hood open PONTIAC GTO 2004 Owners Manual

Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle has a theft-deterrent alarm system.
Arming the System
The alarm system is turned on when the LOCK button
on the key is pressed. Therefore, locking the doors
by pressing LOCK not only locks all the doors but, after
a short delay, also sets the alarm system. When the
system is armed, the alarm is triggered when any of the
doors, hood or trunk are opened or a hot-wire
attempted. The alarm system thinks a break-in has
occurred. An alarm sounds and the turn signals
and dome light will flash.When the alarm system is turned on, you may open the
trunk by pressing the trunk symbol button on the key.
This does not set off the alarm, but leaves the alarm
system on and undisturbed. Closing the trunk re-arms
the trunk alarm after a short delay.
The LOCK button on the key will not function when the
ignition is turned ON or the driver’s door is open.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, press UNLOCK on the key or
turn the ignition to ON.
2-14

How to Detect a Tamper Condition
The exterior turn signals should flash twice when
returning to your vehicle and pressing UNLOCK on the
key. If they flash three times, an attempted break-in
has occurred while the vehicle was armed. If you wish
to find out what set the alarm off, turn the ignition on
and look at the trip computer display for the ALARM
ACTIVATED message being shown. The ALARM
ACTIVATED message will be displayed first for
one second, followed by the trigger point screens.
The trigger point screens will also be displayed for
one second. If more than one trigger point has been
activated, the display will show each trigger point screen
in sequence for one second, returning back to the
ALARM ACTIVATED screen. The alarm screens will be
shown in a continuous cycle until the trip computer
MODE button is pressed. The center display then
reverts to the last screen shown prior to the ignition
being off.
The possible trigger points are the following:
•The hood has been opened.
•The trunk has been opened.
•One of the doors has been opened.
•Hot wiring of the vehicle was attempted
(ignition on without key inserted).
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
2-15

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (seeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-29)
and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. You should not have to add anything to your
fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations.General Motors recommends that you buy gasolines
that are advertised to help keep fuel injectors and intake
valves clean. If your vehicle experiences problems
due to dirty injectors or valves, try a different brand of
gasoline.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specifications described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy
gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
does not recommend the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs
and the performance of the emission control system
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM
dealer for service.
5-6

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
under the instrument
panel on the driver’s
side of the vehicle.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on
the secondary hood release.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, gas struts
will automatically take over to lift and hold the
hood in the fully open position.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then pull the hood down and push
firmly back into place.
5-11

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the engine, you’ll see the following:
5-12

{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with an Engine Temp Hot
message can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you
do the following:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day
•Stop after high-speed driving
•Idle for long periods in traffic
•Tow a trailer
5-29

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
with the parking brake applied, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle while
you get out and check that the cooling fan is
working.
2. If the fan is working and the temperature gauge
needle has not returned to its normal position
within a few minutes, stop the engine and remove
the ignition key.
Look for leaks at the radiator hoses and
connections, heater hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump. Be careful when checking
these areas as they will probably still be hot. If
you find a major leak or other problems that may
have caused the engine to overheat, do not run the
engine until these problems have been corrected.
If you do not find anything wrong, you should check
the engine coolant level. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25. You should also check the air intake
area below the front bumper to ensure that it is clear
of leaves and road grime.3. Turn off your air conditioning and turn on your
heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and
open the window as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-30

Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off the radio and all lamps that aren’t
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
5-43

After replacing the bulbs, remember to reinstall the
radiator cover and the four screws.
1. Open the hood. Access the bulbs by following the
previous instructions.
2. Turn the dust caps
counterclockwise and
remove from the rear of
the headlamp
assembly to gain
access to the bulb.
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. Carefully without touching it, install the new bulb by
reversing Steps 1 through 4.
6. Check the light operation.
5-48

Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps
1. Open the hood. To access the bulbs, see
Headlamps on page 5-47.
2. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the
headlamp assembly.
3. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and remove.
4. Lightly press the bulb and twist counterclockwise
out of the holder.
5. Insert the new bulb and install the bulb holder.
The bulb should be colored orange.
6. Connect the wiring harness connector.
7. SeeHeadlamps on page 5-47to replace bulb
assembly.
8. Check light operation.
Rear Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-Up Lamps
1. Open the trunk.
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.
5-49