steering PONTIAC G3 2009 User Guide

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G:Turn and Lane-Change Signals
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
P:Exterior Light Control
#:Fog Lamps, if equipped
Flash-to-Pass Feature.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers will not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-88.
3-7

The lever is located on the right side of the steering
column. The ignition must be turned to ON/RUN
to operate the windshield wipers.
Move the lever to one of the following positions:
HI (High Speed):For steady wiping at high speed.
LO (Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed.
INT (Intermittent):Move to this position for a delayed
wiping cycle. Turn the band on the windshield wiper
toward FAST or SLOW for a shorter or longer
delay between wipes. The wiper speed can only be
adjusted when the lever is in the INT position.
OFF:Turns the windshield wipers off.
Misting Function
Move the lever toward INT for a single wiping cycle.
Hold it there until the windshield wipers start; then let go.
The windshield wipers will stop after one wipe. If more
wipes are needed, hold the band toward INT longer.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If they are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If the blades become damaged,
get new blades or blade inserts. SeeWindshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-49.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wipers. A circuit
breaker stops them until the motor cools.
Windshield Washer
To use this feature the ignition must be turned to
ON/RUN. Pull the windshield washer/wiper lever
toward you to spray washer uid on the windshield.
The spray continues until the lever is released.
The wipers will run a few times and either stop or
will resume at the speed being used previously.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-31for
information on lling the windshield washer uid.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
uid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
3-9

The cruise control buttons are located on the right side
of the steering wheel.
I/O(On/Off):Press to turn the cruise control on
or off.
RES+ (Resume/Accelerate):Press to make the
vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.
SET−(Set/Coast):Press to set the speed or make
the vehicle decelerate.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you are
not using cruise, you might hit a button and go
into cruise when you do not want to. You could be
startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to use cruise
control.
1. Press
I/Oto turn cruise control on.
2. Accelerate to the speed desired.
3. Press the SET−button and release it. The cruise
control light comes on in the instrument panel
cluster to show that the cruise control is on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerate pedal.
3-11

Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal, or press the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission.
PressI/Oon the cruise control pad.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.The exterior lamp band has three positions:
3(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, together
with the following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
Parking Lamps
The headlamps automatically turn off when the ignition
key is turned to LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps,
together with the taillamps, license plate lamp,
and instrument panel lights.
OFF:Turns all the lamps off, except the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL).
Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-13

To turn the fog lamps off, turn the band to#again.
The fog lamp indicator light will go off.
The fog lamps will also turn off when the high-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high-beam
headlamps are turned off, the fog lamps will turn on
again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering column.
Turn the thumbwheel
to brighten or dim
the lights.
Dome Lamp
The vehicle has a dome lamp.
ON:The light comes on and stays on.
O(Door):The light comes on when a door is opened.
The light turns off when all the doors are closed.
OFF:The light remains off even when a door is opened.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect the vehicle’s battery
against drainage. If the exterior lamps control is left
in the
;or2position, the key is removed and
the driver door is opened, the lights will turn off
automatically.
If the key is removed and the driver door is opened
while the dome lamp is on, the dome lamp will not turn
off automatically.
3-15

AST (Automatic Store):Twelve preset stations with
the strongest reception in the area can be automatically
stored. The radio will only scan stations with a strong
signal that are in the selected AM or FM band.
If the Automatic Store function is started in the FM
band, only FM stations are stored in preset pages A1
and A2. If the Automatic Store function is started in the
AM band, only AM stations are stored in A1 and A2.
A combination of AM, FM and XM (if equipped) stations
can be stored manually into the other four favorite pages.
To use Automatic Store:
1. Press and hold AST to use Auto Store mode.
2. Press the pushbutton below the ON tab on the
radio display.
3. Automatic Store searches for radio stations with a
strong signal and automatically set presets A1 and
A2 with new stations.
4. After all stations are set, press the pushbutton
below the arrow tab on the radio display to
return to the main radio screen.To reset the automatically stored radio stations, press
and hold AST. Then press the pushbutton below
the RESE tab on the radio display. If no stations are
stored on preset pages A1 and A2, the RESE option
does not appear in the radio display. When the
Automatic Store function is used, any stations that were
previously set will be deleted and replaced with new
stations.
Storing a Radio Station
Drivers are encouraged to set up radio station favorites
while the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to favorite
stations using the pushbuttons, favorites button, and
steering wheel controls. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.
A maximum of 36 stations can be programmed as
favorites using the six pushbuttons positioned below the
radio station frequency labels and by using the radio
favorites page button (FAV button). Press the FAV
button to go through up to six pages of favorites,
each having six favorite stations available per page.
3-40

Press and hold SCAN/AST to use Auto Store.
The radio only scans stations with a strong signal in the
selected band.
AST (Automatic Store):Twelve preset stations with
the strongest reception in the area can be automatically
stored. The radio will only scan stations with a strong
signal that are in the selected AM or FM band.
If the Automatic Store function is started in the FM
band, only FM stations are stored in preset pages A1
and A2. If the Automatic Store function is started in the
AM band, only AM stations are stored in A1 and A2.
A combination of AM, FM and XM (if equipped) stations
can be stored manually into the other four favorite pages.
To use Automatic Store:
1. Press and hold SCAN/AST to use Auto Store mode.
2. Press the pushbutton below the ON tab on the
radio display.
3. Automatic Store searches for radio stations with a
strong signal and automatically set presets A1 and
A2 with new stations.
4. After all stations are set, press the pushbutton
below the arrow tab on the radio display to
return to the main radio screen.To reset the automatically stored radio stations, press
and hold SCAN/AST. Then press the pushbutton
below the RESE tab on the radio display. If no stations
are stored on preset pages A1 and A2, the RESE
option does not appear in the radio display. When the
Automatic Store function is used, any stations that were
previously set will be deleted and replaced with new
stations.
Storing a Radio Station
Drivers are encouraged to set up radio station favorites
while the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to favorite
stations using the pushbuttons, favorites button, and
steering wheel controls. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.
A maximum of 36 stations can be programmed as
favorites using the six pushbuttons positioned below the
radio station frequency labels and by using the radio
favorites page button (FAV button). Press the FAV
button to go through up to six pages of favorites,
each having six favorite stations available per page.
3-45

XM Radio Messages
UPDATING:The encryption code in the receiver is
being updated, and no action is required. This process
should take no longer than 30 seconds.
NO SIGNAL:The system is functioning correctly, but
the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™
signal. When the vehicle is moved into an open area,
the signal should return.
LOADING:The audio system is acquiring and
processing audio and text data. No action is needed.
This message should disappear shortly.
OFF AIR:This channel is not currently in service.
Tune in to another channel.
CH UNAVAILABLE:This previously assigned channel
is no longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this
station was one of the presets, choose another station
for that preset button.
RADIO ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message
alternates with the XM™ Radio 8 digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.
CHECK XM TUNER:If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If the vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can
be adjusted at the steering wheel.
PWR (Power):Press and release to turn the system on
and off.
When the system is on, press and release for a short
time to mute the system. Press and release again to turn
the sound back on.Front View of the
Steering Wheel Controls
Side View of the
Volume Control
3-54

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........................................4-4
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Steering........................................................4-6
Off-Road Recovery.........................................4-8
Passing........................................................4-8
Loss of Control..............................................4-8
Driving at Night............................................4-10Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-11
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-12
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-12
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-13
Winter Driving..............................................4-14
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-18
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-18
Towing..........................................................4-28
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-28
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-28
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-30
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
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 and
allowing 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.
4-4