2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX steering

There is a air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel which
shows 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 3-34for more information.
Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.
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The side impact air bag for the right front passenger
and the person seated directly behind that passenger is
in the ceiling above the side windows.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not in¯ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in¯ating 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. And, because your vehicle has
side impact air bags, never secure anything to
the roof of your vehicle by routing the rope or
tiedown through any door or window opening.
If you do, the path of an in¯ating side impact
air bag will be blocked. The path of an in¯ating
air bag must be kept clear.
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When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?
The driver's and right front passengers frontal air bags
are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe
frontal, or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to
in¯ate only if the impact speed is above the system's
designed ªthreshold level.º
In addition, your vehicle has ªdual stageº frontal air
bags, which adjust the amount of restraint according to
crash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these
air bags in¯ate at a level less than full deployment. For
more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.
If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that
doesn't move or deform, the threshold level for the
reduced deployment is about 12 to 16 mph
(19 to 26 km/h), and the threshold level for a full
deployment is about 18 to 24 mph (29 to 38.5 km/h).
The threshold level can vary, however, with speci®c
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 driver's and right front passenger's frontal
air bags are not designed to in¯ate in rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts because in¯ation
would not help the occupant.The side impact air bags are designed to in¯ate in
moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag
will in¯ate if the crash severity is above the system's
designed ªthreshold levelº. The threshold level can vary
with speci®c vehicle design. Side impact air bags are
not designed to in¯ate in frontal or near-frontal impacts,
rollovers or rear impacts, because in¯ation would not
help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy
on the side of the vehicle that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have in¯ated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
For frontal air bags, in¯ation is determined by the angle
of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal or near-frontal impacts. For side impact
air bags, in¯ation is determined by the location and
severity of the impact.
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For
both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the in¯ator, which
in¯ates the air bag. The in¯ator, 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 and in the ceiling of
the vehicle, near the side windows.
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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. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements 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 the
frontal 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 the air bag. Side impact air bags would not
help you in many types of collisions, including frontal
or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear 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 for the driver's and right front passenger's
frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe
side collisions for the side impact air bags.
What Will You See After an Air Bag
In¯ates?
After an air bag in¯ates, it quickly de¯ates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
in¯ated. Some components of the air bag module Ð the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's bag or
the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows Ð 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 de¯ated air bags. Air bag in¯ation
doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or being able
to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
When an air bag in¯ates, there is dust in the
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
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can't get out of the vehicle after an air bag
in¯ates, 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 in¯ate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, 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 bagmodules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·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 in¯ation and
driver's safety belt usage at deployment.
·Let only quali®ed 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, or the side
impact air bag covering on the ceiling near the
side windows, the bag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the air bag module in the
steering wheel, both the air bag module and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's air
bag, or side impact air bag module and ceiling
covering for the roof-mounted side impact air bag.
Do not open or break the air bag coverings.
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Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Don't drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 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 ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
There are four different positions in the ignition switch
which is located on the instrument panel, to the right
of the steering column. Insert the key in the ignition and
turn it to the right for each position.
Insert the key in the
ignition and turn it to the
right for each position.
9(OFF):This position locks the ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It's a theft-deterrent feature.
It's also the only position from which the key can be
removed.
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Notice:If your key seems stuck in OFF and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. 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.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers while the engine
is off.
R(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.
/(START):This position starts the engine. Let go of
the key when the engine starts. The key will return
to the RUN position.
A continuous warning chime will sound and a KEY IN
IGNITION warning message will display on the DIC
if the key is in the ignition in the OFF or ACCESSORY
positions and the driver's door is opened.
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
1. 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.
Notice: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.
2. 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.
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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.
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