ABS PONTIAC G5 2009 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-12
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-13
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-14
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-14
Dome Lamp .................................................3-15
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-15
Mirror Reading Lamps...................................3-15
Electric Power Management...........................3-15
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-17Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-25
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-26
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................
.3-27
Charging System Light..................................3-28
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-28
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-29
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-30
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Indicator/Warning Light...............................3-31
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light............................................3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-32
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-33
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-33
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-29.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-42for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-30

With Date Display
Radio with CD (MP3) and USB Port, and
Radio with Single CD (MP3) Player
To set the time and date:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN. Press
Oto turn the radio on.
2. Press
Hand the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour,
minute, month, day, and year) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs
that you want to change.
4. To increase the time or date do one of the following:
Press the softkey located below the selected tab.
Press¨SEEK, or\FWD.
Turnfclockwise.
5. To decrease the time or date do one of the
following:
Press©SEEK orsREV.
Turnfcounterclockwise.The date does not automatically display. To see the
date press
Hwhile the radio is on. The date with display
times out after a few seconds and goes back to the
normal radio and time display.
To change the time default setting from 12 hour to
24 hour or to change the date default setting from
month/day/year to day/month/year:
1. Press
Hand then the softkey located below the
forward arrow label. Once the time 12H and 24H,
and the date MM/DD/YYYY (month, day, and
year) and DD/MM/YYYY (day, month, and year)
displays.
2. Press the softkey located below the desired option.
3. Press
Hagain to apply the selected default, or
let the screen time out.
3-54

Storing Radio Stations
Depending on which radio the vehicle has, radio
stations are stored as either favorites or presets.
Storing a Radio Station as a Favorite
Radio that have a FAV button store radio stations as
favorites.
Drivers are encouraged to set up radio station favorites
while the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to favorite stations
using the softkeys, favorites button, and steering wheel
controls. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
FAV (Favorites):A maximum of 36 stations can be
stored as favorites using the six softkeys located below
the radio station frequency tabs and by using the radio
favorites page button (FAV button). Press FAV to go
through up to six pages of favorites, each having six
favorite stations available per page. Each page of
favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM,
or XM stations. The current balance/fade and tone
settings are also stored with the favorite stations.To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to the desired radio station and set the
balance/fade and tone settings to the desired levels.
2. Press FAV to display the page where to store the
station.
3. Press and hold one of the six softkeys until a beep
sounds.
4. Repeat the steps for each radio station to be stored
as a favorite.
To setup the number of favorites pages:
1. Press MENU to display the radio setup menu.
2. Press the softkey located below the FAV 1-6 tab.
3. Select the desired number of favorites pages
by pressing the softkey located below the displayed
page numbers.
4. Press FAV, or let the menu time out, to return to
the original main radio screen showing the radio
station frequency tabs and to begin programming
favorites.
3-58

Auto Text (Satellite Radio Service, CD, MP3, and
WMA features):If additional information is available
for the current song being played, Auto Text will
automatically page/scroll the information every
three seconds above the FAV presets on the radio
display. By default, Auto Text is enabled.
To change the Auto Text setting:
1. Press MENU to display the radio setup menu.
2. Press the softkey under AUTO TXT tab on the radio
display.
3. Press the softkey under the ON or OFF tab on the
radio display.
If
4is pressed and the song title or artist information
is longer than what can be displayed, the extra
information will page every three seconds when
Auto Text is activated.
Storing a Radio Station as a Preset
Radios that have numbered pushbuttons store radio
stations as presets.
Up to 18 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM), can
be programmed on the six numbered buttons.
To store preset stations:
1. Tune in the desired station.
2. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons for
three seconds until a beep sounds.
3. Repeat the Steps 1 and 2 for each numbered button.
Setting the Tone
(Bass/Midrange/Treble)
BASS/MID/TREB (Bass, Midrange, or Treble):
The radio may display some or all tones such as
BASS, MID, and TREB.
To adjust the tone settings on the Radio with CD (Base):
Press
funtil the tone control labels display, then
turn
fto change the setting.
To adjust the tone settings on the Radio with CD (MP3)
and USB Port or the Radio with CD (MP3):
1. Press
funtil the tone control tabs display.
2. Press the softkey below the desired tab to be
adjusted.
3. To increase the level of the bass, midrange, or
treble:
Press¨SEEK, or\FWD.
Turnfclockwise.
4. To decrease the level of the bass, midrange, or
treble:
Press©SEEK, orsREV.
Turnfcounterclockwise.
3-59

The radio may be capable of adjusting bass, midrange,
or treble to the middle position by pressing the softkey
below the BASS, MID, or TREB tab for more than
two seconds. The radio beeps once and the level
adjusts to the middle position.
The radio may also be capable of adjusting all tone and
speaker controls to the middle position by pressing
ffor
more than two seconds until the radio beeps once.
If a station’s frequency is weak, or has static, decrease
the treble.
EQ (Equalization):Press this button to select preset
equalization settings.
To return to the manual mode, press EQ until Manual
displays or start to manually adjust the bass, midrange,
or treble by pressing
f.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
Depending on which radio the vehicle has, the
Balance/Fade can be adjusted using
for`.
To adjust balance or fade using
f:
1. Press
funtil the speaker control tabs display.
2. Press the softkey under the desired tab, or continue
pressing
fto highlight the desired tab.3. Turn
fto adjust the highlighted setting.
The highlighted setting can also be adjusted
by pressing either SEEK arrow.
On some radios,
\FWD andsREV can also
be used to adjust the highlighted level.
To adjust balance or fade using
`:
1. Press
`until the speaker control labels display.
2. Continue pressing
`until the desired speaker
control label displays.
3. Turn
fto adjust the setting. The setting can
also be adjusted by pressing either SEEK arrow,
\FWD, orsREV.
The radio may be capable of adjusting balance or fade
to the middle position by pressing the softkey below the
BAL or FADE tab for more than two seconds. The radio
beeps once and the level adjusts to the middle position.
The radio may also be capable of adjusting all tone and
speaker controls to the middle position by pressing
ffor
more than two seconds until the radio beeps once.
3-60

Finding a Category (CAT) Station
(XM Satellite Radio Service Only)
CAT (Category):The radio may have the CAT button
feature.
To select and nd a desired category:
1. Press BAND until the XM frequency displays.
2. Press CAT to display the category tabs on the radio
display. Continue pressing the CAT button until the
desired category name displays.
3. Press either of the two softkeys below the desired
category tab to immediately tune to the rst XM
station associated with that category.
4. To go to the previous or to the next XM station
within the selected category, do one of the
following:
Turnf.
Press the softkeys below the right or left arrows
on the radio display.
Press©SEEK or¨SEEK.
5. To exit the category search mode, press the FAV
button or BAND button to display the favorites again.Undesired XM categories can be removed through the
setup menu. To remove an undesired category:
1. Press MENU to display the radio setup menu.
2. Press the softkey below the XM CAT tab.
3. Turn
fto display the category to be removed.
4. Press the softkey below the Remove tab until
the category name along with the word Removed
displays.
5. Repeat the steps to remove additional categories.
Removed categories can be restored by pressing the
softkey under the Add tab when a removed category
displays or by pressing the softkey below the Restore
All tab.
Categories cannot be removed or added while the
vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Radio Messages
Calibration Error:Displays if the radio is no longer
calibrated properly for the vehicle. The vehicle must
be returned to your dealer/retailer for service.
Loc or Locked:Displays when the THEFTLOCK
®
system has activated. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your dealer/retailer.
3-61

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-7
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)....................4-10
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-15Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-17
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-17
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-18
Winter Driving..............................................4-19
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-22
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-22
Towing..........................................................4-28
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-28
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-28
Towing a Trailer (Automatic Transmission)........4-31
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)...........4-38
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-29.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it 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 the 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 the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster with a
lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic andallowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes
are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down.
If the engine stops, there will still be some power brake
assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once
the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
If the vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel comes on
briey when the vehicle is
started.
4-4