clock PONTIAC GTO 2004 Owners Manual

Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
A glovebox is provided on the passenger side of the
instrument panel.
A specific key is provided solely to lock and unlock the
glovebox. For security, the master key is designed
not to operate the glovebox lock. SeeKeys on page 2-2.
To lock, insert the glovebox key, turn clockwise and
then withdraw. To unlock, insert the glovebox key and
turn counterclockwise.
To open, pull the handle to the left and pull the glove
box door down until it stops and is fully open.
2-30

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
When the parking lamps
are turned on, the interior
instruments are
automatically illuminated
and you can adjust
the brightness. Move the
tab clockwise to increase
brightness and
counterclockwise to
decrease brightness.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is open, the courtesy lamps will
automatically come on.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp has three positions.
ON:In this position, the dome lamp is always on.DOOR:In this position, the light automatically comes
on when a door is opened. It will turn off 30 seconds
after the last door is closed. If the ignition is turned on,
the light turns off immediately unless a door is open.
OFF:In this position, the dome lamp is always off, even
when a door is opened.
The dome lamp can be set to remain on for a preset
amount of time after the ignition has been turned
off. SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-32.
Entry Lighting
The entry lighting feature illuminates the interior of the
vehicle before you enter. The interior lamps will come on
for 40 seconds when you unlock the doors using the
remote key buttons and the ignition is in LOCK.
After 40 seconds have elapsed, the interior lamps will
turn off. The lamps will turn off before 40 seconds have
elapsed if you do the following:
•Lock all doors using the remote key buttons.
•Lock the doors manually using the lock knob.
When any door is opened, entry lighting is canceled.
The interior lamps will stay on while any door is opened
and turn off when all doors are closed. The interior
lamps may stay on for up to 25 seconds after all doors
have been closed if they have not been locked.
3-15

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
To change the current mode, turn the right dial to select
one of the following:
Y(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
%(Bi-Level):This mode directs the air to the
instrument panel outlets and the floor outlets. This
position can be used for most winter driving.
[(Floor):This mode directs the air to the floor
outlets.
The right dial can also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
9(Fan):Turn the left dial clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
The fan must be on to run the air-conditioning
compressor.
3-19

>(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air from
coming into the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to
help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Move the right dial to this position to turn recirculation
on. Turn the air conditioning on when using recirculation.
Recirculation is not recommended for use over long
periods of time.
Temperature Control:Turn the center dial clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.
A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button on the left
dial to turn the air-conditioning system on or off.
When A/C is pressed, an indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know that air conditioning is
activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to choose from to
clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and
warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right dial to select the defog or defrost modes.
3-20

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you
can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
You may find that your right wheels have dropped
off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you’re driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of
the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to
one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
4-11

The fuel release button is
located on the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel. Push the
button to release the
fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if
you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to
the right.
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any “hiss”
noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Don’t top off or overfill
your tank, and wait a few seconds after you’ve finished
pumping before you remove the nozzle. Clean
gasoline from painted surfaces as soon as possible.
SeeCleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-82.
5-8

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make
sure you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-29.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-29.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.
You can be badly burned and your vehicle
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to
you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.
5-9

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the level is correct, replace the cap and turn
clockwise until secure.
Engine Overheating
Immediate action is required if your engine overheats.
This is indicated by the coolant temperature gage
and the Engine Temp Hot message on the trip computer
display.Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-28.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
5-28

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two or two and
one-half turns. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still left to be
vented out the discharge hose.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
5-34

Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
The fluid level should be checked after the vehicle has
been driven for at least 20 minutes, so that the fluid
is warm. A convenient time is when stopping for
gas. The cold level check should only be used after the
engine has not been running for at least five hours.
However, the hot level check is always recommended.
The fluid level can be viewed through the reservoir.
The level markings are next to the fluid window. When
the fluid is cold the level should be between the
COLD MIN and MAX marks; when the vehicle has been
driven for awhile and the fluid is hot the level should
be between the HOT MIN and MAX marks. If fluid must
be added, undo the cap counterclockwise to the
stop; then the cap can be lifted off. Do not overfill and
remember to replace the cap tightly. If you often need to
add fluid, you should see your dealer. Remember to
secure the cap when the level is correct and clean up
any spillage.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-36