2007 PONTIAC G6 Owners Manual

Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer in the area where you will
be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you
the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located
on the console between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start
the 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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 136. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 296.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system.
SE ModelGT and GTP Models
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You have to apply your regular brake rst and then
press the shift lever button before you can shift from
PARK (P) while the ignition key is in ON. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the
shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Press
the shift lever button and then move the shift lever
into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 138later in this
section.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. 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
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 287.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) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 271.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to accelerate
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster,
and you continue to drive your vehicle that way,
you could damage the transaxle. Have your
vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in
LOW (L) when you are driving less than 35 mph
(55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.THIRD (3):This position, available on the SE
model, is also used for normal driving. However,
it reduces vehicle speed more than DRIVE (D)
without using your brakes. 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.
LOW (L):This position, available on the SE model,
reduces vehicle speed more than THIRD (3)
without using your brakes. You can use LOW (L) 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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You can use LOW (L) on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the
transaxle will not shift into rst gear until the vehicle
is going slowly enough.
Notice:Driving in LOW (L) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h) may damage the transaxle. Also,
shifting into LOW (L) at speeds above 65 mph
(105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in
THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of LOW (L).
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, available on
the GT/GTP models, allows you to change gears
similar to a manual transaxle. If your vehicle has
this feature, see Manual Shift Mode (MSM)
following.Manual Shift Mode (MSM)
(Automatic Transaxle)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) rearward
and then to the right into the MANUAL
MODE (M).
While driving in manual shift mode, the
transaxle will remain in the driver gear selected.
When coming to a stop in the manual position,
the vehicle will automaticaly shift to
FIRST (1) gear.
2. Press the shift level forward to upshift or
rearward to downshift.
The odometer display on the instrument panel
cluster will change from the vehicle’s mileage to
the letter M, for manual shift mode, and a number
indicating the requested gear range when
moving the shift lever forward or rearward. See
Speedometer and Odometer on page 194for more
information.
While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have
rmer shifting and sportier performance. You can
use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to
stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power
or engine braking.
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The transaxle will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (RPM):
The transaxle will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear if the engine RPM is too high.
The transaxle will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the engine RPM is too high.
If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or
detects a problem with the transaxle, the range of
gears may be reduced and the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp will come on. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 204for more information.
SECOND (2)/THIRD (3)
Gear Start Feature
Notice:If you attempt a third gear start while
trailering or towing a heavy load, you will notice
reduced engine power. This could overheat and
damage your transaxle. Do not attempt a third
gear start while trailering or towing your
vehicle.If your vehicle has the 6-speed transaxle, when
accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into
SECOND (2), or THIRD (3) gear. A higher gear,
and light application of the gas pedal, may allow
you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the TAP-Shift feature, the vehicle can
accelerate from a stop in SECOND (2) or
THIRD (3).
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) into the
MANUAL MODE (M) position.
2. With the vehicle stopped, press the plus (+)
paddle forward to select SECOND (2) or
THIRD (3)gear. The vehicle will start
from a stop position in SECOND (2) or
THIRD (3)gear.
3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired
drive gear.
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Manual Transaxle Operation
This is your shift pattern.
The clutch must be fully
pressed in when shifting
a manual transaxle to
ensure the transaxle is
fully in gear.
Here is how to operate your transaxle:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going
less that 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1),
put the shift lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the
clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift
into FIRST (1).SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as
you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), and FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6):Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and
FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) the same way you do
for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to Neutral.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the
clutch pedal and lift up on the ring on the shift lever
to shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
134

Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking
brake, for parking your vehicle.
Once the shift lever is in REVERSE (R), the
ignition can be turned to OFF and the key
removed.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking
brake handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 199.
To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can
press the release button.
3. Hold the release button in as you move the
brake handle all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and you are parking on
a hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 296.
GT and GTP Shown, SE Similar
135

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{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 296.Use the following procedure to shift into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right
foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in the button on the shift lever and pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
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).
136