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to (OFF/ACCESSORY). There
is no shift interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear you
want.
5. Have the system fixed as soon as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal
Before leaving your manual transaxle model vehicle,
fully press the clutch pedal in, move the shift lever into
REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed in REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to OFF, remove the key and release the
clutch. SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 2-27.
2-32

Sunroof
If your vehicle has this feature, the switch is located on
the headliner between the sun visors. The sunroof
will only operate while the ignition is in ON.
The sunroof can be opened to a vent position or it can
be express-opened all of the way.
To open the sunroof to the vent position, you must first
open the sunshade by hand. Then push the switch
back and release it.
To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release it.
In both the vent and fully open positions, the air flow
can be adjusted for driving comfort by pushing and
holding the switch forward until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if
the switch is released during operation. Close the
sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.
Notice:If you force the sunshade forward of the
sliding glass panel, damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly. Always
close the glass panel before closing the sunshade.
2-37

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). See “Fog Lamps” in
Exterior Lamps on page 3-14.
B. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness” inInterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
D. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-5.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wiper Lever on page 3-9.
G. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
H. Enhanced Traction System Button (If Equipped).
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.J. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-87.
K. Hood Release Handle. SeeHood Release on
page 5-10.
L. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-5.
M. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-69.
N. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
O. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-24.
P. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-18.
Q. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19.
R. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-38.
3-3

O(Exterior Lamps):Turn the outside part of the
lever with the symbol on it, to operate the lamps.
The exterior lamps control has three positions:
<(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
following.
•Sidemarker Lamps
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
3(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
AUTO:Turn the control to this position to turn the
headlamps, taillamps and parking lamps on and
off automatically while the ignition is on, by sensing how
dark it is outside. For more information see “Automatic
Headlamp System” later in this section.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
will come on if the ignition
is in ON.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
3-8

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers find this to be too much trouble and don’t use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal.
•Press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL button
and the SET COAST buttons at the same time.
•Press cruise ON OFF.
•Push the clutch pedal if you have a manual
transaxle.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
See “Headlamps” underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-6.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.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
lamps only position,
•the light sensor detects daytime light,
•the parking brake is released, and
•the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with
an automatic transaxle only.
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.
3-14