battery PONTIAC G3 2009 User Guide

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray is located at the lower part of the center
instrument panel. To remove the front ashtray for
cleaning, open the ashtray fully, press in the retaining
tab and pull the bin out.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other ammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage the vehicle. Never put ammable items
in the ashtray.
The cigarette lighter is located to the right of the front
ashtray. To use it, turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN, push the cigarette lighter in all the way
and let go. When it is ready, it will pop back out.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating.
Clock
There is a digital clock located in the center of the
instrument panel, above the center air outlets. When the
ignition is turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
the time is displayed in the digital clock. There are
three buttons for adjusting the digital clock:
H (Hour):Press once to go forward one hour. To go
forward more than one hour, press and hold the button
until the correct hour is reached.
M (Minute):Press once to go forward one minute.
To go forward more than one minute, press and hold
the button until the correct minute is reached.
S (Set):Press to reset the time to the nearest hour.
For example, if the set button is pressed while the time
is between 8:00 and 8:29, the display is set to 8:00.
If this button is pressed while the time is between 8:30
and 8:59, the display is set to 9:00.
After disconnecting the battery or replacing the fuse,
reset the clock.
3-17

Charging System Light
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
on, and the engine is not running, as a check to show
it is working.
It should go out when the engine is started. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there may have a problem
with the electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer/retailer. Driving while this light is on could
drain the battery. If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, turn off all accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner to help reduce the drain
on the battery.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an
up-shift light.
When this light comes on, shift to the next higher gear if
weather, road, and traffic conditions allow.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-24for
more information.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking,
both parts need to work.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
have the brake system inspected right away.
3-28

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on with the engine running, or if the
key is in the ON/RUN and the light is not on.
The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD II (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if the battery has
recently been replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take several days of routine
driving. If this has been done and the vehicle still
does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your dealer/retailer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If the vehicle has low
engine oil pressure, this
light will stay on after
the engine has been
started, or come on
while driving.
This indicates that the engine is not receiving enough
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it xed immediately by your
dealer/retailer.
The oil light could also come on in three other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to show it is
working. It goes out when the ignition is turned
on. If it does not come on with the ignition on, there
may be a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have it
xed right away.
If the vehicle comes to a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment. This is normal.
3-34

XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception
from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States,
and in Canada. Just as with FM, tall buildings or hills
can interfere with satellite radio signals, causing
the sound to fade in and out. In addition, traveling or
standing under heavy foliage, bridges, garages, or
tunnels may cause loss of the XM signal for a period
of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause interference with the
vehicle’s radio. This interference may occur when
making or receiving phone calls, charging the phone’s
battery, or simply having the phone on. This interference
causes an increased level of static while listening to
the radio. If static is received while listening to the radio,
unplug the cellular phone and turn it off.
Fixed Mast Antenna (Hatchback)
Vehicles without OnStar®have a xed mast antenna
that can withstand most car washes without being
damaged. If the mast should ever become slightly bent,
straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent,
replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the antenna base located on the roof of
the vehicle. If tightening is required, tighten by hand.
Backglass Antenna (Sedan)
Vehicles without OnStar®have the AM-FM antenna
integrated with the rear window defogger, located in the
rear window. Make sure that the inside surface of the
rear window is not scratched and that the lines on
the glass are not damaged. If the inside surface
is damaged, it could interfere with radio reception.
Also, for proper radio reception, the antenna connector
at the top-center of the rear window needs to be
properly attached to the post on the glass.
3-56

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery
to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with the headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all
the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and
repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from
the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-18.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-69.
4-17

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-21
Cooling System............................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-42
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs
..............................................5-42
Headlamps..................................................5-43
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-44
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Hatchback)..............................................5-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................5-47
License Plate Lamp......................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-50
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-51
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-54
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
C. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-32andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-21.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-22.
E.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-90.
F.Battery on page 5-35.
G. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-31.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
I. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-30.Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light comes on, check the
engine oil level right away.
The oil pressure light is on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-34. Check the engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
5-13

Brake Adjustment
Every moderate brake stop, the disc brakes adjust for
wear. If rarely making moderate or heavier brake stops,
the brakes might not adjust correctly. Very carefully
making a few moderate brake stops about every
1,000 miles (1 600 km) will adjust the brakes properly.
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
rmly 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 mightnot 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
This vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, see your dealer/retailer for one
that has the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. 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.
5-35

Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that
can explode. You can be badly hurt if you are not
careful. SeeJump Starting on page 5-36for tips
on working around a battery without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is driven infrequently,
remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery.
This helps keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended storage of the vehicle,
remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery or
use a battery trickle charger. This helps maintain the
charge of the battery over an extended period of time.
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.
{CAUTION:
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.
5-36

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 rmly 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!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
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.
5-37