2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX warning light

STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE
This symbol comes on with
the STABILITY CONTROL
ACTIVE warning
message.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®Plus system, this
warning message appears when the system is engaged
and actively assisting the driver with directional
control of the vehicle. Slippery road conditions may exist
when this warning message is displayed, so driving
should be adjusted accordingly. STABILITY CONTROL
ACTIVE will also appear in the Head-Up Display
(HUD), if equipped.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. This message stays on until road conditions
change and StabiliTrak
®Plus is not active.
This message cannot be acknowledged and cleared
from the screen.
STABILITY CONTROL OFF
This symbol comes on with
the STABILITY CONTROL
OFF warning message.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®Plus system, this
warning message will appear when the system turns off.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime will sound once and the message will stay
on for three seconds and then disappear. A warning light
indicating that this system is deactivated will also appear
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-42orEnhanced
Traction System Warning Light on page 3-42.
When the StabiliTrak
®Plus system is off, the system
will not be engaged and will not actively assist the driver
with directional control of the vehicle. SeeStabiliTrak
®
Plus System on page 4-12.
Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak
®Plus system to turn off:
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®Plus system failure.
See your GM dealer for service.
3-89

TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
This symbol comes on with
the TRACTION CONTROL
ACTIVE message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will appear when the system is on. TRACTION
CONTROL ACTIVE will also appear in the Head-Up
Display (HUD), if equipped.
This message only displays while the ignition is in RUN
and will not disappear until driving conditions change
and the traction control is no longer active.
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared from
the screen.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This symbol comes on with
the TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will appear when the traction control system
turns off. TRACTION CONTROL OFF will also appear in
the Head-Up Display (HUD), if equipped. This message
will only display while the ignition is in RUN and will
disappear after three seconds. A chime will sound once
and the message will stay on for three seconds and
then disappear. A warning light indicating that this
system is deactivated will also appear on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-42orEnhanced Traction
System Warning Light on page 3-42.
3-91

Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
4-6

ETS operates in all transaxle shift lever positions. But
the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the
chosen shift lever position, so use the lower gears
only when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25.
This warning light appears
on the instrument panel to
indicate that the ETS is
not on.
This symbol, along with
the message TRACTION
CONTROL OFF will
display on the DIC for
three seconds when the
ETS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the service
traction system will also come on in the DIC. See
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light on page 3-42.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust driving accordingly.To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, the ETS should always be left on. But the
system can be turned off. The system should be turned
off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking
Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-33andIf You
Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-32for
more information.
Press the traction
control button located
on the console to turn
the system off.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when the button is
pressed, the system will turn off instantly. Press the
traction control button again to turn the system on.
4-11

Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-58.
4-21

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for
a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-23.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-22

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies
in your trunk.
Also seeTires on page 5-58.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
4-28

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move that
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When towing a trailer, the vehicle may need a different
turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. Check with
your dealer. The arrows on the instrument panel will
ash whenever signaling a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also ash, telling
other drivers the vehicle and trailer are about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. You may think drivers behind you
are seeing the turn signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
The vehicle has bulb warning lights. When a trailer
lighting system is plugged into the vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not indicate if one of
the lamps goes out. So, when a trailer lighting system
is plugged in, be sure to check the vehicle and
trailer lamps from time to time to be sure they are all
working. Once the trailer lamps have been disconnected,
the bulb warning lights can once again indicate if one
of the vehicle lamps is out.
4-45