Pontiac Sunfire (2005 year). Manual

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:

A. Fog Lamp Button. See Fog Lamps on page 3-15.

B. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See Instrument

Panel Brightness on page 3-15.

C. Enhanced Traction System Switch. See Enhanced

Traction System (ETS) on page 4-8.

D. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See Turn

Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.

E. Instrument Panel Cluster. See Instrument Panel

Cluster on page 3-22.

F. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch. See Hazard

Warning Flashers on page 3-6.

G. Ignition Switch. See Ignition Positions on page 2-17.

H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. See Windshield

Wipers on page 3-9 and Windshield Washer on
page 3-10.

I. Audio System. See Audio System(s) on page 3-38.

J. Climate Controls and Rear Window Defogger.

See Climate Control System on page 3-18.

K. Fuse Panel. See Instrument Panel Fuse Block on

page 5-86.

L. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk

Release” under Trunk on page 2-10.

M. Hood Release Lever. See Hood Release on

page 5-10.

N. Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped). See

Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-17. Cigarette
Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-17.

O. Cupholder. See Cupholder(s) on page 2-34.

P. Parking Brake Lever. See Parking Brake on

page 2-25.

Q. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transaxle Operation on

page 2-21 and Manual Transaxle Operation on
page 2-23.

R. Accessory Power Outlet. See Accessory Power

Outlets on page 3-17.

3-5

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hazard Warning Flashers

Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.

The hazard warning
flasher switch is located
on the top of the
steering column.

Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in.

Move the switch to the right to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on and off. Move the switch
to the left to turn the flashers off.

When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals will not work. Make sure the hazard warning
flasher switch is all the way to the left for normal
turn signal operation.

Other Warning Devices

If you carry reflective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.

Horn

Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.

3-6

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tilt Wheel

Your vehicle may have a tilt wheel which allows you to
adjust the steering wheel before you drive. You can
raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room
when you exit and enter the vehicle.

The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever.
Then, move the wheel to a comfortable position
and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

•

Turn and Lane-Change Signals. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.

•

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See Headlamp
High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.

•

Flash-to-Pass. See Flash-to-Pass on page 3-8.

•

Cruise Control (If Equipped). See Cruise Control
on page 3-10.

For information on the exterior lamps, see Exterior
Lamps on page 3-13.

3-7

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.

To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers will not see your turn signal. If a bulb is burned
out, replace it to help avoid an accident.

If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-85.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

To change the headlamps from low beam to high or
high beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.

When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.

Flash-to-Pass

This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.

To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.

3-8

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windshield Wipers

Use the lever located on the right side of the steering
wheel to operate the windshield wipers.

OFF: Move the lever to OFF to turn off the

windshield wipers.

DELAY: If your vehicle has delay wipers, move the

lever to DELAY to choose a delayed wiping cycle.
Turn the lever down for a longer delay or up for a shorter
delay. The further the lever is turned upward, the
shorter the delay will be and the further the lever is
turned downward, the longer the delay will be. The wiper
speed can only be adjusted when the lever is in the
DELAY position. Use this position for light rain or snow.

1 (Low Speed): Move the lever up to the first

setting past DELAY for steady wiping at low speed.

2 (High Speed): Move the lever up to the second

setting past DELAY for steady wiping at high speed.

MIST: Move the lever all the way down to MIST for

a single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield
wiper starts; then let go. The windshield wipers will stop
after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on mist longer.

Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. If this
occurs, a circuit breaker will stop the wipers until the
wiper motor cools. So, be sure to clear any snow or ice
from the windshield wiper blades before using them.
If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen them or warm the windshield before turning
the wipers on. If your blades do become worn or
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

3-9

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windshield Washer

To wash your windshield, pull the lever with the wiper
symbol on it toward you one time. When you release the
lever, the washers will stop. The wipers continue
wiping for about three cycles and will then either stop or
return to your preset speed.

{

CAUTION:

In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer fluid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.

Cruise Control

If your vehicle has this feature, you can maintain a
speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really
help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).

When you apply your brakes, or the clutch pedal if you
have a manual transaxle, the cruise control shuts off.

{

CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
enhanced traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-8. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn the cruise control back on.

3-10

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Setting Cruise Control

{

CAUTION:

If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.

1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.

2. Get up to the speed you want.

3. Push the SET button at the end of the lever and

release it.

4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake or clutch pedal. This,
of course, shuts off the cruise control. But you do not
need to reset it. Once you are going about 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, you can briefly move the cruise
control switch from ON to R/A.

You will go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.

If you hold the switch at R/A longer, the vehicle will
keep going faster until you release the switch or apply
the brake or clutch pedal. So unless you want to go
faster, do not hold the switch at R/A.

3-11

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control

There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

•

Use the accelerator pedal to get to a higher speed.
Push the SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You will now cruise at the higher speed.

•

Move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A.
Hold it there until you get up to the speed you
want, and then release the switch. To increase your
speed in very small amounts, briefly move the
switch to R/A then release it. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control

There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

•

Push in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

•

To slow down in very small amounts, briefly press
the button. Each time you do this, you will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

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 a steep hill, 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 or clutch pedal 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

There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:

•

Step lightly on the brake pedal, or push the
clutch pedal, if you have a manual transaxle.

•

Move the cruise switch to OFF.

Erasing Speed Memory

When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.

3-12

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exterior Lamps

The exterior lamp band on the turn signal/multifunction
lever controls the exterior lamps.

The exterior lamp band has three positions:

OFF: Turning the band to this position turns off all
lamps, except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).

(Parking Lamps): Turning the band to this position

turns on the parking lamps, together with the following:

•

Sidemarker Lamps

•

Taillamps

•

Instrument Panel Lights

(Headlamps): Turning the band to this position

turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

Headlamps on Reminder

If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off and the
lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.

3-13

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daytime Running Lamps

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. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.

The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:

•

The ignition is on.

•

The exterior lamp band is in OFF or in the parking
lamp position.

•

The parking brake is released.

•

The transaxle is not in PARK (P), on models with
an automatic transaxle only.

This indicator light on your
instrument panel cluster
will come on when the DRL
are on.

A flashing DRL telltale indicates a possible burned out
headlamp, or that the vehicle may need service to repair
a stuck DRL relay.

When the DRL are on, your low-beam headlamps will
be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on. Your
instrument panel will not be lit up either.

When you turn the exterior lamp band to the headlamp
position, your low-beam headlamps will come on. The
other lamps that come on with your headlamps will also
come on.

When you turn off the headlamps, the regular lamps will
go off, and the low-beam headlamps will come on at
the reduced brightness.

To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

3-14

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fog Lamps

If your vehicle has this feature, use your fog lamps for
better visibility in foggy or misty conditions.

The button for your fog
lamps is located next to
the instrument panel
brightness control.

Push the top of the button to turn the fog lamps on.
Push the top of the button again to turn the fog
lamps off.

When using fog lamps, the parking lamps or low-beam
headlamps must be on.

A light on the button will come on while the fog lamps
are on. Fog lamps will go off while the high-beam
headlamps are on.

Continuous use of the fog lamps will shorten bulb life,
limit use as necessary.

Instrument Panel Brightness

The thumbwheel for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering column.

Turn the thumbwheel up to brighten the lights or down
to dim them. Turn the thumbwheel all the way up to
turn on the interior courtesy lamps.

3-15

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Entry Lighting

When you open either a front door or a rear door, the
lamps inside your vehicle will go on. In addition, if
your vehicle is equipped with remote keyless entry, the
light will come on when the remote keyless entry
UNLOCK button is pressed.

After you exit the vehicle and all of the doors have been
closed, the lamps will stay on for an additional
20 seconds before fading off. The lamps will also fade
to off when the key is inserted and turned to RUN
or ACCESSORY, or the LOCK button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed.

Front Reading Lamps

If your vehicle has this feature, these lamps are located
on the rearview mirror. Turn each one on and off by
pressing its button.

Map Lamps

If your vehicle has this feature, these lamps are located
in front of the dome lamp. To turn the lamps on and
off, press the button.

Battery Run-Down Protection

Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.

When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, dome, etc.) is
left on and the ignition is turned off, the battery rundown
protection system will automatically turn the lamp off
after 20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
This system does not protect against leaving on
the headlamps or parking lamps.

To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

•

Turn the ignition on.

•

Turn the activated interior lamp off, then on.

•

Open any door.

The battery rundown protection feature will also be
activated when any door is left open.

3-16

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accessory Power Outlets

Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio.

The accessory power outlet is located on the lower
console on the passenger’s side. There, also, may be
an additional accessory power outlet instead of a
cigarette lighter.

To use the outlet, remove the cover. When not in use,
always cover the outlet 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.

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on the accessory power outlet.

Notice: Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.

When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
installation instructions included with the equipment.

Notice: Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter

Your vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let
go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.

Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not
use anything other than the cigarette lighter in the
heating element.

To clean the center console ashtray, remove the entire
ashtray and empty it. The ashtray can be placed in
the rear cupholder for the rear seat passengers to use.

Notice: If you put papers or other flammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put flammable items in
the ashtray.

3-17

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pontiac Sunfire (2005 year). Manual - part 7