towing PONTIAC G6 2005 Owner's Manual

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you are
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle uid (do
not overll), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you nd them quickly. If you
are trailering, it is a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22.
4-44

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid level. A
transaxle uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the
H-Specication, may damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by your warranty.
Always use automatic transaxle uid labeled
DEXRON
®-III, Approved for the H-Specication.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-19

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. This service can
be complex; you should have your dealer perform this
service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-19 for what
to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist
you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-8

Radios (cont.)
Understanding Reception..............................3-77
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-33
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®.....................................................2-34
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-59
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-40
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-58
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-58
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-58
Replacing Parts...........................................1-58
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-21Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-21
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-30
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-32S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-27
Reminder Light............................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-69
Driver Position............................................1-13
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-13
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-12
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-21
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-21
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-21
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-8
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-20
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
60/40 Split Bench Seat.................................. 1-7
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
9

Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-16
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-16
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation.............................2-18
Throttle, Adjustable..........................................2-22
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tires.............................................................5-42
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..........................5-71
Buying New Tires........................................5-51
Chains.......................................................5-54
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-56
Cleaning....................................................5-71
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-55
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-48
Inspection and Rotation................................5-49
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-59
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-59
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-57
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-64
Tire Sidewall Labelling..................................5-43
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-45
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-52
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-53
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-53
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-50
Top Strap......................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-36Towing (cont.)
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-36
Traction
Control System Active Light..........................3-30
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-30
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)...................4-10
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-24
Trip Odometer................................................3-26
Trunk............................................................2-12
Trunk Lamps..................................................3-17
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-77
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-52
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Service Soon Light......................................3-35
Symbols......................................................... iv
11