service PONTIAC G3 2009 Manual Online

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
7-16

OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions for information on data collection and use.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-18

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-71
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-87
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-18
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment....................3-22
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Airbag System................................................1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-71
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-63
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-70
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-63
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-62
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-60
Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-27AM-FM Radio.................................................3-39
Antenna
Backglass...................................................3-56
Fixed Mast.................................................3-56
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-30
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-84
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-82
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-86
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-83
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-80
Finish Care.................................................5-83
Finish Damage............................................5-85
Glass Surfaces............................................
5-82
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-81
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-79
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-81
Leather......................................................5-81
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-85
Tires..........................................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-86
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-84
Ashtray.........................................................3-17
1

Cruise Control Light........................................3-36
Cupholders....................................................2-37
Customer Assistance......................................... 7-6
Offices......................................................... 7-6
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................... 7-6
Customer Information
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
Customer Satisfaction Procedure........................ 7-2
D
Damage Repair, Collision.................................7-11
Data Recorders
Event.........................................................7-17
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light.............3-36
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Disc, MP3......................................................3-51
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-15
Door
Ajar Light...................................................3-36
Ajar Reminder.............................................. 2-7
Central Door Unlocking System....................... 2-6
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-7Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-5
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-10
Before a Long Trip......................................4-12
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunk.......................................................... 4-3
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-12
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-13
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-11
Loss of Control............................................. 4-8
Off-Road Recovery........................................ 4-8
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-18
Winter........................................................4-14
Driving for Better Fuel Economy......................... 4-2
E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical Equipment
Add-On Equipment......................................5-87
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-90
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-88
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-87
4

Electrical System (cont.)
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-89
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-88
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-88
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-32
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-30
Cooling System...........................................5-22
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Oil .............................................................5-13
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Heater................................................2-19
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finish Damage...............................................5-85
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-56
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-78
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-30
Windshield Washer......................................5-31
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-14
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-35
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Economy Driving........................................... 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
5

Lights (cont.)
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-37
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-27
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-26
Tire Pressure..............................................3-31
Up-Shift.....................................................3-28
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-18
Locks
Central Door Unlocking System....................... 2-6
Door ........................................................... 2-6
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-7
Loss of Control................................................ 4-8
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-37
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.............1-44
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-5
M
Maintenance
Footnotes..................................................... 6-7
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp...............................3-32
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-5
Manual Seats................................................... 1-4
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-24
Manual Windows............................................2-12
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-33
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-33
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-33
MP3 .............................................................3-51
8

N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-25
Off-Road
Recovery..................................................... 4-8
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Engine.......................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System.................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-34
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-34
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-21
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-16Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-33
Heated Mirrors............................................2-33
Manual Mirrors............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-33
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-85
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-27
Shifting Out of............................................2-28
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-30
Parking Brake................................................2-26
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-27
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-22
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing........................................................... 4-8
Perchlorate Materials Requirements,
California..................................................... 5-4
9

S
Safety Belt Reminders.....................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-82
Extender....................................................1-32
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-20
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-28
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-14
Use During Pregnancy.................................1-31
Safety Defects
Reporting to General Motors.........................7-15
Reporting to the United States Government.....7-14
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
Scheduling Appointments................................... 7-9
Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjuster............................. 1-5
Head Restraints............................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-5
Rear Seat Operation..............................1-8, 1-11
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-6
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-51
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-54Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Lamp......................................3-32
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Scheduling Appointments................................ 7-9
Service Parts Identication Label.......................5-87
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-70
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-85
Shifting
Out of Park................................................2-28
Shifting Into Park............................................2-27
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-7
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-78
Installing....................................................5-73
Removing...................................................5-72
Storing
.......................................................5-78
Specications and Capacities............................5-93
Speedometer..................................................3-25
Starting the Engine.........................................2-18
Steering.......................................................... 4-6
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-54
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-6
11

Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-20
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-24
Transportation, Courtesy..................................7-10
Trip Odometer................................................3-25
Trunk.............................................................. 2-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-66
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-28
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-4
Loading......................................................4-18
Parking Your...............................................2-29
Running While Parked..................................2-31
Symbols......................................................... iii
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-16
Vehicle Data Recording,
Radio Frequency (RFID)...............................7-18Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-86
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-87
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-21
Visors...........................................................2-13
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-23
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-68
Different Size..............................................5-66
Replacement...............................................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires..........................5-63
Where to Put the Child Restraint.......................1-42
Windows.......................................................2-11
Manual......................................................2-12
Power ........................................................2-12
13