ignition PONTIAC GTO 2004 Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
When an air bag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors, turn off the engine, turn off the fuel pump,
and turn the interior lamps on when the air bags inflate
(if battery power is available). You can operate these
features by switching the ignition OFF and then ON.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air
bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
•Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you will need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you do not get them, the air
bag system will not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
•Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the frontal air bag system. The module
records information about the readiness of the
system, when the system commands air bag
inflation and driver’s safety belt usage at
deployment. The module also records speed,
engine rpm, brake and throttle data.
•Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system will not work properly. See your dealer
for service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s air bag, the bag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
air bag module in the steering wheel or both the
air bag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
1-51

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-11.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it inates. Avoid yellow wires,
wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualied to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-52

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-6
Door Locks....................................................2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle......................................2-7
Trunk............................................................2-8
Windows........................................................2-10
Power Windows............................................2-11
Sun Visors...................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-12
Immobilizer..................................................2-12
Immobilizer Operation....................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-15
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-15
Ignition Positions..........................................2-16
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-17Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-18
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-21
Parking Brake..............................................2-23
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-24
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-26
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal..................2-26
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-27
Engine Exhaust............................................2-27
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-28
Mirrors...........................................................2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-29
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-29
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-30
Storage Areas................................................2-30
Glove Box...................................................2-30
Cupholder(s)................................................2-31
Front Storage Area.......................................2-31
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-31
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-32
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. They
could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. The
children or others could be badly injured or
even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
2-2

The main key can be used
for the ignition, as well as
all locks, except for the
glovebox.
There is another key that
locks and unlocks the
glovebox.This key can usually be kept in the unlocked glovebox.
Then, when leaving your vehicle and master key
with a car park attendant, you can lock valuables in the
glovebox and take the glovebox key with you.
When a new key is delivered, it will come with a bar
coded tag attached to the key ring. Keep the bar code
tag that came with the original keys. Give this tag
to your dealer if you need a new key made.
The vehicle comes with a security card that lists various
security numbers for your vehicle, including key
numbers, and the radio PIN. Please keep the card in a
safe place, away from your vehicle.
If a replacement key is needed, you will have to go to
the dealership and make a request. If a key is lost, your
vehicle will have to be towed to a dealer to receive a
new key.
In an emergency, contact Pontiac Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-5for
more information.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
2-3

Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
The buttons on your key
allow you to lock and
unlock your doors
or unlock your trunk.
When pressing the key buttons, ensure that other keys
on the key ring are not between the main key and
the vehicle. Other keys can obscure the signal being
transmitted to the vehicle.
When a button on the key is pressed, it sends a signal
to the vehicle. The receiver of the signal is a small
rectangle on top of the dashboard, in the center. The
receiver is also used to measure sunlight. It is important
that the receiver is clean, not covered, and that there
are no metal objects close by, as this may block
the signals.LOCK:Press this button on the key to lock all the
doors, disable the engine, and set the alarm. The
vehicle’s turn signals will briefly flash.
If you prefer to have the turn signals flash accompanied
by the horn sounding, the LOCK feature can be
changed. SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-32.
The LOCK button on the key will not work if the ignition
is turned on or if the driver’s door is open.
UNLOCK:Press this button on the key to unlock the
doors. The turn signals will flash twice, and the horn will
chirp twice, if selected through vehicle personalization.
The interior light will also turn on for a short time. If
UNLOCK is pressed once, the driver’s door will unlock.
If UNLOCK is pressed a second time, or is held
down for more than half a second, all the doors will
unlock. If you prefer to have all the doors unlock with a
single press, the unlock feature can be changed to
unlock all doors. See “Two Stage Unlock” underVehicle
Personalization on page 2-32.
If the lock system is overloaded as a result of repeated
use in a short time interval, the power supply is cut
off for about 30 seconds. The door lock system
has been designed to make the vehicle horn chirp
rapidly five times if it detects a fault in the lock system
when the LOCK button is pressed. You should check to
see that the doors have locked.
2-5

V(Trunk):Press the button with the opened trunk
symbol to release the trunk lid.
The trunk button on the key will not work if you are
travelling over 12 mph (20 km/h).
Battery
Under normal use, the battery in your key should last
about five years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the key won’t work at
the normal range in any location. If you have to get
close to your vehicle before the key works, it is probably
time for a new battery. See your dealer.
The key buttons will not work if the battery inside the
key is flat. Try turning the key in the ignition to ON, then
off again and remove it. Try pressing LOCK on the
key again. If it still does not work a replacement key may
be needed from your vehicle dealer.
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the
handle will not open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash if the doors are not locked. So,
wear safety belts properly and lock the
doors whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.
2-6

There are several ways to unlock and lock your vehicle.
To unlock the doors from inside the vehicle, pull up
on the door lock knob. To lock the doors, press the knob
down. If you use the driver’s door lock knob, both
doors will lock or unlock.
Automatic transmission vehicles have an automatic
locking in DRIVE (D) feature which locks the doors
automatically when the transmission selector is shifted
out of PARK (P). To select this feature, seeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-32.
For safety reasons, vehicles cannot be locked using the
remote key if the key is in the ignition or if the driver’s
door is open.
To lock or unlock your vehicle from the outside, use
your key or the remote buttons on the key.
To lock the doors from the outside, do the following:
1. Insert the key in the driver’s door lock.
2. Turn the key towards the rear of the vehicle.
3. Then turn the key back to the vertical position and
remove.The alarm system is not set using this method.
To unlock the doors from the outside, do the following:
1. Insert the key in the driver’s door lock.
2. Turn the key towards the front of the vehicle.
3. Then turn the key back to the vertical position and
remove.
The alarm system will go off as soon as a door is
opened. If this happens, turn the key in the ignition to
ON to shut off the alarm.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, make sure that you lock
it and take the keys with you.
2-7

Power Windows
Use the switches located
between the seats to
operate the windows.
To raise the window, pull up the switch. To lower the
window, push down the switch.
The switches will remain operational when the ignition is
turned off for 15 minutes, while the doors remain
closed. When the doors are opened, the power windows
are deactivated, and will not operate until the ignition
is turned on again.
2-11

Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle may have a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is an electronic engine immobilizer, which
disables the car, when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system works when you turn the key to ON. The
key uses a transponder that matches an immobilizer
control unit in your vehicle. The correct key will start
the vehicle.
Your vehicle has a special key that works with the
theft-deterrent system. There is a transponder in the key
head. If the key is ever damaged, you may not be
able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the security light comes on, the key may
have a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off and
try again.If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-87for more information
on fuses. If the engine still does not start with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle
does start, the first key may be faulty. See your dealer
who can service the theft-deterrent system to have
a new key made.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes on
and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine
if you turn it off. The theft-deterrent system, however, is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
2-13