Pontiac Grand Am (2002 year). Manual - part 6

2-22

Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your

ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine warms up.

NOTICE:

Holding your key in START for longer than 
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to 
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

2. If the engine doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the

accelerator pedal about one

-

quarter of the way down

while you turn the key to START. Do this until the
engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of the key.

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then

stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine still
won’t start or starts briefly but then stops again,
repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on temperature. 
When the engine starts, release the key and the
accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:

Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.

2-23

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)

2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

3400 V6 Engine

In very cold weather, 0

_F (

-

18

_C) or colder, the 

engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier 
starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm

-

up. Usually, the coolant heater should be 

plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting
your vehicle. At temperatures above 32

_F (0_C), 

use of the coolant heater is not required.

2-24

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. 

On the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine the engine 
coolant heater cord is located in front of the engine
coolant surge tank on the passenger’s side of the
engine compartment. On the 3400 V6 engine the
engine coolant heater cord is located near the engine
air cleaner/filter.

3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110

-

volt AC outlet.

CAUTION:

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three

-

prong

110

-

volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use 

a heavy

-

duty three

-

prong extension cord rated

for at least 15 amps.

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug 

and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could 
be damaged.

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

Automatic Transaxle Operation

Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located 
on the console between 
the seats.

2-25

PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. 
It’s the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.

CAUTION:

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.

Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.

If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to apply
your regular brake before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting Out of
PARK (P)” later in this section.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.

To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see “Stuck
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

2-26

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine 
doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.

CAUTION:

Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) 
while your engine is “racing” (running at high
speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is 
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you’re:
D Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your

accelerator pedal about halfway down.

D Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the

accelerator all the way down. You’ll shift down to
the next gear and have more power.

NOTICE:

If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, 
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.

2-27

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here
are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
D When driving on hilly, winding roads.
D When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting

between gears.

D When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.

NOTICE:

Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than 
25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph 
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or 
THIRD (3) as much as possible. Don’t shift 
into SECOND (2) unless you are going slower
than 65 mph (105 km/h) or you can damage 
your engine.

FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.

2-28

NOTICE:

If your front wheels can’t turn, don’t try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You can damage your transaxle.

Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

Manual Transaxle Operation

This is your shift pattern.
The clutch must be fully
pressed in when shifting a
manual transaxle to ensure
the transaxle is fully in gear.

Here’s how to operate your transaxle:

FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into 
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.

You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).

SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up 
on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press 
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press 
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift 
to NEUTRAL.

NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.

2-29

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and lift up on the ring on the shift lever to shift
into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly
while pressing the accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:

Shift into REVERSE (R) only after your 
vehicle is stopped. Shifting into REVERSE (R)
while your vehicle is moving could damage 
your transaxle.

Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brakes,
for parking your vehicle.

Once the shift lever is in REVERSE (R) the ignition can
be turned to OFF and the key removed.

Shift Speeds

CAUTION:

If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Don’t shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.

Up

-

Shift Light (Manual Transaxle) (If Equipped)

If you have a manual
transaxle, you may have a
SHIFT light. This light will
show you when to shift to
the next higher gear for the
best fuel economy.

When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if the weather, road and traffic conditions let
you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.

2-30

Parking Brake

Automatic Transaxle shown, 

Manual Transaxle similar

To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake handle up until you can press the
release button. Hold the release button in as you move
the brake handle all the way down.

NOTICE:

Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.

If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-31

Shifting Into PARK (P) 
(Automatic Transaxle Only)

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. 
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and

set the parking brake.

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

D Hold in the button on the handle.
D Push the handle all the way toward the front of

the vehicle.

3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.

4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can

leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-32

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.

If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button.

If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)

If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” 
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into 
PARK (P)” in the Index.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-33

Shifting Out of PARK (P) 
(Automatic Transaxle Only)

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition 
is in ON. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.

If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:

1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY.

2. Apply and hold the regular brake until the end 

of Step 5.

3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).

4. Turn the ignition key to START, to start the vehicle.

5. Shift to the drive gear you want.

6. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.

Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)

Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R) and firmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed
in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the 
key and release the clutch. See “Manual Transaxle
Operation” in the Index.

2-34

Parking Over Things That Burn

CAUTION:

Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

Engine Exhaust

CAUTION:

Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:
D Your exhaust system sounds strange 

or different.

D Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

D Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

D Your vehicle was damaged when driving over

high points on the road or over road debris.

D Repairs weren’t done correctly.

D Your vehicle or exhaust system had been

modified improperly.

If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into 
your vehicle:
D Drive it only with all the windows down to

blow out any CO; and

D Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-35

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)

It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.

CAUTION:

Idling the engine with the climate control 
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust.”

Also, idling in a closed

-

in place can let deadly

carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even 
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place 
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust 

--

 with 

CO 

--

 can come in easily. NEVER park in a

garage with the engine running.

Another closed

-

in place can be a blizzard. 

See “Blizzard” in the Index.

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.

If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

Horn

You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol 
on your steering wheel.

2-36

Tilt Wheel

A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level 
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter
your vehicle.

The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
D Turn and Lane

-

Change Signals

D Headlamp High/Low

-

Beam Changer

D Flash

-

to

-

Pass

D Exterior Lamps Control
For information on the exterior lamps, see “Exterior
Lamps” later in this section.

2-37

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.

To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned

-

out bulbs and then check

the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).

Lamps On Reminder

If you open the driver’s door and turn off the 
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.

When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster also will be on
if the ignition is in ON.

To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.

Flash-to-Pass

This feature lets you use your high

-

beam headlamps to

signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.

To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high

-

beam headlamps come on, then

release the lever to turn them off.