wheel 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.
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{WARNING:
If something is between an occupant and an airbag,
the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force
the object into that person causing severe injury or
even death. The path of an inflating airbag must be
kept clear. Do not put anything between an
occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near
any other airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that block the inflation
path of a seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with
roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down
through any door or window opening. If you do, the
path of an inflating roof-rail airbag will be blocked.
When Should an Airbag Inate?
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver’s or
right front passenger’s head and chest. However, they
are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is
likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and
help restrain the occupants.
Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not
based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends
largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact,
and how quickly your vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds.
For example:
•If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could inflate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
•If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.
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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

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.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle will have one of these styles of shifter
located in the center console between the seats.P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 3-30.If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 5-27.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must apply
the regular brake first, then press the shift lever
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button before shifting from P (Park) while the ignition
key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park),
ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake
application. Press the shift lever button and then move
the shift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park on page 3-31later in this section.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 5-17.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
•Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 5-10.
3-25

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.
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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

Tire Pressure Light.......................................4-33
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................4-34
Oil Pressure Light.........................................4-37
Security Light...............................................4-37
Cruise Control Light......................................4-38
Highbeam On Light.......................................4-38
Fuel Gage...................................................4-38
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................4-39
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................4-39
DIC Operation and Displays...........................4-40
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................4-42
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................4-47Audio System(s).............................................4-53
Setting the Clock..........................................4-53
Radio(s)......................................................4-54
Using an MP3..............................................4-63
XM Radio Messages.....................................4-70
Bluetooth
®...................................................4-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................4-81
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................4-82
Radio Reception...........................................4-83
Fixed Mast Antenna (Retractable Hardtop)........4-84
Backglass Antenna (Coupe and Sedan)...........4-84
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............4-84
Section 4 Instrument Panel
4-2

Instrument Panel Overview
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flasher):Press this button
located on the instrument panel, to make the front and
rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. This warns
others that you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the flashers off.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
A tilt and telescope wheel lets the steering wheel
be adjusted.
The lever is located on the left side of the steering
wheel column.To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down or backward
or forward into a comfortable position.
3. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
4-3