2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX steering
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There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag
symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-38
for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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The side impact airbag for the right front passenger and
the person seated directly behind that passenger is in
the ceiling above the side windows.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not in ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in ating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering. And, if your vehicle has side
impact airbags, never secure anything to the
roof of your vehicle by routing the rope or
tiedown through any door or window opening.
If you do, the path of an in ating side impact
airbag will be blocked. The path of an in ating
airbag must be kept clear.
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In any particular crash, no one can say whether an
airbag should have in ated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs
were. For frontal airbags, in ation is determined by
the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle
slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts. For side
impact airbags, in ation is determined by the location
and severity of the impact.
What Makes an Airbag In ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For
both frontal and side impact airbags, the sensing system
triggers a release of gas from the in ator, which
in ates the airbag. The in ator, airbag, and related
hardware are all part of the airbag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of
the right front passenger. For vehicles with side impact
airbags, the airbag modules are located in the ceiling
of the vehicle, near the side windows.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the
frontal airbags would not help you in many types
of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion
is not toward the airbag. Side impact airbags would not
help you in many types of collisions, including frontal
or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and
then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s
frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe
side collisions for side impact airbags.
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What Will You See After an
Airbag In ates?
After an airbag in ates, it quickly de ates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the airbag in ated.
Some components of the airbag module — the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s bag or the ceiling of your
vehicle near the side windows — will be hot for a short
time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
de ated airbags. Airbag in ation does not prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor
does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag in ates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
can not get out of the vehicle after an airbag
in ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
In many crashes severe enough to in ate an airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional
windshield breakage may also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to in ate only once. After an
airbag in ates, you will need some new parts for your
airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
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Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after a
crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders on page 7-10.
Let only quali ed technicians work on your airbag
system. Improper service can mean that your airbag
system will not work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side
impact airbag covering on the ceiling near the
side windows, the airbag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the airbag module in
the steering wheel, both the airbag module and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
airbag, or side impact airbag module and ceiling
covering for the roof-mounted side impact airbag.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. You do not want the system to
in ate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-13.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still in ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close
to an airbag when it in ates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali ed to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Ignition Positions
The ignition switch is located on the instrument panel,
to the right of the steering column.
There are four different
positions. Insert the key
in the ignition and turn
it to the right for each
position.
9(OFF):This position locks the ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It is a theft-deterrent feature. This is
the only position from which the key can be removed.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.ACC (ACCESSORY):This position allows things like
the radio and windshield wipers to operate while
the engine is off.
R(RUN):This position is where the key returns to
after the vehicle is started. With the engine off, the
RUN position displays some of the warning and
indicator lights.
/(START):This position starts the engine. Let go of
the key when the engine starts. The key will return
to the RUN position for normal driving.
A continuous warning chime will sound and a KEY IN
IGNITION warning message will display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) if the key is in the
ignition in OFF or ACC and the driver’s door is opened.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
If the vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP),
certain features will continue to operate for up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF unless
a door is opened.
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Performance Shifting with TAP-Shift™
If the vehicle is equipped
with the 3800 V6
Supercharged engine,
it may have a console
gearshift with a
MANUAL (M) position.
The other gearshift positions available are
PARK (P), REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N) and
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D), and operate
as explained earlier in this section.While in the MANUAL (M) position, the paddles, located
on the steering wheel, can be used to up-shift or
down-shift the transaxle, under certain circumstances.
While in the MANUAL (M)
mode, push either paddle
once to up-shift to the
next gear. Pull either
paddle once to down-shift
to the next gear.
To fully use the system, select MANUAL (M) while
stopped, with the engine running. The vehicle will begin
moving in rst gear upon acceleration. For better
control in icy or slippery conditions, the vehicle may
start out in second gear, rather than rst gear.
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Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-47
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-47
Cruise Control Light......................................3-48
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-48
Fuel Gage...................................................3-48
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
DIC Controls and Displays
(Base Level DIC).......................................3-49
DIC Controls and Displays
(Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer)................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-69
Audio System(s).............................................3-92
Setting the Time...........................................3-93
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-93Radio with CD (MP3)..................................3-104
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-118
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-132
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-132
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-133
Radio Reception.........................................3-134
Care of Your CDs.......................................3-134
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-134
Backglass Antenna......................................3-134
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-135
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-135
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2