Pontiac Grand Am (2002 year). Manual - part 10

3-17

Setting Preset Stations

The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to 
your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations 
(six AM, six FM1 and six FM2) by performing the
following steps:

1. Turn the radio on.

2. Press BAND to select AM, FM1 or FM2.

3. Tune in the desired station.

4. Press EQ to select the equalization.

5. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons

until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the station you set will return
and the equalization that you selected will also be
automatically selected for that pushbutton.

6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)

TONE: Press and release this button until BASS, 
MID or TREB appears on the display. The SELECT
LED indicator will light to show that the tone control
can be adjusted. When adjusting BASS, MID or TREB,
turn the SELECT knob clockwise to increase or
counterclockwise to decrease. If a station is weak or
noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.

To adjust all of the tone controls to the middle position,
press and hold TONE until FLAT appears on the display.

3-18

EQ (Equalizer): This feature allows you to choose
preset bass, mid and treble equalization settings
designed for different program types. Press EQ to select
the desired preset equalization setting. Each time you
press EQ, another setting will appear on the display.

You can preset up to six equalization settings by
performing the following steps:

1. Turn the radio on.

2. Use the TONE button and the SELECT knob to

select the desired equalization.

3. Press and hold EQ for two seconds. SELECT EQ #

will appear on the display. The EQ icon will flash.

4. Press EQ or turn the SELECT knob to select the

desired EQ number. Each time you press EQ or turn
the SELECT knob, another EQ setting will appear on
the display.

5. Press and hold the EQ button or push the SELECT

knob to store the equalization preset. You will hear a
beep and EQ SAVED will appear on the display.

6. Repeat the steps for each EQ setting.

EQ 5 has been programmed at the factory for use with
talk radio, but it can be preset to a different tone.

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)

BAL (Balance): Press and release this button until BAL
appears on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will
light to show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the left or right
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.

FADE: Press and release this button until FADE appears
on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will light to
show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the front or rear
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.

Pressing and holding the BAL FADE button for two
seconds will return all tone settings to flat regardless 
of tone selected. FLAT will appear on the display.

3-19

Using RDS

Your audio system is equipped with a Radio Data
System (RDS). RDS is a system that receives data along
with the audio of the FM station you are currently tuned
to. You can use RDS to display program information
and to control your radio. With RDS, the radio can do
the following:
D Seek only to stations with the types of programs you

want to listen to,

D seek to stations with traffic announcements,
D receive announcements concerning local and

national emergencies, and

D receive and display messages from radio stations.
RDS is always on. RDS features are only available for
use on FM stations which broadcast RDS information.
The RDS features of your radio rely upon receiving
specific RDS information from these stations. These
features will only work when the RDS information is
available. In rare cases, a radio station may broadcast
incorrect information that will cause the radio features
to work improperly. If this happens, contact the 
radio station.

When you are tuned to an RDS station, the station name
will appear on the display, instead of the frequency.
Most RDS stations provide their station name, the time
of day and a Program Type (PTY) for their current
programming. Some stations also provide the name 
of the current program.

Finding a PTY Station

PROG TYPE (Program Type): This button is used to
turn on and off Program Type (PTY) select. P

-

TYPE

will appear on the display and the SELECT LED
indicator will light. The last selected PTY will appear on
the display for five seconds. Turn the SELECT knob to
select the PTY you want to listen to. Press the SEEK up
arrow and the radio will search for an RDS station that
is broadcasting the PTY that you have selected. The last
PTY selected will be used for seek or scan modes. When
the SELECT LED indicator is on and a PTY is not
displayed, the first time SEEK is pressed, the last
selected PTY will be displayed. Press the SEEK up
arrow again to seek. If a station with the selected PTY is
not found, NOT FOUND will appear on the display.

3-20

To use the PTY interrupt feature, press and hold PROG
TYPE until you hear a beep on the PTY you want to
interrupt. An asterisk will appear next to the PTY name,
for example (CLASSICAL*). The radio will also
display brackets around the PTY when the PTY
interrupt is active. To disable the PTY interrupt, select
the interrupt format and press and hold the PROG TYPE
button until you hear a beep. The asterisk will be
removed from the display and so will the brackets.
When you are listening to a cassette tape or a compact
disc, the last selected RDS FM station will interrupt play
if that selected PTY format is broadcast.

BAND (Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequency
allows the radio to switch to a stronger station with the
same programming. Press and hold BAND for two
seconds to turn alternate frequency on. AF ON will
appear on the display. The radio may switch to stronger
stations. Press and hold BAND again for two seconds to
turn alternate frequency off. AF OFF will appear on the
display. The radio will not switch to other stations.

Setting Preset PTY Stations

The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to 
your favorite Program Types (PTYs). These 
pushbuttons have factory PTY presets. You can 
set up to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2) by 
performing the following steps:

1. Press BAND to select FM1 or FM2.

2. Press PROG TYPE, if it is not already on.

3. Turn the SELECT knob to select a PTY.

4. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons

until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the PTY you set will return.

5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

3-21

RDS Messages

ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off alert
announcements. ALERT! appears on the display when an
alert announcement plays. When an alert announcement
comes on the current radio station, you will hear it, even if
the volume is muted or a cassette tape or a compact disc is
playing. If the cassette tape or compact disc player is
playing, play will stop for the announcement and resume
when the announcement is finished.

This function will only work during actual emergency
broadcasts, and will not work during tests of the
emergency broadcast system. This feature is not
supported by all RDS stations.

INFO (Information): If the current station has a
message, INFO will appear on the display. These text
messages are from the RDS broadcaster to the listening
public and may be general information such as artist and
song title, call in phone numbers, etc. Press this button to
see the message. If the whole message does not appear on
the display, parts of the message will appear every three
seconds until the message is completed. To scroll through
the message at your own speed press the INFO button
again for less than one second. A new group of words will
appear on the display. Once the complete message has
been displayed, INFO will disappear from the display until
another new message is received.

The old message can be displayed by pressing the INFO
button until a new message is received or a different
station is tuned to. If the INFO button is pressed when
INFO is not displayed and an old message has not been
stored by the radio, the radio will display NO INFO.

TRAF (Traffic): Press this button to receive traffic
announcements. The traffic announcement brackets will
appear on the display. TRAF will appear on the display
if the current station broadcasts traffic announcements.
If the current station does not broadcast traffic
announcements, the radio will seek to a station that
does. When the radio finds a station that broadcasts
traffic announcements, it will stop. TRAF will appear on
the display. If no station is found, NO TRAFFIC will
appear on the display.

Your radio can be programmed to interrupt the playback
of a CD, cassette or FM radio by enabling the traffic
interrupt feature. Press the TRAF button once to turn on
the traffic feature, if supported by the current RDS
station. If the station does not support the traffic
interrupt feature, the radio will search for an RDS
station that does support the feature. When the traffic
interrupt feature is on, TRAF will appear on the display.

3-22

When a traffic announcement comes on the current radio
station or a related network station, you will hear it,
even if the volume is muted or a cassette tape or a
compact disc is playing. If the cassette tape or compact
disc player was being used, the cassette tape or compact
disc will stay in the player and resume play at the point
where it stopped.

Radio Messages

CALIBRATE: Your audio system has been calibrated
for your vehicle from the factory. If CALIBRATE
appears on the display, it means that your radio has not
been configured properly for your vehicle and must be
returned to the dealership for service.

Playing a Cassette Tape

Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
up to 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer
than that are so thin they may not work well in this
player. The longer side with the tape visible should face
to the right. If the ignition is on, but the radio is off, the
tape can be inserted and will begin playing. If you hear
nothing but a garbled sound, the tape may not be in
squarely. Press the eject button to remove the tape and
start over.

While the tape is playing, use the VOL, BAL, FADE,
TONE, EQ and SEEK controls just as you do for the
radio. The display will show TAPE and an arrow
showing which side of the tape is playing. The tape
player automatically begins playing the other side when
it reaches the end of the tape.

Your tape bias is set automatically when a metal or
chrome tape is inserted. If you want to insert a tape
when the ignition is off, first press the eject button or
push the RCL knob.

If an error appears on the display, see “Cassette Tape
Messages” later in this section.

1 

(Forward): Press this pushbutton to advance

quickly to another part of the tape. Press this pushbutton
again to return to playing speed. The radio will play the
last selected station while the tape advances. You may
select stations during forward operation by using TUNE.

While in forward mode, the display will show FREQ
and FWD and two right arrows. If the radio is playing a
RDS station, the display will only show FREQ.

2

(Side): Press this pushbutton to play the other

side of the tape.

3-23

4 

 (Reverse): Press this pushbutton to reverse the

tape rapidly. Press it again to return to playing speed.
The radio will play the last selected station while the
tape reverses. You may select stations during reverse
operation by using TUNE.

6 

D (Dolby): Press this pushbutton to reduce

background noise. DOLBY NR ON will appear on 
the display. Press it again to turn Dolby NR off.

Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license
from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby
and the double

-

D symbol are trademarks of Dolby

Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desired 
preset equalization setting while playing a cassette. 
The equalization will be automatically set whenever you
play a cassette tape. See “EQ” listed previously for 
more information.

 SEEK 

: Press the up or down arrow to search for

the next or previous selection on the tape. Your tape
must have at least three seconds of silence between each
selection for seek to work. You can skip nine selections
up or down on the tape. Choose how many selections
you want to skip. Press the SEEK arrow that many
times. The number of selections to be skipped will
appear on the display.

 SCAN 

: Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows

for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the
display and you hear a beep. The tape will go to the next
selection, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next
selection. Press this button again to stop scanning. The
sound will mute and SCAN will appear on the display
while scanning. The tape will scan in forward only.

BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
tape is playing. The tape will stop but remain in the
player. The inactive tape or CD will remain safely inside
the radio for future listening.

CD TAPE: Press this button to switch between playing
a cassette tape and a compact disc, if both are loaded,
when listening to the radio. The display will show tape
and CD icons.

 (Eject): Press this button, located next to the

cassette tape slot, to eject a tape. Eject may be activated
with either the ignition or radio off. Cassettes may be
loaded with the radio and ignition off if this button is
pressed first.

3-24

Cassette Tape Messages

If an error occurs while trying to play a cassette tape, 
it could be for one of the following reasons:

TIGHT TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is tight and the player can’t turn the tape hubs.
Remove the tape. Hold the tape with the open end down
and try to turn the right hub counterclockwise with a
pencil. Turn the tape over and repeat. If the hubs do not
turn easily, your tape may be damaged and should not be
used in the player. Try a new tape to make sure your
player is working properly.

BROKEN TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is broken. Try a new tape.

WRAPPED TAPE: This message is displayed when
the tape is wrapped around the tape head. Attempt to 
get the cassette out. Try a new tape.

CLEAN PLAYER: If this message appears on the
display, the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. 
It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as
possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player. See
“Care of Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index.

If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.

CD Adapter Kits

It is possible to use a portable CD player adapter kit
with your cassette tape player after disabling the
tight/loose tape sensing feature on your tape player.

To disable the feature, use the following steps:
D Turn the ignition to ON or ACCESSORY.
D Turn the radio off.
D Press and hold the CD TAPE button. The radio will

display READY and flash the cassette icon.

D Insert the adapter into the cassette slot. It will power

up the radio and begin playing.

This override routine will remain active until the eject
button is pressed.

Playing a Compact Disc

With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the 
slot, label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD when
the ignition is off, first press the eject symbol or push
the RCL knob. If you insert a CD with the radio off 
and the ignition on, it will start to play.

When the disc is inserted, the CD symbol will be
displayed. If you select an EQ setting for your CD, it
will be activated each time you play a CD.

3-25

As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear on the display.

If an error appears on the display, see “Compact Disc
Messages” later in this section.

1 

(Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton to

advance quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.

RDM 3 (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RDM
and the track number will appear on the display.

4 

 (Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton to

reverse quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.

EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desired preset
equalization setting while playing a compact disc. The
equalization will be automatically set whenever you
play a compact disc. See “EQ” listed previously for
more information.

 SEEK 

: Press the down arrow while playing a 

CD to go to the start of the current track if more than
eight seconds have played. Press the up arrow to go to
the next track. If you hold the button or press it more
than once, the player will continue moving backward or
forward through the disc.

 SCAN 

: Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows

for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the
display and you hear a beep. The disc will go to the next
track, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next
track. Press this button again to stop scanning. The
sound will mute while scanning. SCAN and the track
number will appear on the display.

RCL (Recall): Press this button to see how long the
current track has been playing. To change what is
normally shown on the display (track or elapsed time),
press the button until you see the display you want, then
hold the button until the display flashes. While elapsed
time is showing, CD TIME will appear on the display.

BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing.

CD TAPE: Press this button to switch between playing
a cassette tape and a compact disc if both are loaded,
when listening to the radio. The inactive tape or CD will
remain safely inside the radio for future listening. The
display will show tape and CD icons.

 (Eject): Press this button, located next to the CD

slot, to eject a CD. Eject may be activated with either
the ignition or radio off. CDs may be loaded with the
radio and ignition off if this button is pressed first.

3-26

Compact Disc Messages

CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio
display and the disc comes out, it could be for one of the
following reasons:
D The road is too rough. The disc should play when the

road is smoother.

D The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
D The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and

try again.

If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,
try a known good CD.

If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.

Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)

THEFTLOCK

R

 is designed to discourage theft of your

radio. The feature works automatically by learning a
portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If
the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it will not
operate and LOCKED will be displayed.

When the radio and vehicle are turned off, the blinking
red light indicates that THEFTLOCK is armed.

With THEFTLOCK activated, your radio will not
operate if stolen.

3-27

Audio Steering Wheel Controls 
(If Equipped)

If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.

Y

 SEEK 

B

: Press the up or down arrow to tune to 

the next or previous radio station. If a cassette tape or
compact disc is playing, the player will advance with the
up arrow and reverse with the down arrow.

PRESET: Press this button to play a station you have
programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons. The radio
will go to a preset station, play for a few seconds, then
go to the next station. Press this button again to stop
scanning the preset stations. If a cassette tape is playing,
press this button to play the other side of the tape.

AM FM: Press this button to choose AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, it will stop
and the radio will play.

Y

 VOLUME 

B

: Press the up or down arrow to increase

or decrease volume.

PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when listening to the radio.

MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again, or any other radio button, to turn on the sound.

3-28

Understanding Radio Reception

AM

The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.

FM Stereo

FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.

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 of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful 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 do the following:
D Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
D Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably

and clearly.

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, Delphi Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. 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 dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.

3-29

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player

A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.

Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN or
CLEAN to indicate that you have used your tape player
for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer. If
this message appears on the display, your cassette tape
player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but
you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent
damage to your tapes and player. If you notice a
reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to
see if it is the tape or the tape player at fault. If this other
cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the
tape player.

The recommended cleaning method for your 
cassette tape player is the use of a scrubbing action,
non

-

abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub

the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette is available through
your dealer (GM Part No. 12344789).

When cleaning the cassette tape player with the
recommended non

-

abrasive cleaning cassette, it is

possible that the cassette may eject, because the cut 
tape detection feature on your radio, may recognize it as
a broken tape. To prevent the cleaning cassette from
being ejected, use the following steps.

If your vehicle is equipped with the AM

-

FM Stereo with

Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
System and Programmable Equalization, use the
following steps:

1. Turn the ignition to ON or ACCESSORY.

2. Turn the radio off.

3. Press and hold the CD TAPE button for five seconds.

READY will appear on the display for five seconds.

4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette.

5. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer’s

recommended cleaning time.

When the cleaning cassette has been ejected, the broken
tape detection feature is active again.

3-30

You may also choose a non

-

scrubbing action, wet

-

type

cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not
eject on its own. A non

-

scrubbing action cleaner may

not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner.
The use of a non

-

scrubbing action, dry

-

type cleaning

cassette is not recommended.

After you clean the player, press and hold the eject
button for five seconds to reset the CLEAN PLAYER 
or CLN indicator. The radio will display CLEANED 
or 

---

 to show the indicator was reset.

Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality 
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.

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 side without writing when
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges
or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.

Care of Your Compact Disc Player

The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.

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. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.

Chime Level Adjustment

The volume level of the vehicle’s chimes can be
controlled by the radio. To change the volume level,
press and hold pushbutton 6 with the ignition on and the
radio power off. The chime volume level will change
from the normal level to loud, and LOUD will be
displayed on the radio. To change back to the default or
normal setting, press and hold pushbutton 6 again. The
chime level will change from the loud level to normal,
and NORMAL will be displayed.

3-32

✍

NOTES

4-

4-1

Section 4

Your Driving and the Road

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.

4

-

2

Defensive Driving

4

-

3

Drunken Driving

4

-

6

Control of a Vehicle

4

-

6

Braking

4

-

9

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)

4

-

11

Steering

4

-

13

Off

-

Road Recovery

4

-

13

Passing

4

-

15

Loss of Control

4

-

16

Driving at Night

4

-

17

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads

4

-

20

City Driving

4

-

21

Freeway Driving

4

-

22

Before Leaving on a Long Trip

4

-

23

Highway Hypnosis

4

-

24

Hill and Mountain Roads

4

-

25

Winter Driving

4

-

30

Recreational Vehicle Towing

4

-

34

Loading Your Vehicle

4

-

36

Towing a Trailer