2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM airbag

If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on for a few
seconds when you turn on
the ignition as a check
to show you it is working.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and you
hear a chime, 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.
3-26

Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you
will want to use the proper service manual. It tells
you much more about how to service your vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-11.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-56.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. SeeMaintenance Record on page 6-14.{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.
5-4

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer rst. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-56.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
A circuit breaker in the fuse panel protects the power
windows. When the current load is too heavy, the circuit
breaker opens and closes, protecting the circuit until
the problem is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible links. This greatly reduces the chance of
damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
There are three fuse blocks in your vehicle: two
instrument panel fuse blocks and the engine
compartment fuse block.
There are four spare fuses located in the driver’s side
instrument panel end cap for your use.
5-80

Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect drum brake linings for wear or cracks.
Inspect other brake parts, including drums, wheel
cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
(The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, door hinges and
latches, hood hinges and latches and trunk lid hinges and
latches. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check system for interference or binding and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise
control cables.
6-7

Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.
Some information may be stored during regular
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;
other information is stored only in a crash event by
computer systems, such as those commonly called event
data recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle
may record information about the condition of the vehicle
and how it was operated, such as data related to
engine speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle
speed, safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag
performance, and the severity of a collision. If your
vehicle is equipped with Quadrasteer, steering
performance, including yaw rate, steering wheel angle,
and lateral acceleration, is also recorded. This
information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlikethe data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the device that stores
the data is required. GM will not access information
about a crash event or share it with others other than:
•with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
•in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
•as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
•as required by law.
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may:
•use the data for GM research needs,
•make it available for research where appropriate
confidentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
•share summary data which is not tied to a specific
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the device that stores
the data.
7-9

A
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-80
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-51
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-55
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-56
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?........1-55
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-54
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-70
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-70
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-71
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-76
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-74
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-77
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-75
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-71
Finish Care.................................................5-75
Finish Damage............................................5-77Appearance Care (cont.)
Glass Surfaces............................................5-73
Instrument Panel.........................................5-73
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-73
Leather......................................................5-73
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-77
Tires..........................................................5-76
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-77
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-78
Vinyl..........................................................5-73
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-74
Weatherstrips..............................................5-74
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-75
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-37
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-68
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-69
Care of Your CDs........................................3-69
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-70
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-70
Radio with CD............................3-38, 3-42, 3-53
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-37
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-67
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-69
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-70
1

Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-35
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-23
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Inflation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-52
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-17
Cluster.......................................................3-22
Overview..................................................... 3-4
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-37
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-47
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-18
Dome........................................................3-17
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Trunk.........................................................3-18
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-43
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6
Lift Seat, Power............................................... 1-7
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-28
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
Change Engine Oil......................................3-34
Charging System.........................................3-26
6

Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-9
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-21
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback Latches............................................. 1-6
Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjuster............................. 1-3
Easy Entry Seat............................................ 1-6
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Power Lift Seat............................................. 1-7
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Seatback Latches.......................................... 1-6
Six-Way Power Driver.................................... 1-3
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position............................1-46
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-43
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-44
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-48
Security Light.................................................3-35
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-30
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11Service (cont.)
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-35
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-56
Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS).........3-37
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)........3-37
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-77
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-24
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-25
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-21
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Installing....................................................5-64
Removing...................................................5-62
Storing.......................................................5-69
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-85
Speedometer..................................................3-24
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-17
Steering........................................................4-10
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-68
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-7
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-30
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-29
Glove Box..................................................2-29
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-29
Sun Visors.....................................................2-14
Sunroof.........................................................2-30
10