NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Apply pressure to
get the lever past FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
This chart shows when to shift to the next gear for the
best fuel economy.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift
Speeds
1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
16 mph
(25 km/h)22 mph
(35 km/h)30 mph
(48 km/h)40 mph
(65 km/h)50 mph
(80 km/h)
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
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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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modi®cations..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-44
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-46
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-46
Headlamps..................................................5-46
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-54
Tire Terminology and De®nitions.....................5-56
In¯ation - Tire Pressure.................................5-59
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-63
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-88.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See ªAdding
Washer Fluidº under
Windshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-34.
C. Battery. See
Battery on page 5-37.
D. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View). See
Radiator
Pressure Cap on page 5-26.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See ªChecking Engine Oilº
under
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See ªWhen to Add Engine Oilº
under
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
ªChecking the Fluid Levelº under
Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering
Fluid on page 5-33.
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See ªBrake Fluidº under
Brakes on page 5-35.
J. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped). See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-22.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
L. Engine Coolant Over¯ow Reservoir. See
Engine
Coolant on page 5-23.
Engine Oil
If the Service Engine Oil message appears on the trip
computer display, it means you need to check your
engine oil level right away. For more information, see
Trip Computer on page 3-33. You should check
your engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold In¯ation Pressure:The amount of air pressure in
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See
In¯ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) motor vehicle
safety standards. The DOT code includes the Tire
Identi®cation Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire manufacturer, production
plant, brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, see
Loading
Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging from
1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity
of a tire.
Maximum In¯ation Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be in¯ated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible in¯ation pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of curb
weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;
and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of occupants a
vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg).
See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating positions.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
In¯ation - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell you that
under-in¯ation or over-in¯ation is all right. It is not.
If your tires do not have enough air (under-in¯ation),
you can get the following:
·Too much ¯exing
·Too much heat
·Tire overloading
·Premature or irregular wear
·Poor handling
·Reduced fuel economyIf your tires have too much air (over-in¯ation), you
can get the following:
·Unusual wear
·Poor handling
·Rough ride
·Needless damage from road hazards
A Tire and Loading Information label is attached to your
vehicle's center pillar, below the driver's door latch.
This label lists your vehicle's original equipment
tires and their recommended cold tire in¯ation pressures.
The recommended cold tire in¯ation pressure, shown
on the label, is the minimum amount of air pressure
needed to support your vehicle's maximum load carrying
capacity. For more information regarding how much
weight your vehicle can carry, see
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-29.
5-58
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual
(g)Change automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
þIn heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or higher.
þIn hilly or mountainous terrain.
þWhen doing frequent trailer towing.
þUses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
þUses such as high performance operation.
(h)Drain, ¯ush, and re®ll cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-23 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ®ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(i)A ¯uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the ¯uid level checked. Add ¯uid if needed.
(j)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(k)Drain, ¯ush, and re®ll brake hydraulic system (or
every two years, whichever occurs ®rst). This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Brakes on page 5-35
andRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals speci®ed to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
ždealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ®ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual