2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

Air Flow:This control has several settings to control
the direction of airow.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
AUTO:This mode is automatically set depending on
the temperature in the vehicle and solar sensor
information.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
%(Bi-Level):This mode directs airow to the
instrument panel outlets and to the oor outlets. A small
amount of air is also directed to the windshield and
the side window outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets, and a little air directed to the windshield.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning compressor on or off. The indicator light
on the button will come on when the air conditioning
is on.
?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on or off. This mode keeps outside
air from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to
help cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.Recirculation is not available in defrost or
oor/defog mode.
Using recirculation for long periods of time may cause
the air inside your vehicle to become too dry. To prevent
this from happening, after the air in your vehicle has
cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
z(Heated Seats):Press this button to turn the
heated seats on and off. The button on the left controls
the driver’s seat and the button on the right controls
the passenger’s seat. SeeHeated Seats on page 1-4for
additional information.
Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside of your vehicle, then uses the
information to maintain the selected temperature by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the
center of the instrument panel, near the windshield,
or the system will not work properly.
3-31

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or
frost from your windshield. Use the oor/defog mode to
clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use defrost to remove fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly.
-(Floor/Defog):This mode directs the air between
the windshield, oor outlets and side windows. When
you select this mode, the system turns off recirculation
and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the
outside temperature is near or below freezing. Pressing
the recirculation button, while in this mode, will have
no effect other than turning on the tell-tale light.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield, with some air directed to the side windows.
IN this mode, the system will automatically turn off
the recirculation and run the air conditioning compressor,
unless the outside temperature is near or below
freezing. Pressing the recirculation button, while in this
mode, will have not effect other than turning on the
tell-tale light.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
engine is running.
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on and off. Be sure
to clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
20 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will only run for approximately
20 minutes before turning off. The defogger can also be
turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and the repairs
wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Do not attach
a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or
anything similar to the defogger grid.
3-32

Outlet Adjustment
Rotate and turn the air outlets, located in the middle
and at each outboard side of the instrument panel,
to adjust the direction of the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. See “Passenger
Compartment Air Filter” following, for more
information on this lter.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter is located near the
passenger’s side windshield wiper arm, underneath
the inlet grille.
The lter traps most of the pollen from entering the
climate control system. Similar to the engine’s air lter,
it may need to be changed periodically to insure
system performance. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information.
To change the passenger compartment air lter, do the
following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC and the windshield
wipers on.
2. Turn the ignition to off when the windshield wipers
are in the upright position.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and the air inlet grille.
5. Remove the hood weather-strip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle, peeling it back
halfway.
3-33

6. Remove the two air inlet grille retainers using a at
tool to rst pry up on the center post and then the
remainder of the fastener can be pulled out.
7. Remove the air inlet grille by sliding it down to
disengage the two tabs that hold it to the bottom
of the windshield glass. Place the grille on the
windshield while you remove the lter. Do not try to
remove the grille from the vehicle because it is
still attached on the right side by a fastener.8. Remove the passenger compartment air lter by
pulling on the tab.
9. Install a new passenger compartment air lter.
Make sure it slides under the compartment
retainers. Be sure the long rubber water deector
above the lter stays in place.
10. Reverse steps 1 through 7.
3-34

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on the vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. As
the details show on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when the engine is started
just to indicate they are working. If you are familiar
with this section, you should not be alarmed when
this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate when there is a
problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while the vehicle is being driven, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly – and
even dangerous. So please get to know the vehicle’s
warning lights and gages. They can be a big help.
The vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49for
more information.
3-35

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to show at a glance how the vehicle is running. It will show how fast the
vehicle is going, about how much fuel is in the fuel tank, and many other things needed to drive the vehicle safely
and economically.
The vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very similar to it. It has indicator warning lights that are explained on
the following pages. Be sure to read about them.United States version shown, Canada similar
3-36

Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle’s speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer, located on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display, shows how far the vehicle has been
driven, in either miles or kilometers. SeeDIC Controls
and Displays (Base Level DIC) on page 3-49orDIC
Controls and Displays (Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer)
on page 3-57for more information.
If the vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD) the speed
will also be displayed on the HUD screen.
If a vehicle has to have a new odometer installed, a
new one can be set to the mileage total of the old
odometer, if that can be done. If it cannot, than it will be
set at zero and a label must be put on the driver’s
door to show the old mileage reading when the new
odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer, located in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), tells how far the vehicle has driven since it
was last reset. The miles (kilometers) for two different
trips can be viewed. SeeDIC Controls and Displays
(Base Level DIC) on page 3-49orDIC Controls and
Displays (Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer) on page 3-57
for more information on setting the trip odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
3-37

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind occupants to
fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light indicates if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensors,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and the diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag system,
seeAirbag System on page 1-48.
This light will come on
when the vehicle is
started, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system is
functioning properly.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is
started, or comes on as the vehicle is being driven,
the airbag system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away.
3-38