2006 PONTIAC G6 brakes

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

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

To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the on/off symbol to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET−symbol and release it. The cruise
symbol will display in the instrument panel cluster
to show the system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) or Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9andEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-11. When road
conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brakes. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. The cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster will also go out indicating
cruise is no longer engaged. To return to your previously
set speed, you do not need to go through the set
process again. Once at a speed of about 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, you can press the RES+ symbol
briey.
This will take you back up to your previously chosen
speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ symbol. Hold it there until you
get up to the speed you want, and then release
the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ symbol briey and then release
it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-12

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET−symbol until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−symbol briey. Each time you do this, you will
go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep your vehicle’s speed
down. Of course, applying the brakes ends cruise
control. Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble
and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to disengage the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; when cruise control
disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument
panel cluster will go out.
Press the on/off button, this will turn off the cruise
control system.
Press the cancel button (3–spoke wheel only).
When cruise control disengages, the cruise symbol
in the instrument panel cluster will go out.
Step on the clutch pedal; when the cruise control
disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument
panel cluster will go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
anti-lock brake system, the
light will come on when
your engine is started
and may stay on for
several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the light still stays
on, or comes on again while you’re driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning
light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-36.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-37

What if there is an emergency, a need to take sudden
action, as when a child darts into the street? A person
with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react
quickly enough to avoid the collision.
There is something else about drinking and driving that
many people do not know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9,Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-11andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-12.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-5

Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-6

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking while trying to
avoid the animal. Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel. See
Braking in Emergencies on page 4-8.
4-7