engine oil PONTIAC G6 2010 User Guide

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.
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 7-3for more
information. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid, 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 6-35.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If the vehicle gets a flat tire while towing a trailer,
be sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from
the vehicle before changing the tire.
5-33

Service............................................................6-4
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................6-6
Fuel................................................................6-6
Gasoline Octane............................................6-7
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-7
California Fuel...............................................6-7
Additives.......................................................6-8
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................6-11
Filling the Tank............................................6-11
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-14
Hood Release..............................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-16
Engine Oil...................................................6-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-24Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-26
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engines)..........6-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine).......................................6-28
Cooling System............................................6-30
Engine Coolant.............................................6-31
Engine Overheating.......................................6-35
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-38
Brakes........................................................6-39
Battery........................................................6-42
Jump Starting...............................................6-43
Headlamp Aiming
...........................................6-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................6-48
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) (Sedan)........................6-49
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing
MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission control system could be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
6-8

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in
the country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{WARNING:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine when
refueling. Do not smoke near fuel or when
refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away
from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel
pump; never let children pump fuel.
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the passenger side of the vehicle.
6-11

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{WARNING:
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.
{WARNING:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other
fluids, 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.
6-14

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
B. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 6-30.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-31.F. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-39.
H.Battery on page 6-42.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.
J.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 6-119.
6-17

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 6-37.
C. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 6-30.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-31.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-39.I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 6-27
orAutomatic Transmission Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on
page 6-28.
J.Battery on page 6-42.
K. SeeEngine Compartment Fuse Block on
page 6-119.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.
6-19

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 6-37.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-31.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-39.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick
(Out of View). See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L V6
and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 6-27orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 6-28.
J.Battery on page 6-42.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 6-119.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-16
for 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 this is not done,
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.
6-21

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 Specications on page 6-125.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 6-16
for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when through. L4 Engine
V6 Engine
6-22

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
•GM6094M
Use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
•SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
•American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these
requirements should
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates that
the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum
Institute (API).
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Cold Temperature Operation
If in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature
falls below−20°F (−29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 engine oil. Both provide
easier cold starting for the engine at extremely low
temperatures. Always use an oil that meets the required
specification, GM6094M. See “What Kind of Engine
Oil to Use” for more information.
6-23