2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX wheel

Automatic Transaxle Operation
The automatic transaxle has a shift lever on the console
between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited when your vehicle
is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline
components from improper operation.There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle can't move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P). See ªShifting
Into Park (P)º in the Index. If you're pulling a
trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
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.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is ®rmly 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.
2-23

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 moved to FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into ®rst 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.
Performance Shifting with TAP-ShiftŸ
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3800 V6 Supercharged
engine, it may have
a console gearshift with
a MANUAL (M) position.
The other gearshift positions available are
PARK (P), REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N) and
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D), and operate as
explained earlier in this section.
While in the MANUAL (M) position, you may up-shift or
down-shift the transaxle using the paddles located
on the steering wheel, under certain circumstances.
2-25

Assist Handles
The vehicle has lighted assist handles located above
the rear doors. They can be used to help passengers
enter and exit the vehicle.
The lamps on the handles will come on automatically
when a door is opened and turn off when the door
is closed. The lamps can be manually turned on or off
if there are grooves on the lens of the lamp. Press
the grooved side of the lens to turn the lamp on or off.
Convenience Net
The vehicle is equipped with a convenience net in the
trunk that covers the passenger's side wheel well.
There may also be a convenience net attached to the
backside walls of the trunk. This net can be used as an
``envelope'' to hold items inside it, or, it can be pulled over
items to secure them. If used as an envelope, put small
loads like grocery bags inside the net. This can help items
from falling over during sharp turns or quick starts and
stops. To use this net to cover items in the trunk, attach
two corners of the net to the two loops located at the
bottom of the rear seatback. When not using the net,
hook the net to the tabs securing it to the trunk wall.
Other Storage Areas
The vehicle also has a trunk storage compartment. It is
located on the passenger's side of the trunk, above the
wheel well. It may lock. To access the storage area,
lift up on the handle of the compartment cover and pull.
2-38

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Windshield Washer Lever................................3-6
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-8
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-23
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-25
Climate Control System.................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-34
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-34
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-37
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-38Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-44
High-Beam On Light......................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-45
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-65
Audio System(s).............................................3-88
Setting the Time...........................................3-88
Radio with CD..............................................3-89
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-100
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-114
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-128
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-129
Understanding Radio Reception....................3-130
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-130
Care of Your CDs.......................................3-131
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-131
Backglass Antenna......................................3-132
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only).................................3-132
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Outlets. (See
Outlet
Adjustment on page 3-29.)
B. Instrument Panel Outlets. (See
Outlet Adjustment
on page 3-29.)
C. Exterior Lamps Control. (See
Exterior Lamps on
page 3-12.)
D. TAP-ShiftŸ Control. (See
Automatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-22.)
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. (See
Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.)
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. (See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.)
G. Windshield Wiper Lever. (See
Windshield Washer
Lever on page 3-6.)
H. Ignition. (See
Ignition Positions on page 2-18.)
I. DIC (Driver Information Center). (See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-45.)J. Audio System. (See
Audio System(s) on page 3-88.)
K. Interior Lamps Brightness Control (Behind Steering
Wheel). (See
Interior Lamps on page 3-16.)
L. Audio Controls. (See
Audio System(s) on page 3-88.)
M. Hood Release. (See
Hood Release on page 5-11.)
N. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (on Steering Column).
(See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-5.)
O. Cruise Control. (See
Cruise Control Lever on
page 3-8.)
P. Climate Controls. (See
Climate Control System
on page 3-25.)
Q. Storage Area.
R. Glove Box. (See
Glove Box on page 2-36.)
S. Instrument Panel Fuse Block.
(See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-99.)
3-3

Other Warning Devices
If you carry re¯ective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press the vehicle's steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You can raise it to the highest
level to give your legs more room when you exit and
enter the vehicle, or you can lower it so that you're more
comfortable while driving.
The lever to adjust it is located on the left side of the
steering column.To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable
level, then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
3-5

Cruise Control Lever
Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
·Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
·Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
needless wheel spinning, and you could
lose control. Don't use cruise control on
slippery roads.The cruise control lever
is located below the
windshield wiper control
on the right side of
the steering wheel.
CANCEL:Pull the lever toward you to cancel the cruise
control.
O(On/Off):Push the button on the end of the lever
to turn the cruise control on or off.
RES + (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever up to
resume the cruise control or to accelerate when passing
another vehicle.
SET Ð (Set/Coast/Decelerate):Push the lever down to
set the cruise. If the cruise is already set this position can
be used to coast or decelerate from a higher speed.
3-8