1995 Pontiac Grand PRIX Owners Manual

To idle your vehicle with the DlU off, set the parking brake while the ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start your vehicle. The DRL will stay off until you release the parking brake. As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system any time you need it.

to the

Interior Lamps When any door is opened, several lamps come on. These lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easy for you to enter and leave your vehicle. You can also turn these larnps on by moving the PANEL dial all the way up. Some of the lamps have switches so you can turn them on, even when the doors are closed. These lamps are reading lamps. To avoid draining your battery, be sure to turn off all reading lamps when leaving your vehxle.

Battery Saver Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave the courtesy lamps on. If you leave the PANEL dial turned all the way up, or if you leave a door open, the lamps will automatically turn off after 10 minutes if the ignition is off. This feature will not turn off the reading lamps, only the lamps controlled by the PANEL dial. Be sure to turn off any reading lamps using the switch before you leave the vehicle.

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Sustained Interior Illumination Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set time whenever you:

Open a door. Press UNLOCK on the Remote Lock Control (if equipped). Press DOOR on the Remote Lock Control (if equipped).

If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it’s open and then turn off automatically about 18 seconds after you close it. If you don’t open a door, the lamps will turn off after about 18 seconds, unless you pressed UNLOCK on the Remote Lock Control. If you pressed UNLOCK and don’t open a door, the lamps will turn off after about 55 seconds. Sustained interior illumination includes a feature called theater dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don’t just turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly dim during the delay time until they go out. The delay time is cancelled if you turn the ignition key to RUN or START, so the lamps will go out right away. When the ignition is on, Sustained Interior Illumination is inactive, which means the courtesy lamps won’t come on.

Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps

These lamps go on when you open the doors. When the doors are closed, turn them on and off with the switches.

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Roof Console Reading Lamps (Option)

Dome Lamp

These lamps are part of the optional roof console. They will go on when you open the doors. When the doors are closed, push the button to turn the lamp on and off.

The dome lamp will go on when you open the doors. Next to the dome lamp are two reading lamps. Turn them on using the switches. Rear Reading Lamps These lamps are near each passenger door. They will go on when you open the doors. When the doors are closed, move the switch to turn the lamp on and off.

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Mirrors Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you are sitting in a comfortable &iying position. Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror

Manual Outside Mirrors Adjust the right mirror by hand. To adjust the left mirror, move the knob in the direction you want to move the mirror. Power Outside Mirrors (Option)

To reduGe glm from lamps behind you, move the leva to the night position.

The electric mirror control is near the driver’s window. Turn the control to the left to adjust the left mirror or to the right to adjust the right mirror. Then move the control in the direction you want to move the mirror.

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Convex Outside Mirror Your passenger’s side mirror is G O ~ V ~ X . A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat.

Convenience Net (Option)

Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it on the back wall of the trunk.

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Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or quick starts and stops. The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the trunk as far forward as you can. You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when you’re not using it. On two-door models, push the net down and hook it under the plastic hooks. Storage and Compartments Storage Armrest To use the storage area, fold down the armrest. Press the latch on the front edge and pull up. If you have a cupholder, flip it forward to use it. You may also have an armrest in the rear. It has a storage area for small items.

To open the storage area, press the latch on the front edge and pull up. The console has a cupholder, cassette tape storage and a coinholder.

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nunk Access Panel

If you have split rear seats, you may have a trunk access panel for storing long objects that may not fit completely in your trunk, like skis. Pull your rear armrest down, then pull the latch on the trunk access panel.

Accessory Outlet If your vehicle has a center console, you have a 12-volt outlet. It is on the passenger side, near the floor. Open the cover to use the outlet.

I NOTICE:

Adding some electrical equipment to your vehicle can damage it or keep other things from working as they should. This wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Check with your dealer before adding electrical equipment and never use anything requiring more than 20 amps.

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Sun Visors To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You can also move them from side to side. Visor Vanity Mirrors

Sunroof (Option)

Open the cover to expose the vanity mirror. If your vehicle has the optional lighted vanity mirrors, the lamps come on when you open the cover,

Your sunroof includes a sliding glass panel and a sliding sunshade. The switch works only when the ignition is on.

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To open the glass panel and sunshade, press the rear of the switch. Let go of the switch to stop the panel in any position. Press the front of the switch to close the glass panel. The sunshade can only be closed by hand. TO open the rear vent, press the front of the switch when or the sunroof is closed. Open the sunshade by hand. Press the lid and the rear of the switch to close the vent. The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if your vehicle has an electrical failure.

Ashtrays and Lighter Center Front Ashtray The center front ashtray may be on the instrument panel

on the console. To remove the console ashtray, open

lift out the ashtray using the snuffer.

For the instrument panel ashtray, open it, push down on the locking tab and pull out the ashtray.

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Rear Ashtrays

I NOTICE:

To remove the rear console ashtray, open it, push down on the snuffer and pull the ashtray out of the console. To remove the rear door ashtray, open and pull up on the ashtray door.

Cigarette Lighter To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go. When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.

NOTICE: Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to back away from the heating element when it’s ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the lighter and the heating element.

Don’t put papers and other things that burn into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other smoking materials could set them on fire, causing damage.

Instrument Panel -- Your Information System

Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and economically.

3.1L United States Version Shown, Others Similar

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Tachometer

Speedometer/Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven in either miles (used in the United States) or in kilometers (used in Canada). Your Pontiac has a tamper-resistant odometer. If you see silver lines between the numbers, you’ll know someone has probably tampered with it and the numbers may not be true. You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be. But if it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer was installed. Trip Odo~ der Your trip odometer tells how far you have driven since you last reset it. To set it to zero, press the RESET button on the right side of the instrument cluster.

II r n L J

RPM x h o

3.1L Shown, 3.4L Similar The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm).

I NOTICE:

Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in the red area, or engine damage may occur.

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Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your waming lights and gages could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights come on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in the details on the next few pages, some warning lights come on briefly when you start the engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.

Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together to let you know when there’s a problem with your vehicle. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows there may be a problem, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s ac~ xe. Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.

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Fuel Gage

Low Fuel Light

Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have left when the ignition is on. When the indicator nears EMPTY (E), you still have a little fuel left, but you should get more soon.

If your fuel is low, a light will come on and stay on until you add fuel. It will also come on for a few seconds when you first turn on the ignition as a check to show you it’s working. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed.

Here are some things owners ask about. All these situations are normal and do not show a problem with your fuel gage:

At the service station, the pump shuts off before the gage reads FULL (F). It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill it. The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or speed up.

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Charging System Light

Safety Belt Reminder Light

The charging system light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition, as a check to, show you it’s working. Then it should go out.

I -

When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will come on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.

If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a problem with the charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose drive belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on could drain your battery. If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.

The safety belt light will also come on and stay on until the driver’s belt is buckled.

Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows SRS AIR BAG or the air bag symbol. The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if electrical problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors and modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.

there is an

or

You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you turn your ignition to RUN START. Then the light should go out. This means the system is ready.

If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you are driving, your air bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.

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Brake System Warning Light

It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, or if the anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” and “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index .)

Your Pontiac’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well.

If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away. This light should come on briefly as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem. If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.

The brake system warning light will also come on when you set your parking brake, and it will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.

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0

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light (Option) 2 8 0 1 0

With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come RPM x1 000 on when you start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds. That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

If the light flashes when you’re driving, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there could be a problem with your regular brakes. Pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer ‘to the floor. It may take longer to stop. Have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.)

If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re driving, your Pontiac needs service. If the light is on but not flashing and the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes.

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Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light (Option)

When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, the LOW TRAC light will come on.

Engine Coolant Temperature Light

-k 100

This light tells you that your engine coolant has overheated or your radiator cooling fan is not working.

Slippery road conditions will exist if this light comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly. The light will stay on for a few seconds after the system stops adjusting brake pressure. The LOW TRAC light also comes on briefly, as a bulb check, when the engine is started. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the system is active.

If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. Hot Coolant Can Burn You Badly! In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating’’ in the Index.

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En.gine Coolant Temperature Gage You have a gage that shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too hot!

Low Coolant Warning Light

If this light comes on, your system is low on coolant and the engine may overheat. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.

That reading means the same thing as the warning light. It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. Hot Coolant Can Burn You Badly! In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.

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Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)

A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control systems. This light should come on when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working.

If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or it comes on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for service soon.

NOTICE: If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a while the emission controls won’t work as well, your fuel economy won’t be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs not covered by your warranty.

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Oil Warning Light

If you have a problem with your oil, this light may stay on after you start your engine, or come on when you are driving.

0 Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the

light may blink on and off. This is normal. If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a moment. This is normal.

This indicates that oil is not going through your engine quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine could be low on oil or could have some other oil problem. Have it fixed right away. The oil light could also come on in three other situations: 0 When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,

the light will come on as a test to show you it is working, but the light will go out when you turn the ignition to START. If it doesn’t come on with the ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have it fixed right away.

NOTICE: Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be costly and is not covered by your warranty.

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Low Oil Level Light

Security Light

Your engine is equipped with an oil level monitoring system. When the ignition key is turned on, the LOW OIL LEVEL light will briefly flash. If the light does not flash, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.

This light will come on when you turn the key to START and stay on until the vehicle starts. It will also come on and stay on if your key is too dirty or wet for the PASS-Key@II system to read the resistor pellet.

If the resistor pellet is damaged or missing, the light will flash. If you’re driving and the light comes on and remains on, your PASS,Key~II system is not working properly. Your vehicle is not protected by should see your dealer.

and you

If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface and turn the engine off. Check the oil level using the engine oil dipstick. (See “Engine Oil” in the Index.) If‘ the light does not flash, have the low oil level sensor system repaired SO it will be ready to warn you if there’s The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level during the brief period between key on and engine crank. It does not monitor engine oil level when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is only performed if the engine has been turned off for a considerable period of time, allowing the oil normally circulation to drain back into the oil pan.

problem.

in

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Trip Calculator (Option)

When you start your engine, the trip calculator will display a mode. A lighted arrow shows which mode is displayed. INST ECON: Shows your fuel economy when you select this mode. This display will update every second and cannot be reset. AVG ECON: Shows your average fuel economy since you last reset this mode. AVG SPEED: Shows your average speed since you last reset this mode. It counts only the time the engine is running. The disp1.a~ will be updated every three seconds until you select another mode.

WEL USED: Shows the total amount of fuel used since you last reset this mode. The amount can be displayed in gallons or liters. RANGE: Shows how much farther you can travel with the fuel you have before refueling. If there is less than one-eighth of a tank, LOF’UEL will be displayed. If the fuel level is low enough, LOFUEL will show on the display in all modes. The message will flash for 60 seconds and then stay on until you add more fuel. You can’t reset RANGE mode. Range is updated automatically when you reset AVG ECON. ‘EXT TEMP: Shows the temperature outside your vehicle. Temperature can be displayed in Fahrenheit or Celsius. This mode can’t be reset. TRIP: Shows how far you’ve driven since you last reset this mode. ELAPSED TIME: Shows how much time has passed with the engine running since you last reset this mode.

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Control Buttons The trip calculator has three buttons that control its functions. MODE: Press this button to change the mode being displayed. EM: Press this button to change the display from English to metric units or metric to English. RESET Press this button for one second to reset the mode displayed. If you push and hold RESET for more than five seconds, all the modes will reset. You can’t reset INST ECON, RANGE or EXT TEMP. Head-Up Display (Option)

If you have the Head-Up Display (HUD), you can see the speedometer reading, in English or metric units, displayed “through” the windshield.

The HUD also shows these lights when they are the instrument panel:

lit on

Turn Signal Indicators

0 High-Beam Indicator Symbol

Low Fuel Symbol

0 Oil Warning Symbol 0 Coolant Temperature Symbol

Charging System Symbol

When you sit straight in your seat, the HUD image will appear straight ahead near the front bumper. When the ignition key is turned to RUN, all possible HUD images will come on. Then the Head-Up Display will operate normally.

NOTICE: Although the HUD image appears to be near the front of the vehicle, do not use it as a parking aid. The HUD was not designed for that purpose. If you try to use it that way, such as in a parking lot, you may misjudge distance and run into something.

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‘To adjust the HUD so you can see it properly:

1. Start your engine and turn the HUD dial all the way up.

If the sun comes out, it becomes cloudy, or if you turn on your headlamps, you may need to adjust the HUD brightness again, Polarizing sunglasses could make the HUD image harder to see.

When the headlamps are off, the HUD image will be at a preset daytime brightness. When the headlamps are on, the HUD image brightness is controlled by the d i m e r control.

2.

3.

4.

Adjust your seat, if necessary, to a comfortable position. Press the top of the IMAGE switch until the HUD image stops moving. Then press the bottom of the switch until the image is as low as possible but in full view. Turn the HUD dial down until the HUD image is no brighter than necessary. To turn the HUD off, turn the HUD dial all the way down.

speedometer from English to metric or metric to English. If you don’t have the trip calculator, you can’t 1 change the display.

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If YOU Can’t See the HUD Image When the Ignition Is On

Is anything covering the HUD unit? Is the HUD dimmer setting bright enough? Is the HUD image adjusted to the proper height? Still no HUD image? Check the fuse in the I/P Electronics position in the instrument panel fuse block. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.

If the HUD Image Is Not Clear Is the HUD image too bright?

0 Are the windshield and HUD lens clean? Your windshield is part of the HUD system. If you ever have to have a new windshield, be sure to get one designed for HUD. If you don’t, the HUD image may look blurred and out of focus.

Care of the Head-Up Display

Clean the inside of the windshield as needed to remove any dirt or film that reduces the sharpness or clarity of the HUD image. To clean the HUD, spray household glass cleaner on a soft, clean cloth. Wipe the HUD lens gently, then dry it. Do not spray cleaner directly on the lens because the cleaner could leak into the unit.

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NOTES

. .

. .

. . .

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NOTES

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7

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control systems and audio systems offered with your Pontiac. Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle. Air Conditioning with Electronic Controls

System Controls Fan Knob The left knob selects the force of air you want. To turn the fan off, turn the knob to OFF. The fan must be on to run the air conditioning compressor.

Temperature Knor, The center knob changes the temperature of the air coming through the system. Turn this knob toward red (clockwise) for warmer air. Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) for cooler air.

With this system, you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best if you keep your windows closed while using it.

3-1

+)d DEFOG: This setting allows half of the air to go window vents. 9 DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air

to the floor ducts and half to the defroster and side

through the defroster and side window vents. Some of the air goes to the floor ducts. The air conditioning compressor will run automatically in this setting unless the outside temperature is below 40°F (4.5"C). (Even when the compressor is running, you can control the temperature.) Air Conditioning Compressor Button Press the A/C button to operate the air conditioning compressor. The indicator light above the button will glow when the button is pressed. You don't have to press the button to run the compressor in MAX or DEFROST.

Mode Knob The right knob has several settings to control the direction of air flow. For each setting, set the temperature to a comfortable setting. MAX: This setting recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle and sends it through the instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor will run automatically in this setting unless the outside temperature is below 40°F (4.5"C). (Even when the compressor is running, you can control the temperature.) - b e /.I VENT This setting brings in outside air and directs it through the instrument panel outlets. +' BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and

+e

directs it two ways. Half of the air is directed through the instrument panel outlets. Most of the remaining air is directed through the floor ducts and a little to the defrost and side window vents.

FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air

through the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the defroster and side window vents.

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Air Conditioning On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time the compressor has to run, which should help fuel economy. For quick cool-down on very hot days, use MAX with the temperature knob all the way in the blue area. If this setting is used for long periods of time, the air in your vehicle may become too dry. For normal cooling on hot days, use VENT with the temperature h o b in the blue area and the A/C button pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and cool it. On cool but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper body, but your lower body may not be warm enough. You can use BI-LEVEL with the temperature knob in the middle and the A/C button pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly warmed air to your lower body. You may notice this temperature difference more at some times than others.

Heating On cold days use FLOOR with the temperature knob all the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside air, heat it and send it to the floor ducts. If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s cold outside (0°F (-lS0C) or lower). An engine coolant heater warms the coolant your engine and heating system use to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index. Ventilation For mild outside temperatures when little heating or cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation system described later in this section. Defogging and Defrosting Windows Your system has two settings for clearing the front and side windows. To defrost the windows quickly, use DEFROST with the temperature knob all the way in the red area. To warm passengers while keeping the windows clean, use DEFOG.

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Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window. Press the button to turn the defogger on. It will turn itself off after about 10 minutes.

If you turn it on again, the defogger will only run for about five minutes before turning off. You can also turn it off by turning off the ignition or pressing the button again. Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license or decal across the defogger grid.

NOTICE: Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

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Flow-Through Ventilation System Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning fan is running. Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the mode knob to FLOOR and the fan to the highest speed for a few moments before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects. This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.

Audio Systems Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your Delco@system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it. Setting the Clock Radio Without Cassette Tape or Compact Disc Player 1. With the ignition on, press SET. SET will appear on

the display for five seconds. Press and hold the up arrow on the SEEK button until the correct minute appears. Press and hold the down arrow on the SEEK button until the correct hour appears.

2.

3.

Radio with Cassette Tape or Compact Disc Player 1. Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. 2. Press and hold MIN until the correct minute appears.

AM/FM Stereo Radio Playing the Radio Turn the VOLUME knob to turn the system on or off. VOLUME: Turn this knob clockwise to increase volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume. RCL: Press upper knob briefly to recall the station being played or the clock display.

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Setting the Tone BASS: Slide the lever up or: down to increase or decrease bass. The middle position is a detent. TREB: Slide the lever up or down to increase or decrease treble. The middle position is a detent. If a station is weak or noisy, you may want to decrease treble. Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Turn the control behind the upper knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers. The middle position is a detent and balances the speakers. FADE: Turn the control behind the lower knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle position is a detent and balances the speakers.

Pinding a Station AM/FM: Press the lower knob to get AM or F M . The display shows your selection. TUNE: Turn the lower knob to choose radio stations. SEEK: Press the up or down mow to go to the next higher or lower station. Presets: The four pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 14 stations (7 AM and 7 FM). 1. Press A" to select the band. 2. Find the station you want. 3. Press SET until the word SET appears on the

display.

4. Press and hold one of the four numbered buttons, or

press and hold two side-by-side buttons.

5. The sound will mute. When it returns, release the

buttons.

Whenever you press that numbered button or pair of buttons, the station you set will return.

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Optional AM/F” Stereo Radios If your Pontiac has a radio with a cassette tape player, a compact disc player or a graphic equalizer, the instructions below will explain how to use the radio. For other features, see the instructions for the feature your radio has.

Playing the Radio Push POWER to turn the system on or off. VOL: Turn this knob clockwise to increase volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume. RECALL: Press this button briefly to recall the station being played or the clock display. If you press the button when the ignition is off, the clock will show for a few seconds.

Finding a Station AMm: Press this button to get AM, FMl or FM2.

The display shows your selection. TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to choose radio stations. Push the knob back in when you’re not using it.

SEEK: Press the up or down arrow to go to the next higher or lower station. Presets: The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (6 AM, 6 FM1 and 6 FM2). 1. Press AMRM to select the band. 2. Find the station you want. 3. Press and hold one of the six numbered butt S. 4. The sound will mute. When it returns and SET

appears on the display, release the button.

Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return. Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers. The middle position is a detent and balances the speakers. FADE: Press the knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle position is a detent and balances the speakers. Push the knob back in when you’re not using it.

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Setting the Tone BASS: Slide the lever right or left to increase or decrease bass. The middle position is a detent. TREBLE: Slide the lever right or left to increase or decrease treble. The middle position is a detent. If a station is weak or noisy, you may want to decrease treble.

Using the Graphic Equalizer The equalizer allows you to adjust seven separate frequencies of sound to your taste, instead of just bass and treble. Start with the levers in their middle positions. Move a lever up to emphasize a frequency or down to de-emphasize it.

Playing a Cassette Tape The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If the radio is on, the tape will begin playing. If you hear nothing or hear a garbled sound, the tape may not be in squarely. Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over. While the tape is playing, use the VOL, FADE, BAL, TREBLE, BASS and the graphic equalizer controls just as you do for the radio. Other controls may have different functions when a tape is inserted. The display will show a cassette symbol and an arrow to show which side of the tape is playing. Your tape bias is set automatically.

Press this button to search for the previous

selection on the tape. Your tape must have at least fow seconds of silence between each selection for PREV to work. NEXT: Press this button to go to the next selection on the tape. Your tape must have at least four seconds of silence between each selection for NEXT to work.

The SEEK down and up arrows will also find the previous and next selections on the tape. REV: Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly. Press it again to return to playing speed. The radio will play while the tape reverses. Use TUNE or SEEK to change the radio station. FWD: Press this button to advance quickly to another part of the tape. Press the button again to return to playing speed. The radio will play while the tape advances. Use TUNE or SEEK to change the radio station. PROG: Press this button to change the side of the tape that is playing. 00: Press this button to reduce background noise on Dolby@ encoded tapes. Dolby@ B Noise Reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. “Dolby” and the On@ symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

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AM/F”: Press this button to play the radio when a tape is playing. The tape will stop but remain in the player. TAPE/PLAY: Press this button to change to the tape function when the radio is on. The cassette symbol with an mow will appear on the display when the tape is active. EJECT: Press this button to remove the tape. The radio will play. Cln: This message may appear on the display. If it does, It will still your cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and player. See “Care of Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the Cln indicator. “- - -” will appear in the display to show the indicator was reset.

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Playing a Compact Disc Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in. If the radio is on, the disc will begin playing. The CD symbol will appear on the display. If you’re driving on a very rough road, the disc may not play and ERR may appear on the display. The disc If ERR should play when the road gets smoother. appears on the display and the disc comes back out, could be that: 0 The disc is upside down. 0 It is dirty, scratched or wet.

it

It is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and try again.

REV: Press and hold this button to return to a passage quickly. The display will show elapsed time. FWD: Press and hold this button to advance to a passage quickly. The display will show elapsed time. RBM: Press this button to hear the tracks in random order. Press it again to turn off random play. A M / F M : Press this button to play the radio when a disc is playing. The disc will stop but remain in the player. CDPLAY: Press this button to change to the disc function when the radio is on. The disc will start playing at the point where it was stopped. The CD symbol and CD will appear on the display when the disc is active. EJECT: Press this button to remove the disc. The radio will play if it is on. THEFTLOCK Your system has this feature if it shows THEFTLOCK on its face. THEFTLOCK is a theft-deterrent feature that can be used or ignored. If you ignore it, your system will play normally. If you use it, your system can’t be turned on if it is stolen because it locks anytime battery power is removed. To unlock it, a code must be entered. These instructions will tell you how to enter a code into your system. They also tell you how to unlock the system with your code and how to shut off the THEFTLOCK system.

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RECALL: Press this button to see which track is playing. Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has been playing (elapsed time). Press it again to return to time, or let the display return automatically. PREV: Press this button to go to the start of the current track, if more than eight seconds ha.ve played. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving back or forward through the disc. NEXT: Press this button to go to the next track. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving forward through the disc. The SEEK down and up arrows will also find the previous and next selections on the tape.

Entering a Code 1.

2. 3. 4.

5. 6.

7.

8.

9.

Write down any number from 000 to 1999. This is your code. Turn the ignition to ACC or RUN. Turn the radio off. Press the 1 and 4 preset buttons at the same time and hold until “- - -” shows-on the display. You now have only 15 seconds between each of the following steps. Press MIN and “000” will appear on the display. Press MIN again and hold until the last two digits of your code appear. Press and hold HR until the first digit or digits of your code appear. Press A” after you make sure the code matches the one you wrote down. “rEP” will appear on the display, meaning you should repeat Steps 5 through 7. After you repeat the steps, press A ” . SEC should appear on the display, meaning your system is secured. If your ignition is off, the THEmZOCK indicator light on the radio face will flash.

Store the paper with your code written on it in place (not in your vehicle). 3-12

a safe

Unlocking the System If battery power is removed €or any reason, LOC will appear on the display when power is reapplied. You will need to enter your code to unlock the system. You have only 15 seconds between each of the following steps. 1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display. 2. Press MIN and “000” will appear on the display. 3. Press MIN again and hold until the last two digits of

your code appear.

4. Press and hold HR until the first digit or digits of

your code appear.

5. Press AM/FM after you make sure the code matches

the one you wrote down. SEC should appear on the display, meaning you can now use your system, and. it is secured. If LOC appears, you entered the wrong code and the system is still locked.

If you enter the wrong code eight times, InOP will appear on the display. You will have to wait an hour with the ignition on before you can try again. When you try again, you will only have three chances to enter the correct code before InOP appears. If you lose or forget your code and cannot unlock the system, contact you dealer.

Understanding Radio Reception F M Stereo FM Stereo will give you the best sound, but mVr signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (1 6 to 65 km). Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for F M , especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can also pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. To lower this noise, try reducing the treble level.

Disabling THEFTLOCK If you want to turn off THEFTLOCK, you will neea to enter your code. If you lose or forget your code, see your dealer. 1. Turn the ignition on and the radio off. 2. Press the 1 and 4 preset buttons at the same time and

hold until SEC shows on the display. You now have only 1.5 seconds between each of the following steps.

3. Press MIN and “000” will appear on the display. 4. Press MIN again and hold until the last two digits of

your code appear.

5. Press and hold HR until the first digit or digits of

your code appear.

6. Press AMEM after you make sure the code matches the one you wrote down. “- - -” should appear on the display, meaning your system is unsecured. If SEC appears, you entered the wrong code and the system is still secured.

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Tips About Your Audio System Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher volumes df sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud and hannful to your hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it. To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting. Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.

I NOTICE:

Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way radio - be sure you can add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio or other systems, and even damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added improperly. So, before adding sound equipment, check with your retailer and be sure to check Federal rules covering mobile radio and telephone units.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly is subject to reduced sound quality, ruining the cassette, or damaging the mechanism. Tape cassettes that are not properly stored in their plastic cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat may not operate properly and could cause premature failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned with every 50 hours of use to provide optimum performance. Your radio may display Cln to indicate that you have used your tape player for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, regardless of when the tape player was last cleaned, try playing a different cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If the second cassette results in no improvement in sound quality, try cleaning the tape player. Proper tape player cleaning should be done with a scrubbing action, nonabrasive cleaner cassette. This is a wet-type cleaning system that uses a cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as the hubs cleaner cassette turn. To properly clean your tape player, follow the instructions with the cleaning cassette. If you use this type of cleaner, the radio may display an error and eject the cartridge. This is normal and is the result

of the

of an added feature in the tape player that detects broken tapes. If an error occurs, you will need to insert the cleaning cassette at least three times to thoroughly clean the tape player. You may prefer to use a non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner. This type of cleaner uses a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This type of cleaner cassette will not cause an error, but it may not clean the tape player as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner. A scrubbing action cleaner is available through your dealer (GM Part No. 12344600). Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always verify that the cassette tape is in good condition and the tape player obtaining service on your tape player. Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge. Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.

is clean before

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I NOTICE:

Don’t lubricate the power antenna. Lubrication could damage it.

1 NOTICE:

Before entering an automatic car wash, turn off your radio to make the power antenna go down. This will prevent the mast from possibly getting damaged. If the antenna does not go down when you turn the radio off, it may be damaged or need to be cleaned. In either case, lower the antenna by hand by carefully pressing the antenna down.

If the mast portion of your antenna is damaged, you can easily replace it. See your retailer for a replacement kit and follow the instructions in the kit.

Fixed Mast Antenna The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes without being damaged. If the mast should ever become slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should replace it. Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still tightened to the fender. Power Antenna Mast Care Your power antenna will look its best and work well if it’s cleaned from time to time. TO clean the antenna mast: 1. Turn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna. 2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or

equivalent solvent.

3. Wipe dirt.

.e cloth over the mast sections, removing any

4. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. 5. Make the antenna go up and down by turning the

radio or ignition off and on.

6. Then repeat if necessary.

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Steering Wheel Touch Controls (Option)

You can control certain audio system functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.

VOLUME: Press the up or down arrows to increase or decrease volume. PLAY: Press to play the CD or cassette instead of the radio. MUTE: Press to silence the system. Press again to turn on the sound. SEEK: Press the up or down arrows to tune to the next or previous radio station. If a tape or compact disc is playing, the player will advance or rewind. PRESET Press to play a station you have programmed on the radio preset buttons. AM FM: Press to choose AM, FM1 or FM2. If a tape or compact disc is playing, it will stop and the radio will Play-

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NOTES

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Section 4 Your Driving and the Road

Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Pontiac: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.) Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.

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Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving.

Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle:

Judgment Muscular Coordination Vision Attentiveness

Police records show that almost half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. In recent years, some 18,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with more than 300,000 people injured. Many adults -- by some estimates, nearly half the adult population -- choose never to drink alcohol, so they never drive after drinking. For persons under 2 1, it’s against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological and developmental reasons for these laws.

The obvious way to solve this bghway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much” if the driver plans to drive? It’s a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem. The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things: 0 How much alcohol consumed 0 The drinker’s body weight 0 The amount of food that is consumed before and

during drinking The length of time it .has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol

According to the American Medical Association, a 180-pound (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1 - 1/2 ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.

woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In a growing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, the limit is 0.08 percent. In some other countries it’s even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the U.S. is 0.04 percent. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAG of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is twelve times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chance is twenty-five times greater !

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It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a somewhat lower BAC level. There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a

The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. ‘‘I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or heart. This means that when anyone who has been drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, that person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking.

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Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.

Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes.

in an emergency, so

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide.. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

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Bnti-Lock Brakes (Option) :f your Pontiac has anti-lock brakes (ABS), it has an dvanced electronic braking system that will help Irevent a braking skid. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, the brake pedal will ;ay so.

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much If you keep pace faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life. If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

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I 2 6 0 L 0 0

And this light on the instrument panel will come R p M x1 000 on briefly when you start

your vehicle.

When you start your vehicle, or when you begin to drive away, you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. And you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing itself. If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on or flash. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with A B S . A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels.

~~

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If you get too

As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal. close to the vehicle in front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. To Use Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this normal. When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, the LOW TRAC light will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light” in the Index.

is

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions.

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.

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Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. However, if you don’t have anti-lock, your first reaction -- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down -- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can’t respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic. If you don’t have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking technique. This will give you maximum braking while maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure. In an emergency you will probably want to “squeeze” the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help you retain steering control. (If you do have anti-lock, it’s different: see “Anti-Lock Brakes’’ in the Index.) In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.

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Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems -- steering and braking -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you’re steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration -- can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. 4-10

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your Pontiac can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes -- but, unless you have anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels. (See “Braking in Emergencies” earlier in this section.) It is better to remove as much speed as you can from possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.

Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

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The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision. so

here are some tips for passing: “Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time. Watch for trafk signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffk.

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Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot.

0 Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is.) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle. Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.

Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your Pontiac’s three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.

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If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you have any doubt. Lf you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering

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control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling, you will have steering control. Driving at Night

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.

Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively. Don’t drink and drive, Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.

to slow

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re

driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot of things invisible. You can be temporarily blinded by approaching headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamps. Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren’t even aware of it.

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Driving in the Rain

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people walking. It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

trouble. On a wet

Rain and wet roads can mean driving road you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. 4-16

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But i€ you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Turn on your low-beam headlamps -- not just your parking lamps -- to help make you more visible to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)

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City Driving

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:

Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most the large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See next part, “Freeway Driving.”)

0 Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals.

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Freeway Driving

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.

The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow. Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot.

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Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance, Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are. Before Leaving on a Long Trip Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s work -- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily drive in.

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Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Pontiac dealers all across North America. They’ll..be ready and willing to help if you need it. Here are some things you can check before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean inside and outside? Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape? Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels? Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean? Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure? Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system? Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a second, and you could crash and be injured. What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can happen. Then here are some tips:

it

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool interior. Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your instruments frequently. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.

Hill and Mountain Roads

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain.

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If you drive regularly in steep country, or 11 you re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. 0 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid

levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.

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Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can clirnb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There coula be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

Winter Driving

Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your Pontiac in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine coolant mix is correct. You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your trunk.

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.

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Driving on Snow or Ice Most o€ the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful.

What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice,” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing (32 OF; 0” G ) and freezing rain begins to €all. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose snow -- drive with caution. Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish under the tires even more. Unless you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to brake very gently, too. (If you do have anti-lock, see “Anti-Lock” in the Index. This system improves your vehicle’s ability to make a hard stop on a slippery road.) Whether you have the anti-lock braking system or not, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. Without anti-lock brakes, if you feel your vehicle begin to slide, let up on the brakes a little. Push the brake pedal down steadily to get the most traction you can.

the surface

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If You’re Caught in a Blizzard

Remember, unless you have anti-lock, if you brake so hard that your wheels stop rolling, you’ll just slide. Brake so your wheels always keep rolling and you can