1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 94
1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Manual
Page 94 highlights
yellowblue DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you're: Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D): D Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down. accelerator pedal all the way down. D Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power. 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 than THIRD (3). 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 the brakes off and on. NOTICE: If the 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, the vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have the vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher speeds. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). NOTICE: Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km) at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h), or you can damage the transaxle. Use DRIVE (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 the engine. 2-34