Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh Ð such as after
a day's work Ð do not plan to make too many miles that
®rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will ®nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
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 in¯ated 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.
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You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow
from around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking your exhaust
pipe. And check around again from time to
time to be sure snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all
the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and
repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from
the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
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2. If the fan is working and the temperature gage
needle has not returned to its normal position
within a few minutes, stop the engine and remove
the ignition key.
Look for leaks at the radiator hoses and
connections, heater hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump. Be careful when checking
these areas as they will probably still be hot. If
you ®nd a major leak or other problems that may
have caused the engine to overheat, do not run the
engine until these problems have been corrected.
If you do not ®nd anything wrong, you should check
the engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-23. You should also check the air intake
area below the front bumper to ensure that it is clear
of leaves and road grime.3. Turn off your air conditioning and turn on your
heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and
open the windows as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering ¯uid reservoir is located toward the
front of the engine compartment on the driver's side
of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A ¯uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
The ¯uid level should be checked after the vehicle has
been driven for at least 20 minutes, so that the ¯uid
is warm. A cold level check can be done after the engine
has been off for at least ®ve hours. However, the hot
level check is recommended.
The ¯uid level can be viewed through the reservoir. The
level markings are next to the ¯uid window. When the
¯uid is cold, the level should be between the COLD MIN
(Minimum) and MAX (Maximum) marks. When the
vehicle has been driven for at least 20 minutes and the
¯uid is hot, the level should be between the HOT
MIN and MAX marks.
If ¯uid must be added, turn the cap counterclockwise to
the stop; then the cap can be lifted off. Do not over®ll
the reservoir and remember to replace the cap
tightly when you are ®nished and clean up any
spilled ¯uid.
If you often need to add ¯uid, you should see
your dealer.
What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the
®rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the
illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certi®ed
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certi®ed
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and De®nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height to its
width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when cleaning
glass surfaces on your vehicle, you could scratch
the glass and/or cause damage to the integrated
radio antenna and the rear window defogger. When
cleaning the glass on your vehicle, use only a
soft cloth and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents that may become
concentrated in your vehicle's breathing space. Before
using cleaners, read and adhere to all safety
instructions on the label. While cleaning your vehicle's
interior, maintain adequate ventilation by opening
your vehicle's doors and windows.
Dust may be removed from small buttons and knobs
using a small brush with soft bristles.
Your GM dealer has a product for cleaning your
vehicle's glass. Should it become necessary, you can
also obtain a product from your GM dealer to remove
odors from your vehicle's upholstery.Do not clean your vehicle using the following cleaners
or techniques:
·Never use a knife or any other sharp object to
remove a soil from any interior surface.
·Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage to
your vehicle's interior surfaces.
·Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively
with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure
can damage your interior and does not improve the
effectiveness of soil removal.
·Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid laundry
detergents or dishwashing soaps with degreasers.
Using too much soap will leave a residue that
leaves streaks and attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners,
about 20 drops per gallon (3.78 L) of water is a
good guide.
·Do not heavily saturate your upholstery while
cleaning.
·Damage to your vehicle's interior may result from
the use of many organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
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Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
®res caused by electrical problems.
Look at the metallic band inside the fuse. If the band is
broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some feature
of your vehicle that you can get along without Ð like the
radio or cigarette lighter Ð and use its fuse, if it is the size
you need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Before replacing a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the instrument
panel fuse block and the engine compartment fuse
block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse block is located under the driver's side of the
instrument panel. The fuses here protect each
separate circuit including headlamps. There are spare
fuses inside the fuse box. If you have electrical
failure, check here ®rst.
Fuses Usage
FLASHER
UNITHazard Warning Flashers
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switches
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
Fuses Usage
POWER
SEATSPower Seat Controls
FRONT WIPER
WASHERFront Windshield Wiper Washer
PARK LAMPS Parking Lamps
STOP LAMPS Stop Lamps
INTERIOR
ILLUM.Interior light Controls
HAZARD
WARNINGHazard Warning Flashers
SPARE Spare
HORN Horn
IGNITION Ignition Switch
INSTRUMENT
ILLUM.Instrument Panel Lighting
TURN
SIGNAL,BACK
UP LAMPSTurn Signal Lamp, Back-Up Lamps
HVAC CONT.
HEAT, REAR
WINDOW,
INSTRUMENTSHeater Controls, Rear Window, Trip
Computer
CIGAR
LIGHTERCigarette LighterFuses Usage
CRUISE CONT.
POWER
MIRRORSCruise Control, Power Mirror
RADIO, CELL
PHONERadio System, Cell Phone
ACC. SOCKET Accessory Power Outlet
SPARE Spare
ENG. CONT.
SIGNALEngine Control Signal
POWER DOOR
LOCKS,
WINDOWS &
THEFT HORNPower Door Locks, Power Windows,
Theft System, Horn
INSTRUMENTS Instruments
SPARE Spare
RADIO & CELL
PHONERadio System, Cell Phone
SUB WOOFER
& AMPLIFIERSub Woofer and Ampli®er
SPARE Spare
AIRBAG Airbag
ABS &
TRACTION
CONT.Anti-Lock Brake System, Traction
Control System
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