trailer PONTIAC G6 2010 Owner's Manual

Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code B),
the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code 0), the 3.5L V6 engine
(VIN Code K), the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code N), or the
3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code 1), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher.
If the octane rating is less than 87, you might notice
an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you
are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine (VIN Code 7),
use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. For best performance or trailer
towing, you could choose to use middle grade 89 octane
unleaded gasoline. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 6-8
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-34. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
6-7

Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-3and be sure to
use the transmission fluid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-10.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of the
uid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or
exhaust system parts, starting a re. Too little uid
could cause the transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are above 32°C (90°F).
•At high speed for quite a while.
•In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C
(180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
24 km (15 miles) when outside temperatures are
above 10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C (50°F),
you may have to drive longer.
6-28

If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
•Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
•Stops after high-speed driving.
•Idles for long periods in traffic.
•Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and
to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.If the temperature overheat gage is no longer in the
overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down.
Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” next in this section.
6-36

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets the vehicle
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
there is a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage indicates an
overheat condition exists. Driving extended distances
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil
on page 6-21.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-16for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid is used in all vehicles with
V6 engines. Vehicles with the 4-cylinder engine
have electric power steering and do not use power
steering fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless a leak is suspected in the system or
an unusual noise is heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-37

First Engine Oil Change After Every
40 000 km/25,000 Miles
•
Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
•
Engine air cleaner filter replacement.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
•Automatic transmission fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing a trailer, or used for
taxi, police, or delivery service. SeeAutomatic
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.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
160 000 km/100,000 Miles
•
Automatic transmission fluid change (normal
service). SeeAutomatic 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.
•Spark plug replacement.An Emission Control
Service.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
240 000 km/150,000 Miles
•
Engine cooling system drain, flush, and refill,
cooling system and cap pressure check, and
cleaning of outside of radiator and air conditioning
condenser (or every 5 years, whichever occurs first).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 6-31.An Emission
Control Service.
•Engine accessory drive belt inspection for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious damage and
replacement, if needed.An Emission Control
Service.
7-6

C
Calibration.....................................................3-35
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 6-5
Warning....................................................... 6-5
California Fuel.................................................. 6-7
Call Waiting...................................................4-78
Calling for Assistance........................................ 8-7
Canada — Customer Assistance......................... 8-6
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Canadian Owners (Propriétaires Canadiens)........... iii
Canceling a Remote Start.................................. 1-5
Capacities and Specifications..........................6-125
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................3-32
Trunk.........................................................3-11
Winter Driving.............................................5-15
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................6-110
Care of CDs ..................................................4-61
Care of the CD Player.....................................4-62
CD Messages................................................4-61
CD, MP3 .......................................................4-63
Cellular Phone Usage......................................4-83
Center Console Storage...................................3-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)....6-49, 6-50
Certification Label...........................................5-22
Chains, Tire...................................................6-81Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing................5-33
Charging System Light....................................4-30
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................4-34
Check Engine Light.........................................4-34
Checking Coolant............................................6-32
Checking Engine Oil........................................6-21
Checking Things Under the Hood......................6-14
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-114
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................2-39
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........2-46
Older Children.............................................2-36
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................2-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................2-56
Systems.....................................................2-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................2-44
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels......................................6-112
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................6-111
Fabric/Carpet............................................6-108
Finish Care...............................................6-111
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................6-109
Interior.....................................................6-107
Leather....................................................6-109
Tires........................................................6-113
3

Delayed Locking............................................... 3-9
Deleting Name Tags........................................4-76
Dinghy Towing From the Front..........................5-24
Dinghy Towing From the Rear..........................5-25
Disarming the System.....................................3-17
Disc, MP3......................................................4-63
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 6-5
Dolly Towing From the Front............................5-26
Dolly Towing From the Rear.............................5-26
Dome Lamps .................................................4-13
Door
Ajar Reminder.............................................. 3-9
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 3-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 3-9
Locks.......................................................... 3-8
Power Locks................................................ 3-8
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............3-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................3-10
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................4-39
DIC Operation and Displays..........................4-40
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................4-47
DIC Warnings and Messages........................4-42
Driver Shift Control (DSC) (If Equipped).............3-27
Driving
At Night.....................................................5-11
Before a Long Trip......................................5-13
Defensive..................................................... 5-2
Drunk.......................................................... 5-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................5-13Driving (cont.)
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................5-14
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................5-12
Loss of Control...........................................5-10
Off-Road Recovery........................................ 5-9
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................5-18
Winter........................................................5-15
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................1-21
Driving on Grades...........................................5-32
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................5-15
Driving with a Trailer
.......................................5-31
Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) Tones..........4-80
E
E85 Fuel......................................................... 6-9
Easy Entry Seat.............................................2-11
EDR .............................................................8-16
Ejecting a CD................................................4-60
Electric Power Steering..................................... 5-8
Electrical Equipment, Add-On..........................6-115
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................6-119
Fuses......................................................6-116
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................6-116
Power Windows and Other Power Options....6-115
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................6-122
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................6-115
5

Electrical System (cont.)
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................3-18
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................3-18
Electronic Stability Control................................. 5-5
Electronic Stability Control Indicator/Warning
OFF Light...................................................4-32
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................3-12
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................4-36
Ending a Call.................................................4-79
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................6-26
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........4-34
Compartment Overview................................6-16
Coolant......................................................6-31
Coolant Heater............................................3-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................4-33
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................4-33
Cooling System...........................................6-30
Drive Belt Routing.......................................7-12
Exhaust.....................................................3-32
Oil .............................................................6-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........6-37
Overheating................................................6-35
Starting......................................................3-21Engine (cont.)
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................5-33
Engine Identification......................................6-114
Engine Oil
Life System................................................6-24
Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil Flushes...........6-24
Entering Personalization Menu..........................4-48
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................4-13
Event Data Recorders.....................................8-17
Exiting Personalization Menu............................4-52
Express-Down Window....................................3-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................2-35
Exterior Mirrors...............................................1-10
F
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and Industry and Science Canada.................6-67
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................6-26
Finding a Category (CAT) Station (XM Satellite
Radio Service Only).....................................4-58
Finding a Station............................................4-55
Finish Damage.............................................6-113
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................4-84
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 4-3
6

Lights (cont.)
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 4-5
Low Fuel Warning.......................................4-39
Oil Pressure...............................................4-37
On Reminder..............................................4-10
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................4-29
Safety Belt Reminders..................................4-27
Security.....................................................4-37
Tire Pressure..............................................4-33
Traction Off................................................4-32
Loading a CD................................................4-60
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................5-18
Locks
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 3-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 3-9
Door ........................................................... 3-8
Lockout Protection.......................................3-11
Power Door .................................................. 3-8
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............3-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................3-10
Loss of Control...............................................5-10
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................4-39
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.............2-46
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop......................3-38
Low-Profile Performance Tire............................6-57
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 2-5M
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Record....................................7-14
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................7-11
Owner Checks and Services........................... 7-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............7-10
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 7-3
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................5-33
MaintenanceI.................................................. 7-3
MaintenanceII................................................. 7-4
Making a Call.................................................4-77
Making Turns.................................................5-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp...............................4-34
Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair Process......8-14
Manual Locks.................................................. 1-5
Manual Reclining Seatbacks............................... 2-7
Manual Seats............................................1-6, 2-4
Manual Shift Mode (MSM) (If Equipped).............3-26
Maximum Air Conditioning................................4-18
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................4-42
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) — Customer Assistance....................... 8-6
10

Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
P (Park) Mechanism Check.............................. 7-9
Parking on Hills..............................................5-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................4-29
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light...............4-27
Passenger Sensing System..............................2-67
Passing.................................................5-10, 5-31
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............3-18
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................3-18
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 6-5
Personalization Menu Modes............................4-48
Phone
Bluetooth
®..................................................4-71
Playing a CD.................................................4-60
Playing a CD-R or CD-RW MP3.......................4-65
Playing an MP3 CD-R or CD-RW Disc...............4-61
Playing the Radio...........................................4-55
Power
Door Locks.................................................. 3-8
Electrical System.......................................6-115
Lift Seat.....................................................2-12
Lumbar Controls........................................... 2-5
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................3-21
Seat ............................................................ 2-5
Steering Fluid.............................................6-37
Windows....................................................3-14
Power Door Locks............................................ 1-5Power Reclining Seatbacks................................ 2-8
Power Window Initialize (Coupe and
Retractable Hardtop)....................................3-15
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts..........................2-35
Privacy..........................................................8-16
Navigation System.......................................8-18
OnStar.......................................................8-18
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).............8-18
Program
Courtesy Transportation................................8-10
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............3-10
Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle............. 3-4
Proposition 65 Warning, California....................... 6-5
Pulling A Trailer..............................................5-28
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........2-19
R
Radio Data System (RDS)...............................4-55
Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID).....................................8-18
Statement...................................................8-18
Radio Messages.............................................4-59
Radio(s)........................................................4-54
12