2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO ignition

B (ACCESSORY):This position lets the radio and
windshield wipers operate while the engine is off. To use
ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise.
C (RUN):This position is where the key returns to after
the vehicle is started. This position displays some of
the warning and indicator lights.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
A warning chime will sound and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display DRIVER’S DOOR OPEN when
the driver’s door is opened if the ignition is in OFF,
ACCESSORY and the key is in the ignition. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-46for more
information.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP),
which will allow your vehicle’s radio to work when the
ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key
is turned from RUN to OFF the radio will continue
to work 10 minutes or until the driver’s door is opened.
Also, the power windows will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes or until any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects the electrical system. If the ignition key
is turned to START, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking until the vehicle starts or until it exceeds the
maximum cranking time allowed, approximately
15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To
prevent starter-motor gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is already running.
The engine cranking can be stopped by turning the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY or OFF.
2-19

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever on the console
between the seats.
There is a display, located on the instrument panel
cluster that will indicate the gear the vehicle is in.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic transaxle
vehicles while you are in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
to protect driveline components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It
is the best position to use when the engine is started
because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-36.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
while the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake
pedal pushed down. Release the shift lever button if you
have a console shift. Then move the shift lever out of
PARK (P). SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-27.
2-22

Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located to the left of the
brake pedal, near the
driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot. Push down the parking brake pedal
with your left foot.To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot, the
parking brake pedal will follow it to the released
position.
A warning chime will sound and a brake warning light
located on the instrument panel cluster will come
on, if the parking brake is set, the ignition is on and the
shift lever is not in PARK (P).
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-36.
2-25

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-36.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the shift lever
all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked in PARK (P).
2-26

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To nd out
how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push your vehicle a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-22.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release
the shift lever button if you have a console shift.
Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure
to press the shift lever button if you have a console shift.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal down until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
2-27

Sunroof
If your vehicle is equipped
with a sunroof, the sunroof
switches are located on
the overhead console.
The sunroof can only be operated when the ignition is in
ACCESSORY, RUN, or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-19.
Q(Vent/Express-Open):To vent the sunroof when it
is closed, press this switch once. When using the
vent, the sunshade should be fully opened. The
sunshade can be opened or closed manually by sliding
it rearward or forward.
From the vent position, press this switch again to
activate the express-open feature. Press the close
switch to stop movement of the sunroof. The sunshade
will automatically open when using express-open.
A deector will automatically pop up when the sunroof is
opened. The deector will retract when the sunroof is
closed.
R(Close):To close the sunroof, press and hold this
switch until the sunroof motor stops, or release the
switch when the desired position has been reached.
2-40

The main components of your instrument panel are listed here:
A. Air Vent. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk
Release” underTrunk on page 2-11.
C. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-25.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-39.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-59.
H. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-15.
J. Traction Control On/Off Button (If Equipped). See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.K. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on
page 3-6.
L. Steering Wheel Cruise Control (If Equipped). See
Cruise Control on page 3-10.
M. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
N. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
O. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-83.
P. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
Q. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-19.
R. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-17.
S. Automatic Transaxle Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 2-22.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-39.
3-5

8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
mist. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let go.
The wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want
more wipe cycles, hold the band on mist longer.
N(Delay):You can set the wiper speed for a long or
short delay between wiping cycles. This can be very
useful in light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the
delay time. The closer to the top of the lever, the
shorter the delay.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away from you to the rst solid band
past the delay settings.
1(High Speed):For high-speed wiping, turn the
band further, to the second solid band past the
delay settings.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there’s a paddle with
the windshield washer symbol on it. To spray washer uid
on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run
for several sweeps and then either stop or return to your
preset speed. The ignition key must be in ACCESSORY
or RUN for this to work. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-39.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
When you are low on washer uid, a message will be
illuminated in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
for 60 seconds. When the ignition is turned off, a
message will appear again for three seconds as a
reminder that the uid level is low. For more information
on DIC messages, seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-46.
The washer uid message will no longer display when
the washer uid reservoir has been lled.
3-9