2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX hood open

If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut off
after 10 minutes unless a time extension has been
done. To manually shut off a remote start, do any of
the following:
Aim the remote keyless entry transmitter at the
vehicle and press the remote start button until
the parking lamps turn off.
Turn on the hazards warning ashers.
Turn the ignition switch on and then off.
The remote start feature provides two separate starts,
each with 10 minutes of engine running, or it provides
one start with 10 minutes of engine running which may
be extended by 10 more minutes. If you press and
release the transmitter lock button and then press and
hold the remote start button, on the keyless entry
transmitter, again before the rst 10 minutes of the
engine running time has expired, 10 minutes are added
to the remaining minutes. For example, if the lock
and then the remote start buttons are pressed again
after ve minutes of the engine run time, 10 minutes
are added and you now have 15 minutes of the
engine running. The added 10 minutes is considered
a second start. Once two remote starts or a single start
with a time extension have been provided, the vehicle
must be started normally with the ignition key to
get more remote starts.The remote start feature will not operate if the key is in
the ignition, a door is open or the hood is not closed.
The remote start feature will not operate if there is
an emission control system malfunction. Also, the engine
will turn off during a remote vehicle start if the coolant
temperature gets too high or the oil pressure gets low.
If a remote start is attempted and unsuccessful, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will display REMOTE
START DISABLED.
2-9

Engine Coolant Heater
The vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater. In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can help. The vehicle will start
easier and get better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of four hours prior to starting the
vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the
coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle may
also have an internal thermostat in the plug end of the
cord. This will prevent operation of the engine coolant
heater when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C)
as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located above the engine air cleaner/lter.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before, making sure to
keep it away from moving engine parts. If this is
not done, the cord could be damaged.
How long should the coolant heater be kept plugged in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil that is in the vehicle, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer in the area where the vehicle will
be parked. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-24

Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from draining in case the interior, trunk, or underhood
lamps are accidentally left on. If any of these lamps are
left on while the ignition is in OFF, they will automatically
turn off after 10 minutes. The lamps will not come
back on again until any of the following are done:
The ignition is turned to RUN or ACC.
The interior lamps control is turned completely to
the right, then back slightly to the left.
Open, or close and reopen, a door that is closed.
If the vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on
the odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time
to see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
If the vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD), some
information concerning the operation of the vehicle
is projected onto the windshield. This includes
the speedometer reading, transaxle positions, compass
direction, outside air temperature, the tap shift gear
and the upshift symbol if active, and a brief display of
the current radio station, including XM information or
CD track. It will also display turn-by-turn navigation
information if the vehicle is equipped with a navigation
radio. The images are projected by the HUD lens
located on the driver’s side of the instrument panel.
The tap shift gear and the upshift symbol will also
appear on the HUD if tap shift is active.
3-20

AJAR
This symbol appears
with the AJAR warning
message.
This warning message comes on when a door, the
trunk, or the hood of the vehicle is not properly closed.
The graphic will highlight the hood or trunk if either
one is not closed properly. The graphic will indicate a
highlighted, open door to show which door or doors are
not properly closed.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.
A chime will sound for two seconds when the ignition is
shifted out of PARK (P). Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this message and to clear it from the
screen.
This message will continue to display for three seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It will also re-display for three seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition
still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message appears when the system detects that
the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable
level. The battery saver system will start reducing
certain features of the vehicle that you may not be able
to notice. At the point that the features are disabled,
this message is displayed. It means that the vehicle
is trying to save the charge in the battery. Turn off
all unnecessary accessories to allow the battery
to recharge. The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts. If you have the uplevel DIC, you
can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by pressing
the gages button until you nd BATTERY.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This symbol comes on with
the CHANGE OIL SOON
warning message.
3-70

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-44.If
this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly. In
most cases, you should not have to add anything to your
fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. General Motors
recommends that you buy gasolines that are advertised
to help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean.If your vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors
or valves, try a different brand of gasoline. Also, your GM
dealer has additives that will help correct and prevent
most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specications described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
5-6

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood
release handle
located inside the
vehicle near the
parking brake pedal.
5-10

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 Supercharged engine (3800 V6 engine similar), here is what you will see:
5-12

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if it overheats, and get out of
the vehicle until the engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-29for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-29for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
5-28