ignition PONTIAC G5 2008 Owner's Manual

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
For vehicles equipped with an armrest, lift the console
armrest in order to access the parking brake lever.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-33.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime will
sound and the PARKING BRAKE message will
appear along with the brake system warning light when
the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving
faster than 5 mph (8 km/h). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-44.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving. Automatic Shown, Manual Similar
2-32

Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (Manual
Transmission) on page 4-32orTowing a Trailer
(Automatic Transmission) on page 4-32.To shift into PARK (P), do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-32for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-33

Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESORY and the regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-34for more
information.To shift out of PARK (P):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Your Vehicle
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
down, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and
rmly apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed down, you can turn the ignition key to
OFF/LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch
pedal. SeeManual Transmission Operation on
page 2-30.
2-35

Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof,
the switch that operates it
is located on the
headliner between the
map lamps.
The sunroof will only operate while the ignition is on, or
turned to ACC/ACCESSORY, or if Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-24.Press the sunroof switch rearward to open the sunroof
to the vent position. If the sunshade is closed, it must
be opened manually in the vent position. Press and hold
the switch rearward a second time to open the sunroof.
If the sunshade is closed, it will open automatically
when the sunroof is opened.
To close the sunroof, press the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if
the switch is released. Close the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
the vehicle has an electrical failure.
Notice:If you force the sunshade forward of the
sliding glass panel, damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly. Always
close the glass panel before closing the sunshade.
2-44

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police and
others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is on the
instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press again to turn the
ashers completely off.
The hazard warning ashers work even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the
steering wheel.
3-6

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed
down. Applying the brake will turn off the cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do
not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or the clutch pedal if
the vehicle has a manual transmission. This will
only end the current cruise control session.
Press the cruise controlJon/off button to turn the
system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
3-13

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the parking lamps and taillamps only.AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):Turn the
switch to this position to automatically turn on the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) during daytime, and the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night.
This position must be selected in order for the Wiper
Activated Headlamps to be activated. SeeWiper
Activated Headlamps on page 3-14.
P(Off/On):When operating in AUTO, a momentary
turn of the switch to Off/On will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System off or back on. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the transmission must be in the PARK (P)
position, before the Automatic Headlamp System can be
turned off.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on. For this
feature to work, automatic lighting must be enabled.
SeeHeadlamps on page 3-14for additional information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also turn
off 15 seconds after the windshield wiper control is
turned off.
3-14

Headlamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off and
the lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This lets you
know that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel. Make sure it is not covered or the headlamps
will come on when you do not need them.The DRL system will make the headlamps come on at
reduced intensity when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be
illuminated.
The DRL system will be off any time your vehicle is
in PARK (P). The DRL system on U.S. vehicles can also
be turned off by using the off/on switch for one ignition
cycle.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-15

Fog Lamps
If equipped, the fog lamp
button is located on the
instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel.
The ignition must be on to turn your fog lamps on.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the cluster will come on when the fog lamps are
on. Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The parking lamps will automatically turn on and
off when the fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
Dome Lamp
Your vehicle may have a dome lamp.
9(Off):Move the lever to this position to turn the
lamp off, even when a door is opened.
1(Door):Move the lever to this position to turn the
lamp on whenever a door is opened.
+(On):Move the lever to this position to turn the
dome lamp on.
3-16

Entry/Exit Lighting
The lamps inside the vehicle will go on when any door
is opened. These lamps fade out about 20 seconds
after all of the doors have been closed or when
the ignition is turned to ON/RUN. These lamps will also
go on when pressing the trunk release, unlock symbol,
or the horn symbol button on the Remote Keyless Entry
System (RKE) Transmitter.
After the key is removed from the ignition, the lamps
inside the vehicle stay on for about 20 seconds to
provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
Your vehicle may have reading lamps on the rearview
mirror. Push the button to turn the reading lamps on
and off.
Electric Power Management
This vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM),
an advanced control system. It estimates the battery’s
temperature and state of charge and then adjusts
the voltage for best performance and extended life of
the battery.When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will
be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver.
3-17