warning PONTIAC GTO 2005 Owner's Guide

Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
®replacement battery.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-40for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
5-39

The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlledconditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-65

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would;
use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers.
5-68

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle, stop
as soon as possible and make sure the spare tire
is correctly inflated. The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
finish your trip and have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced at your convenience. Of course, it is best
to replace the spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. The spare tire will last longer and be in good
shape in case it is needed again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed, do
not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get
caught on the rails. That can damage the tire and
wheel, and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They will not fit. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not t your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not use tire chains on
your compact spare.
Appearance Care
Cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic.
Other cleaning products can burst into flames if a match
is struck near them or if they get on a hot part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if their fumes are inhaled
in an enclosed space. When anything from a container
is used to clean the vehicle, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. Always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle when cleaning
the inside.
Never use these to clean the vehicle:
•Gasoline
•Benzene
•Naphtha
•Carbon Tetrachloride
•Acetone
•Paint Thinner
•Turpentine
•Lacquer Thinner
•Nail Polish Remover
5-76

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the metallic band inside the fuse. If the band is
broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some
feature of your vehicle that you can get along
without — like the radio or cigarette lighter — and use
its fuse, if it is the size you need. Replace it as soon as
you can.
Before replacing a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse block is located under the driver’s side of the
instrument panel. The fuses here protect each
separate circuit including headlamps. There are spare
fuses inside the fuse box. If you have electrical
failure, check here first.
Fuses Usage
FLASHER
UNITHazard Warning Flashers
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switches
5-86

Fuses Usage
POWER
SEATSPower Seat Controls
FRONT WIPER
WASHERFront Windshield Wiper Washer
PARK LAMPS Parking Lamps
STOP LAMPS Stop Lamps
INTERIOR
ILLUM.Interior light Controls
HAZARD
WARNINGHazard Warning Flashers
SPARE Spare
HORN Horn
IGNITION Ignition Switch
INSTRUMENT
ILLUM.Instrument Panel Lighting
TURN SIGNAL,
BACK UP
LAMPSTurn Signal Lamp, Back-Up Lamps
HVAC CONT.
HEAT, REAR
WINDOW,
INSTRUMENTSHeater Controls, Rear Window, Trip
Computer
CIGAR
LIGHTERCigarette LighterFuses Usage
CRUISE CONT.
POWER
MIRRORSCruise Control, Power Mirror
RADIO, CELL
PHONERadio System, Cell Phone
ACC. SOCKET Accessory Power Outlet
SPARE Spare
ENG. CONT.
SIGNALEngine Control Signal
POWER DOOR
LOCKS,
WINDOWS &
THEFT HORNPower Door Locks, Power Windows,
Theft System, Horn
INSTRUMENTS Instruments
SPARE Spare
RADIO & CELL
PHONERadio System, Cell Phone
SUB WOOFER
& AMPLIFIERSub Woofer and Amplifier
SPARE Spare
AIRBAG Airbag
ABS &
TRACTION
CONT.Anti-Lock Brake System, Traction
Control System
5-87

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-17
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-85
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-44
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-48
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-50
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-48
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....1-48
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-47
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-46
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-58
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-27
Appearance Care............................................5-76
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-81
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-79
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-80
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-77
Finish Care.................................................5-80
Finish Damage............................................5-82Appearance Care (cont.)
Glass Surfaces............................................5-79
Instrument Panel.........................................5-79
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-79
Leather......................................................5-79
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-82
Tires..........................................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-84
Vinyl..........................................................5-78
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-80
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-81
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-45
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-56
Backglass Antenna......................................3-58
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-57
Care of Your CDs........................................3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-46
Setting the Time..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-55
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-57
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-18
1

B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-58
Battery..........................................................5-39
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-20
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-23
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-15
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-50
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Capacities and Specifications............................5-90
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-8, 2-26, 4-24, 4-34
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-79
Your CD Player...........................................3-57
Your CDs ...................................................3-57
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-29
Chains, Tire...................................................5-67
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-28
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-83
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-31
Infants and Young Children...........................1-28
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-37
Older Children.............................................1-25
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-39
2

Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Manual Transmission....................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-31
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-16
Front Storage Area.........................................2-29
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-32
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-88
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-86
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-28
Fuel..........................................................3-32Gage (cont.)
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-29
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-4
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-45
Headlamps............................................3-13, 5-47
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-14
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Heater...........................................................3-19
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-31
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
5

Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Immobilizer....................................................2-13
Immobilizer Operation......................................2-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-28
Inflation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-59
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Overview..................................................... 3-4
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-40
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-54
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-16
Courtesy....................................................3-15
Dome........................................................3-16
Exterior......................................................3-13
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Front Reading.............................................3-16
Trunk.........................................................3-16
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-37
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-39
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-4
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-27
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
6