Pontiac Grand Am (2002 year). Manual - part 7

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Windshield Wipers

You control the windshield wipers by moving the lever
with the wiper symbol on it up or down.

For a single wiper cycle, push the lever down to 
MIST, then release it. For more cycles, hold the lever
down longer.

For steady wiping at low speed, move the lever up to 
the LO position. For high

-

speed wiping, move the 

lever up further, to HI. To stop the wipers, move the
lever to OFF.

You can set the wiper speed for a long or short 
delay between wipes. This can be very useful in light
rain or snow.

Move the lever to INT (Intermittent), then turn the inner
band, labeled INT ADJ (Intermittent Adjustment), and
choose the delay you want. Turn the inner band up for
shorter delay times between wiper cycles. Turn the band
down for a longer delay time between wiper cycles.

Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent 
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your
blades do become damaged, get new blades or 
blade inserts.

Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. 
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. 
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

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Windshield Washer

To wash your windshield, press the button at the end of
the stalk until the washers begin.

CAUTION:

In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.

When you release the button, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about three times or
will resume the speed you were using before.

Cruise Control (If Equipped)

The cruise control buttons are located on the bottom of
the steering wheel.

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot 
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below 
25 mph (40 km/h).

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The cruise control will turn off if any of the 
following occur:
D The brakes are applied,
D the clutch pedal is applied (manual transaxle),
D the automatic transaxle is shifted to NEUTRAL (N),
D the parking brake is applied, or
D the brake system warning light is on.

CAUTION:

D Cruise control can be dangerous where you

can’t drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

D Cruise control can be dangerous on

slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
“Enhanced Traction System” in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.

Setting Cruise Control

CAUTION:

If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.

1. Press cruise ON OFF. An indicator light will come

on when ON OFF is pressed.

2. Get up to the speed you want.

3. Press the SET COAST button and release it. The

CRUISE light on the instrument panel will come on.

4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

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Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it. Once
you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL
(Resume/Accelerate) button briefly.

You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and 
stay there.

If you press the RESUME ACCEL button longer, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
button or apply the brake. So unless you want to go
faster, don’t hold down the RESUME ACCEL button.

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
D Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.

Press the SET COAST button, then release the
button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise 
at the higher speed.

D Press the RESUME ACCEL button. Hold it there

until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the button. To increase your speed in very
small amounts, press the RESUME ACCEL button
briefly and then release it. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pressing the SET COAST button.

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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
D Press the SET COAST button until you reach the

lower speed you want, then release it.

D To slow down in very small amounts, press the SET

COAST button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control

Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

Using Cruise Control on Hills

How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.

Ending Out of Cruise Control

There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
D Step lightly on the brake pedal.
D Press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL button

and the SET COAST buttons at the same time.

D Press cruise ON OFF.
D Push the clutch pedal if you have a manual transaxle.

Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory

When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

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Exterior Lamps

The lever on the left side of of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.

: Turn the outside part of the lever with the symbol

on it, to operate the lamps.

The exterior lamp control has three positions:

  (Parking Lamps): Turning the control to 

this position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:
D Sidemarker Lamps
D Taillamps
D License Plate Lamps
D Instrument Panel Lights

  (Headlamps): Turning the control to this position

turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

AUTO: Turning the control to this position will turn 
the headlamps, taillamps and parking lamps on and off
automatically, while the ignition is on, by sensing how
dark it is outside. For more information see “Automatic
Light Control” later in this section.

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Daytime Running Lamps

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier 
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the 
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.

The DRL system will make your high

-

beam headlamps

come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
D The ignition is on,
D the exterior lamps control is in the AUTO or parking

lamps only position,

D the light sensor detects daytime light,
D the parking brake is released, and
D the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with an

automatic transaxle only.

When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will
not be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior
lamps control to the parking lamp position.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

Automatic Light Control (ALC)

When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.

Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.

The ALC system may also be on when driving through 
a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.

There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.

To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the parking brake.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.

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Headlamps Dim to Park

To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.

To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control 
to the AUTO or headlamp position.

Delayed Headlamps

The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn off.

To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the exterior lamps control located
on the multi

-

function lever up one position and then

back to AUTO.

Fog Lamps

The button for your fog
lamps is located on the
instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel.

When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low

-

beam headlamps.

Press the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Press the button again to turn the fog lamps off.

The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high

-

beam

headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.

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Interior Lamps

Instrument Panel Brightness Control

This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.

The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.

Move the thumbwheel to the right to increase brightness
and to the left to decrease brightness.

Illuminated Entry/Exit System

When you lift the driver’s door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out about 10 seconds after all of the doors have
been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON. These
lamps will also go on when you press the trunk release,
unlock symbol button or the horn symbol button on the
keyless entry system transmitter (if equipped).

The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about 
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.

Mirror Reading Lamps

Press the button on the bottom portion of the rearview
mirror to turn on the lamps. Press the other side of the
button to turn the lamps off.

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Three-Position Dome Lamp (If Equipped)

The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel brightness thumbwheel is moved to the
right. The OFF position will shut off the lamp
completely, even when a door is opened.

Your vehicle may also have two reading lamps as part 
of the dome lamp. Push the lens of either lamp to turn
them on and off.

Trunk Lamp

The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.

Battery Saver

Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.

When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery saver system will automatically
shut the lamp off after 20 minutes. This will avoid
draining the battery.

To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:
D Lift the driver’s door handle,
D open any door,
D press any remote keyless entry transmitter button 

(if equipped),

D press the power door lock switch,
D press the remote trunk release button, or
D turn the lamp that was left on to off then to on again.

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Mirrors

Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror

This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Then adjust the angle of the
mirror, by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.

To reduce glare from any headlamps behind you, move
the lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.

Manual Remote Control Mirror

The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you are
sitting in a comfortable driving position.

Adjust the driver’s side outside mirror with the lever on
the driver’s door.

To adjust your passenger’s outside mirror, sit in the
driver’s seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror 
for you.

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Power Remote Control Mirrors 
(If Equipped)

This selector knob 
controls both outside
rearview mirrors.

Select the mirror you want to adjust by turning the knob
to the left or right. Adjust each mirror so that you can
see the side of your vehicle and the area beside and
behind your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.

Turn the knob to the center to turn the remote control
mirror off.

Convex Outside Mirror

Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.

CAUTION:

A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.

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Storage Compartments

Glove Box

Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove box handle up.

Center Console Storage Area

The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc. To open, pull up on the
front of the lid.

Rear Seat Cupholder

Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholder.

Convenience Net (If Equipped)

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

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.

Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter

To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.

NOTICE:

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.

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.

You can also remove the cigarette lighter to plug in
additional accessories. Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions that are included with any
electrical accessory you install.

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Sun Visors

To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side. The visors also have
extenders that you can pull out for added coverage.

Visor Vanity Mirror

Swing down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose
the vanity mirror.

Sunroof (Option)

If your vehicle has a sunroof, the switch is located on
the headliner between the sun visors. The sunroof will
only operate when the ignition is in ON.

The sunroof can be opened to a vent position or it can be
express

-

opened all the way.

To open the sunroof to the vent position, you must first
open the sunshade by hand. Then push the switch back
and release it.

To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release it.

In both the vent and fully open positions, the air flow
can be adjusted for driving comfort by pushing and
holding the switch forward until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.

To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if the
switch is released during operation. Remember to close
the sunshade by hand.

The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.

NOTICE:

Do not attempt to force the sunshade forward of
the sliding glass panel. Damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly.

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The Instrument Panel 

--

 Your Information System

2-53

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:

A. Fog Lamp Button

B. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel

C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

D. Horn

E. Instrument Panel Cluster

F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever

G. Ignition Switch

H. Enhanced Traction System Button

I. Hazard Warning Flashers Button

J. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks

K. Hood Release Handle

L. Tilt Wheel Lever

M. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls 

(If Equipped)

N. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped)

O. Shift Lever

P. Cigarette Lighter

Q. Climate Control System

R. Audio System