battery PONTIAC G6 2007 User Guide

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery run-down feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading lamps, or
dome lamp) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery run-down protection system
will automatically shut the lamp off after
20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of
the following:
Open any door.
Press any remote keyless entry transmitter
button.
Press the power door lock switch.
Press the remote trunk release.
Turn the lamp that was left on to off and then
to on again.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio. The outlet can accept
electrical equipment rated at a maximum of
20 Amps.
There are two accessory power outlets. Both are
located on the center console below the climate
controls unless the vehicle is equipped with
enhanced traction or traction control system.
If the vehicle is equipped with a traction system,
one accessory power outlet is in the center storage
console and the other is located on the center
console below the climate controls.
To use an outlet, remove the protective cap.
When not in use, always cover the outlet with the
protective cap. The accessory power outlet is
operational at all times.
Notice:If electrical devices are left plugged
into a power outlet, the battery may drain
causing your vehicle not to start or damage to
the battery. This would not be covered by
the warranty. Always unplug all electrical
devices when turning off your vehicle.
181

Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on for a
few seconds when
you turn on the ignition
as a check to indicate
it is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on while you are
driving and you hear a chime, there could be
a problem with the electrical charging system. This
could indicate that there is a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have it
checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery and result in the
engine and headlights suddenly shutting off.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio,
air conditioner and heater fan.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the vehicle. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
199

Did you just drive through a deep puddle of
water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 310. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
206

AV (Average) SPEED:Press the information
button until AV SPEED is displayed. This shows the
vehicle’s average speed in miles per hour (mph) or
kilometers per hour (km/h).
Press and hold the enter button while AV SPEED is
displayed to reset the average vehicle speed.
OIL LIFE:Press the information button until
OIL LIFE is displayed. The engine oil life system
shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life.
It shows 100% when the system is reset after
an oil change. It will alert you to change the oil on
a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 328.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring
the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 431andEngine
Oil on page 325.Personalization
MENU:Press this button while the ignition is ON to
scroll through each of the personalization options in
the following order. To avoid excessive drain on the
battery, it is recommended that the headlamps are
turned off. If the vehicle is moving faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h), the personalization menu options are not
available, except for the UNITS option. All of the
personalization options may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available display on
the DIC.
Oil Life Reset
Units Selection (English/Metric)
Remote Start Capability
Horn Chirp During Remote Keyless Entry
Locking
Horn Chirp During Remote Keyless Entry
Unlocking
Exterior Light Flash During Remote Keyless
Entry Locking or Unlocking
Delayed Locking
Automatic Vehicle Unlocking: Specic Doors
211

ICE POSSIBLE:This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create
icy road conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW:This message
displays if the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery in
the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 101.
LOW FUEL:This message displays along with a
low fuel warning light on the instrument panel
cluster when your vehicle is low on fuel. Rell the
fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeLow Fuel
Warning Light on page 208,Fuel on page 310,
andFilling the Tank on page 313.
LOW OIL LEVEL:This message may display on
some vehicles. For correct operation of the low oil
sensing system, your vehicle should be on a level
surface. A false LOW OIL LEVEL message may
appear if the vehicle is parked on a grade. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil
level if the engine has been off for a short period of
time. The oil level is never checked while the
engine is running. If the LOW OIL LEVEL message
appears, and your vehicle has been parked on levelground with the engine off for at least 30 minutes,
the oil level should be checked by looking at the oil
dipstick. Prior to checking the oil level, be sure the
engine has been off for a few minutes and your
vehicle is on a level surface. Then check the
dipstick and add oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on
page 325.
LOW WASHER FLUID:This message displays
when your vehicle is low on windshield washer
uid. Rell the windshield washer uid reservoir as
soon as possible. See “Adding Washer Fluid”
underWindshield Washer Fluid on page 350.
PARKING BRAKE:This message displays if the
parking brake is left engaged and you try to
drive away. SeeParking Brake on page 135for
more information.
POWER STEERING:This message displays if a
problem has been detected with the electric
power steering, if your vehicle has this feature.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately by
your dealer.
SERVICE AIR BAG:This message displays if
there is a problem with the airbag system.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
dealer.
214

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be
careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO
(carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO
could overcome you and kill you. You
cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a
little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the
heat that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
286

You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
If your vehicle has a traction system, the traction
system can often help to free a stuck vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 262,
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 263,
orStabiliTrak
®System on page 265.Ifthestuck condition is too severe for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 288.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 389.
287

For vehicles that can be dinghy towed with all
four wheels on the ground, follow these steps:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn the ignition to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent your battery from draining while
the vehicle is being towed, remove the
following fuse from the instrument panel fuse
block: (IGN SENSOR). SeeInstrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 416for more
information.5. Turn the ignition to ACC.
6. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing
your vehicle.
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs would not
be covered by the warranty. Never have your
vehicle towed from the rear.
295

Service........................................................ 308
Accessories and Modications................... 308
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 309
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 309
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 310
Fuel............................................................. 310
Gasoline Octane........................................ 310
Gasoline Specications.............................. 310
California Fuel........................................... 311
Additives................................................... 311
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 312
Filling the Tank......................................... 313
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 315
Checking Things Under
the Hood.................................................. 316
Hood Release........................................... 317
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 318
Engine Oil................................................. 325
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 328
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 330
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.4L L4 and 3.5L V6 Engines).............. 332Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.6L Engine)......................................... 332
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine).................................... 335
Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 338
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 338
Engine Coolant.......................................... 339
Pressure Cap............................................ 342
Engine Overheating................................... 342
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 344
Cooling System......................................... 345
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 349
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 350
Brakes...................................................... 352
Battery...................................................... 355
Jump Starting............................................ 356
Bulb Replacement....................................... 361
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 361
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps............. 362
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) (Sedan)................... 363
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
305

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 325.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 325.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 339.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 342.F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 352.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 355.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 350.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
319