2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX warning light

SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
This warning message comes on if there is a problem
with the theft-deterrent system programmed in the
key. A fault has been detected in the system which
means that the system is disabled and it is not protecting
the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you
may want to take the vehicle to your GM dealer
before turning off the engine. SeeKeys on page 2-2for
information on the PASS-Key
®III system.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds while this
message is displayed. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this message and to clear it from the
screen.
This message will continue to display if it has not been
acknowledged when the engine is turned off. It will
also re-display for three seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists
when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear
when the engine is turned on.
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
This symbol will come on
with the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM
warning message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
warning message appears when the system is not
functioning properly. A warning light will also appear on
the instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-45orEnhanced
Traction System Warning Light on page 3-45. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9for more
information. Have the traction control system serviced by
your GM dealer as soon as possible.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime will sound for two seconds while
this message is displayed. Press the set/reset button
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from
the screen.
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STABILITY CONTROL OFF
This symbol comes on with
the STABILITY CONTROL
OFF warning message.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®Plus system, this
warning message will appear when the system turns off.
This message will display only while the ignition is in
RUN. A chime will sound once and the message
will stay on for three seconds and then disappear. A
warning light indicating that this system is deactivated
will also appear on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-45orEnhanced Traction System Warning Light
on page 3-45.
When the StabiliTrak
®Plus system is off, the system
will not be engaged and will not actively assist the driver
with directional control of the vehicle. SeeStabiliTrak
®
Plus System on page 4-12.Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak
®Plus system to turn off:
The StabiliTrak®Plus system on the GXP option is
manually turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®Plus System
on page 4-12for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®Plus system failure. See
your GM dealer for service.
STARTING DISABLED DUE TO
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL
This warning message comes on when there is a
malfunction with the electronic throttle control which
prevents the vehicle from starting. Have the vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer.
This message will only appear while the ignition is in
RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is
resolved. A chime will sound for two seconds. This
message cannot be acknowledged.
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STARTING DISABLED DUE TO THEFT
SYSTEM
This warning message comes on when the system
detects a malfunction in the content theft-deterrent
system and prevents the vehicle from starting.
This message will only appear while the ignition is in
RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is
resolved. A chime will sound for two seconds. This
message cannot be acknowledged.
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
This symbol comes on with
the TRACTION CONTROL
ACTIVE message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will appear when the system is on. TRACTION
CONTROL ACTIVE will also appear in the Head-Up
Display (HUD), if your vehicle has this feature.This message only displays while the ignition is in RUN
and will not disappear until driving conditions change
and the traction control is no longer active.
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared from
the screen.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This symbol comes on with
the TRACTION CONTROL
OFF message.
If the vehicle has the traction control system, this
message will appear when the traction control system
turns off. TRACTION CONTROL OFF will also appear in
the Head-Up Display (HUD), if your vehicle has this
feature. This message will only display while the ignition
is in RUN and will disappear after three seconds. A
chime will sound once and the message will stay on for
three seconds and then disappear. A warning light
indicating that this system is deactivated will also appear
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-45orEnhanced
Traction System Warning Light on page 3-45.
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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 4-9andEnhanced Traction System
(ETS) on page 4-11.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-42.
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. 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.
4-7

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If the vehicle has the 3800 V6 engine and anti-lock
brakes, it has an Enhanced Traction System (ETS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
This symbol comes on
the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when
the ETS is limiting
wheel spin.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when ETS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow safe use of it,
the cruise control can be used again. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-11.
ETS operates in all transaxle shift lever positions. But
the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the
chosen shift lever position, so use the lower gears
only when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25.One of these lights will appear on the instrument panel
to indicate that the ETS is not on.
This symbol, along with
the message TRACTION
CONTROL OFF will
display on the DIC for
three seconds when the
ETS is not on.
If there is a problem with the system, the service
traction system will also come on in the DIC. See
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light on page 3-45.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust driving accordingly.
4-11

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reections
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could
be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-60.
4-21

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-23.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
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