
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-28.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This is the most effective position for normal
or freeway driving. This position gives maximum fuel
efficiency, as the transmission can choose the
appropriate gear (1 through 4) for the existing load and
driving conditions.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D). Here are some times you might choose
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D):
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
·When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use
SECOND (2) 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.
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Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
To change the current mode, turn the right control to
select one of the following:
Y(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
%(Bi-Level):This mode directs the air to the
instrument panel outlets and the ¯oor outlets. This
position can be used for most winter driving.
[(Floor):This mode directs the air to the ¯oor
outlets.
The right control can also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
9(Fan):Turn the left control clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
The fan must be on to run the air-conditioning
compressor.
>(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air from
coming into the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or to
help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Move the right control to this position to turn recirculation
on. Turn the air conditioning on when using recirculation.
Recirculation is not recommended for use over long
periods of time.
Temperature Control:Turn the center control
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease
the temperature inside your vehicle.
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A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button on the left
dial to turn the air-conditioning system on or off.
When A/C is pressed, an indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know that air conditioning is
activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to choose from to
clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and
warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right control to select the defog or
defrost modes.
-(Defog):This mode directs the air to the windshield
and to the ¯oor outlets. When you select this mode,
the system turns off recirculation automatically.
The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the
defog mode. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
To help clear the side windows quickly while using air
conditioning, do the following:
1. Select the bi-level mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the temperature.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on when you
turn on the ignition,
until the engine is started,
as a check to show
you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If the light illuminates and the Check Alternator message
on the trip computer stays on, or comes on while you
are driving you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose
generator drive belt or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on
could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
The Check Alternator message will remain until the
MODE button on the trip computer is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the problem is ®xed. See
Trip Computer on page 3-33for more information.
One-to-Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2).
You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off
this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel
economy.
After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The temperature gage
shows the engine coolant
temperature when the
ignition is on.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, the light
comes on and you hear a chime, your engine is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Notice:Modi®cations made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake or fuel system of your
vehicle or replacement tires that do not match
your vehicle's original tires can affect your vehicle's
emission controls and may cause this light to
come on. Modi®cations to these systems could lead
to costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
This may also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modi®cations on page 5-3.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
·Light FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
·Light On SteadyÐ An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
·Reducing vehicle speed
·Avoiding hard accelerations
·Avoiding steep uphill grades
·If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ¯ashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to ¯ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still
¯ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Trip Computer Warning Messages
The following messages may appear on the center trip
computer display located on the instrument panel
cluster. If a message is active, it will appear on the
display for 10 seconds, unless the trip computer MODE
button is pressed. Pressing the MODE button will
acknowledge and clear messages from the display.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) Fault
If this symbol and the ABS
Fault message come on,
there is a malfunction
of the anti-lock brake
system. See your
GM dealer for service.
Your vehicle's brake system will still operate without
ABS. The ABS Fault message will remain until the
MODE button is pressed, but the symbol will remain
until the condition is repaired.
ALARM ACTIVATED
If the ALARM ACTIVATED message comes on, it
indicates that the content theft-deterrent alarm has been
set off because a door, the hood, or the trunk has
been opened, or that your vehicle's electrical system
has been tampered with. See ªHow to Detect a Tamper
Conditionº under
Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15for more information.
Brake
If this symbol and the
Brake message come on
while driving and the
park brake is released, a
fault with the brakes is
indicated.
You should immediately stop your vehicle on the side of
the road as carefully as possible. Do not proceed
until satis®ed that braking is possible or the condition is
repaired. A warning will chime if you attempt to drive
off without releasing the park brake. The Brake message
will remain until the MODE button is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the condition is repaired.
This message will also come on to indicate low
brake ¯uid.
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Check Alternator
If this symbol and the
Check Alternator message
stay on, or come on while
you are driving you may
have a problem with the
electrical charging system.
It could indicate that your vehicle has a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have your
vehicle checked right away by your GM dealer. Driving
while this symbol is on could drain your battery. If
you must drive a short distance with the symbol on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner. The Check Alternator message
will remain until the MODE button is pressed, but the
symbol will remain until the condition is repaired.
Check Oil
If this symbol and the
Check Oil message stay on
after you start the engine,
or come on when you are
driving, there is a low
engine oil pressure
problem.This indicates that the engine is not receiving enough
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it repaired immediately by
your GM dealer. The Check Oil message will remain
until the MODE button is pressed, but the symbol
will remain until the condition is repaired.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches ®re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
CRUISE ACTIVE
The CRUISE ACTIVE message comes on whenever
you set the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10for more information.
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