2006 PONTIAC G6 mirror

Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front
in your inside mirror, activate your right lane
change signal and move back into the right lane.
Remember that your right outside mirror is convex.
The vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from you than it really is.
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not ashing, it
may be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle does not have a traction system, or if the
traction system is off, an acceleration skid is also
best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal. SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-11,Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9,
orStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-12.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
4-17

Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may
not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface — and slow down when you have any
doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do
not have ABS, then in a braking skid, where the
wheels are no longer rolling, release enough pressure
on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This
restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare
from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much road
ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
4-18

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower. Stay in
the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
4-23

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-25

Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the
hitch. If you do not seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-37. Dirt and
water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you will be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly. And because you may have
anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s
brake system. If you do, both systems will not work well,
or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-44

Fuses Usage
POWER
MIRRORSPower Mirrors
EPS Electric Power Steering
RUN/CRANKCruise Control Switch, Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator, DSC Switch
HVAC
BLOWER HIGHHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower - High Speed Relay
CLUSTER/
THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster,
Theft Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag (Ignition)
HVAC CTRL
(BATT)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control Diagnostic Link Connector
(Battery)
PEDAL Adjustable Pedals
WIPER SW Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR
LIGHTSInterior Lamps
Fuses Usage
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
POWER
WINDOWSPower Windows (Sedan)
HVAC CTRL
(IGN)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control (Ignition)
HVAC
BLOWERHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower Switch
DOOR LOCK Door Locks
ROOF/HEAT
SEATSunroof, Heated Seat, Power
Windows (Coupe, Retractable
Hardtop)
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
AIRBAG
(BATT)Airbag (Battery)
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
5-99

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview
with Compass..........................................2-41
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®
and Compass..........................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-39
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-43
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-43
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-22
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-31
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-31
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-44
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-43
Power Mirrors.............................................2-43
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-18
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-32
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-34
Shifting Out of............................................2-36
Park (P) Headlamps Off in Park (P)..................3-14
Parking
Brake........................................................2-33
Over Things That Burn.................................2-37
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-36
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-34
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-16
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-21
9

Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-19
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.........................................5-97
Lift Seat....................................................... 1-8
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-24
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-37
Windows....................................................2-17
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-29
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-13
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radios..........................................................3-54
Care of Your CD and DVD Player..................3-88
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-88
Radio with CD....................................3-56, 3-61
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-71
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-55
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-55
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-86Radios (cont.)
Understanding Reception..............................3-87
Raising the Retractable Hardtop........................2-51
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with Compass.............................................2-41
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®and Compass.................................2-39
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-39
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-39
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-38
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-78
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-76
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-71
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-72
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-24
10