2007 PONTIAC G6 engine

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.
130

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.
132

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.
133

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

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

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

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