steering wheel PONTIAC G6 2007 User Guide

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when
you signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and
then check the fuse. SeeFuses on page 415.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to
high beam, push the turn signal/multifunction lever
away from you.
When the high beams
are on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on if the
ignition is on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low
beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that
you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever
toward you until the high-beam headlamps
come on, then release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
Use this lever, located on the right side of the
steering wheel, to operate the windshield wipers.
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Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when
you are not using cruise, you might hit a
button and go into cruise when you do
not want to. You could be startled and
even lose control. Keep the cruise control
switch off until you want to use cruise
control.
The cruise control
buttons are located on
the steering wheel.
J(On/Off):Press this button to turn the cruise
control system on and off.
RES+ (Resume):Press this button to resume a
set speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET−(Set):Press this button to set a speed and
to decrease the speed.
CANCEL
[:Press this button to cancel cruise
control.
To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the on/off symbol to turn cruise control
on. The indicator light on the button will
come on.
2. Get to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET−symbol and release it. The
cruise symbol will display in the instrument
panel cluster to show the system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
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Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog
lamps, the fog lamp
button is located on the
instrument panel, to
the left of the steering
wheel.
The ignition must be on for the fog lamps to work.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An
indicator light in the button will glow when the fog
lamps are on. Push the button again to turn
the fog lamps off.
The parking lamps will automatically turn on and
off when the fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to
the right of the steering
wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
Courtesy Lamps
If your vehicle has a retractable hardtop, it will
have courtesy lamps in the rear passenger area of
the vehicle. These lamps come on to make it
easier to see while entering and exiting the vehicle.
These lamps will come on when any door is
opened and will only turn off when all doors are
closed.
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Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 254. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 254.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
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Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system,
CD player, CB radio, mobile telephone,
or two-way radio, make sure that it can be
added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be
added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with the
operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has
been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition
is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 124for more information.Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
To set the hour, press the clock button. The clock
symbol appears on the display and the hour
number ashes. Turn the ADJ (adjust) knob to
increase or to decrease the hours. To set
the minutes, press the clock button again. The
minute numbers ashes. Turn the ADJ knob
to increase or to decrease the minutes. The time
can be set with the ignition on or off.
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Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of
your vehicle’s radio. The feature works
automatically by learning a portion of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN). If the radio is
moved to a different vehicle, it does not operate
and LOCKED displays.
With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio cannot
operate if stolen.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, some audio
controls can be adjusted
at the steering wheel.
They include the
following:
xw:Press the up or the down arrow to go to
the next or to the previous radio station and
stay there. The radio only seeks stations with a
strong signal that are in the selected band.
To scan stations, press and hold either arrow for
two seconds until SCAN displays and a beep
sounds. The radio goes to a station, plays for a
few seconds, then goes to the next station. Press
either arrow again to stop scanning.
When a CD is playing, press the up or the down
arrow to go to the next or previous track.
To scan the current CD, press and hold either up
or down arrow for more than two seconds. The
CD goes to the next track, plays the rst
10 seconds, then goes to the next track. Press
either up or down arrow again to stop scanning.
To scan all of the CDs loaded, press and hold either
up or down arrow for more than four seconds. The
CD goes to the next CD, plays the rst 10 seconds
of each track, then goes to the next CD. Press
either up or down arrow again to stop scanning.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal. See
Braking in Emergencies on page 261.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold
it down — may be the wrong thing to do.Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to your steering.
Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That
could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze
the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you
hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake
pedal. This will help you retain steering control. If
you do have ABS, it is different. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) on page 259.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
261

Steering
Electric Power Steering
If your vehicle has the electric power steering
system and the engine stalls while you are driving,
the power steering assist system will continue to
operate until you are able to stop your vehicle. If
you lose power steering assist because the electric
power steering system is not functioning, you can
steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, contact your dealer for
service repairs. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 212.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If your vehicle has the hydraulic power steering
system and you lose power steering assist
because the engine stops or the power steering
system is not functioning, you can steer, but it will
take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
266

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 262,Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) on page 263andStabiliTrak
®System
on page 265.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 308.
267

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or
a child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid
these problems by braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes — but, unless
you have anti-lock brakes, not enough to lock your
wheels.
SeeBraking on page 258. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention and
a quick decision. If you are holding the steering
wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very
quickly without removing either hand. But you
have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided the
object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.
268