2006 PONTIAC GTO steering

Where Are the Airbags?
The driver's airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.The right front passenger's airbag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger's side.
1-48
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not in¯ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in¯ating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
When Should an Airbag In¯ate?
The driver's and right front passenger's frontal airbags
are designed to in¯ate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to in¯ate
only if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account
a variety of desired deployment and non-deployment
events and are used to predict how severe a crash
is likely to be in time for the airbags to in¯ate and help
restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags
will or should deploy is not based on how fast yourvehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.
If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not
move or deform, the threshold level is about 11 to
17 mph (18 to 28 km/h). (The threshold level can vary,
however, with speci®c vehicle design, so that it can
be somewhat above or below this range.)
Frontal airbags may in¯ate at different crash speeds.
For example:
·If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could in¯ate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
·If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could in¯ate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.
·If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbags could in¯ate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
·If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbags could in¯ate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
The frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are
not intended to in¯ate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
1-49
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an
airbag should have in¯ated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs
were. In¯ation is determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle
slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts.
What Makes an Airbag In¯ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
in¯ator, which in¯ates the airbag. The in¯ator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually.But airbags would not help you in many types of
collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and many
side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. Airbags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety
belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions.
What Will You See After an Airbag
In¯ates?
After the airbag in¯ates, it quickly de¯ates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the airbag
in¯ated. Some components of the airbag module will be
hot for a short time. These components include the
steering wheel hub for the driver's frontal airbag and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's frontal
airbag. The parts of the bag that come into contact with
you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in
the de¯ated airbags. Airbag in¯ation does not prevent
the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
1-50
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's airbag, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
airbag module in the steering wheel or both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger's airbag. Do not open or break
the airbag coverings.
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
1-53
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

The key can only be turned to this position if the
vehicle's automatic transmission is in PARK (P). To help
guard against theft, your vehicle's engine is
automatically disabled shortly after turning the key to
this position. A ¯ashing padlock symbol on the bottom
left corner of the instrument panel indicates this.
The steering column is automatically locked when the
key is removed. To release the steering wheel, insert the
key again and turn it towards the front of the vehicle.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
B (ON):This position is where the key returns to after
you start your engine and release the key. The
ignition switch stays in ON when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can
use ON to operate your electrical accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning lights.
C (START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON for normal driving.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature that enables the radio, power
windows, windshield wipers, and accessory power outlet
to continue to work after the ignition key has been
turned to LOCK and removed from the ignition.
The radio, wipers and accessory power outlet will turn
off when the ignition key is turned to LOCK and
removed. By turning the radio back on, you will be able
to operate it, the windshield wipers, and the accessory
power outlet for up to one hour or until:
·The radio is turned off
·Either door is opened
The windows will also operate for 15 minutes or until
either door is opened.
2-17
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Trip Computer................................................3-33
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Setting the Time...........................................3-45
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-46
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-55Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-56
Radio Reception...........................................3-57
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-57
Care of the CD Player...................................3-57
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-58
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
B. Exterior Lamp Controls. See
Instrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-15andExterior Lamps on
page 3-13.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. See
Windshield Wipers on
page 3-9.
E. Trip Computer Control. See
Trip Computer on
page 3-33.
F. Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. See
Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Climate Controls. See
Climate Control System on
page 3-19.
I. Audio System Controls. See
Audio System(s) on
page 3-44.J. Cruise Control Lever. See
Cruise Control on
page 3-10.
K. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. See
Audio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-56.
L. Tilt Wheel. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-6.
M. Horn. See
Horn on page 3-6.
N. Ignition Switch. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-16.
O. Shift Lever. See
Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-19orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-21.
P. Cupholders. See
Cupholder(s) on page 2-30.
Q. Traction Control System and Power Door Lock
Buttons. See
Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-9andDoor Locks on page 2-7.
R. Parking Brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-24.
S. Glove Box. See
Glove Box on page 2-30.
3-5
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ¯ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ¯ash on and off.
The hazard warning
¯asher button is located in
the center of the
instrument panel.
Your hazard warning ¯ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in the
ignition switch.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ¯ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ¯ashers off.
When the hazard warning ¯ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry re¯ective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to
the highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located under the steering column.
3-6
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual