2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

Recirculation cannot be selected when in this mode
even though the indicator light comes on when
the recirculation button is pressed.
The middle knob on the climate control panel can also
be used to select the defog or defrost mode.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the vehicle is a result of high
humidity causing moisture to condense on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are two modes
to clear frost or fog from the windshield. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of condensation and
to warm the vehicle’s occupants. Use the defrost
mode to remove frost or condensation from the
windshield quickly.
See “Rear Window Defogger” later in this section for
information on clearing the rear window of fog or ice.
.(Floor/Defog):Use the oor/defog mode to
clear the windows of fog or moisture and to warm the
passengers. This mode directs the air equally between
the windshield and the oor outlets, along with some
directed to the side window outlets.This mode will automatically use outside air. The
air conditioning compressor will be engaged unless
the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below.
Recirculation cannot be selected when in this mode
even though the indicator light comes on when
the recirculation button is pressed.
1(Defrost):Use the defrost mode to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly. This mode
directs most of the air to the windshield and the side
window outlets, with some air directed to the oor
outlets. This mode has a timer and will shut off after
ve minutes.
This mode will automatically use outside air. The air
conditioning compressor will be engaged unless
the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below.
Recirculation cannot be selected when in this mode
even though the indicator light comes on when
the recirculation button is pressed.
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Temperature
The knob on the right of the climate control panel is the
temperature adjustment that can be used with any of
the climate control modes.
Turn the knob clockwise for warmer settings and
counterclockwise for colder settings.
Air Conditioning
#
(Air Conditioner):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning compressor on or off. An indicator light
to the right of the button will come on. This button
has no control over the air conditioning compressor
when in Floor/Defog and Defrost modes. The instrument
panel brightness control may have to be adjusted to
the highest setting in order to see the indicator.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-19for
additional information.
On hot days during the vehicle’s initial start-up, open
the windows to let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps to reduce the time it takes for
the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system to
operate more efficiently.For quicker cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select any mode setting between vent and the
setting before defrost.
2. Select the air conditioner.
3. Select the coolest temperature.
4. Select the highest climate control fan speed.
Using these settings will set recirculation for quicker
cool down (the light indicator will not turn on). If outside
air is desired, press the recirculation button twice.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside the vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after ve minutes
the recirculation door will open slightly to allow some
outside air into the vehicle.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so sometimes there may be a small amount of
water dripping underneath the vehicle while it is idling
or after the engine is turned off. This is normal.
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Recirculation
h
(Recirculation):Press this button to activate the
recirculation mode. With this selection, inside air is
recirculated into the vehicle. This mode reduces outside
air and odors from entering the vehicle. It may also help
to heat or cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
An indicator light to the right of the button will come on
to show that the recirculation button has been pressed.
The instrument panel brightness control may have to be
adjusted to the highest setting to see the indicator.
The recirculation mode has a timer. After ve minutes,
the system’s air inlet door will move slightly to allow
for ten percent fresh outside air to maintain interior
air quality. The only way to reset the system to full
recirculation is to restart the ve minute timer by
selecting vent/outside air and recirculation again.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on or off.
An indicator light to the right of the button will come
on to show that the rear window defogger is on.
The instrument panel brightness control may have
to be adjusted to the highest setting during the daytime
in order to see the indicator light.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 20 minutes
after the button is pressed. If the button is pressed
again, it will run another 20 minutes. The defogger
can be turned off by pressing the button again or by
turning off the engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.
z(Heated Seats):Press this button to turn the heated
seats on and off. The button on the left controls the
driver’s seat and the button on the right controls
the passenger’s seat. SeeHeated Seats on page 1-4
for additional information.
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Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Turn both the fan and mode knob to
AUTO for automatic control of the inside temperature, the
air delivery mode and the fan speed. You may notice a
delay of two to three minutes before the fan comes on
when the automatic operation is used in cold weather.For the automatic system to function, the temperature
must be set between 60°F (15°C) and 90°F (32°C).
1. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting.
2. Press the PASS button to turn the passenger
climate control system on and off. When the
passenger system is off, the driver’s temperature
setting is also used for the passenger and the
passenger display is off.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle
until warmer air is available. The system will
start out blowing air at the oor but may change
modes automatically as the vehicle warms up
to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed for the air to warm up
will depend on the outside temperature and the
length of time that has elapsed since your vehicle
was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from
10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature,
if necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center
of the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later
in this section.
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Manual Operation
xw
(Temperature):To manually adjust the
temperature inside the vehicle, press the up arrow on
the temperature control to raise the temperature
and press the down arrow to lower the temperature.
The display will show your selection.
When one temperature is displayed, the driver
temperature is set. When both temperatures are
displayed, the temperature for both the driver and
passenger are set. Pressing PASS will turn the
passenger temperature setting on and off. If only the
driver temperature is set, the driver temperature is used
for the passenger and the passenger display is off.
9(Fan):Turn the fan knob clockwise to increase the
fan speed and counterclockwise to decrease the fan
speed. Turning the fan knob cancels the automatic fan
operation and places the system in manual. Turn the
knob to AUTO to return to automatic fan operation. If the
airow seems low when the fan is at the highest setting,
the passenger compartment air lter, if equipped, may
need to be replaced. SeePassenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 3-36for additional information.
9(Off):Turning the fan knob off will turn the controller
completely off.
Mode:This control has several settings to control the
direction of airow.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
AUTO:This mode is automatically set depending on the
temperature in the vehicle and solar sensor information.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
%(Bi-Level):This mode directs airow to the
instrument panel outlets and to the oor outlets. A small
amount of air is also directed to the windshield and
the side window outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets, and a little air directed to the windshield.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning compressor on or off. The indicator light on
the button will come on when the air conditioning is on.
3-33

?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to help reduce
the outside air and odors that may enter the vehicle or
help to cool the air inside the vehicle quicker.
Recirculation is not available in defrost or oor/defog
mode. Pressing the recirculation button will turn on the
indicator light.
Using recirculation for long periods of time may cause the
air inside your vehicle to become too dry. To prevent this
from happening, after the air in your vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
z(Heated Seats):Press this button to turn the heated
seats on and off. The button on the left controls the
driver’s seat and the button on the right controls
the passenger’s seat. SeeHeated Seats on page 1-4
for additional information.
Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside of your vehicle, then uses the
information to maintain the selected temperature by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the
center of the instrument panel, near the windshield,
or the system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or
frost from your windshield. Use the oor/defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm
the passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly.
3-34

-(Floor/Defog):This mode directs the air between
the windshield, oor outlets and side windows.
When you select this mode, the system turns off
recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is near or below
freezing. Pressing the recirculation button, while in this
mode, will have no effect other than turning on the
indicator light.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield, with some air directed to the side windows.
In this mode, the system will automatically turn off
the recirculation and run the air conditioning compressor,
unless the outside temperature is near or below
freezing. Pressing the recirculation button, while in this
mode, will have no affect other than turning on the
indicator light.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
engine is running.
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on and off. Be sure
to clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 20 minutes
after the button is pressed. If turned on again, the
defogger will only run for about 20 minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off
by pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not attach
a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or
anything similar to the defogger grid.
3-35

Outlet Adjustment
Turn the air outlets, located in the middle and at each
outboard side of the instrument panel, to adjust the
direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air
lter may need to be replaced. See “Passenger
Compartment Air Filter” following, for more
information.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter is located near the
passenger’s side windshield wiper arm, under the
inlet grille.
The lter traps most of the pollen from entering the
climate control system. Similar to the engine’s air lter,
it may need to be changed periodically to insure
system performance. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information.
To change the passenger compartment air lter,
1. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY and the
windshield wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF when the windshield
wipers are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and the air inlet grille.
5. Remove the hood weather-strip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, peeling it back
halfway.
3-36