2004 PONTIAC GTO power steering

{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

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

Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system reduces engine power and applies the
brakes, as necessary.
Traction control helps you to keep control of the vehicle
and reminds you to match your speed to the road
conditions. In addition, traction control when activated,
provides feedback to the driver by pulsing the
accelerator pedal.You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. The TCS is automatically turned on whenever
the ignition is turned from off to on. A Low Traction
message is displayed on the trip computer, indicating
traction control is limiting wheel spin, until the MODE
button on the trip computer is pressed. The message
then goes back to the original trip computer display with
a small low traction symbol on the left. The symbol
will remain as long as the low traction situation exists.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on.
But you can turn the system off if you prefer.
To turn the system off,
press the T/C button.
On manual transmission
vehicles the button is
located on the driver’s side
of the center console.
On automatic transmission
vehicles the button is
located on the passenger’s
side of the shift lever.
4-8

When you turn the system off, a Traction Ctrl Off
message is displayed on the trip computer. After
two seconds, the display goes back to the original
trip computer display with a small TRAC OFF icon
on the right.
If the Traction Ctrl Off message does not display when
the button is pressed, or if it comes on during driving,
a problem is indicated in the system and traction control
is no longer operational. You should contact your
dealer for service.
Pressing the T/C button again or the next time the
ignition is turned on, will turn the system back on.
The Traction Ctrl On message is displayed on the trip
computer. After two seconds, the display goes back
to the original trip computer display.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Unless you
have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard
braking can demand too much of those places.
You can lose control.
4-9

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-23
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-31
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-49
Rear Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-Up Lamps........................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-51
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-68
Tire Chains..................................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-70
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-71
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-77
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. See “Engine
Compartment Fuse Block” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-87.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-37.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped).
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-38.
I. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-24.
J. Engine Coolant Reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.Engine Oil
If the Check Oil message appears on the trip computer
display, it means you need to check your engine oil
level right away.
For more information, seeOil Pressure Light on
page 3-32.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-13

Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
The fluid level should be checked after the vehicle has
been driven for at least 20 minutes, so that the fluid
is warm. A convenient time is when stopping for
gas. The cold level check should only be used after the
engine has not been running for at least five hours.
However, the hot level check is always recommended.
The fluid level can be viewed through the reservoir.
The level markings are next to the fluid window. When
the fluid is cold the level should be between the
COLD MIN and MAX marks; when the vehicle has been
driven for awhile and the fluid is hot the level should
be between the HOT MIN and MAX marks. If fluid must
be added, undo the cap counterclockwise to the
stop; then the cap can be lifted off. Do not overfill and
remember to replace the cap tightly. If you often need to
add fluid, you should see your dealer. Remember to
secure the cap when the level is correct and clean up
any spillage.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-36