2006 PONTIAC G6 Automatic Transaxle

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you
continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could
damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle serviced
right away. You can drive in LOW (L) when you are
driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then.
THIRD (3):This position, available on the SE model, is
also used for normal driving. However, it offers more
power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D). Here are some times you might
choose THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
When going down a steep hill.
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LOW (L):This position, available on the SE model,
gives you more power but lower fuel economy
than THIRD (3). You can use LOW (L) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.
You can use LOW (L) on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L),
the transaxle will not shift into rst gear until the vehicle
is going slowly enough.
Notice:Driving in LOW (L) for more than 25 miles
(40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may
damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into LOW (L)
at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause
damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of LOW (L).
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle
in place.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, available on the
GT/GTP models, allows you to change gears similar to a
manual transaxle. If your vehicle has this feature, see
Manual Shift Mode (MSM).Manual Shift Mode (MSM)
(Automatic Transaxle)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) rearward and then to the right
into the MANUAL MODE (M).
2. If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in the manual
mode and a gear based on the current driving
speed.
While driving in manual mode, the transaxle may
remain in a gear longer than it would in normal
driving mode based on braking, throttle input and
vehicle lateral acceleration.
3. Press the shift level forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
The odometer on the instrument panel cluster will
change from the vehicle’s mileage to the letter M, for
manual mode, and a number indicating the requested
gear range when moving the shift lever forward or
rearward. SeeSpeedometer and Odometer on
page 3-31for more information.
2-31

SECOND (2) Gear Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in
snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift into
SECOND (2) gear. A higher gear allows you to
gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the MSM feature, the vehicle can be set to pull
away in SECOND (2) gear.
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) into the MANUAL MODE (M).
2. With the vehicle stopped, move the lever forward to
select SECOND (2) gear. The vehicle will start from
a stop position in SECOND (2) gear.
3. Once moving select the desired drive gear.
While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have
rmer shifting and increased performance. You can use
this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear
longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.
The transaxle will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM). The transaxle will not automatically
shift to the next higher gear if the engine RPM is
too high.
When coming to a stop in the manual mode, the vehicle
will automatically downshift to the proper gear based
on speed. Upon acceleration you will need to manually
upshift to the desired gear.Manual Transaxle Operation
This is your shift pattern.
The clutch must be fully
pressed in when shifting a
manual transaxle to
ensure the transaxle is
fully in gear.
Here is how to operate your transaxle:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less
that 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the
shift lever into Neutral and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
2-32

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in as
you move the brake handle all the way down.
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 you are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{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 4-40.
2-34

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

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

Notice:If you lower the retractable hardtop in cold
weather (0°F/−18°C or lower), you may damage
top components. Do not lower the retractable
hardtop in cold weather.
1. Park on a level surface and shift the automatic
transaxle into PARK (P), or a manual transaxle
into NEUTRAL with the parking brake set.
2. The vehicle’s engine must be on or turned to ACC,
the trunk cargo cover must be in place, and the
trunk must be closed.
3. Lower both sun visors.
4. Make sure that nothing or no one is on or around
the top. Make sure there is nothing on top or in
front of the cargo cover.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the retractable hardtop can
be dangerous. People can be injured by the
hardtop and its mechanism. Keep people away
from your vehicle when you are lowering or
raising the top.5. Push and hold the
bottom of the
retractable hardtop
button located on the
headliner, between
the front reading lamps.
The windows will
automatically lower
and the top will
automatically lower
into the storage area.
A chime will sound
when the top has
lowered completely.
If the radio is on, the sound may be muted briey while
the retracable top is lowered. This is due to the audio
equalization system re-loading.
Under certain conditions, the Driver Information Center
(DIC) may display a message regarding the retractable
hardtop. If this happens, seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-48for more information.
2-50