PONTIAC GTO 2005 Owners Manual

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
which allows the steering wheel to move closer or further
away from the driver.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
•Turn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
•Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. SeeHeadlamp
High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
•Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-9.
•Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
3-7

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up to signal
right turn and all the way down to signal a left turn.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-86.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam with the headlamps on, push the turn
signal/multifunction lever away from you. The headlamps
will change from low beam to high beam.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on if the
ignition is on.
If the fog lamps are on when the high-beam headlamps
are activated, the fog lamps will turn off. The fog
lamp indicator in the instrument panel cluster will
turn off.
3-8

Flash-to-Pass
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, LOCK, or when the Retained Accessory Power is in
operation. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 2-17.
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.
1 (Low Speed):Put the lever in the second position for
slow, steady wiping cycles.
2 (High Speed):Put the lever in the third position for
rapid wiping cycles.
L(Mist):Move the lever to this position for a single
wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield wipers
start; then let go. The windshield wipers will stop after
one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the lever
down longer.
0 (Off):Turn the lever to this position to turn off
the wipers.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, install new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
3-9

Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
L(Washer Fluid):Pull the lever towards you to spray
water onto the windshield. Washer fluid will squirt
onto the windshield and the wipers will run for a few
cycles to clear the windshield.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help
on long trips. Cruise control does not work unless the
vehicle speed is at least 25 mph (40 km/h). The
Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a message
when cruise control is enabled. SeeTrip Computer
on page 3-33.
3-10

{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.The cruise control lever is on the left side of the
steering column. The ON-OFF/CANCEL switch is at the
end of the lever and is activated by pushing in towards
the direction of the steering column.
To set cruise control, do the following:
1. Turn on the ignition.
2. Press the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch. The CRUISE
message appears on the trip computer.
3. Get up to the speed you want.
4. Rotate the lever down to SET-DECEL. The CRUISE
ACTIVE message appears on the trip computer.
5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and release
the cruise control lever.
Adjusting Speed While Using Cruise
Control
You may do one of the following:
•Turn the lever down to SET-DECEL until the car
slows down to the desired speed, then release it.
•Turn the lever up to RES-ACCEL until the car
accelerates up to the desired speed, then release it.
Minor changes in speed can be achieved by
momentarily turning the lever up or down. When
reducing speed, remember that the cruise control is not
designed to operate under 25 mph (40 km/h).
3-11

Pausing Cruise Control
To pause cruise control, press the brake pedal on either
an automatic or manual transmission, or the clutch
pedal on a manual transmission, or press the
ON-OFF/CANCEL switch once.
This deactivates the cruise control but retains the speed
in its memory. The CRUISE ACTIVE message and
cruise control symbol on the trip computer will turn off.
To regain the memory speed, momentarily turn the
lever up to the RES-ACCEL position, provided you are
travelling over 25 mph (40 km/h). Holding the lever
in the RES-ACCEL position for longer than one second
causes the vehicle to accelerate.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers find this to be too much trouble and do not
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
Pressing the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch once pauses the
cruise control but keeps the system ready and the
speed in memory.
Press the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch twice to turn off
cruise control completely. The cruise control symbol and
message will turn off.
A third press turns the system back on to ready, without
any speed memory.
Turning off the ignition completely turns off cruise
control and wipes the speed memory clear.
Cruise control will be canceled if the Traction Control
System (TCS) becomes active. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8.
Erasing Speed Memory
Pressing the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch twice to turn off
the cruise control or turning off the ignition will erase
the cruise control set speed memory.
3-12

Exterior Lamps
The switch to the left of
the steering wheel on the
instrument panel controls
the following:
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position
to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
taillamps, sidemarker lamps, license plate lamps, and
instrument panel lights.
2(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, together with the parking lamps,
taillamps, sidemarker lamps, and license plate lamps.AUTO (Automatic Headlamps):Turn the switch to
AUTO to provide for automatic operation of the
headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker lamps, and parking
lamps. For more information seeAutomatic Headlamp
System on page 3-14.
9(Off):Turn the switch to this position to turn all
lamps off.
Headlamps
When the headlamps are switched on, the instrument
panel is automatically illuminated. Once illuminated, you
can adjust their brightness. Some illuminated areas
of the vehicle have been linked to the brightness control,
such as the trip computer, headlamp switch, radio,
etc. This means that the interior lights can be adjusted
to your preference. When the headlamps are turned
off and back on again, the brightness level reverts to the
last adjusted setting.
Your vehicle is designed to provide additional security,
when returning to the vehicle at night. When the
UNLOCK or LOCK button on the key is used, the car’s
exterior lights will come on for a preset time or until
the car is relocked. This feature only works if the
headlamp control is in the AUTO or headlamp positions.
To set or adjust the time the headlamps stay on after
the UNLOCK button has been pressed, seeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-30.
3-13

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
•The ignition is on.
•The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO and
the light sensor detects daytime light.
•The exterior lamp control is turned to the off
position.
•The parking brake is released.
•For vehicles with automatic transmissions, the shift
lever is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior lamps
control to the parking lamp or headlamp position.
The DRL system will remain off any time your vehicle is
in PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged the first
time the ignition is turned on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the
top of the instrument panel under the defroster
grill. Make sure it is not covered, which will cause the
system to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather, or a tunnel.
This is normal.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
The headlamps can be set to come on at different
levels. The sensitivity can be adjusted to Early, Normal,
or Late. SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-30.
Leaving the headlamps and parking lamps on when the
engine is not running will eventually drain the battery.
3-14

To prevent the battery from draining, the headlamp and
parking lamps will turn off when the ignition has been
turned off and the driver’s door is opened, because the
vehicle senses that the driver has forgotten to turn
off the lights. The lights stay off until the ignition is again
turned on, or the lights are turned back on manually
by the headlamp switch. The headlamps can be set to
automatically turn off after you have locked the
vehicle and walked away. To set or adjust the time
delay from when the driver’s door is opened to when the
lights automatically turn off, seeVehicle Personalization
on page 2-30. If you wish to have the lights on when
leaving the vehicle, wait until they have been
automatically turned off, then turn the light control first
to off, then to parking lamps or headlamps.
Fog Lamps
The control to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel also controls the fog lamps.
-(Fog Lamp):When using the fog lamps, the
ignition must be on and the parking lamps or the
low-beam headlamps. If the high-beam headlamps are
activated or flashed, the fog lamps will turn off.
Pull the exterior lamp adjuster control out to turn the fog
lamps on, and push the control in to turn the fog
lamps off. The indicator light in the knob will come on
when the fog lamps are working.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Slide the control to
increase or decrease
the instrument
panel brightness.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is open, the courtesy lamps will
automatically come on.
3-15

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 2-30.
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. After 40 seconds have elapsed, the
interior lamps will turn off. The lamps will turn off
before 40 seconds have elapsed if you do either of
the following:
•Lock all doors using the remote key buttons.
•Lock the doors manually using the lock knob.Entry lighting is canceled when any door is opened, but
the interior lights will stay on until 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.
Front Reading Lamps
Your vehicle has reading lamps located in the dome
lamp. The lamps can be turned on and off manually by
pressing the side of each reading lamp.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery run-down protection feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
It will activate when there has been no electrical change
for one hour, nothing has been turned on or off, after
the ignition has been turned to ON or LOCK.
Once activated, all the interior lamps will turn off
including dome, reading, glovebox, trunk.
3-16