2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX window

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Outlets. SeeOutlet
Adjustment on page 3-36.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-36.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Cruise Controls.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7
andCruise Control on page 3-12.
D. TAP-Shift
®Control (If Equipped). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-39.
G. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wiper
Lever on page 3-10.
H. Ignition. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23.
I. Driver Information Center (DIC) (If Equipped). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-55.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-94.
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-115.L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
M. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever, on Steering Column.
SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Interior Lamps Brightness Control. SeeInterior
Lamps on page 3-19.
O. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-43.
P. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-28.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
R. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
S. Head Up Display (HUD) Control (If Equipped).
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-23.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
U. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-122.
3-5

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When the
state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage
or voltage display on the Driver Information Center (DIC),
you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active. If this message is displayed, it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical loads as much
as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-67.
Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from draining in case the interior, trunk, or underhood
lamps are accidentally left on. If any of these lamps are
left on while the ignition is in LOCK/OFF, they will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes. The lamps will not
come back on again until any of the following are done:
The ignition is turned to ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY.
The interior lamps control is turned completely to
the right, then back slightly to the left.
Open, or close and reopen, a door that is closed.
If the vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
3-22

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The climate control system allows manual control of the
heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle.
Fan
9
(Fan):Turn the knob by this symbol, located on
the left side of the climate control panel, clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan
speed. The fan speed will be temporarily reduced
between the transition to a new mode. The fan will
resume the original speed when the transition to the
new mode is complete.
9(Off):Turn the knob to this position to turn the
climate control system off. Only the heated seat and/or
rear defrost can be operated when the fan is off.
Mode
Turn the middle knob to select the following modes:
H(Vent) (Outside Air):This mode directs outside air
to the instrument panel outlets. If driving in city traffic,
and the vehicle is stopped and idling, or the weather is
hot, press the recirculation button. To prevent the air
inside the vehicle from becoming stale, be sure to turn
off recirculation periodically.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to the oor
outlets. Some air may be directed toward the windshield.
Slightly cooler air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets and warmer air is directed to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed toward the side
window outlets and a little air directed to the windshield.
In this mode, the system will automatically use outside
air. The air conditioning compressor will be engaged
unless the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C) or below.
3-28

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.
3-29

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.
3-30

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.
3-31

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