2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 88

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you're: THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but 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): • Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. • Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator pedal all the way down. You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power. • When driving on hilly, winding roads. • When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears. 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. • When going down a steep hill. • When driving in non-highway scenarios (i.e. city streets, etc.). 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 your brakes off and on. Notice: Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle. Use THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) 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. 2-24