warning PONTIAC GTO 2006 Owner's Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Over¯ow Reservoir
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.If you have not found a problem yet, check the coolant
level on the coolant over¯ow reservoir dipstick. If
the coolant level is not at or above the bottom arrow on
the dipstick, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant at the coolant over¯ow
reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for
more information.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-31
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is ®lled with
DOT-4 brake ¯uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake ¯uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The ®rst is that the
brake ¯uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the ¯uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that ¯uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system ®xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake ¯uid.
Adding brake ¯uid will not correct a leak. If you add ¯uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much ¯uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake ¯uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake ¯uid, it can spill on
the engine. The ¯uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
¯uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See ªChecking Brake Fluidº
in this section.
When your brake ¯uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-27.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake ¯uid without taking off the cap.
Look at the brake ¯uid reservoir. The ¯uid level should
be between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir. If
it is not, have your brake system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate
or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way, then Ð very
carefully Ð make a few moderate brake stops about
every 1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system Ð for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in Ð be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you do
not, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change Ð for the worse. The braking
performance you have come to expect can change
in many other ways if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery's label. We
recommend an ACDelco
žreplacement battery.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-38
for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
5-37
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci®ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signi®cantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction ± AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on speci®ed government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature ± A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci®ed indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning:The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly in¯ated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underin¯ation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes ¯at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ¯ashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake ®rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transmission to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while
the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear of
the tire farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire on the other
side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
When you have a ¯at tire, use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.
5-69
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
®res caused by electrical problems.
Look at the metallic band inside the fuse. If the band is
broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some feature
of your vehicle that you can get along without Ð like the
radio or cigarette lighter Ð and use its fuse, if it is the size
you need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Before replacing a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the instrument
panel fuse block and the engine compartment fuse
block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse block is located under the driver's side of the
instrument panel. The fuses here protect each
separate circuit including headlamps. There are spare
fuses inside the fuse box. If you have electrical
failure, check here ®rst.
Fuses Usage
FLASHER
UNITHazard Warning Flashers
POWER
WINDOWSPower Window Switches
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Fuses Usage
POWER
SEATSPower Seat Controls
FRONT WIPER
WASHERFront Windshield Wiper Washer
PARK LAMPS Parking Lamps
STOP LAMPS Stop Lamps
INTERIOR
ILLUM.Interior light Controls
HAZARD
WARNINGHazard Warning Flashers
SPARE Spare
HORN Horn
IGNITION Ignition Switch
INSTRUMENT
ILLUM.Instrument Panel Lighting
TURN
SIGNAL,BACK
UP LAMPSTurn Signal Lamp, Back-Up Lamps
HVAC CONT.
HEAT, REAR
WINDOW,
INSTRUMENTSHeater Controls, Rear Window, Trip
Computer
CIGAR
LIGHTERCigarette LighterFuses Usage
CRUISE CONT.
POWER
MIRRORSCruise Control, Power Mirror
RADIO, CELL
PHONERadio System, Cell Phone
ACC. SOCKET Accessory Power Outlet
SPARE Spare
ENG. CONT.
SIGNALEngine Control Signal
POWER DOOR
LOCKS,
WINDOWS &
THEFT HORNPower Door Locks, Power Windows,
Theft System, Horn
INSTRUMENTS Instruments
SPARE Spare
RADIO & CELL
PHONERadio System, Cell Phone
SUB WOOFER
& AMPLIFIERSub Woofer and Ampli®er
SPARE Spare
AIRBAG Airbag
ABS &
TRACTION
CONT.Anti-Lock Brake System, Traction
Control System
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

A
Accessories and Modi®cations............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-17
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-52
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-85
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-46
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-52
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-50
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-52
What Makes an Airbag In¯ate?......................1-50
What Will You See After an Airbag In¯ates?....1-50
When Should an Airbag In¯ate?....................1-49
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-48
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-58
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-27
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-81
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-79
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-80Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-76
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-78
Finish Care.................................................5-80
Finish Damage............................................5-82
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-79
Leather......................................................5-78
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-82
Tires..........................................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-84
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-80
Weatherstrips..............................................5-80
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-81
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-56
Backglass Antenna......................................3-58
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-57
Care of Your CDs........................................3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-46
Setting the Time..........................................3-45
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-55
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-57
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-19
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-58
Battery..........................................................5-37
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Parking......................................................2-24
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-45
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-43
Headlamps.................................................5-45
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-63
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-90
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-9, 2-27, 4-24, 4-34
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-79
Your CD Player...........................................3-57
Your CDs ...................................................3-57
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-30
Chains, Tire...................................................5-67
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-28
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-83
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-31
Infants and Young Children...........................1-28
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-25
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-41
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finish Damage...............................................5-82
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-68
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-69
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-75
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Manual Transmission....................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-31
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-16
Front Storage Area.........................................2-30
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10Fuel (cont.)
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-32
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-88
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-86
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-28
Fuel..........................................................3-32
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-30
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual