2007 PONTIAC G6 Owners Manual

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle)
{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 automatic transaxle
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).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
automatic 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,
see “Shifting Into Park (P)” previously in the section.
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).
137

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
The automatic transaxle shift lock control system
locks the shift lever in PARK when the ignition is
in OFF. In addition, you have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 129.
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 the desired gear.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch
pedal in, rmly apply the parking brake, and move
the shift lever into REVERSE (R). Once the shift
lever has been placed in REVERSE (R) with the
clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to OFF, remove the key and release the clutch.
SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 134.
138

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
139

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
140

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 140.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park
in a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 282.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the automatic transaxle 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 it is on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the automatic transaxle shift
lever to PARK (P), or the manual transaxle
shift lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. If you have an automatic transaxle,
seeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 136.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 296.
141

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust
the rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind
your vehicle. Grip it in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night control,
located at the bottom of the mirror, adjusts the
mirror to reduce headlamp glare from behind during
evening or dark conditions. Move the control to the
right for night conditions. Return it to the center for
daytime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
Your vehicle may have a rearview mirror with the
OnStar®system.
Control buttons for the OnStar
®system are at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the OnStar
®system and how
to subscribe to OnStar®. Also, seeOnStar®
System on page 148for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
Mirror Operation
The manual mirror operation works the same as
the manual mirror described previously, with
the exception that the mirror has OnStar
®.
142

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass and OnStar®
controls. For more information about OnStar®,
seeOnStar®System on page 148.
The automatic dimming feature turns on each time
the vehicle is started. To turn automatic dimming
off or on, press the left button below the mirror.
A green indicator light will be on when automatic
dimming is on.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 148for
more information about the service OnStar®
provides.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
a few seconds. After a few seconds, the mirror
will display the current compass direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there
may be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the
compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, note pad holder, or
similar object. If the letter C appears in the compass
window, the compass may need to be reset or
calibrated.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display reads a direction.
143

Compass Variance
Compass variance is the difference between earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the
mirror is not adjusted for compass variance, the
compass could give false readings.
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the
factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass
to compensate for compass variance if the vehicle
is driven outside zone eight. Under certain
circumstances, such as a long distance,
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to
adjust the compass variance.
To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance
zone number on the zone map that follows.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the
display, press the on/off button quickly
until you reach the correct zone number.
If C appears in the compass window,
the compass may need calibration. See
“Compass Calibration” listed previously.
144