2006 PONTIAC G6 Owners Manual

Use the following procedure to shift into PARK (P):
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 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 (Automatic Transaxle)
{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 automatic transaxle 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 into PARK (P).
2-35

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
automatic 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, see “Shifting Into
Park (P)” previously in the section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours 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)
(Automatic Transaxle)
The automatic transaxle shift lock control system locks
the shift lever in PARK when the ignition is in OFF.
In addition, you have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-28.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the desired gear.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, rmly apply the parking brake, and move the shift
lever into REVERSE (R). Once the shift lever has been
placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed
in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the key
and release the clutch. SeeManual Transaxle
Operation on page 2-32.
2-36

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-37

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-37.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-27.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transaxle shift lever is not fully
in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your vehicle
when the engine is running unless you have
to. 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transaxle shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transaxle shift lever
to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. If you have an automatic transaxle, see
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on
page 2-34.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-38

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Second, adjust the angle of
the mirror, by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, move the
lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
Your vehicle may have a rearview mirror with the
OnStar®system.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system are at the
bottom of the mirror. See your GM dealer for more
information on the OnStar
®system and how to
subscribe to OnStar®. Also, seeOnStar®System on
page 2-44for more information about the services
OnStar
®provides.
Mirror Operation
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the
rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip it in the center to move it up or down and
side to side. The day/night control, located at the
bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce
headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark
conditions. Move the control to the right for night
conditions. Return it to the center for daytime use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass and OnStar®controls. For
more information about OnStar®, seeOnStar®System
on page 2-44.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time the
vehicle is started. To turn automatic dimming off or
on, press the left button below the mirror. A green
indicator light will be on when automatic dimming is on.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-44for more
information about the service OnStar®provides.
2-39

Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass on
or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on,
the compass will show two character boxes for a
few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror will
display the current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there may
be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the compass.
Such interference may be caused by a magnetic
antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar object. If the
letter C appears in the compass window, the compass
may need to be reset or calibrated.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads
a direction.
Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the mirror
is not adjusted for compass variance, the compass
could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to
compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is
driven outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances,
such as a long distance, cross-country trip, it will be
necessary to adjust the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map that follows.
2-40

2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display,
press the on/off button quickly until you reach
the correct zone number. If C appears in the
compass window, the compass may need
calibration. See “Compass Calibration” listed
previously.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with a compass. This feature enables the
mirror to sense nighttime glare from vehicle headlamps
from behind and automatically dim to reduce the
glare to a safe level.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time the
vehicle is started. Press the OFF button once and
the green indicator light located to the left of the button
will go out indicating the feature is off. To turn the
feature back on, press and release the AUTO button
and the green indicator light will come on.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass on
or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on,
the compass will show two character boxes for a
few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror will display
the current compass direction.
2-41

Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there may
be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the compass.
Such interference may be caused by a magnetic
antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar object. If the
letter C appears in the compass window, the compass
may need to be reset or calibrated.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads
a direction.
Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the mirror
is not adjusted for compass variance, the compass
could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to
compensate for compass variance if the vehicle is
driven outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances,
such as a long distance, cross-country trip, it will be
necessary to adjust the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map that follows.2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display,
press the on/off button quickly until you reach
the correct zone number. If C appears in the
compass window, the compass may need
calibration. See “Compass Calibration” listed
previously.
2-42