transmission PONTIAC G3 2009 Owner's Manual

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a forward gear, or with a manual
transmission, between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-28.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight or maximum load amount and
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on your
vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
4-18

3. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in N (Neutral).
4. Set the parking brake and remove the key.
5. For an automatic transmission, insert the
key into the shift-lock release slot and shift
to N (Neutral). SeeShifting Out of Park on
page 2-28.
6. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
7. Release the parking brake.Dolly Towing From the Rear
Notice:Towing the vehicle from the rear with
the front wheels on the ground could cause
transmission damage. Do not tow the vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle is not
designed or intended for such a use. Towing a trailer can
adversely affect handling, durability and fuel economy.
4-30

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

Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic Transmission shown, Manual Transmission similar
5-12

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

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily get
into the engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Check the automatic transmission uid level at least
twice a year. Add uid if needed. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 158°F to 176°F
(70°C to 80°C).
5-19

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. Locate the automatic transmission dipstick which is
located toward the front of the engine compartment,
near the power steering uid reservoir.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way, wait
three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick. The uid should
be between MIN (A) and MAX (B) mark of the hot
area of the dipstick.
5. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
5-20

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the area between the
two dimples in the hot range on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealer/retailer
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12for the proper uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
There is one reservoir for both the brake and the
hydraulic clutch uid. SeeBrakes on page 5-32
for more information.
The hydraulic clutch linkage in the vehicle is
self-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir is
lled with hydraulic uid.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often to check the uid level in the master cylinder
reservoir and for the proper uid. SeeOwner Checks and
Services on page 6-9andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
5-21

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

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.Cold Tire Pressure
:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-57.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a motor vehicle
with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant,
but without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication Number (TIN), an
alphanumeric designator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant, brand, and date
of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-18.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-18.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
rear axle. SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-18.
5-54