Pontiac 1998 Grand Am Owner's Manual page 83

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
range before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (
BTSI). You
have to
fully
apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK
(P)
when the ignition key is in the RUN position. If you
cannot shift out of PARK
(P),
ease pressure on the
shift lever
--
push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P)
--
as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.) See
"Shifting Out of PARK
(P)"
later in this section.
REVERSE
( R ) :
Use this gear to back up.
I
1
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
"Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow" in the Index.
NEUTRAL
( N ) :
In
this position, your engine
doesn't connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
I
Shifting out of PARK
(P)
or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is "racing" (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake
pedal, your
vehicle could
move
very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N)
while your
engine
is
racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting
out
of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
2-22
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