2005 PONTIAC GTO radio

Exterior Lamps
The switch to the left of
the steering wheel on the
instrument panel controls
the following:
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position
to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
taillamps, sidemarker lamps, license plate lamps, and
instrument panel lights.
2(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, together with the parking lamps,
taillamps, sidemarker lamps, and license plate lamps.AUTO (Automatic Headlamps):Turn the switch to
AUTO to provide for automatic operation of the
headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker lamps, and parking
lamps. For more information seeAutomatic Headlamp
System on page 3-14.
9(Off):Turn the switch to this position to turn all
lamps off.
Headlamps
When the headlamps are switched on, the instrument
panel is automatically illuminated. Once illuminated, you
can adjust their brightness. Some illuminated areas
of the vehicle have been linked to the brightness control,
such as the trip computer, headlamp switch, radio,
etc. This means that the interior lights can be adjusted
to your preference. When the headlamps are turned
off and back on again, the brightness level reverts to the
last adjusted setting.
Your vehicle is designed to provide additional security,
when returning to the vehicle at night. When the
UNLOCK or LOCK button on the key is used, the car’s
exterior lights will come on for a preset time or until
the car is relocked. This feature only works if the
headlamp control is in the AUTO or headlamp positions.
To set or adjust the time the headlamps stay on after
the UNLOCK button has been pressed, seeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-30.
3-13

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

The system is turned on if a door is opened, the vehicle
is unlocked, or the trunk is opened. Once the system
is turned on, the one hour battery protection time resets
to zero and the interior lamps will continue to operate
for another hour, or until the vehicle is locked.
The interior lamp system will shut down 10 seconds
after your vehicle is locked using either the key or the
remote key locking system. However, if an interior lamp,
such as the dome lamp, has been turned on manually
and is on at the time the vehicle is locked, the system will
not shut down after the normal 10 seconds. The one hour
battery protection will be activated instead.
The vehicle’s hazard lights will continue to operate at
all times.
Accessory Control
If you want the accessories to operate once the key has
been removed from the ignition, you must turn the
system on by either manually starting an accessory,
such as turning the radio on again. This will activate a
one hour timer that will operate accessories such as
the radio, accessory power outlet, and windshield wipers
before turning off. These actions will reset the timer to
zero. Likewise, if an accessory such as the radio is
turned on at any time during the one hour period, the
timer is reset to zero and all accessories will continue to
operate for another hour. To enable accessory control
after the system has been reset, you must turn the
ignition on and then off again.
Accessory Power Outlets
The vehicle has an
accessory power outlet
which can be used to plug
in electrical equipment.
The accessory power outlet is located inside the center
console. The power outlet is operational when the
ignition is turned to ON, LOCK, or when Retained
Accessories Power is in operation. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-17.
Remove the tethered cap to use the outlet. When
not using the outlet, be sure to cover it with the
protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-17

Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on when you
turn on the ignition,
until the engine is started,
as a check to show
you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If the light illuminates and the Check Alternator message
on the trip computer stays on, or comes on while you
are driving you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose
generator drive belt or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on
could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
The Check Alternator message will remain until the
MODE button on the trip computer is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the problem is fixed.
One-to-Four Shift Light (Manual
Transmission)
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2).
You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off
this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel
economy.
After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
3-26

Check Alternator
If this symbol and the
Check Alternator message
stay on, or come on
while you are driving you
may have a problem
with the electrical
charging system.
It could indicate that your vehicle has a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have your
vehicle checked right away by your GM dealer. Driving
while this symbol is on could drain your battery. If
you must drive a short distance with the symbol on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner. The Check Alternator message
will remain until the MODE button is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the condition is repaired.
Check Oil
If this symbol and the
Check Oil message stay
on after you start the
engine, or come on when
you are driving, there
is a low engine oil
pressure problem.This indicates that the engine is not receiving enough
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it repaired immediately by
your GM dealer. The Check Oil message will remain
until the MODE button is pressed, but the symbol
will remain until the condition is repaired.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
CRUISE ACTIVE
The CRUISE ACTIVE message comes on whenever
you set the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10for more information.
3-39

Audio System(s)
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, find
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate
all of its controls.
Setting the Time
To change the time, perform the following:
1. Turn the radio on and wait for the time to appear on
the display.
2. Press the TIME button for more than two seconds.
TIME ADJ will appear on the display and the time
will flash.
3. Press either SEEK arrow to adjust the hour.
4. Press either TUNE arrow to adjust the minutes.
5. Press the TIME button again to save the new time.
The radio will automatically exit the time setting mode
if no adjustments are made for eight seconds.
3-45

Radio with Six-Disc CD
Playing the Radio
ON OFF:Press this button to turn the system on
and off.
AUDIO (Volume):Turn this knob to increase or to
decrease the volume. The radio has a feature that limits
the amount of amplifier distortion that you can hear,
see “Dynamic Distortion Limiting (DDL)” later in
this section for more information.
Finding a Station
FM AM:Press this button to switch between FM1,
FM2, and AM. The display will show the selection.
rTUNE DISC[:Press the right or the left arrow to
select radio stations.
gSEEK TRACKl:Press the right or the left
arrow to go to the next or to the previous station and
stay there.
The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal
that are in the selected band.
LOC (Local):Press this button to switch the radio to
local mode. LOCAL will appear on the display and
you will only be able to listen and search for local
stations. This feature is useful when using seek for
searching for strong signals with good reception
and clear sound quality.
3-46

Setting Preset Stations
Up to 18 stations, six FM1, six FM2, and six AM, can be
programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons, by
performing the following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press FM AM to select FM1, FM2, or AM.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press EQ to select the equalization.
5. Press and hold one of the six numbered
pushbuttons until you hear a beep. Whenever that
numbered pushbutton is pressed, the station
that was set will return and the equalization that
was selected will be stored for that pushbutton.
6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
ASM (Automatic Station Memory):The radio will
automatically store the six strongest AM and FM radio
stations for the current area, without deleting the
preset stations that are stored.
To activate ASM do the following:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press FM AM to select FM1, FM2, or AM.3. Press the ASM button for more than two seconds.
The sound will briefly mute and SEARCH will
appear on the display, while the radio is in the
process of finding and storing radio stations.
When storing is complete, ASM will appear on the
display. The radio station now stored on
pushbutton 1 will begin to play.
4. Press any of the pushbuttons to listen to the station
stored on that pushbutton.
5. To stop listening to the stations stored by
ASM, press the ASM button and ASM will go
off the display.
6. Repeat the above steps if you have driven out of
the stored stations’ range to select new stations.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
AUDIO:The audio system must be out of EQ mode to
adjust the bass and treble. To turn equalization off,
press this button until EQ OFF appears on the display.
Push and release the AUDIO knob until BASS or
TREBLE appears on the display. Turn the knob to
increase or to decrease. If a station is weak or noisy,
decrease the treble.
3-47