trailer PONTIAC G6 2007 Owners Manual

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:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do
not make full-throttle starts. Do not exceed
5,000 engine rpm. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
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.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 296for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the
ignition switch, you can
turn it to four different
positions.
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 in all
the way. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
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Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer in the area where you will
be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you
the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located
on the console between the seats.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start
the engine because your vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 136. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 296.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system.
SE ModelGT and GTP Models
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 271.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to accelerate
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster,
and you continue to drive your vehicle that way,
you could damage the transaxle. Have your
vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in
LOW (L) when you are driving less than 35 mph
(55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher speeds
until then.THIRD (3):This position, available on the SE
model, is also used for normal driving. However,
it reduces vehicle speed more than DRIVE (D)
without using your brakes. Here are some times
you might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D):When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
When going down a steep hill.
LOW (L):This position, available on the SE model,
reduces vehicle speed more than THIRD (3)
without using your brakes. You can use LOW (L) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also
want to use your brakes off and on.
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The transaxle will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (RPM):
The transaxle will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear if the engine RPM is too high.
The transaxle will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the engine RPM is too high.
If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or
detects a problem with the transaxle, the range of
gears may be reduced and the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp will come on. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 204for more information.
SECOND (2)/THIRD (3)
Gear Start Feature
Notice:If you attempt a third gear start while
trailering or towing a heavy load, you will notice
reduced engine power. This could overheat and
damage your transaxle. Do not attempt a third
gear start while trailering or towing your
vehicle.If your vehicle has the 6-speed transaxle, when
accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into
SECOND (2), or THIRD (3) gear. A higher gear,
and light application of the gas pedal, may allow
you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the TAP-Shift feature, the vehicle can
accelerate from a stop in SECOND (2) or
THIRD (3).
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) into the
MANUAL MODE (M) position.
2. With the vehicle stopped, press the plus (+)
paddle forward to select SECOND (2) or
THIRD (3)gear. The vehicle will start
from a stop position in SECOND (2) or
THIRD (3)gear.
3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired
drive gear.
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Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking
brake, for parking your vehicle.
Once the shift lever is in REVERSE (R), the
ignition can be turned to OFF and the key
removed.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking
brake handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 199.
To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can
press the release button.
3. Hold the release button in as you move the
brake handle all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and you are parking on
a hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 296.
GT and GTP Shown, SE Similar
135

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 296.Use the following procedure to shift into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right
foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in the button on the shift lever and pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
136

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.
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This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is
possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 313.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
205

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 254
Defensive Driving...................................... 254
Drunken Driving........................................ 255
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 258
Braking...................................................... 258
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 259
Braking in Emergencies............................. 261
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 262
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 263
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 265
Steering.................................................... 266
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 269
Passing..................................................... 269
Loss of Control.......................................... 271
Driving at Night......................................... 272Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 274
City Driving............................................... 277
Freeway Driving........................................ 278
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 279
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 280
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 280
Winter Driving........................................... 282
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 287
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 288
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 288
Towing........................................................ 293
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 293
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 294
Towing a Trailer........................................ 296
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
253

4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 296for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules,
and trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight=700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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