steering PONTIAC GTO 2004 Owners Manual

Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
1-48

{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not inate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put
anything between an occupant and an air bag,
and don’t attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.
When Should an Air Bag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system’s
designed “threshold level”.
If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that
does not move or deform, the threshold level is about
11 to 17 mph (18 to 28 km/h). The threshold level can
vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can
be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle
strikes something that will move or deform, such as a
parked car, the threshold level will be higher.
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags
are not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear impacts,
or in many side impacts because inflation would not help
the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact
and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and
near-frontal impacts.
1-49

What Makes an Air Bag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag,
and related hardware are all part of the air bag
modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument
panel in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute
the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually.
But air bags would not help you in many types of
collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is
not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety
belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions.
What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module will be
hot for a short time. These components include the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal air bag and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal
air bag. The parts of the bag that come into contact with
you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in
the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation does not prevent
the driver from seeing or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
1-50

{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

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
three different positions.
A (LOCK and ACCESSORY):This is the only position
from which you can insert or remove the key. When
the key is inserted and is in this position, all accessories,
electrical systems, and engine are off. If the key is
cycled back to this position the accessories will remain
on until the key is removed. Once the key is removed
the accessories will turn off. If the key is left inserted in
this position, a chime will sound when the driver’sdoor is opened to remind you the key has been left in
the ignition. The key can only be turned to this position if
the vehicle’s automatic transmission is in PARK (P).
To help guard against theft, your vehicle’s engine
is automatically disabled shortly after turning the key to
this position. This is indicated by the flashing padlock
symbol on the bottom left corner of the instrument panel.
The steering column is automatically locked when the
key is removed. To release the steering wheel, insert the
key again and turn it towards the front of the vehicle.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
B (ON and ACCESSORY):This position is where the
key returns to after you start your engine and release the
key. The ignition switch stays in ON when the engine
is running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use ON to operate your electrical accessories
and to display some instrument panel warning lights.
C (START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON for normal driving.
2-16

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-4
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer...............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-25
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-26
Charging System Light..................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-28
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-29
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-32
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-33
Security Light...............................................3-33
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-33
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-33
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light...........3-34
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-34
Fuel Gage...................................................3-35
Trip Computer................................................3-36
Audio System(s).............................................3-42
Setting the Time...........................................3-42
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-43
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-52
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-53
Radio Reception...........................................3-54
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-54
Care of Your CD Player................................3-54
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-55
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Headlamps Dial. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-12.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-24.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. See “Windshield Wipers”
underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
E. Trip Computer Control. SeeTrip Computer on
page 3-36.
F. Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
G. Hazard Warning Lights. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-4.
H. Sunlight Sensor. See “Automatic Headlamp System”
underExterior Lamps on page 3-12.
I. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-19.
J. Audio System Controls. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 3-42.
K. Passenger’s Air Bag. SeeWhere Are the Air Bags?
on page 1-48.L. Cruise Control Lever. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-53.
N. Driver’s Air Bag. SeeWhere Are the Air Bags? on
page 1-48.
O. Tilt Wheel. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-5.
P. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-4.
Q. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-16.
R. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-24.
S. Cupholders. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-31.
T. Power Window Switches. SeePower Windows on
page 2-11.
U. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-23.
V. Glovebox. SeeGlove Box on page 2-30.
3-3

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
The hazard warning
flasher button is located
near the center of the
instrument panel.Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol
anywhere on your steering wheel.
3-4

Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to
the highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located under the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, pull the lever down. Then move the
wheel to a comfortable position and release the lever to
lock the wheel in place.
Telescopic Steering Column
The steering column also has a telescopic function. This
function allows the wheel to move toward the front of
the vehicle and toward the rear of the vehicle.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
•Turn and Lane-Change Signals
•Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
•Flash-to-Pass
•Cruise Control
For information on the exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-12.
3-5

Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass,
even if the headlamps and ignition are turned off.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
If flash-to-pass is activated, then the headlamp
high/low-beam changer indicator will display on the
instrument panel cluster. The fog lamps are turned off
while this feature is active.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers and washer.
These functions operate when the ignition is turned
to ON.
INT (Intermittent):Push the lever up to turn on the
wipers. Put the lever in the first position for intermittent
wiping cycles. The delay will change as your vehicle’s
speed changes. The delay will decrease as you go
faster and increase as you go slower.
3-7