2005 PONTIAC GTO automatic transmission

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

AUTO HEADLIGHTS SENSITIVITY
This option is used to adjust the automatic headlights
on sensitivity. Use the up or down arrows to adjust
the sensitivity setting to Early, Normal, or Late.
The default selection is Normal. Press the MODE button
to continue. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-13.
COURTESY LAMP TIMEOUT
This option is used to adjust the length of time that
the interior courtesy lamp remains illuminated after
opening a door or unlocking the vehicle at night.
Use the up or down arrows to adjust the time setting
between zero and 255 seconds. The default selection is
30 seconds. Press the MODE button to continue.
IGNITION OFF COURTESY LAMP
This option is used to adjust the length of time that the
interior courtesy lamp remains illuminated after the
ignition is turned off, at night only. Use the up or down
arrows to adjust the time setting between zero and
255 seconds. The default selection is 30 seconds.
Press the MODE button to continue.
TWO STAGE UNLOCK
This option is used to enable or disable the two stage
door unlock function. Use the up or down arrows to select
Yes or No. The default selection is Yes. If Yes is selected,
the Two Stage Unlock function is activated. This means
that only the driver’s door will unlock on the first press of
the UNLOCK button on the key. If UNLOCK is pressed
and held a second time, or is held down for more than
half a second, all the doors will unlock. If No is selected,
all of the doors will unlock on the first press of the
UNLOCK button. SeeRemote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-5for more information.
AUTO LOCK IN DRIVE
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This option is used to enable or disable the automatic
door locking when in Drive function. Use the up or down
arrows to select Yes or No. The default selection is
Yes. If Yes is selected, the Auto Lock In Drive function
is activated. This means that the doors will automatically
lock when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P).
If No is selected, the doors will not automatically lock.
Press the MODE button to continue. SeeProgrammable
Automatic Door Locks on page 2-8for more information.
2-35

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps..................................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-14
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-15
Dome Lamp.................................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-16
Trunk Lamp.................................................3-16
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer...............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-25
Charging System Light..................................3-26
One-to-Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)...............................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-27
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-28
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-28
Security Light...............................................3-31
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-31
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-31
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light...........................................3-32
Fuel Gage...................................................3-32
Trip Computer................................................3-33
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
B. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-15andExterior Lamps on
page 3-13.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-9.
E. Trip Computer Control. SeeTrip Computer on
page 3-33.
F. Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-19.
I. Audio System Controls. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 3-45.J. Cruise Control Lever. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10.
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-56.
L. Tilt Wheel. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-16.
O. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-18orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-21.
P. Cupholders. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-29.
Q. Power Window Switches. SeePower Windows on
page 2-12.
R. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-23.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-29.
3-5

Pausing Cruise Control
To pause cruise control, press the brake pedal on either
an automatic or manual transmission, or the clutch
pedal on a manual transmission, or press the
ON-OFF/CANCEL switch once.
This deactivates the cruise control but retains the speed
in its memory. The CRUISE ACTIVE message and
cruise control symbol on the trip computer will turn off.
To regain the memory speed, momentarily turn the
lever up to the RES-ACCEL position, provided you are
travelling over 25 mph (40 km/h). Holding the lever
in the RES-ACCEL position for longer than one second
causes the vehicle to accelerate.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers find this to be too much trouble and do not
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
Pressing the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch once pauses the
cruise control but keeps the system ready and the
speed in memory.
Press the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch twice to turn off
cruise control completely. The cruise control symbol and
message will turn off.
A third press turns the system back on to ready, without
any speed memory.
Turning off the ignition completely turns off cruise
control and wipes the speed memory clear.
Cruise control will be canceled if the Traction Control
System (TCS) becomes active. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8.
Erasing Speed Memory
Pressing the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch twice to turn off
the cruise control or turning off the ignition will erase
the cruise control set speed memory.
3-12

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
•The ignition is on.
•The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO and
the light sensor detects daytime light.
•The exterior lamp control is turned to the off
position.
•The parking brake is released.
•For vehicles with automatic transmissions, the shift
lever is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior lamps
control to the parking lamp or headlamp position.
The DRL system will remain off any time your vehicle is
in PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged the first
time the ignition is turned on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the
top of the instrument panel under the defroster
grill. Make sure it is not covered, which will cause the
system to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather, or a tunnel.
This is normal.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
The headlamps can be set to come on at different
levels. The sensitivity can be adjusted to Early, Normal,
or Late. SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-30.
Leaving the headlamps and parking lamps on when the
engine is not running will eventually drain the battery.
3-14

Speedometer
The speedometer shows vehicle speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Tachometer
The tachometer shows
engine speed in
revolutions per
minute (rpm).
For automatic transmission vehicle’s, under wide open
throttle acceleration, when the accelerator pedal is
pushed flat to the floor, it is possible that the tachometer
needle may briefly enter the lower end of the
tachometer’s red zone just prior to automatically
upshifting into a higher gear. This is normal during wide
open throttle acceleration and will not harm the engine.Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not operate
the engine with the tachometer in the shaded
warning area.Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to
ON, the safety belt light will
come on and stay on for
several seconds and a
chime will be sounded for
eight seconds, then it will
flash continuously until the
driver’s belt is buckled.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, the light will not
come on.
3-24

To turn the system off,
press the T/C button. On
manual transmission
vehicles, the button is
located on the driver’s side
of the center console.
On automatic transmission
vehicles, the button is
located on the passenger’s
side of the shift lever.
When you turn the system off, a Traction Ctrl Off
message is displayed on the trip computer. After
two seconds, the display goes back to the original trip
computer display with a small TRAC OFF message on
the right.
If the Traction Ctrl Off message does not display when
the button is pressed, or if it comes on during driving,
a problem is indicated in the system and traction control
is no longer operational. You should contact your
dealer for service.
Pressing the T/C button again or the next time the
ignition is turned on, will turn the system back on. The
Traction Ctrl On message is displayed on the trip
computer. After two seconds, the display goes back to
the original trip computer display.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.
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.
4-9