2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX tires

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Airbag System
.........................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-57
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
OnStar
®System
......................................2-36
Storage Areas
.........................................2-38
Sunroof
..................................................2-41
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-35
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-49
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-92Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-38
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-57
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-94
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-102
Electrical System
....................................5-103
Capacities and Specications
...................5-108
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-12
Index................................................................ 1
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner ManualM

The vehicle will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h)
and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times THIRD (3) could be used instead
of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
When going down a steep hill.
When driving in non-highway scenarios
(i.e. city streets, etc.).SECOND (2):This position gives the vehicle more
power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3).
SECOND (2) can be used on hills. It can help control
the vehicle’s speed as it goes down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes
off and on.
Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).
FIRST (1):This position gives the vehicle even more
power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). It can
be used on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is moved to FIRST (1), the transaxle will
not shift into rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly
enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-27

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
may not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
3-44

Display Units:This menu allows selection of
measurements to be displayed in English or metric
units. The messages on the HUD, if equipped, and the
instrument panel cluster will also appear with the
type of measurement selected.
To set the measurement when Display Units is shown,
use the following procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button to select ENGLISH or
METRIC.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
DAYTIME DISPLAY ENHANCEMENTS:This menu
allows selection of the color of the display message.
When ON is selected for the daytime enhancement,
the messages will appear black on a red screen. This
combination makes it easier to see the DIC messages
during the daytime. When OFF is selected, or when
the headlamps are on, the messages will appear red
on a black background.
To set the daytime display enhancements, use the
following procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button to select OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button again to advance to
the next screen.ENGINE OIL MONITOR SYSTEM:This menu allows
the engine oil monitor system to be reset. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18.
To reset the engine oil monitor system, use the following
procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button after an oil change to
reset the engine oil monitor system. The
conrmation, ENGINE OIL MONITOR SYSTEM
HAS BEEN RESET, will appear on the screen and
a chime will sound.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
Tire Ination Monitor System:If the vehicle has ABS,
this menu sets the tire ination monitor system. See “Tire
Ination Monitor System” underInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-64for more information.
To set or reset the tire ination monitor system, use the
following procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button to reset the tire ination
monitor system. The message, TIRE INFLATION
HAS BEEN SET, will appear on the screen if
the Check Tire Pressure message, indicating
an irregularity in the pressure of one of the
tires, had previously appeared on the DIC.
3-52

DAYTIME DISPLAY ENHANCEMENTS:This menu
allows selection of the color of the display message.
When ON is selected for the daytime enhancement,
the messages will appear black on a red screen. This
combination makes it easier to see the DIC messages
during the daytime. When OFF is selected, or when
the headlamps are on, the messages will appear red
on a black background.
To set the daytime display enhancements function,
use the following procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button to select OFF or ON.
2. Press the options button to advance to the
next screen.
ENGINE OIL MONITOR SYSTEM:This menu allows
the engine oil monitor system to be reset. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18.
To reset the engine oil monitor system, use the following
procedure:
1. Press the set/reset button after an oil change to
reset the engine oil monitor system. The
conrmation, ENGINE OIL MONITOR SYSTEM
HAS BEEN RESET, will appear on the screen and
a chime will sound.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.Tire Ination Monitor System:If the vehicle has ABS,
this menu allows the tire ination monitor system to
be reset. See “Tire Ination Monitor System” under
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 5-64for more
information.
To set or reset the tire ination monitor system, use the
following procedures:
1. Press the set/reset button to reset the tire ination
monitor system. TIRE INFLATION HAS BEEN SET
will appear on the screen If the “Check Tire
Pressure” message, indicating an irregularity in the
pressure of one of the tires, had previously
appeared on the DIC. If the “Check Tire Pressure”
message did not appear, and the set/reset
button is pressed, the system will reset, but no
acknowledgement message will appear on
the screen.
2. Press the options button again to advance to the
next screen.
Select the set/reset button to return to the main
(date) screen.
COMPASS CALIBRATION MODE:This menu allows
you to adjust for compass variance.
3-62

CHECK GAS CAP
This warning message comes on when the gas cap is
not on, or is not fully tightened. Check the gas cap
to ensure it is on and properly tightened.
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.
A chime will sound for two seconds when this message
is displayed and then the message continues to
display. 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.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This symbol comes on
with the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning
message.
If the vehicle has ABS brakes, this warning message
will appear when the air pressure in one of the tires
is too low or too high. Check the vehicle’s tire pressure
as soon as possible, and ll or deate the affected
tire to the appropriate level. The correct tire ination
pressure should be set to those shown on the
tire-loading information label on the vehicle. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-33for more information.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE screen is reset when
it is acknowledged. However, the TIRE INFLATION
MONITOR SYSTEM screen, located under the option
menu in the DIC, must also be reset. See “Tire Ination
Monitor System” in the options section underDIC
Controls and Displays (Base Level DIC) on page 3-49
orDIC Controls and Displays (Uplevel DIC with Trip
Computer) on page 3-57for more information.
3-72

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems have
to do their work at the places where the tires meet
the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice,
it is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can
lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9andEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-10.
4-5

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Variable Effort Steering
If your vehicle has this steering system, the system
provides less steering effort for parking and when driving
at speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h). Steering effort will
increase at higher speeds for improved road feel.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface
makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path
when you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction,
inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction.
If you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice,
you will understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you
are in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Unless you
have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard
braking can demand too much of those places.
You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering through
a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems — steering and acceleration — can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the
road and make you lose control. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9orEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-10.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
4-13