2006 PONTIAC TORRENT key

Automatic Transaxle Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console.
There are several different positions for the automatic
transaxle.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-23. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN.
2-19

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-38.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
by holding in the button on the shift lever and
pushing it all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever
was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-23

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-23.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in RUN.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever — push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P), as you maintain brake application.
Then, press the button on the shift lever and move
the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to LOCK.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the desired
drive gear.
5. Have your vehicle xed as soon as you can.
2-24

Outside Convex Mirrors
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved, creating a wider area of
vision for the driver.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
OnStar®System
OnStar®uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite
technology, wireless communications, and live advisors
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services. If your airbags
deploy, the system is designed to make an automatic call
to OnStar
®Emergency where we can request emergency
services be sent to your location. If you lock your keys in
the car, call OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can
send a signal to unlock your doors. If you need roadside
assistance, press the OnStar
®button and they will get
you the help you need.
A complete OnStar
®User’s Guide and the Terms
and Conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in the vehicle’s glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca. Contact OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827), or press the OnStar®button to speak
to an OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service
Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca.
2-32

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 reective 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.
3-6

Entry Lighting
If the dome lamp is in the AUTO position, the dome
lamp and the cargo lamp inside your vehicle will come
on when any door is opened. In addition, the light
will come on when the remote keyless entry unlock
button is pressed. It will stay on for 20 seconds or until
a door is opened. After the door is opened the light
will remain on and stay on for 20 seconds after the
doors are closed, or until you put the key in the ignition
and turn the key to RUN.
Map Lamps
Your vehicle may have lamps located on the headliner
above the rearview mirror. Push on the lens in the
lamp to turn them on and off.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamp is located over the rear compartment,
and is controlled by the dome lamp. SeeDome Lamp
on page 3-16.
3-17

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will come on for several seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt
is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensor, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system
is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
3-26

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags
in your vehicle may not inate in a crash,
or they could even inate without a crash.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle serviced right away if the
airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light does
not come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
Battery Warning Light
The battery warning light
will come on briey as a
check, when you turn
on the ignition. Then it
should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light does not come on when you start your
vehicle, have your vehicle serviced right away. This
condition may indicate your battery warning light is not
functioning properly. If this light comes on while you
are driving, be sure to turn off accessories such as the
radio and climate control system. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
3-27