instrument panel PONTIAC G6 2006 User Guide

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the frontal airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-33for more on this, including
important safety information.
A thick layer of additional material such as a blanket, or
aftermarket equipment such as seat covers, seat
heaters, and seat massagers, can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. Remove any
additional material from the seat cushion before
reinstalling or securing the child restraint and before a
small occupant, including a small adult, sits in the
right front passenger’s seat. You may want to consider
not using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment
if your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-70for more information about
modications that can affect how the system operates.
The passenger sensing system may suppress the
airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into the seat. If
this happens, the off indicator in the passenger airbag
status indicator and the airbag readiness light on
the instrument panel will be lit. The system should
resume normal operation after the seat is allowed to dry.
If the system operates incorrectly after the seat has
dried, have your dealer check the system.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
1-69

Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module (located under the center console), or the
instrument panel can affect the operation of
the airbag system. If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure
in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
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, or the airbag
covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s
seatback (if equipped), or the side impact airbag
covering on the ceiling near the side windows
(if equipped), the bag may not work properly. You
may have to replace the airbag module in the
steering wheel, both the airbag module and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
airbag, the airbag module and seatback for the
driver’s and right front passenger’s seat-mounted
side impact airbags (if equipped), or side impact
airbag module and ceiling covering for the
roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped).
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
1-71

Trunk
To open the trunk from the outside, use the key or
press the trunk release button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
When closing the trunk, close from the center of the lid
to ensure it fully latches.{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.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-37.
2-14

Sun Visors
Swing down the visors to block glare. The visors can
be removed from the center mount and swung to
the side. The visors also have extenders that can be
pulled out for additional blockage.
Your vehicle may have lighted vanity mirrors on the
driver’s and passenger’s visors. When you lift the cover,
the light will turn on.
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.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
Arming the System
With the ignition off, you can arm the system by pressing
the remote keyless entry transmitter lock button or the
power door lock switch while the driver’s door is open.
The system will arm thirty seconds after all the doors are
closed, or sixty seconds with any door open.
If you press the lock button on the transmitter a second
time while all the doors are closed, the system will arm
immediately. The system will still arm in sixty seconds if a
door is open. When the open door is closed, it will also
become armed.
The security light, located on the instrument panel
cluster, will turn on to indicate that arming has been
initiated. Once the system is armed, the security light will
ash once every three seconds.
If the security light is ashing twice per second, this
means that a door is open.
If you do not want to arm the system, you may lock the
car with the lock levers on the doors.
Disarming the System
You can disarm the system by pressing the remote
keyless entry transmitter unlock button, or turning the
ignition on.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light will
stop ashing.
2-19

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.
9(OFF):This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. For a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle, the shift lever must be in PARK (P) with the
ignition in OFF to remove the key. For a vehicle
with a manual transaxle, the shift lever must be in
REVERSE (R) to remove the key. A warning chime will
sound if you open the driver’s door while the ignition
is off and the key is in the ignition.ACC (ACCESSORY):This position unlocks the
transaxle. It also lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers while the engine is not running.
To use ACC, turn the key clockwise to the rst position.
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed. SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-38.
Never try to push-start your vehicle, unless it has a
manual transaxle.
R(ON):This position is where the key returns to after
you start the engine and release the key. The ignition
switch will stay in this position while the engine is
running. But even while the engine is not running, you
can use ON to operate your electrical accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning lights. Use the
ON position for push-starting a vehicle with a manual
transaxle.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to the ON position for normal driving.
2-23

The switch used to adjust
the pedals is located on
the left side of the
instrument panel.
To use your adjustable throttle and brake pedal feature,
do the following:
The adjustable pedal feature is meant to be used with
the adjustable seat and adjustable steering wheel
controls to reach a safe and comfortable position.
1. Adjust your seat to a comfortable position where
you can comfortably reach other controls such as
the radio and climate controls.
2. Adjust the throttle and brake pedals to reach a
comfortable and safe operating position.
3. Adjust the steering wheel to a safe operating
position.Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have this feature. In very cold
weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant
heater can provide easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant
heater should be plugged in a minimum of four
hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not
required. Your vehicle may also have an internal
thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent
operation of the engine coolant heater when the
temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted on
the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On
the 2.4L L4 ECOTEC
®engine, the engine coolant
heater cord is located near the air cleaner box
on the passenger’s side of the engine compartment.
On the 3.5L and 3.9L V6 engines, the engine
coolant heater cord is located on the driver’s side
around the battery box. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on
location.
2-27

LOW (L):This position, available on the SE model,
gives you more power but lower fuel economy
than THIRD (3). 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.
You can use LOW (L) on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L),
the transaxle will not shift into rst gear until the vehicle
is going slowly enough.
Notice:Driving in LOW (L) for more than 25 miles
(40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may
damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into LOW (L)
at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause
damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of LOW (L).
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle
in place.
MANUAL MODE (M):This position, available on the
GT/GTP models, allows you to change gears similar to a
manual transaxle. If your vehicle has this feature, see
Manual Shift Mode (MSM).Manual Shift Mode (MSM)
(Automatic Transaxle)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) rearward and then to the right
into the MANUAL MODE (M).
2. If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in the manual
mode and a gear based on the current driving
speed.
While driving in manual mode, the transaxle may
remain in a gear longer than it would in normal
driving mode based on braking, throttle input and
vehicle lateral acceleration.
3. Press the shift level forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
The odometer on the instrument panel cluster will
change from the vehicle’s mileage to the letter M, for
manual mode, and a number indicating the requested
gear range when moving the shift lever forward or
rearward. SeeSpeedometer and Odometer on
page 3-31for more information.
2-31

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Headlamps Off in PARK (P)...........................3-14
Delayed Headlamps......................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Courtesy Lamps...........................................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18
Overhead Console Reading Lamps.................3-18
Trunk Lamp.................................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-23
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-29
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Trip Odometer..............................................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-32
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-32
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-33
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-34
Charging System Light..................................3-36
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-37
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-38
Traction Control System Active Light...............3-38
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-38
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-39
StabiliTrak
®Not Ready Light..........................3-39
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light..............................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-40
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-43
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Security Light...............................................3-44
Cruise Control Light......................................3-44
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-44
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-45
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-45
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-48
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-52
Audio System(s).............................................3-54
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-55
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-55Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-56
Radio with CD (Up Level)..............................3-61
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-86
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Three Spoke)...........................................3-86
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Four Spoke)............................................3-87
Radio Reception...........................................3-87
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.........................3-88
Care of the CD and DVD Player.....................3-88
Fixed Mast Antenna
(Retractable Hardtop).................................3-88
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-89
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-89
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Instrument Panel Overview
3-4