engine oil PONTIAC G6 2009 User Guide

TOP TOO COLD
If your vehicle has a retractable hardtop, this message
displays when the retractable hardtop button is
pressed and the hardtop pump motor temperature is
too cold. Wait for the hardtop pump motor to warm up
before using the retractable hardtop. SeeLowering
the Retractable Hardtop on page 2-44andRaising the
Retractable Hardtop on page 2-47for more information.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. SeeTrunk on page 2-12for more
information.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
The following personalization options may appear on your
vehicle’s audio display by pressing the MENU button.
The default settings for the features were set when your
vehicle left the factory, but may have been changed
from their default state since that time.
OIL LIFE RESET:When this option is displayed, you
can reset the engine oil life system. To reset the system,
seeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-24.UNITS:When UNITS appears on the display, press the
enter button to move between METRIC (default in
Canada) or ENGLISH (default in United States).
When you have made your choice, press the MENU
button to record your selection.
If you choose English, all information will be displayed
in English units.
If you choose metric, all information will be displayed in
metric units.
The unit measurement will also change the trip odometer,
temperature, and average fuel economy displays.
TIRE LEARN?:This option is available on vehicles
without the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system.
After rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor,
the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) must
re-learn the tire positions. To re-learn the tire positions,
seeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-69.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-76and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-46for more
information.
REMOTE START:If your vehicle has this feature,
the remote start option can be enabled or disabled.
When REMOTE START appears on the display, press
the enter button to move between OFF and ON
(default). When you have made your choice, press the
MENU button to record your selection.
3-50

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-15

Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
start the 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
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information. Things that are especially important in traileroperation are automatic transmission uid, engine oil,
belts, cooling system and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-37.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If the vehicle gets a at tire while towing a trailer,
be sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from the
vehicle before changing the tire.
4-36

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(3.5 L V6 Engine)......................................5-26Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other Engines).....5-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6 Engines)............5-29
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L Engine)............................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-32
Engine Coolant.............................................5-33
Pressure Cap...............................................5-37
Engine Overheating.......................................5-37
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-39
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-42
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-53
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on
any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the inside
of the ll opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the lling
is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-12

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-33.F. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-42.
H.Battery on page 5-45.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
J.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-112.
5-15

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
C. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-33.G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-42.
I.Battery on page 5-45.
J. SeeEngine Compartment Fuse Block on
page 5-112.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-17

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-33.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick.
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6
Engines) on page 5-29orAutomatic Transmission
Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-29.
J.Battery on page 5-45.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 5-112.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-19

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C.Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6
Engines) on page 5-29orAutomatic Transmission
Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-29.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-33.
H. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-42.
J.Battery on page 5-45.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
L.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-112.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
5-21

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN mark for the L4 engine or
below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick
for the V6 engine, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-118.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper mark
that shows the proper operating range, the engine
could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when you are through. L4 Engine
V6 Engine
5-22