2006 Pontiac GTO Owners Manual

Download PDF Manual
the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. 1-13 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 1-14 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-15 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. 1-16 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-17 Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder. To move it up or down, press the release button (A) and move the height adjuster to the desired position. After you move the height adjuster to where you want it, try to move it without pressing the release button to make sure it has locked into position. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle. 1-18 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts. A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page1-12. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt — except for one thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. Rear Seat Passengers It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. 1-19 Lap-Shoulder Belt All rear seat positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear one properly. 2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 3. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder part. 1-20 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-21 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each passenger in the rear seat. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. 1-22 1. Remove the guide from its storage pocket on the side of the seatback. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-23 4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described in RearSeatPassengersonpage1-19. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Slide the guide into the storage pocket. Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger. Although you cannot see them, they are located on the buckle end of the safety belts. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crash. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing RestraintSystemPartsAfteraCrashonpage1-53. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual {CAUTION: A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 1-24 Child Restraints Older Children Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-25 Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle. Be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is sitting in a rear seat position, see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides on page1-22. {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can not properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. 1-26 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-27 Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint. 1-28 {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-29 Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint, state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints. 1-30 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Child Restraint Systems {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous ﬂat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-31 A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields. 1-32 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Q: How Should I Use a Child Restraint? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. To help reduce injuries, an add-on child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. With built-in or add-on child restraints, the child has to be secured within the child restraint. When choosing an add-on child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may ﬁnd these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a ﬁve-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-33 Securing an Add-on Child Restraint in the Vehicle {CAUTION: A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Make sure the child restraint is properly installed in the vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See LowerAnchorsandTethersforChildren (LATCH)onpage1-37 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. 1-34 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint There are several systems for securing the child within the child restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The ﬁve-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps, and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a ﬂat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side. {CAUTION: A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Make sure the child is properly secured, following the instructions that came with that restraint. Because there are different systems, it is important to refer to the instructions that come with the restraint. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-35 Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We, therefore, recommend that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Neverput a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here is why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. CAUTION: (Continued) 1-36 CAUTION: (Continued) If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. Wherever you install a child restraint, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor. In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Your vehicle has lower anchors and top tether anchors. Your child restraint may have lower attachments and a top tether. Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments. Lower Anchors Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B). 1-37 Top Tether Anchor A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash. Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. 1-38 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. Rear Seat The rear seat positions have exposed metal lower anchors in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual The top tether anchors are located behind the rear seat head restraints. Pull up on the head restraints to access the anchors. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. There is a secondary trunk release handle behind the passenger side rear head restraint. Do not attach a child restraint top tether to this handle. See Trunkon page2-9 for additional information. 1-39 Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See WheretoPuttheRestraintonpage1-36 for additional information. Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. 1-40 {CAUTION: Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the vehicle is designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per anchor. 1. Attach the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual. 1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position. 1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 1.3. Attach the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 2.1. Find the top tether anchor. 2.2. Pull up on the head restraint to access the anchors. 2.3. Route and attach the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions: If your child restraint has a single or dual top tether, pull up on the head restraint and route it under the head restraint and in between the head restraint posts. Do not route the top tether around the head restraint. 3. Tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 4. Tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions. 5. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see LowerAnchorsandTethersforChildren (LATCH) on page1-37. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Put the child restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-41 3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 1-42 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends using a top tether, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and see LowerAnchorsandTethersforChildren (LATCH) on page1-37. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. Unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see LowerAnchorsandTethersforChildren (LATCH) on page1-37. There is no top tether anchor in the right front passenger’s position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See LowerAnchorsandTethers forChildren(LATCH)onpage1-37 if the child restraint has a top tether. 1-43 5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbag. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here is why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint. See Power Seats on page1-2. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 1-44 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. You may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. 1-45 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Airbag System Your vehicle has an airbag for the driver and an airbag for the right front passenger. Frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating frontal airbag. But these airbags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: {CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. CAUTION: (Continued) 1-46 CAUTION: (Continued) Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inﬂate in rollover, rear crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual {CAUTION: Airbags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you are too close to an inﬂating airbag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. {CAUTION: Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the (Continued) CAUTION: CAUTION: (Continued) vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see OlderChildrenonpage1-25 and Infants andYoungChildrenonpage1-28. There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See AirbagReadinessLightonpage3-25 for more information. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-47 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-PontiacGTOOwnerManual {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the bag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating 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. vehicle 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 speciﬁc vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.) Frontal airbags may inﬂate at different crash speeds. For example: • If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inﬂate 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 inﬂate and help restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual • If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inﬂate 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 inﬂate 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 inﬂate 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 inﬂate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts. 1-49 In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Inﬂation 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 Inﬂate? 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 inﬂator, which inﬂates the airbag. The inﬂator, 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 Inﬂates? After the airbag inﬂates, it quickly deﬂates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inﬂated. 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 deﬂated airbags. Airbag inﬂation 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-PontiacGTOOwnerManual {CAUTION: When an airbag inﬂates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention. Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn off the engine, turn off the fuel pump, and turn the interior lamps on when the airbags inﬂate (if battery power is available). You can operate these features by switching the ignition off and then on. In many crashes severe enough to inﬂate an airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. • Airbags are designed to inﬂate only once. After an airbag inﬂates, you will need some new parts for your airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. • Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information after a crash. See VehicleDataCollectionandEvent Data Recorders on page7-9. • Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on your airbag system. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-51 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in several places around your vehicle. You do not want the system to inﬂate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see ServicePublications Ordering Information on page7-14. {CAUTION: For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inﬂate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an airbag when it inﬂates. Avoid yellow wires, wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualiﬁed to do so. The airbag system does not need regular maintenance. 1-52 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Q: Is there anything I might add to the front of the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly? A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or height, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Also, the airbag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If you have any questions about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the CustomerSatisfactionProcedureon page7-2. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 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. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 1-53 If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system was not being used at the time of the collision. If an airbag inﬂates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section. If the frontal airbags inﬂate, you will also need to replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety belt buckle assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new buckle assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision. After a crash you may need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt buckle assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver and front passenger’s safety belt buckle assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page3-25. 1-54 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................2-2 Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5 Doors and Locks .............................................2-7 Door Locks ....................................................2-7 Power Door Locks ..........................................2-8 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................2-9 Trunk ............................................................2-9 Windows ........................................................2-12 Power Windows ............................................2-13 Sun Visors ...................................................2-13 Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-14 Immobilizer ..................................................2-14 Immobilizer Operation ....................................2-14 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-15 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-16 New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-16 Ignition Positions ..........................................2-16 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-17 Starting the Engine .......................................2-18 Automatic Transmission Operation ...................2-19 Manual Transmission Operation ......................2-21 Parking Brake ..............................................2-24 Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) ............................2-24 Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) ............................2-26 Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-27 Engine Exhaust ............................................2-27 Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-28 Mirrors ...........................................................2-29 Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-29 Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-29 Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-29 Storage Areas ................................................2-30 Glove Box ...................................................2-30 Cupholder(s) ................................................2-30 Front Storage Area .......................................2-30 Center Console Storage Area .........................2-30 Vehicle Personalization ...................................2-31 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2-1 Keys {CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children. 2-2 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual The main key can be used for the ignition and the driver’s door lock. There is another key that locks and unlocks the glove box. This key can usually be kept in the unlocked glove box. Then, when leaving your vehicle and main key with a parking attendant, you can lock valuables in the glove box and take the glove box key with you. The vehicle comes with a security card that lists various security numbers for your vehicle, including key numbers, and the radio PIN. Please keep the card in a safe place, away from your vehicle. If a replacement key is needed, you will have to go to the dealership to purchase one. In an emergency, contact Pontiac Roadside Assistance. See RoadsideAssistanceProgramonpage7-6 for more information. Notice: If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2-3 Remote Keyless Entry System Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: • Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. • Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again. • If you have to get close to your vehicle before the key works, the battery may be weak or discharged. The battery in the remote key should last about ﬁve years. When the battery is weak or discharged, the remote key will need to be replaced. There is no battery replacement for the remote key transmitter. See RemoteKeylessEntrySystem Operation on page2-5. • If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. 2-4 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Remote Keyless Entry System Operation The buttons on your key allow you to lock and unlock your doors or unlock your trunk. When pressing the key buttons, ensure that other keys on the key ring are not between the main key and the vehicle. Other keys can obscure the signal being transmitted to the vehicle. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual When a button on the key is pressed, it sends a signal to the vehicle. The receiver of the signal is a small rectangle centered on top of the dashboard. The receiver is also used to measure sunlight. It is important that the receiver is clean, not covered, and that there are no metal objects close by, as this may block the signals. LOCK: Press this button on the key to lock all the doors, disable the engine, and set the alarm. The vehicle’s turn signals will brieﬂy ﬂash. If you prefer to have the turn signals ﬂash accompanied by the horn sounding, the LOCK feature can be changed. See VehiclePersonalizationonpage2-31. The LOCK button on the key will not work if the ignition is turned on, or if the driver’s and/or passenger’s door is open. Prior to locking your vehicle, make sure all the doors are closed completely. If the LOCK button is pressed when a door is open, the horn will sound three times to indicate that a door has not locked. Close the open door and reset the remote system by ﬁrst pressing the UNLOCK button and then the LOCK button on the key. 2-5 Battery The key has a non-removable battery. Under normal use, the battery in your key should last about ﬁve years. You can tell the battery is weak if the key will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the key buttons work, it is probably time for a replacement key. See your dealership to purchase a replacement key. If the buttons on the key are not working at the normal range in any location, insert the key into the ignition and turn it ON and then OFF. Remove the key from the ignition and try pressing the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons again. If it still does not work a replacement key may be needed. You will have to go to the dealership to purchase a replacement key. UNLOCK: Press this button on the key to unlock the doors. The turn signal lamps will ﬂash twice, and the horn will chirp twice, if this unlocking option is selected through vehicle personalization. The interior light will also turn on for a short time. If UNLOCK is pressed once, the driver’s door will unlock. If UNLOCK is pressed a second time, or is held down for more than half a second, all the doors will unlock. If you prefer to have all the doors unlock with a single press, the unlock feature can be changed to unlock all doors. See “Two Stage Unlock” under VehiclePersonalization on page2-31. If the lock system is overloaded as a result of repeated use in a short time interval, the power supply is cut off for about 30 seconds. The door lock system has been designed to make the vehicle horn chirp rapidly ﬁve times if it detects a fault in the lock system when the LOCK button is pressed. You should check to see that the doors have locked. V(Trunk): Press and hold this button for approximately one second to release the trunk lid. The trunk button on the key will not work if you are travelling over 12 mph (20 km/h). 2-6 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. • Passengers — especially children — can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. • Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it. • Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual There are several ways to lock and unlock the vehicle. The driver’s door need to be closed in order to lock the vehicle using any method. To lock or unlock the doors from inside the vehicle, do one of the following: 1. Press the driver’s and passenger’s door lock knob to lock the doors. Pull up on the knobs to unlock the doors. 2. Press the power door lock button. See PowerDoor Locks on page2-8 following. To lock or unlock your vehicle from the outside, use your key in the driver’s lock or use the remote key. See RemoteKeylessEntrySystemOperationonpage2-5. To lock the doors from the outside using the key in the lock, do the following: 1. Insert the key in the driver’s door lock. 2. Turn the key clockwise. 3. Turn the key back to the vertical position and remove. The alarm system is not set using this method. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page2-15. 2-7 Power Door Locks To unlock the doors from the outside using the key in the lock, do the following: 1. Insert the key in the driver’s door lock. 2. Turn the key counterclockwise. 3. Then turn the key back to the vertical position and remove. The alarm system will go off as soon as a door is opened. To turn off the alarm, turn the key in the ignition to ON or press the unlock button on the remote key. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page2-15. The power door lock button is located on the center console. To lock or unlock the doors using the power door lock button, both doors must be closed. 2-8 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual If both doors are unlocked, press the button to lock the doors. If both doors are locked, press the button to unlock the doors. If the driver’s door is unlocked and the passenger’s door is locked, press the button once to unlock the passenger’s door. Press the button a second time to lock both doors. Pressing the LOCK button on the remote key disables the power door lock switch. See RemoteKeyless Entry System Operation on page2-5 for more information on how the remote keyless entry system works in combination with your power locks. Programmable Automatic Door Locks If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it is equipped with an automatic door locking feature which can be programmed through the trip computer buttons and instrument panel center display. It can be programmed to be on or off. See VehiclePersonalization on page2-31 for more information. Your vehicle was programmed from the factory to automatically lock when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P). 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Trunk {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk lid: • Make sure all other windows are shut. • Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See Climate Control System. • If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See EngineExhaustonpage2-27. 2-9 Trunk Lock To unlock the trunk, press and hold the button with the trunk symbol on the key. The vehicle must be moving at less than 12 mph (20 km/h) for the trunk to open. See RemoteKeylessEntrySystemOperationonpage2-5. The trunk locks automatically when closed, so be careful not to leave your key in the trunk. Remote Trunk Release This feature is used to unlock the trunk from inside the vehicle. Press the button inside the glovebox to unlock the trunk. The vehicle must not be moving over 12 mph (20 km/h) and the alarm system must be off. See Content Theft-Deterrentonpage2-15. For added security, the remote trunk release button will not operate when the doors are locked, the engine is off, and the key is removed from the ignition. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2-10 Emergency Trunk Release Handle There is also a secondary trunk release handle located under the passenger side rear seat head restraint. To access this handle, lift the head restraint and then pull the yellow ring. The vehicle must not be moving. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Notice: Do not use the emergency trunk release handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk as it could damage the handle. The emergency trunk release handle is only intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk, enabling them to open the trunk from the inside. There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the trunk lid. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle to open the trunk from the inside. 2-11 Windows {CAUTION: Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather. 2-12 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Power Windows Use the switches located between the seats to operate the windows. To raise the window, pull the switch up. To lower the window, press the switch down. The windows will operate while the ignition is turned to ON, or while Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page2-17. When the doors are opened, the power windows are deactivated and will not operate until the ignition is turned to ON again. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Express-Down Window Both window switches have an express-down feature. Hold the switch down brieﬂy and then release it. To stop the express-down feature, move the switch up or down again. Sun Visors To help block out glare, pull the sun visors down. Pull on the inside edges of the sun visors to swing them from the front windshield to the side window. Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors Both the driver and passenger’s side sun visors have lighted vanity mirrors. Raise the cover on the top of the sun visor to expose the vanity mirror. The lights at either side of the vanity mirror automatically turn on and off when the cover is opened and closed. 2-13 Theft-Deterrent Systems Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. Immobilizer This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. Immobilizer Operation Your vehicle may have a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is an electronic engine immobilizer, which disables the car, when the key is removed from the ignition. The system works when you turn the key to ON. The key uses a transponder that matches an immobilizer control unit in your vehicle. The correct key will start the vehicle. 2-14 Your vehicle has a special key that works with the theft-deterrent system. There is a transponder in the key head. If the key is ever damaged, you may not be able to start your vehicle. When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not start and the security light comes on, the key may have a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off and try again. If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to check the fuse. See Fuses andCircuitBreakersonpage5-86 for more information on fuses. If the engine still does not start with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the ﬁrst key may be faulty. See your dealer who can service the theft-deterrent system to have a new key made. If you are ever driving and the security light comes on and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it off. The theft-deterrent system, however, is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the theft-deterrent system at this time. In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page7-6. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Content Theft-Deterrent Your vehicle has a theft-deterrent alarm system. Arming the System The alarm system is turned on when the LOCK button on the key is pressed. Therefore, locking the doors by pressing LOCK not only locks all the doors but, after a short delay, also sets the alarm system. When the system is armed, the alarm is triggered when any of the doors, hood or trunk are opened or a hot-wire attempted. The alarm system thinks a break-in has occurred. An alarm sounds and the turn signals and dome light will ﬂash. When the alarm system is turned on, you may open the trunk by pressing the trunk symbol button on the key. This does not set off the alarm, but leaves the alarm system on and undisturbed. Closing the trunk re-arms the trunk alarm after a short delay. The LOCK button on the key will not function when the ignition is turned ON or the driver’s door is open. Disarming the System To disarm the system, press UNLOCK on the key or turn the ignition to ON. How to Detect a Tamper Condition The exterior turn signals should ﬂash twice when returning to your vehicle and pressing UNLOCK on the key. If they ﬂash three times, an attempted break-in has occurred while the vehicle was armed. If you wish to ﬁnd out what set the alarm off, turn the ignition on and look at the trip computer display for the ALARM ACTIVATED message being shown. See “Trip Computer Warning Messages” under TripComputeronpage3-33. The ALARM ACTIVATED message will be displayed ﬁrst for one second, followed by the trigger point screens. The trigger point screens will also be displayed for one second. If more than one trigger point has been activated, the display will show each trigger point screen in sequence for one second, returning back to the ALARM ACTIVATED screen. The alarm screens will be shown in a continuous cycle until the trip computer MODE button is pressed. The center display then reverts to the last screen shown prior to the ignition being off. The possible trigger points are the following: • The hood has been opened. • The trunk has been opened. • One of the doors has been opened. • Hot wiring of the vehicle was attempted (ignition on without key inserted). 2-15 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Starting and Operating Your Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: • Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). • Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle. • Avoid making hard stops for the ﬁrst 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings. Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. 2-16 Ignition Positions The key can be turned to one of three positions while in the ignition switch. A (LOCK): This is the only position from which you can insert or remove the key. When the key is inserted and is in this position, the radio, wipers, and accessory power outlet will continue to work until the key is removed. Once the key is removed these accessories will turn off. By selecting the ON switch on the radio these accessories will continue to work for one hour or until either door is opened. If the key is left inserted in this position, a chime will sound when the driver’s door is opened to remind you the key has been left in the ignition. If the key is left in the ignition, it can drain the battery. Make sure to remove the key when leaving the vehicle. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 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 ﬂashing 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. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 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 Starting the Engine Automatic Transmission Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position — that is a safety feature. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Notice: Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. Manual Transmission The shift lever should be in neutral and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ﬂoor and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety feature. 2-18 Starting Your Engine 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal and the parking brake ﬁrmly applied, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2. If it does not start, wait about 15 seconds and try again to start the engine by turning the ignition key to START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try. When your engine has run about 10 seconds to warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not run your engine at high speeds when it is cold. If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C), let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up. Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Automatic Transmission Operation There are several different positions for your shift lever. Push in the button on top of the shift lever when shifting into position. PARK (P): The engine can be started in this position. This position prevents the rear wheels from turning and so should be selected, together with the parking brake, when leaving the vehicle. {CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. (Continued) CAUTION: 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual CAUTION: (Continued) 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 ShiftingIntoPark(P)(Automatic Transmission)onpage2-24. If you are pulling a trailer, see TowingaTraileronpage4-34. Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must have your foot on the regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. The vehicle will not shift from PARK (P) if the button is pressed before the brake is applied. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P), and release the shift lever button as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into the desired gear. See ShiftingOutofPark(P) (Automatic Transmission) on page2-26. 2-19 REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. 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 transmission, see IfYourVehicleisStuckinSand,Mud,IceorSnow on page4-28. 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 ﬁrmly 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. 2-20 Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting your vehicle. DRIVE (D): This is the most effective position for normal or freeway driving. This position gives maximum fuel efficiency, as the transmission can choose the appropriate gear (1 through 4) for the existing load and driving conditions. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). 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. SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) 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. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transmission will not shift into ﬁrst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Remember to move the shift lever back to DRIVE (D) so that the transmission again upshifts into higher gears. Even though the shift lever may be in FIRST (1), the transmission does not select ﬁrst gear until vehicle speed is less that 35 mph (56 km/h). Manual Transmission Operation This is the shift pattern for the six-speed manual transmission. Here is how to operate your transmission: 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 than 40 mph (64 km/h). If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in 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), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), 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. 2-21 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear. REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Apply pressure to get the lever past FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal. Shift Speeds {CAUTION: If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at a time when you downshift. This chart shows when to shift to the next gear for the best fuel economy. Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds 1 to 2 16 mph (25 km/h) 2 to 3 22 mph (35 km/h) 3 to 4 30 mph (48 km/h) 4 to 5 40 mph (65 km/h) 5 to 6 50 mph (80 km/h) If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to the next lower gear. 2-22 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual One to Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) Instrument Panel Cluster Trip Computer When this light comes on, you can only shift from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) instead of FIRST (1) to SECOND (2). The light will be displayed on the instrument panel cluster and a message will be displayed on the trip computer. You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel economy. After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a lower gear if you prefer. Notice: Forcing the shift lever into any gear except FOURTH (4) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes on may damage the transmission. Shift only from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light comes on. This light will come on when: • The engine coolant temperature is higher than 169°F (76°C), • you are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and • you are 21 percent throttle or less. See One-to-FourShiftLight(ManualTransmission)on page3-26 and TripComputeronpage3-33 for more information. 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2-23 Parking Brake To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake handle without pressing the release button. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on. See BrakeSystemWarningLightonpage3-27. To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can press the release button. 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. 2-24 Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) {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 ﬁrmly 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, see TowingaTraileronpage4-34. 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P). • Press in and hold the shift lever button, located on the top of the shift lever. • Push the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle. 3. Turn the main key to LOCK. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the main key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P). 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transmission) {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 ﬁrmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch ﬁre. 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 the vehicle is in PARK (P) and the parking brake is ﬁrmly 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 ﬁrst pushing the shift lever button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P). Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may ﬁnd it difficult to move 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 ﬁnd out how, see ShiftingIntoPark (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page2-24. 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 your vehicle uphill. This should take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so you can move the shift lever out of PARK (P). 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual 2-25 Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes before you can press the button on the shift lever to shift from PARK (P) while the ignition is ON. See AutomaticTransmissionOperationonpage2-19. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal down. Release the shift lever button. Then move the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the shift lever button. Shift Lock Release If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this: 1. Turn the ignition to LOCK to remove the key. 2. Remove the front console rubber insert, located in front of the shift lever, by lifting upwards. 3. Remove the screw slightly to the right of the front center. 4. Open the console storage compartment and pry the console cover assembly from the console. The cover is attached in six places. 5. Insert a tool into the opening in front of the shift lever and move the yellow release lever forward. 6. Press the button on the shift lever to move lever out of park. 7. Replace the console cap. 8. Have the vehicle ﬁxed as soon as possible. 2-26 2006-PontiacGTOOwnerManual Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust {CAUTION:

Boost Classifieds - Car Advice, Reviews, Events & Classifieds

2006 Pontiac GTO Owners Manual