ABS PONTIAC G3 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
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-14
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamp .................................................3-15
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-15
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-17
Clock..........................................................3-17Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Trip Odometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-26
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..........................3-28
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-30
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-30
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-30
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-31
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 the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or if
the light comes on, stop as soon as possible and
turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs service. See your
dealer/retailer. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, the brakes will still work, but the antilock
brakes will not work. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the antilock brakes will not work
and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
The ABS warning light will come on briey when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. This is normal. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
Hold Mode Light
If the vehicle has this
feature, this light comes on
when the hold mode is
active.
If the HOLD mode light ashes, have the vehicle checked.
See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-20for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle may have an engine coolant temperature
gage. With the ignition turned to ON/RUN, this gage
shows the engine coolant temperature.
United StatesCanada
3-30

If Automatic Store is used, then four pages of favorites
are available. Each page of favorites can contain
any combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if equipped)
stations. To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune in the desired station.
2. Press and release the FAV button to display the
page where the station is to be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons
until a beep sounds. When the pushbutton is pressed
and released, the station that was set will return.
4. Repeat the Steps 1 through 3 for each radio station
to be stored as a favorite.
To setup the number of favorites pages:
1. Press and hold FAV until the radio setup menu
displays.
2. Select the desired number of favorites pages by
pressing the pushbutton located below the
displayed page numbers.
3. Press FAV to return to the original main radio screen
showing the radio station frequency tabs and to
begin the process of programming favorites for the
chosen amount of numbered pages.Setting the Tone (Bass/Mid/Treble)
SOUND (Bass/Mid/Treble):Press to adjust the bass,
midrange, or treble.
Adjusting the Bass
To adjust the bass:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Bass tab on
the display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Adjusting the Midrange
To adjust the midrange:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Mid tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
3-41

Adjusting the Treble
To adjust the treble:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Treb tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
SOUND (Balance/Fade):Press to adjust the balance
or fade.
Adjusting the Balance
To adjust the balance:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Bal tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Adjusting the Fade
To adjust the fade:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Fad tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Setting the EQ
SOUND (Equalization):Press to select an equalization
setting.
Setting the EQ
To set the EQ:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the P.EQ tab on the
display. The Pop, Rock, Ctry, Voice, Jazz, Clas
tabs appear on the display.
3. Press the pushbutton below the desired selection to
set the EQ. Pressing the same pushbutton again
cancels the EQ setting.
3-42

If Automatic Store is used, then four pages of favorites
are available. Each page of favorites can contain
any combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if equipped)
stations. To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune in the desired station.
2. Press and release the FAV button to display the
page where the station is to be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons
until a beep sounds. When the pushbutton is pressed
and released, the station that was set will return.
4. Repeat the Steps 1 through 3 for each radio station
to be stored as a favorite.
To setup the number of favorites pages:
1. Press and hold FAV until the radio setup menu
displays.
2. Select the desired number of favorites pages by
pressing the pushbutton located below the
displayed page numbers.
3. Press FAV to return to the original main radio screen
showing the radio station frequency tabs and to
begin the process of programming favorites for the
chosen amount of numbered pages.Setting the Tone (Bass/Mid/Treble)
SOUND (Bass/Mid/Treble):Press to adjust the bass,
midrange, or treble.
Adjusting the Bass
To adjust the bass:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Bass tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Adjusting the Midrange
To adjust the midrange:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Mid tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
3-46

Adjusting the Treble
To adjust the treble:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Treb tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
SOUND (Balance/Fade):Press to adjust the balance
or fade.
Adjusting the Balance
To adjust the balance:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Bal tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Adjusting the Fade
To adjust the fade:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the Fad tab on the
display.
3. Turn
Oto adjust the setting.
4. The settings are saved after ve seconds.
Setting the EQ
SOUND (Equalization):Press to select an equalization
setting.
Setting the EQ
To set the EQ:
1. Press SOUND.
2. Press the pushbutton below the P.EQ tab on the
display. The Pop, Rock, Ctry, Voice, Jazz, Clas
tabs appear on the display.
3. Press the pushbutton below the desired selection to
set the EQ. Pressing the same pushbutton again
cancels the EQ setting.
3-47

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

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 comes on
briey when the vehicle is
started.
The warning light is on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 3-30.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, there will not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. A slight brake pedal
pulsation might be felt or some noise might be
heard, but this is normal.
4-5

Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If the vehicle has ABS, it allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. However, if the vehicle does not
have ABS, the rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard
and hold it down — might be the wrong thing to do. The
wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot
respond to the driver’s steering. Momentum will carry
it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing the driver was trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If the vehicle does not have ABS, use a “squeeze”
braking technique. This gives maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. Do this by pushing on
the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel
the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This helps
retain steering control. With ABS, it is different. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5.
In many emergencies, steering can help more than
even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops
or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
4-6