tow PONTIAC G6 2007 User Guide

You have to apply your regular brake rst and then
press the shift lever button before you can shift from
PARK (P) while the ignition key is in ON. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the
shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Press
the shift lever button and then move the shift lever
into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 138later in this
section.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. 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
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 287.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 rmly 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.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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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
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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).
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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.
141

Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
outside power mirrors,
are located on the
driver’s door.
Move the selector switch located next to the control
pad to the left or right to choose either the driver’s
side or passenger’s side mirror. To adjust a mirror,
use the arrows located on the control pad to move
the mirror in the desired direction. Adjust each
outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle and the
area behind it can be seen while sitting in a
comfortable driving position. Keep the selector
switch in the center position when not adjusting
either outside mirror.Both mirrors can manually be folded by pulling
them toward the vehicle. This feature may
be useful when going through a car wash or a
conned space. Push the mirrors away from the
vehicle, to the normal position, before driving.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like
other vehicles) look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply into
the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on
your right. Check your inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen
from the driver’s seat. It also makes things, like
other vehicles, look farther away than they
really are.
147

The hardtop will not operate if the vehicle has an
electrical failure. If an electrical failure occurs,
see your dealer for service.
If your vehicle has an electrical failure while
operating the hardtop, and must be towed to a
dealer for service, your vehicle should be towed
by atbed with the vehicle facing backwards.
Consult your dealer or professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 456.Raising the Retractable Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface and apply the parking
brake. Shift the automatic transaxle into
PARK (P). The vehicle must be in PARK (P),
and the engine must be running, or the ignition
turned to the ON position, to operate the
retractable hardtop.
2. The trunk cargo cover must be fully closed,
and the trunk must be closed before raising
the hardtop.
157

After the hardtop has raised completely, release
the switch. If you continue to press the switch for
about two seconds after the hardtop has raised
completely, the windows will automatically close.
If pressure is released from the switch before the
hardtop cycle is complete, the cycle will stop and
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
TOP NOT SECURE message. Always press and
hold the switch until a chime sounds, if the engine
is on, and the Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays the TOP MOVE COMPLT to signal the
procedure is complete. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 212for more information.The hardtop will not operate if the vehicle has an
electrical failure. If an electrical failure occurs,
see your dealer for service.
If your vehicle has an electrical failure while
operating the hardtop, and must be towed to a
dealer for service, your vehicle should be towed by
atbed with the vehicle facing backwards. Consult
your dealer or professional towing service if you
need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 456.
160

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.
169