clock PONTIAC G5 2010 User Guide

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. These
problems can be avoided by braking — if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time
because there is no room. That is the time for evasive
action — steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply the brakes — but, unless the
vehicle has antilock brakes, not enough to lock the
wheels. SeeBraking on page 5-3 . It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from a collision. Then
steer around the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, it can be turned
a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
5-14

Filling the Tank
{WARNING:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine when
refueling. Do not smoke near fuel or when
refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away
from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the passenger side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is released
too soon, it will spring back to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the
hook on the fuel door.
6-8

{WARNING:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray
can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing Your
Vehicle on page 6-97.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-30 . The CHECK GAS CAP message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not properly
installed. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 4-38 for more information.
{WARNING:
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the station
attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer/retailer can get one for
you. If you get the wrong type, it may not t properly.
This may cause the malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage the fuel tank and emissions
system. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 4-30.
6-9

{WARNING:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice: In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{WARNING:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do
not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about two or two and one-half
turns. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will
let any pressure still left to be vented out the
discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning thepressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
6-23

3. At the wall, measure from the ground upward (A) tothe recorded distance from Step 2 and mark it.
4. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) on the wall the width of the vehicle at the height of the mark in
Step 3.
Notice: Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam
cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlamp.
5. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a piece of cardboard in front of the headlamp not
being adjusted. Do not place it directly on the
headlamp. This allows only the beam of light from
the headlamp being adjusted to be seen on the
flat surface. 6. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which
are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mm
socket wrench.
7. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn it
clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the
angle of the beam.
6-40

5. Pull the headlamp assembly up at an angle andtowards the radiator to remove it.
6. Disconnect the bulb base from the wiring harness by lifting the locking tab.
7. Disconnect the wiring harness from the bulb socket.
8. Remove the retainer by turning it counterclockwise.
9. Turn the bulb socket for the headlamp, front turn signal, or parking lamp counterclockwise.
For the sidemarker bulb, use a tool to assist
in turning the bulb socket.
10. Pull the old bulb out of the socket.
11. Install a new bulb.
12. Reinstall the bulb assembly by reversing Steps 1 through 9.
When reinstalling the headlamp assembly, first
make sure that the wiring harness is in its original
position. If not, the headlamp assembly will not
fit correctly.
Align the two tabs on the bottom of the assembly
that fit into two slots in the headlamp assembly
bracket.Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
To replace a CHMSL bulb: 1. Open the trunk.
2. Press the tabs to release the bulb assembly.
3. Pull the bulb assembly down to access the bulbs.
4. Pull the old bulb straight out.
6-43

5. Push the new bulb straight in until it clicks.
6. Align the tabs in the bulb assembly with theassembly in the trunk lid. Push the bulb assembly
back into place until it snaps in. You may need
to use a tool to guide the tabs into the assembly.
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps
(Coupe)
To replace a taillamp or rear turn signal bulb:
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on page 3-11for more
information.
2. Remove the screw retaining the taillamp assembly.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness by lifting up on the tab to release and pull it straight out.
4. Hold and turn the bulb socket clockwise and then release it from the lamp housing.
5. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.
6. Install a new bulb.
7. Reverse Steps 2 through 4 to reinstall the taillamp assembly.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps (Sedan)
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the trunk trim and pull back fastener.
3. Remove the additional fastener.
4. Remove the outer two screws from the taillamp assembly.
5. Lift up on the tab and pull the wiring harness straight out.
6. Remove the taillamp assembly from the quarter panel.
6-44

A. Sidemarker
B. Stoplamp/Turn Signal/Taillamp
C. Back-up
7. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it straight out.
8. Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.
9. Push the new bulb straight into the socket.
10. Push the new bulb into the taillamp assembly and turn it clockwise to lock it into place. 11. Reinstall the taillamp assembly into the quarter
panel.
12. Push the wiring harness straight into the taillamp assembly and push the tab down.
13. Reinstall the outer two screws into the taillamp assembly.
14. Reinstall the trunk trim and the fasteners.
Back-Up Lamps (Coupe)
To replace a back-up lamp bulb:
1. Remove the two screws from the face of the back-up lamp.
2. Pull the lamp straight out from the fascia pocket.
6-45

3. Hold and turn the bulb socket clockwise and thenrelease it from the lamp housing.
4. Pull the old bulb out of the socket.
5. Push the new bulb straight into the bulb socket until it clicks.
6. Push the bulb socket into the housing and turn it clockwise to lock it into place.
7. Push the lamp straight into the fascia pocket.
8. Reinstall the two screws into the face of the back-up lamp.License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Remove the two screws holding each of the license plate lamps.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp toward you through the opening.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Push the bulb straight into the socket and turn clockwise to reinstall.
6-46

Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inate a
Punctured Tire
When using the tire sealant and compressor kit during
cold temperatures, warm the kit in a heated environment
for 5 minutes. This will help to inflate the tire faster.Always do a safety check first. See
If a Tire Goes Flat
on page 6-70. Do not remove any objects that have
penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage location. See Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit Storage on page 6-79 .
Make sure the on/off button (D) is in the off (O)
position.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the power plug (C).
3. Place the kit on the ground. Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close to
the ground so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (F) onto the tire valve stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (C) into the accessory power outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. See Accessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 4-13 .
6-74