steering PONTIAC G3 2010 Service Manual

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your vehicle's tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a drag that pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{WARNING:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it is designed
only for changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
6-69

MaintenanceI
.Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑15. An Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑25.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑33.
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑57.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑61.
.Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotationon
page 6‑61.
.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven
in dusty conditions only). See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter on page 6‑19.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in Maintenance I.
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and
replacement, if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑83. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑49.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and
trunk lid hinges and latches lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑12. More frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component check. See Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 2‑72.
7-4

First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid and filter change
(severe service only) for vehicles mainly driven in
heavy city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or
mountainous terrain, when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi, police, or delivery service.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 6‑21.
.Power steering pump accessory drive belt
replacement.
.Evaporative control system inspection. Check all
fuel and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook‐up,
routing, and condition. EVAP vent solenoid valve
replacement. An Emission Control Service. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined
that the failure to perform this maintenance item
will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall
liability prior to the completion of the vehicle's
useful life. We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance services be performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Timing belt replacement.
.Valve clearance adjustment.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain, flush, and refill,
cooling system and cap pressure check, and
cleaning of outside of radiator and air conditioning
condenser (or every 5 years, whichever occurs
first). See Engine Coolant
on page 6‑25.An
Emission Control Service.
7-7

Scheduled Maintenance
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system. ••
Engine coolant level check. ••
Windshield washer fluid level check. ••
Tire inflation pressures check. ••
Tire wear inspection. ••
Rotate tires. ••
Fluids visual leak check. ••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). ••
Brake system inspection. ••
Steering and suspension inspection. •
Engine cooling system inspection. •
Windshield wiper blades inspection. •
Body components lubrication. •
Restraint system components check. •
Automatic transmission fluid level check. •
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions). •
Passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) replacement. •
PCV system inspection. •
7-8

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{WARNING:
When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or
others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 3‑28.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of
P (Park) with normal effort. If the shift lever moves
out of P (Park), contact your dealer/retailer for
service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
.For automatic transmission vehicles, the ignition
should turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever
is in P (Park).
.For manual transmission vehicles, the ignition
should turn to LOCK/OFF only when you press the
key release button.
On all vehicles, the ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right.
It should only lock when turned to the right.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
7-10

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number, or specification can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certified for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle's
engine, see
Engine Oil
on
page 6‑15.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolanton
page 6‑25
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic
Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377967, in
Canada 89021320).
Windshield
Washer Solvent Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering System DEXRON
®‐VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Automatic
Transmission Use only T-IV Automatic
Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 88900925, in
Canada 22689186).
Manual
Transmission Manual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021806, in
Canada 89021807).
Key Lock
Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
7-12

In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French), or write:General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models. In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request an
order form, specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
8-15

Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
Audio System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36Audio Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-52
Radio with CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41
Automatic Transmission
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
B
Backglass Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-53
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-37Inadvertent Power Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Brake Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-26
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5 Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp(CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-46, 6-47
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-45
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-47
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-63
C
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-93
i - 2

Flat Tire, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-78
FluidAutomatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Windshield Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-33
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-33
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-5 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
California Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Fuel Economy Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-87
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-87
Windshield Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-86G
GagesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Gasoline Octane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Headlamp Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-86
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-43
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Exterior Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
i - 6

PowerElectrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-86
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-32
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16 OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4
R
Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Radio with CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-52
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-7
Rear Seat Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8, 2-10
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34 Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3, 3-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-71
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-49
Replacement Parts Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-72
Replacing Restraint System Parts After aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-73
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
i - 10