Lights PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 User Guide

Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention
to the warning lights and gages could also save
you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is
a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with
this section, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells
you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So please get to know your vehicle’s
warning lights and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-55for more information.
3-38

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to show at a glance how the vehicle is running. It will show how fast the
vehicle is going, about how much fuel is in the fuel tank, and many other things needed to drive the vehicle safely
and economically.
The vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very similar to it. It has indicator warning lights that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.United States version shown, Canada similar
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{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no
one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-60
for more on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-42for more on this, including
important safety information.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives important
safety and maintenance facts. When the vehicle’s
ignition is turned on, all of the DIC lights illuminate for a
few seconds and an introductory message will appear.
After this, the DIC will begin working.
DIC Operation and Displays
(Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) control buttons and
the message display screen are located above the
radio. The DIC gives important safety and maintenance
facts concerning the vehicle. The status of many of
the vehicle’s systems along with driver personalization
menus and warning messages about the vehicle’s
systems may display on the DIC screen.
The outside temperature automatically appears on
the bottom right corner of the DIC display screen.
If the outside temperature is below 38°F (3°C), the
temperature reading will toggle between displaying the
outside temperature and the word ICE for two minutes.
If there is a problem with the system that controls
the temperature display, the letters OC (Open Circuit)
or SC (Short Circuit) will appear on the display.
If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.The vehicle’s shift lever position and the direction the
vehicle is traveling will also appear on the DIC screen.
The compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates
the need to manually set the compass. However, under
certain circumstances, such as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to compensate
for compass variance and reset the zone through
the DIC. SeeDIC Compass (Uplevel DIC) on page 3-65
for more information.
The buttons on the DIC trip computer are gages,
trip odometer, set/reset, options, and fuel.
Gages
2(Gages):Press this button to access the OIL LIFE
REMAINING, TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE,
BATTERY, ENGINE HOURS, and MAXIMUM Gs modes.
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AJAR
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when a door or the trunk is not
closed properly. If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, this message also displays when the hood is not
closed properly. The graphic highlights the area that
is not closed properly. Make sure that the area indicated
is closed completely.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds for two seconds when the gear
position is shifted out of PARK (P). Press the set/reset
button to acknowledge this message and to clear it
from the screen.
This message continues to display for three seconds if
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for three seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects that the
battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable level.
The battery saver system starts reducing certain features
of the vehicle which you may be able to notice. At the point
that the features are disabled, this message is displayed.
It means that the vehicle is trying to save the charge in
the battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow
the battery to recharge. The normal battery voltage range
is 11.5 to 15.5 volts. If your vehicle has the uplevel DIC,
you can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by pressing
the gages button until BATTERY appears.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This symbol comes on
with this message.
This message displays when service is required for the
vehicle. See your dealer/retailer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-15andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information.
3-68

INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN DOOR CLOSED:This
screen allows this feature to be turned OFF or ON.
If OFF is selected, the interior lamps will turn off
immediately when the ignition is turned off and the
last open door is closed.
If ON is selected, the interior lamps will stay on for
about 25 seconds after the vehicle’s ignition is turned
off and the last open door is closed.
To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
either OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
INTERIOR LIGHTS WHEN KEY REMOVED:This
screen allows this feature to be turned OFF or ON.
This feature enables the interior lamps in the vehicle to
turn on for about 25 seconds after the key is removed
from the ignition.
If OFF is selected, removing the key from the ignition
will not cause the interior lamps to turn on.
If ON is selected, removing the key from the ignition will
cause the interior lamps to be turned on for about
25 seconds.To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
either OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
AUTO DOOR UNLOCK:This screen allows this feature
to be turned off, used for the driver’s door only, or for
all the doors.
If OFF is selected, none of the doors will unlock when
the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
If DRIVER is selected, only the driver’s door will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
If ALL is selected, all the doors will unlock when the
vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
either OFF, DRIVER, or ALL.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
3-90

AUTO DOOR UNLOCK ON:If DRIVER or ALL was
selected on the AUTO DOOR UNLOCK screen, this
screen allows selection of when the vehicle’s doors will
unlock. The choices are when the key is removed from
the ignition or when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
If KEY-OUT is selected, the auto door unlock will function
when the key is taken out of the ignition.
If PARK is selected, the auto door unlock will function
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
either KEY-OUT or PARK.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
DELAYED LOCKING:This screen allows this feature
to be turned OFF or ON. The key must be out of
the ignition for this feature to work.
If OFF is selected, there will be no delayed locking of
the vehicle’s doors.
If ON is selected, the locking of the vehicle’s doors will
be delayed by ve seconds after a power door lock
switch is pressed while the door is open, or the LOCK
button on the RKE transmitter is pressed while any
door is open.To program this mode:
1. Press and release the set/reset button to scroll to
either OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
REMOTE LOCKS FEEDBACK:This screen allows
selection for this option to be turned OFF, or gives the
choice of two methods of verication; LIGHTS or
LIGHTS and HORN; that indicate the vehicle’s doors
are locked when the LOCK button on the RKE
transmitter is pressed.
If OFF is selected, this feature will not be programmed.
If LIGHTS is selected, the exterior lamps will ash when
the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter is pressed.
If LIGHTS and HORN is selected, the exterior lamps will
ash when the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter is
pressed, and the horn will sound when the LOCK button
on the RKE transmitter is pressed again within ve
seconds of the previous command.
To program this mode:
1. Press the set/reset button to scroll to OFF, LIGHTS,
or LIGHTS and HORN.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
3-91

To scan preset stations, press and hold either SCAN
arrow for more than four seconds until PSCAN or
PRESET SCAN and the preset number displays and a
double beep sounds. The radio goes to the rst
preset station, plays for a few seconds, then goes to the
next preset station. Press either SCAN arrow again to
stop scanning presets.
The radio scans stations only with a strong signal that
are in the selected band.
Setting Preset Stations
Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM,
six XM1 and six XM2 (if equipped)), can be programmed
on the six numbered pushbuttons, by performing the
following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press BAND to select FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1
or XM2.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press EQ, or depending on the radio, AUTO EQ,
to select the equalization.
5. Press and hold one of the six numbered
pushbuttons until a beep sounds. When that
numbered pushbutton is pressed, the station that
was set returns and the equalization that was
selected is stored for that pushbutton.
6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
Setting the Tone
(Bass/Midrange/Treble)
TONE:Press and release the TONE button until BASS,
MID (midrange), or TREB (treble) displays. The
SELECT LED indicator lights to show that the tone
control can be adjusted. Turn the SELECT knob
to increase or to decrease. If a station is weak or has
static, decrease the treble.
To return all of the tone controls to the middle position,
press and hold the TONE button until FLAT displays.
AUDIO (Radio with Six-Disc CD Player):Push
the AUDIO knob until BASS, MID (midrange), or
TREB (treble) displays. Turn the knob to increase
or to decrease. If a station is weak or noisy, decrease
the treble.
To adjust bass, midrange, or treble to the middle
position, select BASS, MID, or TREB and push and
hold the AUDIO knob. The display level adjusts to the
middle position and a beep sounds.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle
position, push and hold the AUDIO knob when no tone
or speaker control is displayed. CENTERED displays
and one beep sounds.
3-98

EQ or AUTO EQ (Equalization):Press this button to
select customized equalization settings.
Up to six customized equalization settings, can be
programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons,
by performing the following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Use the TONE button and the SELECT knob to
create the desired equalization.
3. Press and hold the EQ or AUTO EQ button for
two seconds. SELECT EQ # displays and the
EQ symbol ashes.
4. Press EQ or turn the SELECT knob to select the
desired EQ number.
5. Press and hold the EQ or AUTO EQ button or push
the SELECT knob to store the equalization setting
and the number. A beep sounds and EQ SAVED
displays.
6. Repeat the steps for the other EQ settings and
numbers.
EQ 5 has been programmed at the factory for use with
talk radio, but it can be set to a different tone.Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL (Balance):Press this button until BAL displays,
to adjust the balance between the right and the left
speakers. The SELECT LED indicator lights to show
that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the SELECT
knob to move the sound toward the right or the left
speakers.
FADE:Press this button until FADE displays, to adjust
the fade between the front and the rear speakers.
The SELECT LED indicator lights to show that the
speakers can be adjusted. Turn the SELECT knob to
move the sound toward the front or the rear speakers.
Press and hold the BAL FADE button for two seconds
to return all speaker settings to the middle position.
AUDIO (Radio with Six-Disc CD Player):Push
the AUDIO knob until BAL (balance) displays, to adjust
the balance between the right and the left speakers.
Turn the knob to move the sound toward the right or
the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and rear
speakers, push and hold the AUDIO knob until FAD
(fade) displays. Turn the knob to move the sound
toward the front or the rear speakers.
To adjust the balance and the fade to the middle
position, select balance or fade and push and hold
the AUDIO knob. The display level adjusts to the
middle position and a beep sounds.
3-99

The vehicle has bulb warning lights. When a trailer
lighting system is plugged into the vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not indicate if one of
the lamps goes out. So, when a trailer lighting system
is plugged in, be sure to check the vehicle and
trailer lamps from time to time to be sure they are all
working. Once the trailer lamps have been disconnected,
the bulb warning lights can once again indicate if one
of the vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before starting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the vehicle is
not shifted down, the brakes may have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If the vehicle has overdrive, it may be driven in
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D).
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with
a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if the rig ever has to be parked on a hill, here is
how to do it:
1. Apply the regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply the
parking brake, and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-35