audio PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2008 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Airbag System
.........................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-66
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-23
Mirrors
....................................................2-38
OnStar
®System
......................................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-38
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-55
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-94Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-27
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-54
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-61
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-61
Tires
......................................................5-62
Appearance Care
...................................5-109
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-119
Electrical System
....................................5-120
Capacities and Specications
...................5-128
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner ManualM

If the steering wheel is locked, move it from right to
left and turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If none
of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position allows things
like the radio and windshield wipers to operate while
the engine is off.
R(ON/RUN):This position is where the key returns
to after the vehicle is started. With the engine off,
the ON/RUN position displays some of the warning
and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine. Let go
of the key when the engine starts. The key will return
to the ON/RUN for normal driving.
A continuous warning chime will sound and a KEY IN
IGNITION message will display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the key is turned to LOCK/OFF or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the driver’s door is opened.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s door.
Always remember to remove your key from the ignition
and take it with you. This will lock your ignition and
transmission. Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in
the ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not
be able to start your vehicle after it has been parked
for an extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to these features will continue to operate for
up to 10 minutes after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF
until a door is opened.
2-24

OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can
be used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-115
for more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button
for a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR”
to activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to
dial numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for
more information.
How OnStar Service Works
Your vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability
of recording and transmitting vehicle information.
This information is automatically sent to an OnStar
Call Center at the time of an OnStar button press,
Emergency button press or if your airbags or AACN
system deploys. The vehicle information usually
includes your GPS location and, in the event of a
crash, additional information regarding the accident
that your vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the
direction from which your vehicle was hit).When you use the Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling, your vehicle also sends OnStar
your GPS location so that we can provide you with
location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar service
also cannot work unless you are in a place where the
wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that area
has coverage, network capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and technology that is compatible
with the OnStar service. Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas,
or at all times.
Location information about your vehicle is only available if
the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and available.
Your vehicle must have a working electrical system
(including adequate battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service to you at any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to important parts of your
vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network congestion.
2-42

Fog Lamp Light............................................3-53
Cruise Control Light......................................3-53
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-54
Fuel Gage...................................................3-54
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-55
DIC Operation and Displays
(Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer)................3-55
DIC Operation and Displays
(Base Level DIC).......................................3-62
DIC Compass (Uplevel DIC)...........................3-65
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-67
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-89Audio System(s).............................................3-94
Setting the Clock..........................................3-95
Radio(s)......................................................3-95
Using an MP3............................................3-109
XM Radio Messages...................................3-114
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-115
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-115
Radio Reception.........................................3-116
Backglass Antenna......................................3-117
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-118
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-118
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Defogger Outlets. SeeOutlet
Adjustment on page 3-36.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-36.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Cruise Controls.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7
andCruise Control on page 3-12.
D. TAP-Shift
®Control (If Equipped). SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-39.
G. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wiper
Lever on page 3-10.
H. Ignition. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23.
I. Driver Information Center (DIC) (If Equipped). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-55.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-94.
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-115.L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
M. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever, on Steering Column.
SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
N. Interior Lamps Brightness Control. SeeInterior
Lamps on page 3-19.
O. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-43.
P. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-28.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
R. Traction Control Button (If Equipped). SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
S. Head Up Display (HUD) Control (If Equipped).
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-23.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
U. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-122.
3-5

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read the
pages following to familiarize yourself with its features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed. Always
keep your eyes on the road and your mind
on the drive — avoid engaging in extended
searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio,
or other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment
is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not
work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
3-94

Your vehicle may have a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system
can be played even after the ignition is turned off.
SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-24
for more information.
Setting the Clock
The radio may have a button marked with an H or HR to
represent hours and an M or MN to represent minutes.
Press and hold the hour button until the correct hour
displays. AM or PM displays for morning or evening
hours. Press and hold the minute button until the correct
minute displays. The time can be set with the ignition
on or off.
To synchronize the time with an FM station broadcasting
Radio Data System (RDS) information, press and
hold the hour and minute buttons at the same time
until UPDATED and the clock symbol appear on
the display. If the time is not available from the
station, NO UPDATE or NO UPDAT will appear on
the display.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. After tuning to
an RDS broadcast station, it could take a few minutes
for the time to update.
Radio(s)
Your vehicle has one of these radios as its audio system.Radio with CD (MP3) shown,
Radio with CD (Base) similar
3-95

Radio Data System (RDS)
The audio system has a Radio Data System (RDS).
RDS features are available for use only on FM stations
that broadcast RDS information.
With RDS, the radio can do the following:
Seek to stations broadcasting the selected type of
programming
Receive announcements concerning local and
national emergencies
Display messages from radio stations
Seek to stations with traffic announcements
This system relies upon receiving specic information
from these stations and only works when the information
is available. In rare cases, a radio station may
broadcast incorrect information that causes the radio
features to work improperly. If this happens, contact the
radio station.
While the radio is tuned to an RDS station, the station
name or the call letters appear on the display instead
of the frequency. RDS stations may also provide
the time of day, a program type (PTY) for current
programming, and the name of the program being
broadcast.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces.
XM™ Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming
and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in
digital-quality sound. During your trial or when you
subscribe, you will get unlimited access to XM™ Radio
Online for when you are not in your vehicle. A service
fee is required to receive the XM™ service. For more
information, contact XM™ at www.xmradio.com or
call 1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and www.xmradio.ca
or call 1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power):Push this knob to turn the system
on and off.
VOL (Volume):Turn this knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or to decrease the volume.
RCL (Recall):Push this knob to switch the display
between the radio station frequency and the time.
When the ignition is turned off, push this knob to display
the time.
For RDS, push the RCL knob to change what appears
on the display while using RDS. The display options
are station name, RDS station frequency, PTY, and the
name of the program (if available).
3-96

For XM™ (if equipped), push the RCL knob while
in XM™ mode to retrieve four different categories
of information related to the current song or
channel: Artist, Song Title, Category or PTY,
Channel Number/Channel Name.
To change the default on the display, push the RCL
knob until you see the desired display, then hold
the knob until the display ashes. The selected
display is now the default.
SCV (Speed-Compensated Volume):Vehicles with
the SCV feature, automatically lets the audio system
adjust volume to make up for road and wind noise
while driving.
Set the volume at the desired level. Press this button
to select MIN (minimum), MED (medium), or MAX
(maximum). Each higher setting allows for more volume
compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you
drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as
necessary, to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same while driving.
To turn SCV off, press this button until OFF displays.
AUTO VOL (Automatic Volume):Vehicles with
automatic volume, automatically lets the audio system
adjust volume to make up for road and wind noise
as you drive.Set the volume at the desired level. Press this button
to select MIN (minimum), MED (medium), or MAX
(maximum). Each higher setting allows for more volume
compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you
drive, automatic volume increases the volume, as
necessary, to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same to you as you
drive. To turn automatic volume off, press this button
until OFF displays.
Finding a Station
BAND:Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,
AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped). The display shows
the selection.
TUNE:Turn this knob to select radio stations.
wxorstSEEK:Press the up or the down arrow
to go to the next or to the previous station and stay there.
The radio only seeks stations with a strong signal that are
in the selected band.
wxorstSCAN:Press and hold either SCAN
arrow for two seconds until SCAN or SC displays and a
beep sounds. The radio goes to a station, plays for a
few seconds, then goes to the next station. Press either
SCAN arrow again to stop scanning.
3-97

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