instrument panel PONTIAC G6 2010 User Guide

Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.The right front passenger frontal airbag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger side.
2-61

What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an
electrical signal triggering a release of gas from
the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing
the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The
inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering
wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag
modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the
door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are
airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant seating positions.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety
belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually.Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags distribute
the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body.
But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,
primarily because the occupant’s motion is not
toward those airbags. SeeWhen Should an Airbag
Inate? on page 2-63for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belts.
What Will You See After an Airbag
Inates?
After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact
airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that
some people may not even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for
some time after they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For
location of the airbag modules, seeWhat Makes an
Airbag Inate? on page 2-65.
2-65

In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.
•Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
•The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 8-16andEvent Data Recorders on page 8-17.
•Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag
systems. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position. The passenger airbag
status indicator will be visible on the instrument
panel when the vehicle is started.The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
are visible during the system check. If you are using
remote start, if equipped, to start the vehicle from
a distance, you may not see the system check. When
the system check is complete, either the word ON
or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29.
The passenger sensing system turns off the right
front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag under certain conditions. The driver
airbags and the roof-rail airbags are not affected by
the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors that
are part of the right front passenger seat. The sensors
are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
should be enabled (may inflate) or not.United States
Canada
2-67

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 8-15.
{WARNING:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or change
about the vehicle that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change the vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or moving any parts
of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner
or pillar garnish trim, front sensors, or airbag wiring
can affect the operation of the airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the right front passenger position, which
includes sensors that are part of the passenger’s
seat. The passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle.
2-72

To cancel the rear door security lock:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the vertical position.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
Lockout Protection
If your vehicle has power door locks, it will have this
feature. If you press the power door lock switch
when the key is in the ignition and any door is open, all
the doors will lock and the driver’s door will unlock.
Be sure to remove the key from the ignition when locking
your vehicle.
The lockout protection can be overridden by pressing
and holding the power door lock in the lock position for
three seconds.
Trunk
To open the trunk from the outside, press and hold the
trunk release button on the RKE transmitter. You
can also use the key in the trunk lock, except on
retractable hardtop models.
{WARNING:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate, or
trunk/hatch open:
•Close all of the windows.
•Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
•Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
•If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate,
disable the power liftgate function.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-32.
3-11

The security light, located on the instrument panel
cluster, comes on to indicate that arming has been
initiated. Once the system is armed, the security light
flashes once every three seconds.
If the security light is flashing twice per second, this
means that a door is open.
If the system is armed and the key is used to unlock the
vehicle, the alarm will be activated.
If you do not want to arm the content theft system, lock
the vehicle with the manual lock knob on the doors
or with the inside power door lock switches.
The alarm will sound and the exterior lights will flash if
any door is opened while armed.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the following:
•Press the RKE transmitter unlock button.
•Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light will
stop flashing.
How the System Alarm is Activated
To activate the system if it is armed:
•Open the driver’s door or trunk. A ten second
pre-alarm chirp will sound followed by a thirty
second full alarm of horn and lights.
•Open any other door. A full alarm of horn and lights
will immediately sound for thirty seconds.
•Open the hood. If the vehicle has the remote start
feature, it will activate the full alarm.
When an alarm event has finished, the system will
re-arm itself automatically.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
To turn off the system alarm:
•Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter.
The system will then re-arm itself.
•Press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter.
This will also disarm the system.
•Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will
also disarm the system.
3-17

ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position unlocks the
transmission. It also lets you use things like the
radio and windshield wipers while the engine is not
running. To use ACC/ACCESSORY, turn the key
clockwise to the first position. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed. SeeRecreational
Vehicle Towing on page 5-23.
R(ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel warning lights. The ignition switch will stay in this
position while the engine is running.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in
the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with
the engine off. You may not be able to start the vehicle
if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to the ON/RUN position for normal driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows
•Heated Seats (if equipped)
•Sunroof (if equipped)
These features continue to work up to 10 minutes after
the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF.
The power windows, heated seats, and sunroof will
work until any door is opened.
The radio continues to work until the driver door is
opened.
All these features operate when the key is in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
3-21

The odometer display on the instrument panel cluster
will change from vehicle mileage to the letter M,
for manual shift mode, and a number indicating the
requested gear range when moving the shift lever
forward or rearward. SeeSpeedometer and Odometer
on page 4-26for more information.
While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have firmer
shifting and sportier performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear
longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM):
•The transmission will not shift to the next higher
gear if the engine RPM is too low.
•The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the engine RPM is too high.
If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or
detects a problem with the transmission, the range
of gears may be reduced and the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp will come on. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-34for more information.
Driver Shift Control (DSC) (If Equipped)
To use this feature,
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) rearward to
MANUAL (M).
While driving in manual mode, the transmission will
remain in the driver selected gear. When coming
to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle
will automatically shift into FIRST (1) gear.
2. Press the + (plus) paddle located on top of the
steering wheel controls forward to upshift, or
push the backside of the shift paddle rearward to
downshift.
3-27

The odometer display on the instrument panel cluster
will change from the vehicle’s mileage to the letter M for
Manual Shift Mode, and a number indicating the
requested gear range when moving the shift lever
forward or rearward. SeeSpeedometer and Odometer
on page 4-26for more information.
While using the DSC feature the transmission will have
firmer shifting and sportier performance. You can
use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in
gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM):
•The transmission will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear if the vehicle speed or engine
RPM is too high.
•The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is
too high.
2 (Second)/3 (Third) Gear Start Feature
Notice:If you attempt a third gear start while
trailering or towing a heavy load, you will notice
reduced engine power. This could overheat
and damage your transmission. Do not attempt a
third gear start while trailering or towing your
vehicle.
Vehicles with a 6-speed transmission allow 2 (Second)
and 3 (Third) gear starts. When accelerating the
vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you
may want to shift into 2 (Second), or 3 (Third) gear. A
higher gear, and light application of the gas pedal, may
allow you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the MSM, the vehicle can accelerate from a stop in
2 (Second) or 3 (Third).
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the
M (Manual Mode) position.
2. With the vehicle stopped, move the lever forward
towards the + (plus) to select 2 (Second) or
3 (Third) gear. The vehicle will start from a stop
position in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third) gear.
3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired
drive gear.
3-28

Instrument Panel Overview...............................4-3
Hazard Warning Flashers................................4-3
Horn .............................................................4-3
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel...................4-3
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................4-4
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................4-4
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................4-5
Flash-to-Pass.................................................4-5
Windshield Wipers..........................................4-5
Windshield Washer.........................................4-6
Cruise Control................................................4-7
Headlamps..................................................4-10
Headlamps on Reminder................................4-10
Headlamps Off in Park..................................4-11
Delayed Headlamps......................................4-11
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................4-11
Automatic Headlamp System..........................4-12
Fog Lamps ..................................................4-12
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................4-13
Courtesy Lamps...........................................4-13
Dome Lamps ...............................................4-13
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................4-13
Parade Dimming...........................................4-14
Reading Lamps............................................4-14Trunk Lamp.................................................4-14
Electric Power Management...........................4-14
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................4-15
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................4-15
Climate Controls............................................4-16
Climate Control System.................................4-16
Automatic Climate Control System...................4-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................4-24
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............4-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................4-25
Speedometer and Odometer..........................
.4-26
Trip Odometer..............................................4-26
Tachometer.................................................4-26
Safety Belt Reminders...................................4-27
Airbag Readiness Light..................................4-28
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................4-29
Charging System Light..................................4-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................4-30
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....4-31
Traction Off Light..........................................4-32
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light.........4-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......4-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................4-33
Section 4 Instrument Panel
4-1