cruise control PONTIAC G5 2010 User Guide

When the light is on solid and the message(s),
SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF, or both display, the system
will not assist the driver in maintaining directional
control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-38 .
The ESC system is automatically enabled whenever the
vehicle is started. To assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in slippery road conditions,
the system should always be left on. But, ESC can
be turned off if needed.
If cruise control is being used when ESC activates, the
cruise control automatically disengages. The cruise
control can be reengaged when road conditions allow.
See Cruise Control on page 4-7 . The ESC/TCS button is
located on the instrument
panel.
The traction control system can be turned off or back on
by pressing the ESC/TCS button. To disable both
traction control and ESC, press and hold the button from
five to ten seconds.
When the ESC system is turned off, the TRACTION
OFF and ESC OFF messages appear, and the
ESC/TCS light comes on to warn the driver that both
traction control and ESC are disabled.
5-7

If the vehicle is in cruise control while TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control can be re-engaged when
road conditions allow. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 4-4.
When this light is on and
either the SERVICE
TRACTION or TRACTION
OFF message is displayed,
the system will not limit
wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-38 for more information.
The Traction Control System comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. It is recommended to
leave the system on for normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to “rock”
your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also be necessary
to turn off the system when driving in off-road conditions
where high wheel spin is required. See
If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-23 .
To turn the system off or
on, press and release the
ESC/TCS button located
on the instrument panel.
The DIC displays the appropriate message as described
previously when the button is pressed.
5-9

Traction Control Operation
Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing engine
power to the wheels (engine speed management)
and by applying brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when the vehicle is started, and it will activate and flash
the ESC/TCS light and display the LOW TRACTION
message if it senses that either of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving.
For more information on the LOW TRACTION message,
seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 4-35 .
Notice: If the wheel(s) of one axle are allowed to
spin excessively while the ESC/TCS, ABS and Brake
warning lights and the SERVICE ESC and/or
SERVICE TRACTION messages are displayed, the
differential could be damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Reduce engine
power and do not spin the wheel(s) excessively
while these lights and this message are displayed. Notice:
When traction control is turned off, or
Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the drive
wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible
to cause damage to the transmission. Do not attempt
to shift when the drive wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered. See the warranty book for additional
information.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction
in acceleration may be noticed or a noise or vibration
may be heard. This is normal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control while the system
activates, the ESC/TCS light flashes and the cruise
control automatically disengages. The cruise control can
be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 4-7 .
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and
Modications on page 6-3 for more information.
5-10

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
The vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if
it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transmission to limit wheel spin.
If the vehicle has ETS, there is not an ESC/TCS button
on the instrument panel. To turn the system off, shift
to L (Low) or R (Reverse). There is more information
about how to turn the system off later in this section.
The ETS indicator/warning light flashes and LOW
TRACTION appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the traction control system is actively limiting
wheel spin. The system may be heard or felt while it
is working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist if this message is displayed, so adjust
your driving accordingly.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the ETS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control can be re-engaged
when road conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 4-7. The ETS indicator/warning light may come on for the
following reasons:
•The indicator/warning light flashes while the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin.
•If the system is turned off by moving the shift lever
to L (Low), the indicator/warning light comes on
and stays on. To turn the system back on, move the
shift lever back to a position other than L (Low).
The indicator/warning light should go off.
•The indicator/warning light will come on when the
parking brake is set with the engine running, and it
will stay on if the parking brake does not release fully.
If the transmission shift lever is in any position other
than L (Low) and the indicator/warning light stays on
after the parking brake is fully released, there is a
problem with the system.
•If the traction control system is affected by an engine
related problem, the system will turn off and the
indicator/warning light will come on.
5-11

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
•Allow extra following distance.
•Pass with caution.
•Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
•Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 6-48.
•Turn off cruise control.
5-18

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
If the vehicle has theTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 5-8 orEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 5-11, it improves the ability to accelerate on slippery
roads, but slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. When driving through deep snow, turn off the
ETS, if equipped, to help maintain vehicle motion at lower
speeds. The
Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-4 improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,
but whether the vehicle has ABS or not, apply the
brakes sooner than when on dry pavement. Without
ABS, if the vehicle begins to slide, let up on the brake
pedal a little and apply steady pedal pressure to get the
most traction. On vehicles without ABS, braking so
hard that the wheels stop rolling can cause the vehicle
to slide — brake so the wheels always keep rolling
so you can still steer.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
5-21

Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop•
Engine oil level check. See Engine Oil on page 6-13.
•Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant on
page 6-24.
•Windshield washer fluid level check. See Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 6-28 .
Once a Month
•
Tire inflation check. See Ination - Tire Pressure on
page 6-55.
•Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6-62 .
Once a Year
•
Starter switch check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7-8 .
•Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7-8 .
•Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. SeeOwner Checks and Services on
page 7-8.
•Ignition transmission lock check. See Owner
Checks and Services on page 7-8 .
•Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser
outside cleaning. SeeCooling System on
page 6-20.
•Exhaust system and nearby heat shields inspection
for loose or damaged components.
•Throttle system inspection for interference, binding
or for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have
high effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate
accelerator or cruise control cables.
•If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit, check the sealant expiration date printed on
the instruction label of the kit. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 6-72 .
First Engine Oil Change After Every
40 000 km/25,000 Miles
•
Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
7-5

Cooling System.............................................. 6-20
Courtesy Transportation Program ......................8-10
Cruise Control .................................................. 4-7
Cupholders .................................................... 3-36
Customer Assistance ......................................... 8-6
Offices ......................................................... 8-6
Text Telephone (TTY) Users ........................... 8-6
Customer Information Service Publications Ordering Information ........8-15
Customer Satisfaction Procedure ........................ 8-2
D
Damage Repair, Collision.................................8-11
Data Recorders, Event .................................... 8-17
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) .........................4-10
Defensive Driving ............................................. 5-2
Delayed Locking ............................................... 3-9
Disc, MP3 ...................................................... 4-63
Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 6-4
Dome Lamp ................................................... 4-11
Door Automatic Door Lock ..................................... 3-9
Delayed Locking ........................................... 3-9
Locks .......................................................... 3-8
Power Locks ................................................ 3-9
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ............3-10
Rear Door Security Locks .............................3-10Driver
Seat Height Adjuster ...................................... 2-3
Driver Information Center (DIC) .........................4-35
DIC Operation and Displays ..........................4-36
DIC Vehicle Personalization ..........................4-43
DIC Warnings and Messages ........................4-38
Driver Storage Compartment ............................3-36
Driving At Night ..................................................... 5-17
Before a Long Trip ...................................... 5-19
Defensive ..................................................... 5-2
Drunk .......................................................... 5-2
Highway Hypnosis ....................................... 5-19
Hill and Mountain Roads ..............................5-20
In Rain and on Wet Roads ...........................5-18
Loss of Control ........................................... 5-15
Off-Road Recovery ...................................... 5-15
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out .................5-24
Winter ........................................................ 5-21
Driving for Better Fuel Economy .......................1-21
E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 2-8
EDR ............................................................. 8-16
Electrical Equipment, Add-On ..........................6-102
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