Pontiac Grand Prix GXP 2006

cdngxp

Howdy All,
I went into my dealer to look at a commuter car..maybe a Aveo or Optra. Did a little research then saw the G6. The the girlfriend saw the GXP. Well I bought a GXP full load except Nav. Dark Cherry with limo tint on all rear windows and 35% tint on the front side windows. Man that test drive was fun. Pick her up tommorrow.

Anybody drive this baby in the the snow last winter?. May need to replace the rubber for some Blizzaks I am thinking. I live in Centeral Alberta Canada. Of couse if we get a good dump then I will have to suffer with driving the 05 Z71 Crewcab!

Posts look good so far. It was reviews here that lead to my purchase!!

Randy

ocmike3

I thought that is what the TPC code was supposed to point to?
I'm sure you can run alternate tires, but the handling and performance will suffer.

rayainsw

“Yes, the cruise stalk on all 05 GP's was on the right of the steering wheel, and actually turned with the wheel, like the Japanese auto makers have on their vehicles, it's something I really liked about the interior, I can't see why they would revert back to the old style”

I have to believe that there is some marginal cost saving associated with this change. Very odd.

It took me a while for me to figure out exactly how this control worked the first time I encountered it, as that car was a (2004 GP GTP) rental with no owners manual available. But I certainly do prefer the way it operates (function-wise as well as ergonomically) to the generic GM versions I have used.

The other 2005 - 06 change that I know about (among ones that, along with the pricing available, pushed me to buy a 2005 back in June) was the change where the driver’s seat lumbar adjustment can no longer be raised or lowered. For me (and my back) this was a real issue.

I am also somewhat distressed ( ? ) to see these little de-content issues on the GP. How much could these changes actually save?

If anything, I’d expect The General to be looking very seriously at adding features and upgrading materials, etc.

- Ray
Happy (so far) to be a GXP Beta Tester . .

chats1

I have a 2006 GXP which has the black center caps. Also, the light switch is next to the cruise control stalk but sort of blocked out by those tapshift paddles -- very annoying. Both on the left side. The windshield wiper stalks are on the right. Also, when you say OEM, what does that mean? Are you referring to the Spec 269 on the front tires and 270 on the rear. If I have the car long enough to need new tires I want to make sure I get the right ones. See, when I talked with a representative from Bridgestone when I called their 800 number, she knew nothing about our GXP tires. Pontiac Customer Assistance referred me to Bridgestone to answer any of my questions, which was a complete waste of time. I only keep my cars for three years. Also, on my door it says to put 30 pounds of air in the tires. Do you agree with this? Someone else told me more should be put in. Does anyone have a light in their glove compartment? I don't and can't feel anywhere where one should go. Everytime you buy a new grand prix they take something else away as with the light under the hood. My last two gtp's had't had a light under the hood. Next, there will be no light in the trunk. Thanks.

chats1

As far as the passenger airbag light goes, it will not go on if the passenger 's weight is under 60 pounds (so the weight has to be 60 pounds or over). It will not recognize very short adults. So to make the light go on, you have to make sure that the passenger weighs over 60 pounds, is not too short and is properly positioned in the middle of the seat (weight) and has their feet extended properly. After all this, you have to turn the car off and then restart it, then the light should come on. This is utterly ridiculous. I just ignore it. I have sat in the passenger seat when it didn't come on, got my manual out and then after I did everything correctly, it was just fine.

splatsterhound

Okay, sorry to nag here, but anyone with a GXP who's had it for a few thousand miles, what's your best highway mpg? (And going 95 doesn't count )

blckthree

My wife was getting 22 per the DIC on a trip to Dallas, before she hit the Dallas traffic. This was on a vehicle that only had 300 miles on it when she left. I am hoping for an improvement after it gets a few more miles on it.

I am contemplating taking it on a 750 mile road trip in November, but the thought of only 22mpg and a 17 gallon tank has me thinking it will mean an extra fuel stop on the trip and I just might take my Yukon instead. The Yukon wont get the gas mileage, but that 26 gallon tank will get me an easy 425 miles or more. If I had to make two fuel stops to get 750 miles, I would not be happy.

If I do take it, I will update the mileage I get at that time. That would be a one day, 750 mile trip averaging 75-83 mph, with the majority of it being around 80 mph.

Mike

dembrats

I got about 25mpg (DIC) on the highway from Orlando to Houston and back. That was mostly running at 75mph. I hover around 20mpg on my commute. That's half 70-75mph and half stop-and-go.

Regarding the rear seat - My wife and two kids (7 and 9) were in the back for a good portion of that trip. There were no complaints about the seats, but it was always a little too hot for her back there. I couldn't seem to make the air move to the back instead of freezing my ears.

Hiss in the speakers - Sounds like different cars have it to a different degree. I can hear mine when driving 60mph if the stereo's off or very quiet. Maybe just a little more hearing damage and my problem will be solved.

Overall, I'm very happy with the car and haven't regretted it once in 10k miles. I appreciate that everybody has their preferences, and this one really suits mine. It's a very fun car to drive and somewhat stealthy. People don't expect it to trounce them like it does. I can see torque steer being a problem when you first test the car, but if you own it, you quickly get used to what little there is. I prefer FWD for the heavy rains here and from growing up in Idaho. I know you can manage fine with RWD, but in my experience FWD gives you a better chance. I wouldn't mind another gear or two, but that hasn't really bothered me, either. I can quickly get the power I need, especially in manual mode.

ocmike3

reprint of my post #393 - I got ~21 on last tank in mixed driving:
"just took first real road trip, mostly freeway with some traffic jams through Seattle going and coming home. Running 65-75mph most of the time. I filled up on the way back; 362 miles 13.52g = 26.8mpg so the EPA estimates of 27mpg hwy seem pretty close. My mixed, mostly city streets, some back roads has been yielding 18-20mpg. "

tonygxp

I have only just touched the 2K mark, but I have this GXP since June. I have done a 50/50 highway to city traffic and my DIC reads a solid 17.4 MPG, if I drive for an hour on the highway, it goes up to 17.5, same for city traffic it'll dip to 17.3, but the majority is a solid 17.4, maybe with more mileage on it it'll go up some (I hope), but then again I am heavy on the pedal probably 30% of the time, so can't complain to much.

blckthree

Do you reset the DIC at each fillup or is the for the total 2000 miles?

17.4 sounds low unless you are having way too much fun!

Mike

tonygxp

haven't reset it yet, thats what i get, 17.4, right now it's 17.3, just got back from the track.

tonygxp

rayainsw

RE: ??????????????????
- Ray
Man Of Few Words, but really . .

tonygxp

hit raceway park at englishtown (N.J) last night. Ran strong despite having a disasterous gas station encounter on the way. the young attendant decided the RedSox were more important to talk about then the fact that i asked for $20.00 SUPER!!!!!, by $16 I noticed regular was going in and stopped it. After A short tirade, I left and hoped for the best at the track. I got there at 5:00, gates packed, threw 3 gallons of 100 octane, hoping it woul'd counter effect the 87 that went in 40 miles earlier.
Conditions were as follows: 69F, bar 29.23, humidity 0%, slight head wind

1st) @5:52PM R/T... 438 2ND)@6:44PM R/T..278
60'... 2.196 60'...2.486
330...6.052 330..6.396
1/8... 9.288 1/8..9.641
MPH.75.95 MPH.75.90
1000.12.058 1000..12.418
1/4....14.428 1/4..14.750
MPH.94.88 MPH..96.89 ***THIS RUN WAS A
CLUSTER*** left hard, nose dived
hard before 60', then took off,
notice the MPH was up 2MPH
I can't begin to tell you that I was PISSED when that happened, but what can you do, I was glad i didn't back off because I got to see how much the MPH was picking up, I believe it was a negative effect from running regular, and also the 2-3 shift occured at about 5200rpm which killed the top end..So much for leaving it in D as suggested. BUT AS THEY SAY EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING!!!

Run #3...As with all runs T/C off (Although I think It freaked out on the last run) 1/2 tank of fuel (anywhere from 87-100 octane, heck maybe now it's 93) with a pass around the water box and a short burn out up to the lights (try something new they say) Left the line soft about half throttle then hit it about 30-40' out, stuck like glue!! 1-2 shift was automatic and perfect 6000rpm, then i dropped it into M to hold second through the whole QTR. watching the heads up MPH hit 101mph, i shifted to 3rd, run was over, felt prety good, i weighed the car, without me it was 3702lbs., with me it was 3905lbs. here's the slip..

3) R/T...678
60'...2.122
330..5.915
1/8...9.109
MPH.77.07
1000.11.842
1/4...14.138
MPH.98.39
that's with only 2K on it, no synthetic yet, and not one performance item in place YET!! bravo GM for making the right choices on powertrain for this animal, people were dumbfounded that this car went this quick stock, one in particular was a 2006 HEMI Charger owner with 3K on it, a Magnaflow exhaust (Cat back) and K&N full cold air intake kit..He couldn't do better than a 14.41 at 96MPH, his first run was a 14.6 at 96MPH, he approached me and began to question what i ran, even hinting that he'd like to see my timeslip, subtley. He was blaming the weight of the car, then it was "Heat soaked from the drive".. Funny my GXP went the same distance and considering it was in the 60F's, heat was a non-factor!!!

blckthree

Pretty impressive for a stock car. Glad you enjoyed yourself and the gasoline didn't mess things up too bad.

Mike

blckthree

That sounds very reasonable if the drag racing mileage is factored in.

I reset mine each fillup which accounts for the difference.

Mike

tonygxp

When you thought it couldn't get better...I went to Atco Raceway last night and my 1st run was an identical 14.1 @98, then that stupid bog down thing happened again and i went faster mph wise but the time was a ridiculous 14.5, thats when I got help, in a big way, this guy Steve was running his 97GTP and we began to talk, i mentioned my problem and he knew right away what it is..It's the Torque Management System, if the computer see the torque multply to quick, to prevent the input shaft from twisting it activates the traction control even though it is off, so i had to work around that by leaving softer, but not too much..heres the ground breaking numbers...13.905 & 13.811 both over 100 (100.57 & 100.96)
1) R/T .325
60' 2.104
330 5.842
1/8 8.970
MPH 78.56
1000 11.580
1/4 13.905
MPH 100.57

2) R/T.380
60' 2.067
330 5.784
1/8 8.895
MPH 78.97
1000 11.494
1/4 13.811
MPH 100.96

I cannot tell you how happy i am, my goal was a high 13 out of my car and I'm done..STOCK!!! i thought it would take an exhaust or cold air intake or programmer, but NOPE, if you live near a track try it yourself you'll have fun,and you'll never wonder, what could my car have run??I know for a fact, so at the car shows next summer I can back up my GXP. that was a quick drag racing career, 8 runs to accomplish my goal.not bad Pontiac... Not to bad at all.
Also, I was kicking the crap out of Mustangs and Neon SRT-4's, all 14.0 or slower (not the new mustang, i met an 05 owner 5spd who was running 13.5's with a programmer and air intake and 11k miles on it..Come to think of it thats not that quick for what it's got, GXP looks better from every aspect!!

rayainsw

" 1/4 13.811
MPH 100.96 "

Most excellent!
Q - 1: On these runs, did you also launch in D and change to M after the 1 - 2 shift?
Q - 2: Was the trans. still in second through the traps? At what RPM? On the limiter?

"DRIVETRAIN
Transmission: 4-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Final-drive ratio: 2.93:1
Gear - Ratio - Mph/1000 rpm - Max test speed
I - 2.92 - 9.1 - 54 mph (6000 rpm)
II - 1.56 - 16.9 - 101 mph (6000 rpm)
III - 1.00 - 26.5 - 143 mph (5400 rpm)
IV - 0.70 - 37.3 - 137 mph (3650 rpm)"

- From C+D's test data panel . .

Thanks,
- Ray
My name is Ray and it has been 5 years since my last quarter mile . . .

tonygxp

DON'T believe the Hype, 2nd gear took me through the traps at 100.96,the way this computer is i doubt it highly that I snapped that shift off in time according to that 101 @6000 redline, but I did shift right after i saw the score board light up out of my periphrial. vision. no kick back from the limiter through the top of the Qtr, I left in D for the 1-2 shift then at about 70mph on the HUD I dropped the shifter to M and then tap-shifted 3rd at the end, but like I said, Qtr was over already.
Whippin SRT-4's, only runnin 14.0's or slower w/upgrades and those big bad Hemi's...more like "hemi" 14.6 & 14.4 @96 w/upgrades, even that 05 stang..all that work w/stick only 13.5??? Checkin around people who are getting used to their GXP's are all running 14.0-13.9, haven't seen a documented faster time than the runs from last night anywhere, if you find one let me know, I'm curious what these guys can get out of one stock, I know what mine does!!

tonygxp

If someone can walk me through the process I have a jpeg of my slips i'll post if I can get help. not very computer literate as you can see

blckthree

13.8's, pretty fast for stock!! Congrats Tony. A lot quicker than I thought it would be.

Now... how do I talk the wife into letting me try this, since the GXP is hers???

Mike

rayainsw

"If someone can walk me through the process I have a jpeg of my slips i'll post if I can get help. not very computer literate as you can see "

On the left side of these Forums pages, under Forum Tools - select "Help".
There are instructions . .
- Ray
Curious to see the timeslip . .

splatsterhound

Wow. That's pretty darn fast for a family sled. I remember when getting a motorcycle under 14 seconds was pretty cool. And breaking 100 mph! Hmmmmmm, I may have to think very seriously about this car. My wife took one for a test drive and loved it, but I'm not convinced. I hate spending money -- (that's why I drive old boring cars

splatsterhound

One other question tonygxp: How tough was it to control wheelspin with the traction off?

tonygxp

not too bad, you have to drop the hammer as if there's an egg on your foot..sounds weird but its true, slowly lower the pedal as you leave and it gets easier each time, barely a chirp.

tonygxp

I haven't forgot about this, I'll get the article number ASAP.

splatsterhound

Sounds good to me. It sounds like my grandma used to drive

I went and looked up a few old motorcycle times. Back in the day (1970s) a good 750 could barely top 100 mph in the quarter. It's not surprising that GXP times would drop as the weather cooled and people got their cars a little more broken in. I saw that Edmunds had a terrible time with the GXP at the track, but it was something like 105 degrees at the time (how hot on the track surface you can only guess). That's about as fair as testing soemthing at 10 below.

v8jim

I do alot of hiway driving (85%). I put the GXP on cruise control and got 25 mpg on my measured tank (included city driving). The computer long term avg is 20.6. I wonder how accurate the computer is for long term. For example, when you blast off the line (it's too hard to resist) you get about 1 mpg. But when you are at a long light, it shows 0 mpg. Do you really think you are getting better mileage while sprinting than when you are at the light? If you are getting 17.5 on the computer you may really be getting more than 20 mpg in reality!

rmozol

Here's something weird. I was looking up info on Chevy's, and checked out the Impala SS and the Monte Carlo SS. Those also have the all aluminum 5.3 V-8, LS-4, but only require regular fuel! I wonder if something hasn't changed since the big gas crunch where the 5.3's can run regular w/o any problems. I really doubt that they changed the Chevrolet engines as opposed to the Pontiacs. Any ideas?

blckthree

Just like figuring your mileage with a pencil and paper, if you want to know the mileage for the tank of gas you just used, you should reset your DIC at each fillup.

As for the DIC showing 0 mpg at a stoplight, that would be correct, when you are stopped, you travel 0 miles. Although, it is actually in error when you consider the overall mileage for that tank of gas. It truely should be showing a negative number of miles per gallon, if you sat in one place idling long enough, you would eventually run out of gas.

So, all things considered, you ARE getting better mileage sprinting than idling, because while sprinting, you are at least moving.

Mike

v8jim

I see your point but I disagree with you....it would be impossible to get negative mileage....the lowest you can get is 0.... but anyway.... how do you reset it?

05gt40

Awesome reply:
I lease an 03 540 and will need to replace it in the spring. I have since blown the budget on a Ford GT and a new Z-06 and promised my wife I would cut back an lease a Dodge as a daily driver. I was considering the Charger, but your point abut the GPX being a great all weather car is good. I am either going to consider the GPX or an Infinit FX-35 that can be had used from Enterprise for about 29 grand. The reason I am here ia I noticed the GPX has the same optional drilled disc brakes as the Corvette. The GM performance DNA is bleeding through and had it not been for the 4 speed Auto VS a 5 or 6, I would have been to the dealer by now.

I am hoping the Charger ST (425 HP Hemi) is available at a reasonable (below sticker) cost by the spring time. Then my wife won't be upset with my economical decision to buy a Dodge........

blckthree

I guess you are correct, negative mileage is impossible. What I meant to say is that it would have a negative effect on your mileage.

To reset it, you have to have the average mileage displayed in your DIC, and then press the "reset" button. The middle button of the 5 button display of the DIC.

Mike

tonygxp

I cannot reset my oil life monitor any ideas?? says 70% left, put in MOBIL1 5w30 & PF46 AC Delco filter @ 2200mi..

tonygxp

problem solved ( to a degree) see my timeslip @ ClubGP, quickest documented GXP around!! 13.811 @100.96...sounds nice dosen't it..say it with me, we have a 13second ride 100% stock, no Air Filter mods or any other "tricks", just good old Pontiac..well GM Horse Power!! (Even though its a really a Chevy)

bob97

I love my 2006 GXP, but the mpg figures being posted here are like a wet dream compared to the 12.8 I’m averaging on the DIC. The car has only tasted premium grade gas. Most of my 1,500 miles are stop and go (the highways here in Southern CT are bumper to bumper). And no, I have not been having too much fun with the gas pedal – too much traffic to have too much fun.

I have not reset the DIC, which I am going to try. But I don’t think that will make that much difference as my mileage has actually dropped from a high of 13.1.

Is anyone else getting low city mileage?

Bob :confuse:

blckthree

There are several pages in the manual about the DIC, but the short explanation is the same procedure as resetting anything else in the DIC. If you have the 70% oil life displayed on the oil life moniter, while the car is in park, depress the middle button of the 5 below the display. That middle button is the reset button for every function on the DIC or trip computer.

Mike

rmozol

Here's something else that you can try to get an idea of highway/crusing mileage. Set the DIC while cruising and check it before you get into city traffic. This way, you'll see what mileage you'll get (sort of) under steady-state cruising. This works on the two cars I have, and you'll see how much stop and go kills crusing mileage!

v8jim

Thanks Mike! I guess I have to admit that I am no expert on the MPG computer but I don't see how there can be such a discrepancy between the "pencil" test and the computer. I know when I drive up a mountain and then go down the other side and coast, the mpg caps at 99.9 when, based on the other readings, at 80 mph coasting, you have to do better than 99.9...at any rate I am glad that the car does better than anticipated because I bought it about 3 weeks b4 the big spike in gas prices!!!! Also, the computer helps me drive more safely because I am always trying to get more MPG (which means you drive slower!). Has anyone got any tickets yet? My wife has a new Pacifica, I gave my Grand Am GT to my daughter, and I drive the GXP. They all got tickets recently but so far I am clean!!!

v8jim

I only get the 25 mpg b/c I drove almost exlcusively on the hiway. My city ratings suck. Your right, in heavy traffic you can't gun it b/c it's simply too fast! Come out to New Mexico and let her rip!!!!

chats1

I too have a 2006 GXP with 3,400 miles on it since August when I purchased it. I too had low mileage in the beginning but now I'm getting around 24. I drive mostly on highways, 4 actually each day each way to work, some times stop and go, and I only use Premium. You should always set the DIC everytime you get gas. I set the Average Economy, Average Speed and Trip Odometer. It's easy. The Reset button is in the middle, so after you bring up Average Economy which is under Fuel, hit the Reset button. Average Speed and Trip Odometer are in the second button from the left. I do it automatically. Each one has to be set individually. If you don't set it, your figures will be off. I only do the Trip Odometer to see how many miles on that individual trip.

Humming or Hissing. The noise coming from the speakers and interior lights. In one of the posts someone said something about the cause is the amplifier not shutting off, do you think On-Star has anything to do with this hissing since it is always monitoring the car. Maybe in the Monsoon system with On-Star there is a problem??? Any thoughts. Actually, my hissing is very slight.

v8jim

Tony, you expect me to actually read the manual????

v8jim

I know what you mean! I bought 3 Ford GT's last year and my wife is pissed!!!!! She wanted me to be a 600,000 house instead!!!

chats1

As far as setting your oil life monitor system, first, you have to go to the Options button (i) which is the second button from the right, keep hitting the button until you see Oil Monitor system and then hit the middle button which is a checkmark and hit reset, then go to the Odometer Button, second button from the left, and you should see 100%. Then, turn the car off. That may be where you hit the problem. Don't ask me why you have to turn the car off. I have no idea. Are you sure you used the correct oil filter? Your number is different from the one the Dealer just put in my car and listed in the Manual.

Next, whenever you check the air in your tires, adjust the air pressure, buy new tires, etc., you have to reset the Tire Monitor system. Go to the Options Button (i), keep hitting it until you see Tire Monitor System, then go to the middle button which is a checkmark and hit reset. If you don't do this, your Tire Monitor System will not work correctly. Also, you will not get a message that the System has been reset, only if you originally had a message that indicated that there is a problem with the pressure in one of your tires.

Another thing, I don't know if anyone knows this, but the Mute button on the right side of the steering wheel (steering wheel controls) -- if you hold it down and wait, OnStar will respond, so you can use this button for personal calling as well as the button in the rearview mirror. This is a new feature. I love it. So, the Mute button actually has two features.

You may already know these things, but I'm just trying to be a little helpful for all the help I received from all of you.

bob97

Thanks for the quick responses. Hopefully the mpg will go up after I put on some more miles.

There still seems to be some confusion about the GXP gas requirements. Premium is not required, it is recommended for max performance. The Impala SS does not have the wider fronts or the performance suspension either. I read that the Chevy does have a DOD indicator showing when the car is running on 4-cylinders – I wish we had that in the GXP.

About those tires…I don’t know how they will perform in snow YET, but I am really amazed at how well they handle on the highway in pouring rain.

Bob

tlauro

yep, the Impalla SS does have the DOD Indicator and in addition to the tires and suspension, it lacks CD Brakes too...but it does have a nicer Bose Sound System, IMO with a Aux Port right up front. The gauge cluster isn't as nice, but at least you can get a N/C upgrade to fake wood vs tons of rubberized plastic.

IMO, Pontiac still wins as the two are priced about dead on and the Chevy is a lower trim line overall.

All up to the one who buys them....different strokes.....

tonygxp

I realized what I was doing wrong after I posted, I was trying to reset on the actual Oil Life sceen, not the split screen(Tire Pressure & Oil Life Monitor)..thanks to all, and I didn't know about that Mute button trick!! thanks for that also, I also have OnStar in my XUV & I never knew new that..
Does anyone know why they dropped the cruise control stalk and went back to the old one???

punchit

My wife is new owner of '05 GXP, per owner's manual regular is OK, but premium best for max performance. Are you saying '06 requires premium?

ocmike3

Great times - great news...
MPH ran a Charger SRT-8 the 425hp monster in the November issue. They got 0-60 time of 5.3 secs and 1/4 mile of 13.9 secs.
MSRP is base of $36995 so why spend that kind of money - GXP is close for a whole lot less and the new Stang GT or GTO are much less if you have to have RWD.
I'm really happy with my GXP, just disappointed the rainy season has arrived in the great NW.