2006 PONTIAC GTO Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/®lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to
stop ¯ames if the engine back®res. If it is not
there and the engine back®res, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the air
cleaner/®lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/®lter is off, a back®re can
cause a damaging engine ®re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/®lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the ¯uid and ®lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transmission ¯uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little ¯uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the ¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a ®re.
Too little ¯uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission ¯uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission ¯uid level if you have been driving in the
following conditions:
·When outside temperatures are above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
·At high speed for quite a while.
·In heavy traffic Ð especially in hot weather.
To get the right reading, the ¯uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180ÉF to
200ÉF (82ÉC to 93ÉC).
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Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50ÉF
(10ÉC). If it is colder than 50ÉF (10ÉC), drive the vehicle
in DRIVE (D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold ¯uid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for ®ve minutes if outside temperatures are
50ÉF (10ÉC) or more. If it is colder than 50ÉF (10ÉC), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the ¯uid
level be low during this cold check, you must check the
¯uid hot before adding ¯uid. Checking the ¯uid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the ¯uid level.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
The automatic transmission dipstick is located at the
rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger's side
of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
1. Unclip the handle and remove the dipstick; wipe it
clean with a clean rag or paper towel and re-insert
it fully. Remove it again and read the ¯uid level.
2. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The ¯uid level must be in the COLD area for
a cold check or in the cross-hatched HOT area
for a hot check.
3. If the ¯uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Remember to always replace the dipstick and lock
the handle down.
How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission ¯uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Add ¯uid only after checking the transmission ¯uid while
it is hot. A cold check is used only as a reference. If
the ¯uid level is low, add only enough of the proper ¯uid
to bring the level up to the HOT area for a hot check.
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The level should never read over the HOT mark, so be
careful not to add too much. It does not take much
¯uid, generally less than 0.6 pints (0.3 L). Do not over®ll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
¯uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission ¯uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
·After adding ¯uid, recheck the ¯uid level as
described under ªHow to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,º earlier in this section.
·When the correct ¯uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Remember to always replace the dipstick and lock
the handle down.
·If ¯uid has to be added often, there may be a
problem or leak and you should see your dealer.
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check Manual Transmission
Fluid
A good time to have your manual transmission ¯uid
checked is when the engine oil is changed. However,
the ¯uid in your manual transmission does not
require changing.
How to Check Manual Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be difficult, you may choose
to have this done at the dealership service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
Notice:Too much or too little ¯uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the ¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a ®re.
Too little ¯uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission ¯uid.
Check the ¯uid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place, and the transmission
is cool enough for you to rest your ®ngers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the reverse light switch.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to the bottom of
the switch hole.
3. If the ¯uid level is good, install the switch and be
sure it is fully seated. If the ¯uid level is low, add
more ¯uid as described in the next steps.
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How to Add Manual Transmission Fluid
Here is how to add ¯uid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind of ¯uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
1. Remove the reverse light switch.
2. Add ¯uid at the switch hole. Add only enough
¯uid to bring the ¯uid level up to the bottom of
the switch hole.
3. Install the reverse light switch. Be sure the switch is
fully seated.
Hydraulic Clutch
The clutch ¯uid level should be checked weekly. A ¯uid
loss in this system could indicate a problem. If the
clutch ¯uid requires constant ®lling it could indicate a
leak. Have the system inspected and repaired by
your dealer. Adding ¯uid will not correct a leak.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine the
proper ¯uid. See
Owner
Checks and Services
on page 6-8
andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
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How to Check and Add Fluid
To check the ¯uid level, look at the markings on the
reservoir. If the ¯uid level is between the MIN and the
MAX line, the ¯uid level is correct. If the ¯uid level
is between these marks do not remove the cap, as the
¯uid will quickly absorb moisture. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on reservoir location.
If ¯uid does need to be added, ®rst turn the vehicle off.
Remove the cap and add the proper ¯uid. Remember
to replace the cap and clean up any spilled ¯uid.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is ®lled with
DEX-COOLžengine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ®ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs ®rst, if only
DEX-COOL
žextended life coolant is added.The following explains the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem
with engine overheating or if coolant needs to be added
to the radiator, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
žcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOLžmay
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the ®rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs ®rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
ž(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOLžcoolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If this coolant mixture is used, nothing
else needs to be added.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.If coolant needs to be added more than four times a
year, have your dealer check the cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle's cooling system, you could
damage your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture
of the engine coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
Checking Coolant
The coolant over¯ow reservoir is located in the engine
compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
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The coolant level should be checked at each fuel ®ll, by
looking at the dipstick in the coolant over¯ow reservoir.
To remove the dipstick, push down on the coolant
reservoir cap while turning it counterclockwise.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the bottom arrow on the dipstick. After the
vehicle has been driven and the engine is at normal
operating temperature, the level should be somewhere
between the two arrows on the dipstick.
If the coolant level is correct, replace the dipstick then
push down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning
it clockwise until it stops, to lock it into position.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture at the coolant over¯ow reservoir, but
be careful not to spill it. Check the level with the dipstick
and keep adding ¯uid until the level is correct.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the level is correct, replace the dipstick then push
down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning it
clockwise until it stops, to lock it into position.
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If the coolant over¯ow reservoir is completely empty,
add coolant to the radiator. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap Ð even a little Ð when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Occasionally check the coolant in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator, see
Cooling System on page 5-29.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
information on location.
Engine Overheating
Immediate action is required if your engine overheats.
This is indicated by the coolant temperature gage
and the Engine Temp Hot message on the trip computer
display. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-28andTrip Computer on page 3-33for more
information.
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