wheel PONTIAC G6 2009 Owner's Guide

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer/
retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device
known as a dolly.Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will the vehicle be towed? Some vehicles
have restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Does the vehicle have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 4-15.
Dinghy Towing From the Front
If the vehicle has the 3.9L V6 engine with the four-speed
automatic transmission, the vehicle cannot be dinghy
towed.
If the vehicle does not have the 3.9L V6 engine with a
four-speed automatic transmission, it can be dinghy
towed.
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When dinghy towing the vehicle, the vehicle should be
run at the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop
for about ve minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication
of transmission components.
For vehicles that can be dinghy towed with all four wheels
on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the
towing vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF.3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle
is being towed, remove the following fuse from the
instrument panel fuse block: (IGN SENSOR). See
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-110for more
information.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to reinstall the IGN SENSOR fuse once the
destination has been reached.
Notice:If 65 mph (105 km/h) is exceeded while
towing the vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing the vehicle.
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Dinghy Towing From the Rear
Notice:Towing the vehicle from the rear could
damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by the
warranty. Never have the vehicle towed from the rear.
Do not dinghy tow the vehicle from the rear with all four
wheels on the ground.
Dolly Towing From the Front
Tow the vehicle with the two rear wheels on the ground
and the front wheels on a dolly:
To tow the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
a dolly:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in P (Park).
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3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
5. Remove the key from the ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.Dolly Towing From the Rear
Notice:Towing the vehicle from the rear could
damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by the
warranty. Never have the vehicle towed from the rear.
Do not tow the vehicle with the rear wheels on a dolly.
4-29

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify the trailering
capacity of the vehicle, read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section. Trailering is
different than just driving the vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
The following information has many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for the safety of the driver and the
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
pulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, axles, wheel assemblies and tires are
forced to work harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra
heat. The trailer also adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
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Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This checks the electrical connection
at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This
can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle is
turning, changing lanes or stopping.
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When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel
ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. For this reason you may think other drivers are
seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher
than normal engine and transmission temperatures
may result and damage the vehicle. Frequent
stops are very important to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If the engine does overheat, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-37.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer attached
can be dangerous. If something goes wrong, the rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and
both the vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
When possible, always park the rig on a at
surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
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Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Retractable Hardtop
and Coupe)..............................................5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps (Sedan)........................5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps (Coupe).......5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
(Retractable Hardtop).................................5-56
License Plate Lamp......................................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-57
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-58
Tires..............................................................5-59
Winter Tires.................................................5-60
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-61
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-64
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-67
High-Speed Operation...................................5-68
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-69
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-71
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-76
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-83
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-85
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-87
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-94
Compact Spare Tire....................................5-101
Appearance Care..........................................5-102
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-102
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-103
Leather......................................................5-104
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-104
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-104
Weatherstrips.............................................5-105
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-105
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Finish Care................................................5-106
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-106
Aluminum Wheels.......................................5-107
Tires.........................................................5-107
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-107
Finish Damage...........................................5-107
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-108
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-108
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-108
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-108
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-109Electrical System..........................................5-109
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-110
Fuses........................................................5-110
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-110
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-112
Rear Compartment Fuse Block.....................5-115
Capacities and Specications........................5-118
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-3

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all the
time the vehicle is moving, except when applying the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-118.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
5-44