display PONTIAC GTO 2004 User Guide

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
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
your 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 you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re 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’s a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when 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 warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle also has a trip computer that works along
with the warning lights and gages. The trip computer
display provides visual information. SeeTrip Computer
on page 3-36. The warning message are displayed
through the trip computer or as an illuminated symbol or
sometimes both ways.
If a Service Error Contact Dealer message appears on
the trip computer display while driving, a fault in the
instrument panel is indicated. Contact your dealer
as soon as possible. This message will remain until the
MODE button on the trip computer is pressed.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel which
shows the air bag symbol.
This light along with a Airbag Fault message in the trip
computer display will come on when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for a few seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means the system is ready.
The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag
sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring and the
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. The light comes on after an
accident where the air bags were activated.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
3-26

Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on when you
turn on the ignition,
until the engine is started,
as a check to show
you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If the light illuminates and the Check Alternator message
on the trip computer stays on, or comes on while you
are driving you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose
generator drive belt or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on
could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
The Check Alternator message will remain until the
MODE button on the trip computer is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the problem is fixed.
Brake System Warning Light
To check that the light is
working, the symbol is
displayed when the ignition
is first turned ON and
the park brake applied.
If the symbol illuminates and the Brake message
appears on the trip computer display while driving and
the park brake is released, a fault with the brakes is
indicated. You should immediately stop the car on the
side of the road as carefully as possible. Do not proceed
until satisfied that braking is possible or that the
cause of the problem has been fixed.
A warning will chime if you attempt to drive off without
releasing the park brake.
The Brake message will remain until the MODE button
on the trip computer is pressed, but the symbol will
remain until the problem is fixed.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
To ensure that the warning
light is working, the symbol
is displayed for a short
time when the ignition is
turned to ON.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If there is a malfunction of the anti-lock brake system,
the symbol will illuminate and ABS Fault will appear
on the trip computer display. See your dealer for service.
The car’s brake system will still operate conventionally,
only the anti-lock operation is impaired.
The ABS Fault message will remain until the MODE
button on the trip computer is pressed, but the symbol
will remain until the problem is fixed.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The temperature gage
shows the engine coolant
temperature when the
ignition is on.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, the light
comes on and you hear a chime, your engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
3-28

Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine
oil pressure problem, a
Check Oil message in the
trip computer display
along with this symbol will
stay on after you start
your engine, or come on
when you are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving enough
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have
some other oil problem. Have it fixed immediately.
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is working,
but the light will go out when the engine is running. If
it doesn’t come on with the ignition on, you may have a
problem with the bulb. Have it fixed right away.{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
3-32

Change Engine Oil Light
If the Service Engine Oil
message in the trip
computer is displayed
along with this symbol after
you start the engine, it
means that service
is required for your vehicle.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4andEngine
Oil on page 5-13for more information.
Security Light
This light flashes when the
vehicle security system is
activated.
Fog Lamp Light
This light will come on
when the fog lamps are
in use.
The light will go out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-12for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light will illuminate
when the headlamp high
beams are in use.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
3-33

Trip Computer
The buttons for the trip
computer are located to
the right of the gages and
the display is located
directly beneath the gages.
The basic, more commonly used functions of the trip
computer are shown following. Tap the MODE button to
scroll between the different sets of display.
You will notice that speed related displays are in the left
window, distance related displays in the center, and
fuel related windows on the right.
When the ignition is turned on, the trip computer
displays the same functions as when the ignition was
last turned off.The trip computer can be reset when AVG SPEED or
TRIP TIME are shown on the left window. To reset,
press the SET button for less than two seconds.
Resetting does not affect the Odometer, Overspeed,
Distance to Empty, Time to Arrival, Distance to Arrival,
Instantaneous Fuel, or Remaining Fuel.
Vehicle personalization is available through the trip
computer controls and display. SeeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-32.
AVG SPEED
This function shows the average speed, while the
engine is running, since the trip computer was reset.
Odometer
This function records miles travelled since the car
was built.
AVG FUEL
This function shows average fuel used since the trip
computer was reset. After resetting, a high number may
initially be shown, due to the short distance travelled
and the high fuel used when accelerating.
3-36

TRIP TIME
This function shows the engine running time since the
trip computer was reset. If this exceeds 99 hours
and 59 minutes, the trip time is displayed in hours only.
Trip Distance
This function shows the miles travelled from the start of
a particular trip. Reset the reading to zero by pressing
and holding the SET button down for eight seconds.
FUEL USED
This function shows the total gallons/liters of fuel used
since the trip computer was reset.
TIME TO ARRIVAL
This function shows trip time to arrival in hours and
minutes, based on distance to arrival. If this exceeds
99 hours and 59 minutes, the time to arrival is displayed
in hours only.
Dist to Arrival
At the start of a trip estimate your distance to arrival.
Tap the up or down arrows until the display shows your
estimated trip distance. When you drive off, the computer
constantly updates your time to arrival, based on
changing driving speeds. You can use the up or down
arrows to adjust the miles any time this display is shown.
FUEL REMAINING
This function shows the gallons of fuel left in the fuel
tank, rounded to the nearest one gallon/liter. When the
fuel level is down to about two gallons, LO is displayed
instead of gallons.
If the Low Fuel message in the trip computer comes on
when driving, it indicates that the fuel level is low.
The Low Fuel message is displayed until the MODE
button on the trip computer switch is pressed. The trip
computer then displays its calculation of miles to
empty for 10 seconds before reverting to the original trip
computer display with a small low fuel symbol on the
left. The symbol will remain until the fuel tank is
filled above the low fuel level. If the Very Low Fuel
message in the trip computer comes on when driving, it
indicates that the fuel level is very low. The Very
Low Fuel message is displayed until the MODE button
on the trip computer switch is pressed. The trip
computer then displays its calculation of miles to empty
for 10 seconds before reverting to the original trip
computer display with a small flashing low fuel symbol
on the left. The symbol will remain until the fuel tank
is filled above the very low fuel level.
3-37

O/SPEED (Overspeed)
Overspeed sets the speed you don’t want to exceed.
For example, if driving in a 45 mph zone, set
OVERSPEED to 45 mph, by tapping the up or down
arrows. The overspeed setting is displayed in the
left window. When the vehicle speed exceeds the
setting, the overspeed warning message and an audible
chime warns you that you are speeding. At that time
the trip computer automatically shows the overspeed
display, allowing you to make adjustments if required.
If in the Overspeed preset, press and hold MODE
for two seconds.
Underspeed Chime
Overspeed provides a chime when your travelling speed
exceeds the overspeed value, whereas underspeed
provides a chime to indicate when your travelling speed
again drops below the overspeed.
Dist to Empty
Distance to empty is an estimate of how far your current
fuel level will last. It is based on your previous fuel
usage and is frequently updated. Therefore, as
conditions become suited to more economical driving
the Dist to Empty may actually increase, for example
from city to highway driving.
In addition, movement of fuel in the tank can cause the
reading to fluctuate when the fuel level is low.
INST FUEL
This function shows instantaneous fuel usage in
gallons/liters per 60 miles/ kilometers when driving.
When speed drops below 6 mph (10 km/h) the usage is
shown in gallons per hour.
O/Speed P2 (Overspeed Presets)
Instead of adjusting overspeed up and down in
increments of 3 mph (5km/h), you can set four
commonly used speeds. Hold down the MODE button
for two seconds when the overspeed display is
shown. The display changes from normal overspeed
operation to overspeed preset. P1 is the first preset
number, with a default setting of 35 mph (60 km/h).
Tap the up arrow to see the other three presets.
The overspeed preset display has now replaced the
normal overspeed display. Tap the MODE button
to scroll through the other displays.
To change the display back to normal overspeed, hold
down the MODE button for two seconds while the
overspeed preset display is shown.
3-38

Altering Overspeed Presets
The default overspeed settings can be changed for your
individual preference.
The car must be standing still when changing a preset.
Ensure the preset you wish to change is showing.
Then briefly press the SET button. The display starts to
flash. Use the up or down arrows to adjust the setting.
When correct, briefly press the SET button. Each
PRESET can be changed in this way.
The presets are automatically arranged in
ascending order.
One or more presets can be assigned to OFF, by
reducing the preset down to 0 (OFF). When driving you
then only have three or less presets to choose from.
To turn back on, select the OFF preset (when the
vehicle is standing still) and use the up arrow to increase
the number.
If the up or down arrows are briefly pressed while
driving, the overspeed setting is changed to the speed
at which you are travelling.
If the SET button is pressed for two seconds, either
while driving or standing still, overspeed is turned
completely off or on.
Stop Watch
The stop watch function, when enabled, records
elapsed time. It can be used, for example, to measure
the time taken to travel between two points on a trip.
To start/stop the stop watch, press SET to reset it, then
press and hold MODE for more than three seconds.
The trip computer must be on Trip Time for this function
to work.
DIGITAL SPEEDO
If digital speedo mode is activated, the mph (km/h) are
shown in a large digital mode.
Rest Reminder
This feature alerts you when you may have been
travelling for too long without a break. After the ignition
is turned on, a timer will start, and after two hours of
continuous driving, the trip computer automatically
shows the rest reminder display. The default on this
feature is off.
3-39