steering PONTIAC GTO 2006 User Guide

{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
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 lever is on the left side of the
steering column. The ON-OFF/CANCEL switch is at the
end of the lever and is activated by pushing in towards
the direction of the steering column.
To set cruise control, do the following:
1. Turn on the ignition.
2. Press the ON-OFF/CANCEL switch. The CRUISE
message appears on the trip computer.
3. Get up to the speed you want.
4. Rotate the lever down to SET-DECEL. The CRUISE
ACTIVE message appears on the trip computer.
5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and release
the cruise control lever.
Adjusting Speed While Using Cruise
Control
You may do one of the following:
·Turn the lever down to SET-DECEL until the car
slows down to the desired speed, then release it.
·Turn the lever up to RES-ACCEL until the car
accelerates up to the desired speed, then release it.
Minor changes in speed can be achieved by
momentarily turning the lever up or down. When
reducing speed, remember that the cruise control is not
designed to operate under 25 mph (40 km/h).
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Exterior Lamps
The switch to the left of
the steering wheel on the
instrument panel controls
the following:
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position
to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
taillamps, sidemarker lamps, license plate lamps, and
instrument panel lights.
2(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, together with the parking lamps,
taillamps, sidemarker lamps, and license plate lamps.AUTO (Automatic Headlamps):Turn the switch to
AUTO to provide for automatic operation of the
headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker lamps, and parking
lamps. For more information see
Automatic Headlamp
System on page 3-14.
9(Off):Turn the switch to this position to turn all
lamps off.
Headlamps
When the headlamps are switched on, the instrument
panel is automatically illuminated. Once illuminated, you
can adjust their brightness. Some illuminated areas
of the vehicle have been linked to the brightness control,
such as the trip computer, headlamp switch, radio,
etc. This means that the interior lights can be adjusted
to your preference. When the headlamps are turned
off and back on again, the brightness level reverts to the
last adjusted setting.
Your vehicle is designed to provide additional security,
when returning to the vehicle at night. When the
UNLOCK or LOCK button on the key is used, the car's
exterior lights will come on for a preset time or until
the car is relocked. This feature only works if the
headlamp control is in the AUTO or headlamp positions.
To set or adjust the time the headlamps stay on after
the UNLOCK button has been pressed, see
Vehicle
Personalization on page 2-31.
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The lights stay off until the ignition is again turned on, or
the lights are turned back on manually by the headlamp
switch. The headlamps can be set to automatically
turn off after you have locked the vehicle and walked
away. To set or adjust the time delay from when
the driver's door is opened to when the lights
automatically turn off, see
Vehicle Personalization on
page 2-31. If you wish to have the lights on when leaving
the vehicle, wait until they have been automatically
turned off, then turn the light control ®rst to off, then to
parking lamps or headlamps.
Fog Lamps
The control to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel also controls the fog lamps.
-(Fog Lamp):When using the fog lamps, the
ignition must be on and the parking lamps or the
low-beam headlamps. If the high-beam headlamps are
activated or ¯ashed, the fog lamps will turn off.
Pull the exterior lamp adjuster control out to turn the fog
lamps on, and push the control in to turn the fog
lamps off. The indicator light in the knob will come on
when the fog lamps are working.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Slide the control to
increase or decrease the
instrument panel
brightness.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is open, the courtesy lamps will
automatically come on.
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Traction Ctrl (Control) On
This symbol and the
Traction Ctrl On message
will come on when the
driver turns on the traction
control system.
The traction control system is automatically on after the
next time the ignition is turned on.
After two seconds, the display returns to the original trip
computer display and the TRAC OFF message will
turn off. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
Very Low Fuel
If the Very Low Fuel message comes on when driving, it
indicates that the fuel level is very low. The Very Low
Fuel message is displayed until the MODE button
is pressed. The trip computer then displays its
calculation of miles to empty for 10 seconds.The display then returns to
the original trip computer
display with a small
¯ashing low fuel symbol on
the left.
The symbol will remain until the fuel tank is ®lled above
the low fuel level.
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. See
Defensive Driving on page 4-2.
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.
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{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 Ð avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on
page 4-2.
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.
·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.
Setting the Time
To change the time, perform the following:
1. Turn the radio on and wait for the time to appear on
the display.
2. Press the TIME button for more than two seconds.
TIME ADJ will appear on the display and the time
will ¯ash.
3. Press either SEEK arrow to adjust the hour.
4. Press either TUNE arrow to adjust the minutes.
5. Press the TIME button again to save the new time.
The radio will automatically exit the time setting mode
if no adjustments are made for eight seconds.
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can
be adjusted at the steering wheel. They include the
following:
MODE:Press this button to turn the radio on, if it is off.
If the radio is on, press this button to switch between
FM1, FM2, AM, or to change to CD.
QNEXT:Press this button to go to the next radio
station and stay there. The radio will only seek stations
with a strong signal that are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press and release this button to
go to the next track. Press and hold this button to
go to the next CD, if multiple CDs are loaded.
NEXT
R:Press this button to go to the previous radio
station and stay there. The radio will only seek stations
with a strong signal that are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press and release this button to go
to the previous track. Press and hold this button to go to
the previous CD, if multiple CDs are loaded.
MUTE:Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again, or any other radio button, to turn on the sound.
QVOL (Volume):Press this button to increase
the volume.
VOL
R(Volume):Press this button to decrease the
volume.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Competitive Driving.......................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-17City Driving..................................................4-19
Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-23
Winter Driving..............................................4-25
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-29
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-30
Towing..........................................................4-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-35
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-35
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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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. See
Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle's
performance. See
Accessories and Modi®cations
on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
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 your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
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Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down ®rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system reduces engine power and applies the
brakes, as necessary.Traction control helps you to keep control of the
vehicle and reminds you to match your speed to the
road conditions.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. The TCS is automatically turned on whenever
the ignition is turned from off to on. A Low Traction
message is displayed on the trip computer, indicating
traction control is limiting wheel spin, until the MODE
button on the trip computer is pressed. The message
then goes back to the original trip computer display with
a small low traction symbol on the left. The symbol
will remain as long as the low traction situation exists.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the TCS on. But
you can turn the system off if you prefer.
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To turn the system off,
press the T/C button. On
manual transmission
vehicles, the button is
located on the driver's side
of the center console. On
automatic transmission
vehicles, the button is
located on the passenger's
side of the shift lever.
When you turn the system off, a Traction Ctrl Off
message is displayed on the trip computer. After
two seconds, the display goes back to the original trip
computer display with a small TRAC OFF message
on the right.
If the Traction Ctrl Off message does not display when
the button is pressed, or if it comes on during driving,
a problem is indicated in the system and traction
control is no longer operational. You should contact
your dealer for service.
Pressing the T/C button again or the next time the
ignition is turned on, will turn the system back on. The
Traction Ctrl On message is displayed on the trip
computer. After two seconds, the display goes back to
the original trip computer display. See
Trip Computer
on page 3-33for more information.Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle's
performance. See
Accessories and Modi®cations
on page 5-3for more information.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the 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 ªdriver lost controlº 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.
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.
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