PONTIAC G3 2009 Owners Manual

Hold Mode
If the vehicle’s transmission has hold mode, you can
select this mode to allow the automatic transmission to
stay in a specic gear range.
Press the HOLD button on the shift lever console to turn
on hold mode. Press the button again to turn off hold
mode, and return to normal automatic transmission
operation.The HOLD light will light up on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeHold Mode Light on page 3-30.
When hold mode is activated, the transmission runs as
follows:
Selector Lever Position Gear Range
D4 Third Gear
2 Second Gear
1 First Gear
Hold Mode Features
Winter Function
Select hold mode while in D4 (Automatic Overdrive) or
2 (Second) gear to help the vehicle maintain traction
on slippery road surfaces, such as snow, mud, or ice.
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Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.You can shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop
and it is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in
N (Neutral) and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the
accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second). Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth):Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth), the same way you do for
2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to N (Neutral).
N (Neutral):Use this position when you start or idle the
engine.
2-24

R (Reverse):To back up, press down the clutch pedal,
lift up the ring on the shift lever and shift into R (Reverse).
Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
Also, use R (Reverse), along with the parking brake,
for parking the vehicle.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of the vehicle. You could injure yourself
or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at
a time when you downshift.
Up-Shift Light
If you have a manual
transmission, you may
have an up-shift light.
This light will show you
when to shift to the next
higher gear for the best
fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions let
you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly
and shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to
go on and off if you quickly change the position of
the accelerator. Ignore the light when you downshift.
2-25

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the bucket
seats.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever 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. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-26

Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-26for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pressing 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 LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch re. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake
is rmly set before you leave it. After you have moved
the shift lever into P (Park), hold the brake pedal down.
Then see if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without rst pushing the shift lock release
button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into P (Park).
2-27

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver
seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-27.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
Vehicles with an automatic transmission have a shift
interlock system. You have to apply the brake pedal
before you can shift from P (Park) when the ignition
is in the ON/RUN position. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-20.
If you cannot shift out of P (Park) while holding the
brake pedal down, try this:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
3. Remove the hole cover from the shift lock slot by
prying it off using a small, at object. The shift lock
release slot is located at the top of the shift lever.
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4. Insert the key into the shift lock slot and press and
hold the key.
5. Shift to N (Neutral).
6. Remove the key from the slot, insert the key into
the ignition and start the engine.
7. Replace the shift-lock release slot cover.
8. Apply and hold the brake pedal fully and release
the parking brake.
9. Shift to the gear you want.
10. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before leaving the vehicle, do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down and rmly apply the
parking brake.
2. Fully press in the clutch pedal and place the shift
lever into the gear position as stated below:
When parking on level ground, place the shift
lever into N (Neutral).
When parking downhill, place the shift lever in
R (Reverse).
When parking uphill, place the shift lever in
1 (First).
3. After shifting, turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF,
remove the key and release the clutch.
2-29

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in an
enclosed area such as a garage or a building that
has no fresh air ventilation.
2-30

Running the Vehicle 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 a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For more information,
seeEngine Exhaust on page 2-30.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when it is
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the automatic transmission shift lever to
P (Park), or the manual transmission shift lever to
Neutral.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission,
seeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on
page 2-27.
2-31

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the mirror to
avoid glare from the headlamps behind you. Push the tab
forward for daytime use and pull it for nighttime use.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the mirrors to see a little of the side of your
vehicle.
Controls for the outside manual mirrors are located next
to each mirror.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold, push
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return it to the original position.
2-32