PONTIAC GTO 2005 Owners Manual

Headlamp Aiming
The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming
system. The aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment
However, if the vehicle is damaged in an accident, the
headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment may
be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles flash their high beams at you, this
may also mean the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your
dealer for service if the headlamps need to be re-aimed.
It is possible however, to re-aim the headlamps as
described in the following procedure.
The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:
•The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps
are 15 ft. (4.6 m) from a light colored wall or
other flat surface.
•The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all the way to the wall
or other flat surface.
•The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall or other flat surface.
•The vehicle should not have any snow, ice, or mud
on it.
•The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being
performed.
•The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full
tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs (75 kg)
sitting on the driver’s seat.
•Tires should be properly inflated.
•The spare tire is in its original location in
the vehicle.
Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
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To adjust the vertical aim on the headlamps, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Find the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim
dot on the low-beam headlamp. Record the
distance.
4. At the wall or other flat surface, measure from the
ground upward the recorded distance from Step 2
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line the width of the
vehicle at the wall or other flat surface where it
was marked it Step 4.Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a
piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being aimed. This should allow only
the beam of light from the headlamp being
aimed to be seen on the flat surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which
are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a
No. 2 Phillips head screwdriver.
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8. Turn the vertical aiming screw (A) until the
headlamp beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line.
If you turn it clockwise, it will raise the beam and
if you turn it counterclockwise, it will lower the beam.
The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned
at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.
9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for the opposite headlamp.
Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 5-51.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
Driver’s Side
To replace the driver’s side headlamp bulbs, first do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information. Passenger’s Side Shown
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2. Remove the five screws in the radiator cover.
3. Unclip and remove the radiator cover.
A hole is provided in the air intake duct so that the
bulbs can be accessed for replacement.
After following the procedure to replace the bulbs, clip
the radiator cover to the radiator fan shroud and reinstall
the five screws.
Passenger’s Side
To replace the passenger’s side headlamp bulbs,
first do the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Disconnect the battery clamp.
3. Remove the battery retaining plate and slide the
battery out of the way toward the rear of the vehicle.
4. Disconnect the battery terminals. If your vehicle is
equipped with a larger battery, it must be completely
removed from the vehicle.
After following the procedure to replace the bulbs,
reinstall and reconnect the battery.
1. Access the bulbs by following the previous
instructions for either the driver’s side or
passenger’s side of the vehicle.
2. Turn the dust caps
counterclockwise and
remove from the rear
of the headlamp
assembly to gain
access to the bulb.
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3. Remove the wiring harness connector by squeezing
the two tabs on the connector and pulling the
connector down.
4. Remove the old bulb
by twisting the bulb
counterclockwise.
5. Install the new bulb without touching it.
6. Reverse the steps to reinstall the headlamp
assembly.Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps
To replace a front turn signal or parking lamp bulb,
do the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Follow the removal procedure for either the driver’s
side or passenger’s side of the vehicle to access
the bulbs. SeeHeadlamps on page 5-47for
more information.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the
bulb assembly.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and remove.
5. Lightly press the bulb and twist counterclockwise
out of the socket.
6. Insert the new bulb and install the bulb socket.
The bulb should be colored orange.
7. Reconnect the wiring harness connector.
8. Reinstall the battery or radiator cover. See
Headlamps on page 5-47for more information.
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Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp
B. Back-up Lamp
C. Turn Signal Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs, do the following:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-8for more
information.2. Remove the two screws that attach the taillamp
assembly to the vehicle.
3. Pull the assembly sideways out from the panel so
that the locating pegs on the side of the lamp
assembly snap free from the clips.
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4. Turn the appropriate bulb socket counterclockwise
while holding the assembly, to release it from the
housing.
5. Remove the bulb from the socket by pushing it in
and turning it counterclockwise. The turn signal
bulb must have amber colored glass.
6. Install the new bulb into the bulb socket by pushing
it into the socket and turning it clockwise.
7. Install the bulb socket into the lamp housing,
ensuring that the socket locks securely into place.
8. Reinstall the lamp assembly so that the clips are
seated correctly. Fit the housing to the body, so
that the locating pegs snap into the clips.
9. Install and tighten the screws to secure.Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp 1156
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamp1157NA
Headlamps
High-Beam H9
Low-Beam H11LL
Rear Turn Signal 1156NA
Stoplamp and Taillamp 1157
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact
your dealer.
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Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. SeeOwner Checks
and Services on page 6-8for more information.
To replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Lift the wiper up from the windshield and set into
the vertically-locked position.
2. Press the tab that holds the wiper blade to the arm.
3. Slide the blade down and off the arm.
4. Slide in the new blade and snap into place.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-29.
Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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CAUTION: (Continued)

Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-59for
ination pressure adjustment for high speed
driving.
Notice:If your vehicle has low-prole tires, they
are more susceptible to damage from road hazards
or curb impact than standard prole tires. Tire
and/or wheel assembly damage can occur when
coming into contact with road hazards like,
potholes, or sharp edged objects or when sliding
into a curb. Your GM warranty does not cover
this type of damage. Keep tires set to the correct
ination pressure and, when possible avoid contact
with curbs, potholes and other road hazards.
Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads
often, you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle.
High performance tires, like the original equipment
tires installed on your vehicle, are designed for very
responsive driving on wet or dry pavement and may not
offer the traction you would like or the same level of
performance as winter tires on snow or ice covered
roads. If you choose to use winter tires:
•Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all
four wheel positions.
•Use only radial ply tires of the same size as your
original equipment tires.
See your Pontiac dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also, seeBuying
New Tires on page 5-64.
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Tire Sidewall Labelling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger
vehicle tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of letters
and numbers used to define a particular tire’s width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type and service
description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later in this
section for more detail.(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specific tire performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
specifications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT (Department of Transportation)
code is the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The
TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size,
and date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one side
may have the date of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on
three performance factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-64.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
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