automatic transmission PONTIAC G5 2008 User Guide

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 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 (Manual
Transmission) on page 4-32orTowing a Trailer
(Automatic Transmission) on page 4-32.To shift into PARK (P), do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-32for more information.
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 LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-33

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 rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your automatic transmission vehicle
with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever
into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pulling it toward you. 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 into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too
much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To nd
out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-33.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-34

Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESORY and the regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-34for more
information.To shift out of PARK (P):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Your Vehicle
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
down, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and
rmly apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed down, you can turn the ignition key to
OFF/LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch
pedal. SeeManual Transmission Operation on
page 2-30.
2-35

Running the Vehicle 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 under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
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. See
Winter Driving on page 4-20.
{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. 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 the
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-33.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)
on page 4-32orTowing a Trailer (Automatic
Transmission) on page 4-32.
2-37

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-19.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-76.
G. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield Washer on
page 3-10.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-55.
J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps
on page 3-16.
K. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-12.L. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
M. Driver Information Control Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-42.
N. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
O. Traction Control System Button (If Equipped).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Electronic Stability Control Button (If Equipped).
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10.
P. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). Accessory Power
Outlet (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-19andAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-18.
Q. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). SeeManual
Transmission Operation on page 2-30andAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-27.
R. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-19.
S. Heated Seats Button (If Equipped). SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-4.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
3-5

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the parking lamps and taillamps only.AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):Turn the
switch to this position to automatically turn on the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) during daytime, and the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night.
This position must be selected in order for the Wiper
Activated Headlamps to be activated. SeeWiper
Activated Headlamps on page 3-14.
P(Off/On):When operating in AUTO, a momentary
turn of the switch to Off/On will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System off or back on. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the transmission must be in the PARK (P)
position, before the Automatic Headlamp System can be
turned off.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on. For this
feature to work, automatic lighting must be enabled.
SeeHeadlamps on page 3-14for additional information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also turn
off 15 seconds after the windshield wiper control is
turned off.
3-14

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know how
fast you are going, about how much fuel is left in the tank, and many other things you will need to drive safely and
economically.
United States, Manual Transmission Version shown, Canada and Automatic Transmission similar
3-26

DELAY LOCK
This feature, which delays the actual locking of the
vehicle, can be enabled or disabled. When DELAY
LOCK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
ON (default):The doors will not lock until ve seconds
after the last door is closed. You can temporarily
override delayed locking by pressing the power lock
switch or the lock button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter a second time.
OFF:The doors will lock immediately when pressing
the power lock switch or the lock button on the
RKE transmitter.
SeePower Door Locks on page 2-10,Delayed Locking
on page 2-10, andRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting
is displayed on the DIC.
AUTO UNLK (Unlock)
This feature, which allows the vehicle to automatically
unlock certain doors, can be enabled or disabled. When
AUTO UNLK appears on the display, press and hold
the reset button for at least one second to scroll through
the available settings:
ALL (default):All of the doors will automatically unlock.
DRIVER:The driver’s door will automatically unlock.
NONE:None of the doors will automatically unlock.
You will need to manually unlock the doors.
If you have a manual transmission vehicle, the
door(s) will automatically unlock when the ignition is
turned off.
If you have an automatic transmission vehicle, you can
select when the automatic unlocking will occur. See
“UNLK (Unlock) (Automatic Transmission Only)”
following.
SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Unlock on
page 2-11for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
3-53

UNLK (Unlock) (Automatic
Transmission Only)
This screen displays only if your vehicle has an
automatic transmission and DRIVER or ALL is selected
for the AUTO UNLK feature. This feature determines
when the automatic door unlocking will occur. When
UNLK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
KEY OFF:The door(s) will unlock when the key is
turned off.
SHIFT TO P (Park) (default):The door(s) will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Unlock on
page 2-11for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS
If your vehicle has Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), this
feature, which allows the vehicle’s exterior perimeter
lighting to turn on each time the unlock button on
the RKE transmitter is pressed, can be enabled or
disabled. When EXT LIGHTS appears on the display,
press and hold the reset button for at least one second
to scroll through the available settings:
OFF:The exterior perimeter lighting will not turn on
when the unlock button on the RKE transmitter is
pressed.
ON (default):The exterior perimeter lighting will turn on
when the unlock button on the RKE transmitter is
pressed.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2-4for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
3-54

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).....................4-9
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)....................4-10
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-17Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-18
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-18
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-19
Winter Driving..............................................4-20
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................................4-24
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-24
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-25
Towing..........................................................4-30
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-30
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-30
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)...........4-32
Towing a Trailer (Automatic Transmission)........4-32
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1