2005 PONTIAC GTO trip computer

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly – and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle also has a trip computer that works along
with the warning lights and gages. The trip computer
display provides visual information. SeeTrip Computer
on page 3-33. The warning message are displayed
through the trip computer or as an illuminated symbol or
sometimes both ways.
If a Service Error Contact Dealer message appears on
the trip computer display while driving, a fault in the
instrument panel is indicated. Contact your dealer
as soon as possible. This message will remain until the
MODE button on the trip computer is pressed.
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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.
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Brake System Warning Light
This light will come on
when the ignition is turned
ON and when the
parking brake is applied.
If this light comes on and the Brake message appears
on the trip computer display while driving and the
parking brake is released, a fault with the brakes is
indicated. You should immediately stop the car on the
side of the road as carefully as possible. Do not proceed
until satisfied that braking is possible or that the
cause of the problem has been fixed.
A warning will chime if you attempt to drive off without
releasing the parking brake.
The Brake message will remain until the MODE button
on the trip computer is pressed, but the symbol will
remain until the problem is fixed.
This light will also come on to indicate low brake fluid.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
This light will come on
briefly when the ignition is
turned to ON.
If the light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system,
this light will come on and the ABS Fault message will
appear on the trip computer display. See your GM
dealer for service. The vehicle’s brake system will still
operate without ABS.
The ABS Fault message will stay on until the MODE
button on the trip computer is pressed, but the light will
stay on until the problem is fixed.
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Trip Computer
The buttons for the trip
computer are located on
the instrument panel, to the
right of the instrument
panel cluster.
The trip computer displays are located directly beneath
the instrument panel cluster gages. Speed related
information appears in the left display, distance related
information appears in the center display, and fuel
related information appears in the right display.
The basic, more commonly used functions of the trip
computer are shown following. Tap the MODE button to
scroll between the different sets of displays.
When the ignition is turned to ON, the trip computer
displays the same functions as when the ignition
was last turned off.The trip computer can be reset when AVG SPEED or
TRIP TIME are shown on the left display. To reset, press
the SET button for less than two seconds. Resetting
does not affect the Odometer, Overspeed, Range, Time
to Arrival, Distance to Arrival, Instantaneous Fuel, or
Fuel Remaining.
Vehicle personalization is available through the trip
computer controls and display. SeeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-30.
AVG (Average) SPEED
This function shows the average speed, while the
engine is running, since the trip computer was reset.
Odometer
This function records miles travelled since the car
was built.
AVG (Average) FUEL
This function shows the average fuel used since the trip
computer was reset. After resetting, a high number
may initially be shown, due to the short distance
travelled and the high fuel used when accelerating.
3-33

TRIP TIME
This function shows the engine running time since the
trip computer was reset. If this exceeds 99 hours
and 59 minutes, the trip time is displayed in hours only.
Trip Distance
This function shows the miles travelled from the start of
a particular trip. Reset the reading to zero by pressing
and holding the SET button down for eight seconds.
FUEL USED
This function shows the total gallons or liters of fuel
used since the trip computer was reset.
TIME TO ARRIVAL
This function shows trip time to arrival in hours and
minutes, based on distance to arrival. If this exceeds
99 hours and 59 minutes, the time to arrival is displayed
in hours only.
Dist (Distance) to Arrival
At the start of a trip, estimate your distance to arrival.
Tap the up or down arrows until the display shows your
estimated trip distance. When you drive, the computer
constantly updates your time to arrival, based on
changing driving speeds. You can use the up or down
arrows to adjust the miles (kilometers) any time this
display is shown.
FUEL REMAINING
This function shows the gallons (liters) of fuel left in the
fuel tank, rounded to the nearest one gallon (liter).
When the fuel level is down to about 2 gallons
(7.5 liters), LO is displayed instead of gallons (liters).
If the Low Fuel message in the trip computer comes on
when driving, it indicates that the fuel level is low.
The Low Fuel message is displayed until the MODE
button is pressed. The trip computer then displays
its calculation of Range, which is how far you can drive
with your current fuel level, for 10 seconds before
returning to the original trip computer display with a
small low fuel symbol on the left. The symbol will remain
until the fuel tank is filled above the low fuel level.
If the Very Low Fuel message in the trip computer
comes on when driving, it indicates that the fuel level is
very low. The Very Low Fuel message is displayed
until the MODE button is pressed. The trip computer
then displays its calculation of Range, which is
how far you can drive with your current fuel level, for
10 seconds before returning to the original trip computer
display with a small flashing low fuel symbol on the
left. The symbol will remain until the fuel tank is filled
above the low fuel level.
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O/SPEED (Overspeed)
Overspeed sets the speed you do not want to exceed.
For example, if driving in a 45 mph zone, set
OVERSPEED to 45 mph by tapping the up or down
arrows. The overspeed setting is shown in the left
display. When your vehicle’s speed exceeds the setting,
the overspeed warning message and an audible
chime warn you that you are speeding. At that time,
the trip computer automatically shows the overspeed
display, allowing you to make adjustments if desired.
If in the Overspeed preset mode, press and hold
the MODE button for two seconds to make adjustments.
Preset O/Speed (Overspeed)
Instead of adjusting overspeed up and down in
increments of 3 mph (5 km/h), you can set
four commonly used speeds. Hold down the MODE
button for two seconds when the overspeed display is
shown. The display changes from normal overspeed
operation to preset overspeed. Preset 1 has a default
setting of 25 mph (40 km/h). Tap the up arrow to see the
other three presets.
The overspeed preset display has now replaced the
normal overspeed display. Tap the MODE button
to scroll through the other displays.
To change the display back to normal overspeed, hold
down the MODE button for two seconds while the
overspeed preset display is shown.
Altering Overspeed Presets
The default overspeed settings can be changed for your
individual preference.
The vehicle must be stopped when changing a preset.
Ensure the preset you wish to change is showing.
Then briefly press the SET button. The display will start
to flash. Use the up or down arrows to adjust the
setting. When at the desired speed, briefly press the
SET button. Each PRESET can be changed in this way.
The presets are automatically arranged in
ascending order.
One or more presets can be assigned to OFF, by
reducing the preset down to 0 (OFF). When driving, you
then only have three or less presets to choose from.
To turn back on, select the OFF preset when the vehicle
is stopped, briefly press the SET button, and use the
up arrow to increase the number.
If the up or down arrows are briefly pressed while
driving, the overspeed setting is changed to the speed
at which you are travelling.
If the SET button is pressed for two seconds, either
while driving or stopped, overspeed is turned completely
off or on.
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Underspeed Chime
Overspeed provides a chime when your vehicle’s
travelling speed exceeds the overspeed value, whereas
underspeed provides a chime to indicate when your
vehicle’s travelling speed drops below the overspeed.
Range
Range is an estimate of how far your current fuel level
will last. It is based on your previous fuel usage and is
frequently updated. Therefore, as conditions become
suited to more economical driving, the range may actually
increase, for example from city to highway driving.
INST (Instantaneous) FUEL
This function shows instantaneous fuel usage in miles
per gallon or liters per 100 km when driving. When
speed drops below 6 mph (10 km/h) the usage is shown
in gallons per hour or liters per hour.
Display Units
Display units allows you to select the units of
measurement in which the trip computer and instrument
panel cluster will display information. Tap the up or
down arrows to select between ENG (English) or
MET (metric) units.
DIGITAL SPEEDO (Speedometer)
If digital speedo mode is activated, the mph (km/h) are
shown in a large digital mode.
Stop Watch
The stop watch function, when enabled, records
elapsed time. It can be used, for example, to measure
the time taken to travel between two points on a
trip. If you will be starting and stopping your vehicle, the
stop watch will automatically start timing where it left
off when you last stopped.
To start or stop the stop watch, press the SET button.
To reset the stop watch, press and hold the MODE
button for more than three seconds. The trip computer
must be on Trip Time for this function to work.
3-36

Trip A/B
When the Time to Arrival/Distance to Arrival/Fuel
Remaining set of displays are turned on, using vehicle
personalization, and are showing on the display,
hold the MODE button down for two seconds. Now,
instead of the Time to Arrival set of displays, the
trip computer shows Trip B details.
Press the MODE button to view your displays. You now
have two different sets of trip displays counting, your
original set of trip displays — labelled A while B is
turned on — and a new set of trip displays, labelled B.
This is useful on a long trip, as Trip B can be reset
at the beginning of the journey and then locked away
by pressing the MODE button for two seconds when
Trip B is shown. Time to Arrival/Distance to Arrival/Fuel
Remaining will again be shown on the display, but
Trip B is still counting away in the background and the
original trip display can be used for short distances
during the journey. Trip B can be viewed at any time by
pressing the MODE button for two seconds when
Distance to Arrival is shown.
Trip A/B can also be enabled/disabled in vehicle
personalization. SeeVehicle Personalization on
page 2-30. If the Trip A and B function is selected,
the Average Speed and Average Fuel displays
indicate Trip A.
Trip Computer Notes:
•If the wrong buttons are accidentally pressed,
causing the display to show a display other
than normal, turn the ignition off and then on again
when the vehicle is stopped.
•Several warning lights are linked to the trip
computer displays. SeeWarning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators on page 3-22.
•When the overspeed warning symbol is first shown,
the overspeed trip computer display is automatically
shown for 10 seconds. This is to show what your
pre-selected speed is and allow you to adjust
it if desired. After 10 seconds, the trip computer
returns to its previous display.
•Some displays change the units of measurement
over time. For example, the Time to Arrival shows
hours only above 99 hours and 59 minutes, and
hours and minutes below. Time to Arrival also
shows 10 minute units above 2 hours, 5 minute
units below 2 hours and 1 minute units below
10 minutes.
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