2005 PONTIAC GTO Owners Manual

After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes
on may damage the transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:
•The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C),
•you are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
•you are 21 percent throttle or less.
SeeOne-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) on
page 3-26andTrip Computer on page 3-33for more
information.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle without pressing the release button. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the parking brake handle up until you
can press the release button. Hold the release button
in as you move the brake handle all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-23

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-34.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P).
•Press in and hold the shift lever button, located
on the top of the shift lever.
•Push the lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure the vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P), without first
pushing the shift lever button. If you can, it means
that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-24

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may find it difficult to move
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock.
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-24.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle uphill. This should take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can move the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes
before you can press the button on the shift lever to
shift from PARK (P) while the ignition is ON. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-18.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal down. Release the
shift lever button. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button.
Shift Lock Release
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK to remove the key.
2. Remove the front console rubber insert, located in
front of the shift lever, by lifting upwards.
3. Remove the screw slightly to the right of the
front center.
4. Open the console storage compartment and pry
the console cover assembly from the console.
The cover is attached in six places.
5. Insert a tool into the opening in front of the shift
lever and move the yellow release lever forward.
6. Press the button on the shift lever to move lever out
of park.
7. Replace the console cap.
8. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
2-25

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-26

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-26.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-24.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-24.
2-27

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Second, adjust the angle of
the mirror by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, move the
lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the power
mirrors are located on the
driver’s door armrest.You can adjust the angle of the mirrors when the
ignition is on.
Move the selector switch located above the four-way
control pad to choose the right or left mirror. To adjust
a mirror, use the four-way control pad to move the
mirror in the direction that you want it to go.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-28

Storage Areas
Glove Box
Use the glovebox key to lock and unlock the glovebox.
For security, the master key is designed not to
operate the glovebox lock. SeeKeys on page 2-2.
To lock, insert the key, turn clockwise and then remove.
To unlock, insert the key and turn counterclockwise
and remove.
To open, pull the handle to the left and pull the glove
box door down until it stops and is fully open.
Cupholder(s)
The two cupholders are located in front of the center
console storage area.
Front Storage Area
There is one storage compartment located under the
audio system and one located in the rear of the center
console. Push the cover once to open them.
An open bin is also provided under the front storage
compartment.
Center Console Storage Area
Your vehicle has a center console storage area.
To open the storage area, pull up on the latch at the
front edge of the cover.
2-29

Vehicle Personalization
The vehicle personalization mode enables the driver to
customize some of the vehicle features using the
trip computer buttons and instrument panel center
display. Only features that are equipped on the vehicle
will be displayed.
The following list shows features that can be reset or
customized:
•RESTORE TO FACTORY SETTINGS
•UNDERSPEED CHIME
•DIST (Distance) TO ARRIVAL DISPLAY
•DIST (Distance) TO ARRIVAL DEFAULT
•TRIP COMPUTERA&B
•DIGITAL SPEEDO (Speedometer)
•REST REMINDER
•STOP WATCH
•RADIO DISPLAY
•CONFIRMATION BEEPS
•SPEED–DEPENDENT VOLUME
•AUDIO DISTORTION LIMITER
•HEADLIGHTS OFF DELAY TIME
•HEADLIGHTS APPROACH TIME
•AUTO HEADLIGHTS SENSITIVITY
•COURTESY LAMP TIMEOUT
•IGNITION OFF COURTESY LAMP
•TWO STAGE UNLOCK
•AUTO LOCK IN DRIVE
(Automatic Transmission Only)
•DOOR LOCK INDICATION
2-30