brakes PONTIAC G6 2007 Owners Manual

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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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 DRIVE (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)
following.Manual Shift Mode (MSM)
(Automatic Transaxle)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) rearward
and then to the right into the MANUAL
MODE (M).
While driving in manual shift mode, the
transaxle will remain in the driver gear selected.
When coming to a stop in the manual position,
the vehicle will automaticaly shift to
FIRST (1) gear.
2. Press the shift level forward to upshift or
rearward to downshift.
The odometer display on the instrument panel
cluster will change from the vehicle’s mileage to
the letter M, for manual shift mode, and a number
indicating the requested gear range when
moving the shift lever forward or rearward. See
Speedometer and Odometer on page 194for more
information.
While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have
rmer shifting and sportier performance. You can
use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to
stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power
or engine braking.
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
The automatic transaxle shift lock control system
locks the shift lever in PARK when the ignition is
in OFF. In addition, you have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 129.
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 the desired gear.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch
pedal in, rmly apply the parking brake, and move
the shift lever into REVERSE (R). Once the shift
lever has been placed in REVERSE (R) with the
clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to OFF, remove the key and release the clutch.
SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 134.
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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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If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) or Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 262and
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 263.
When road conditions allow, the cruise control can
be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brakes. This
disengages the cruise control. The cruise symbol
in the instrument panel cluster will also go out
indicating cruise is no longer engaged. To return
to your previously set speed, you do not need
to go through the set process again. Once
at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can press the RES+ symbol briey.
This will take you back up to your previously
chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
If the cruise control system is already
engaged, press the RES+ symbol. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want,
and then release the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ symbol briey and then
release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle
will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET−symbol until you
reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−symbol briey. Each time you do this,
you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your
vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed
you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills
depends upon your speed, load, and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills,
you may have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain your vehicle’s speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to keep your vehicle’s speed down. Of
course, applying the brakes ends cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble
and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to disengage the cruise
control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; when cruise
control disengages, the cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster will go out.
Press the on/off button, this will turn off the
cruise control system.
Press the cancel button. When cruise control
disengages, the cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster will go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the
ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is
erased.
Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
174

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 293.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), this light will
come on when your
engine is started and
may stay on for several
seconds. That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if
the light comes on when you are driving, stop
as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then
start the engine again to reset the system. If
the light still stays on, or comes on again while
you are driving, your vehicle needs service. If the
regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light
is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 199.
The ABS warning light will come on briey when
you turn the ignition key to ON. This is normal. If the
light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
200

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 262,Enhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 263and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 265.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 308.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 199.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
258

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 308.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is
going on, and you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
259

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking
while trying to avoid the animal. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel. SeeBraking in Emergencies on page 261.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make
the most of available tire and road conditions. This
can help you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
260