PONTIAC G3 2010 Owners Manual

If the vehicle has rear drum brakes and the brake pedal
goes down farther than normal, the rear drum brakes
might need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and
firmly applying the brakes a few times.
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. The vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When parts of the braking system are replaced—for
example, when the brake linings wear down and new
ones are installed —be sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for the vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change —for the
worse. The braking performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong replacement brake
parts are installed.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number on the original battery
label when a new battery is needed. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for battery
location.
{DANGER:
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
{WARNING:
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 6‑38for
tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the black, negative (−) cable
from the battery to keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a battery trickle charger.
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Jump Starting
If the vehicle's battery has run down, you may want to
use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it
safely.
{WARNING:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.
Notice: Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be covered by
the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system. Notice:
If the other vehicle's system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are, it could cause a
ground connection you do not want. You would not
be able to start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission
in N (Neutral) before setting the parking brake.
Notice: If you leave the radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
the warranty. Always turn off the radio and other
accessories when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory power outlet.
Turn off the radio and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the radio!
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4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find thepositive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for more information on location.
{WARNING:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{WARNING:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do not
need to add water to the battery installed in your
new vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
sure the right amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that first. If you don't,
explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Do
not get it on you. If you accidentally get it in your
eyes or on your skin, flush the place with water
and get medical help immediately.
{WARNING:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
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the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you
will get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to thepositive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it tothe positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
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8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to thenegative (−) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything until the
next step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the dead
battery. 9. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable at
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead
battery, but not near engine parts that move.
The electrical connection is just as good there, and
the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is
much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
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Notice:If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may
occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Always
connect and remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the cables do not
touch each other or other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote Negative (–) Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote Negative (−) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers flash their high-beam headlamps at you (for
vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your dealer/
retailer for service.
6-42

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 6‑49.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
To replace a headlamp bulb:1. Open the hood. See Hood Release on page 6‑12.
2. Remove the three bolts to remove the headlamp
assembly.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the rear of the bulb.
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4. Remove the headlamp cap.
5. Release the spring that retains the bulb byloosening the screw.
6. Remove the old bulb and install the new bulb.
7. Install the bulb retaining spring and tighten the screw.
8. Reinstall the headlamp cap.
9. Reconnect the wiring harness at the rear of the bulb.
10. Reinstall the headlamp assembly using the three bolts.
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Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps
To replace a front turn signal or parking lamp bulb:1. Open the hood. See Hood Release
on page 6‑12for more information.
2. Remove the three bolts to remove the headlamp
assembly.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the rear of the bulb.
4. Turn the front turn signal bulb socketcounterclockwise.
5. Pull the front turn signal bulb socket out of the lamp housing.
6. Press the bulb inward and turn it counterclockwise to remove it from the bulb socket.
7. Install the new bulb into the socket by pressing it in and turning it clockwise.
8. Install the socket into the lamp housing by turning it clockwise.
9. Reconnect the wiring harness connector at the rear of the bulb.
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10. Reinstall the headlamp assembly using thethree bolts.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) (Hatchback)
To replace a CHMSL bulb on the hatchback:
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate (Hatchback)
on
page 3‑11for more information.
2. Pull down on the lamp assembly while holding the end of the bracket.
3. Remove the lens cover using a flat head screwdriver.
4. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of the bulb holder.
5. Install the new bulb.
6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall.
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