1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 85

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Models Only) 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 parkingpawl 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 youleave the driver's seat. To find out how, see "Shifting Into PARK (P)" in the Index. When you are ready to drive, movethe shift lever out of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need have another to vehicle push yours a little uphill to takesome of the pressure from the parkingpawl in the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever out PARK (P). of A CAUTION: I I It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever not fullyin PARK (P) is with the parking brake firmly And, if you set. leave the vehicle with the engine running, could it You overheat and even catch fire. or others could be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to. If you haveto leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicleis in PARK (P) and your parking brakeis firmly set before you leave it. After you've moved the shift lever into the PARK (P) position, 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 thatthe shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P). 2-30