tow PONTIAC GTO 2005 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-25
Airbag System
.........................................1-44
Restraint System Check
............................1-50
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-11
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-15
Mirrors
....................................................2-28
Storage Areas
.........................................2-29
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-30
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-22
Trip Computer
.........................................3-33
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-45Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-34
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-45
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-52
Tires
......................................................5-52
Appearance Care
.....................................5-76
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-85
Electrical System
......................................5-85
Capacities and Specifications
.....................5-90
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2005 Pontiac GTO Owner ManualM

{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it
is locked.
To return the seat to the original position after it has
been moved forward, do the following:
1. Make sure there are no objects in front of or behind
the seat.
2. Tilt the seatback
rearward until
the seatback
latches upright.3. Press and hold the
button under the front
seat lever to return
the seat to its original
position. The seat
will pause for
two seconds when
it reaches its
original position.
The seatback must first be returned upright before
pressing the button, otherwise it will not pause for
two seconds at the original position, and instead will
continue rearward until the button is released.
When rear seat passengers are entering or exiting the
vehicle, it may be helpful to move the seat belt
anchor arm toward the rear of the vehicle.
1-5

{CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can not properly spread the impact
forces. In a crash, the two children can be
crushed together and seriously injured. A belt
must be used by only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt
is very close to the child’s face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle. Be
sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If
the child is sitting in a rear seat position, seeRear
Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and
Small Adults on page 1-22.
1-26

{CAUTION:
The body structure of a young child is quite
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom
the safety belts are designed. A young child’s
hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s
regular safety belt may not remain low on the
hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle
up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the
belt would apply force on a body area that is
unprotected by any bony structure. This alone
could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young
children always should be secured in
appropriate child restraints.
Child Restraint Systems
An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a
motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed
to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat
surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward
the center of the vehicle.
1-31

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag
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.
What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually.But airbags 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 airbags. Airbags 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
Airbag Inates?
After the airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the airbag
inflated. Some components of the airbag module will be
hot for a short time. These components include the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag. 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 airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent
the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
1-48

Ignition Positions
The key can be turned to
one of three positions
while in the ignition switch.
A (LOCK):This is the only position from which you can
insert or remove the key. When the key is inserted
and is in this position, the radio, wipers, and accessory
power outlet will continue to work until the key is
removed. Once the key is removed these accessories
will turn off. By selecting the ON switch on the radio
these accessories will continue to work for one hour or
until either door is opened. If the key is left inserted
in this position, a chime will sound when the driver’s
door is opened to remind you the key has been left in
the ignition. If the key is left in the ignition, it can
drain the battery. Make sure to remove the key when
leaving the vehicle.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. A flashing padlock symbol on the bottom left
corner of the instrument panel indicates this.
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):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

PARK (P):The engine can be started in this position.
This position prevents the rear wheels from turning
and so should be selected, together with the parking
brake, when leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-24. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You must have your foot on the
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in ON. The vehicle will not shift from
PARK (P) if the button is pressed before the brake is
applied. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever, push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P), and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the desired gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-25.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-28.
2-19

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This is the most effective position for normal
or freeway driving. This position gives maximum fuel
efficiency, as the transmission can choose the
appropriate gear (1 through 4) for the existing load and
driving conditions.THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D). Here are some times you might choose
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D):
•When driving on hilly, winding roads.
•When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
•When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power but
lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on
very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in FIRST (1), the transmission will not shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Remember to move the shift lever back to DRIVE (D) so
that the transmission again upshifts into higher gears.
Even though the shift lever may be in FIRST (1), the
transmission does not select first gear until vehicle speed
is less that 35 mph (56 km/h).
2-20

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-34.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P).
•Press in and hold the shift lever button, located
on the top of the shift lever.
•Push the lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure the vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P), without first
pushing the shift lever button. If you can, it means
that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-24

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Second, adjust the angle of
the mirror by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, move the
lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the power
mirrors are located on the
driver’s door armrest.You can adjust the angle of the mirrors when the
ignition is on.
Move the selector switch located above the four-way
control pad to choose the right or left mirror. To adjust
a mirror, use the four-way control pad to move the
mirror in the direction that you want it to go.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-28