2004 PONTIAC GTO stop start

How to Detect a Tamper Condition
The exterior turn signals should flash twice when
returning to your vehicle and pressing UNLOCK on the
key. If they flash three times, an attempted break-in
has occurred while the vehicle was armed. If you wish
to find out what set the alarm off, turn the ignition on
and look at the trip computer display for the ALARM
ACTIVATED message being shown. The ALARM
ACTIVATED message will be displayed first for
one second, followed by the trigger point screens.
The trigger point screens will also be displayed for
one second. If more than one trigger point has been
activated, the display will show each trigger point screen
in sequence for one second, returning back to the
ALARM ACTIVATED screen. The alarm screens will be
shown in a continuous cycle until the trip computer
MODE button is pressed. The center display then
reverts to the last screen shown prior to the ignition
being off.
The possible trigger points are the following:
•The hood has been opened.
•The trunk has been opened.
•One of the doors has been opened.
•Hot wiring of the vehicle was attempted
(ignition on without key inserted).
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
2-15

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue to work for one hour after the ignition is turned
to OFF. The windows will also be accessible for
15 minutes or until either door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position – that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down – that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal and the
parking brake firmly applied, turn your ignition
key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the
key. The idle speed will go down as your engine
gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start, wait about 15 seconds and try
again to start the engine by turning the ignition
key to START. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
When your engine has run about 10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don’t
run your engine at high speeds when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
2-17

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) on page 2-26.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up. Never select
REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is still moving.
Reverse lights will operate when this position is selected
and the ignition is on. After reversing, make sure the
vehicle has fully stopped before selecting another gear
position. After selecting this position, pause for a
moment before accelerating to allow the transmission to
engage reverse gear.
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,
see If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-28.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. This is
the out-of-gear position. You may then start a stalled
engine while the vehicle is still moving or stopped.
{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.
2-19

Manual Transmission Operation
This is the shift pattern for
the six-speed manual
transmission.
Here is how to operate your transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you’re going less
than 40 mph (64 km/h). If you come to a complete stop
and it’s hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6):Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5)
and SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Just apply pressure
to get the lever past FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.
2-21

AUTO LOCK IN DRIVE (Automatic
Transmission Only)
This option is used to enable or disable the automatic
door locking when in Drive function. Use the up or down
arrows to select Yes or No. If Yes is selected, the
Auto Lock In Drive function is activated, the default is
No. Press the MODE button to continue. SeeDoor
Locks on page 2-6.
DOOR LOCK INDICATION
This option is used to select the type of indication
provided to the driver upon locking and unlocking the
vehicle’s doors. Use the up or down arrows to select
Indicators or Indicators & Horn, the default is Indicators.
Press the MODE button to continue.
Exiting Programming Mode
To exit, do one of the following:
•Press the MODE button to scroll through to the exit
screen.
•Drive the vehicle at more than 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Switch the ignition off if vehicle is stopped.
EXIT OPTIONS MENU
This option is used to either exit personalization mode
options menu or to return to the start of the options
menu. Use the up or down arrows to select Yes or No.
If Yes is selected, the trip computer exits calibration
mode and returns to the previous trip computer display.
If No is selected, the menu jumps back to the start of
the options menu, RESTORE TO FACTORY SETTINGS
display. Press the MODE button to continue.
2-37

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.
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.
The windshield washer button is located at the end of
the windshield wiper lever.
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.
3-8

Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on when you
turn on the ignition,
until the engine is started,
as a check to show
you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If the light illuminates and the Check Alternator message
on the trip computer stays on, or comes on while you
are driving you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose
generator drive belt or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on
could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
The Check Alternator message will remain until the
MODE button on the trip computer is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the problem is fixed.
Brake System Warning Light
To check that the light is
working, the symbol is
displayed when the ignition
is first turned ON and
the park brake applied.
If the symbol illuminates and the Brake message
appears on the trip computer display while driving and
the park brake is released, a fault with the brakes is
indicated. You should immediately stop the car on the
side of the road as carefully as possible. Do not proceed
until satisfied that braking is possible or that the
cause of the problem has been fixed.
A warning will chime if you attempt to drive off without
releasing the park brake.
The Brake message will remain until the MODE button
on the trip computer is pressed, but the symbol will
remain until the problem is fixed.
3-27

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
•Reducing vehicle speed.
•Avoiding hard accelerations.
•Avoiding steep uphill grades.
•If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle.Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-30