ABS PONTIAC G6 2010 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

Vehicle Features
Radio(s)
O:Press to turn the system on and off. Turn to
increase or decrease the volume.
BAND:Press to choose between FM, AM, or XM™, if
equipped.
f:Select radio stations.
©¨:Seek or scan stations.
4:Press to display additional text information related to
the current FM-RDS or XM station, or CD, MP3,
WMA song. Song title information will be displayed on
the top line of the display while the artist information will
be displayed on the bottom line, if the information is
available during XM, CD, MP3, or WMA playback.
For more information about these and other radio
features, seeRadio(s) on page 4-54.
Storing a Favorite Station
Depending on which radio the vehicle has, radio
stations are stored as either favorites or presets.
For vehicles with an XM radio, a maximum of 36 stations
can be stored as favorites using the six softkeys
located below the radio station frequency tabs and by
using the radio FAV button. Press FAV to go through up
to six pages of favorites, each having six favorite
stations available per page. Each page of favorites can
contain any combination of AM, FM, or XM stations.
SeeRadio(s) on page 4-54. Radio with CD (MP3) and USB Port shown
1-14

Setting the Clock
To set the time and date for the Radio with CD (MP3)
and USB port or the Radio with CD (MP3) player:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN.
2. Press
Oto turn the radio on.
3. Press
Hand the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour,
minute, month, day, and year) displays.
4. Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs
that you want to change.
5. Increase or decrease the time or date by
turning
fclockwise or counterclockwise.
For detailed instructions on setting the clock for your
specific audio system, seeSetting the Clock on
page 4-53.
Satellite Radio
XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian
provinces. XM satellite radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free music,
coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound.
A fee is required to receive the XM service.
For more information, refer to:
•www.xmradio.com or call 1-800-929-2100 (U.S.)
•www.xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677 (Canada)
See “XM Satellite Radio Service” underRadio(s)
on page 4-54andXM Radio Messages on page 4-70.
Portable Audio Devices
This vehicle may have an auxiliary input, located on the
audio faceplate. External devices such as iPods®,
laptop computers, MP3 players, CD changers, USB
storage devices, etc. can be connected to the auxiliary
port using a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) input jack or the USB
port depending on the audio system.
See “Using the Auxiliary Input Jack” and “Using the
USB Port” underRadio(s) on page 4-54.
1-15

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

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The
light will stay on if the parking brake does not fully
release. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means there is a brake problem.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal can be harder to push, or
the pedal could go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle
one or two times, if the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 5-23.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
The Antilock Brake
System (ABS) light comes
on briefly when the
engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 4-30.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42for all
brake related DIC messages.
4-31

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle has and read the
following pages to become familiar with its features.
{WARNING:
Taking your eyes off the road for extended periods
could cause a crash resulting in injury or death to
you or others. Do not give extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.
This system provides access to many audio and non
audio listings.
To minimize taking your eyes off the road while driving,
do the following while the vehicle is parked:
•Become familiar with the operation and controls of
the audio system.
•Set up the tone, speaker adjustments, and preset
radio stations.
For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 5-2.Notice:Contact your dealer/retailer before adding
any equipment.
Adding audio or communication equipment could
interfere with the operation of the vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone equipment.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP). With
RAP, the audio system can be played even after the
ignition is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 3-21for more information.
Setting the Clock
To set the time and date:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN. Press
Oto turn the radio on.
2. Press
Hand the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour,
minute, month, day, and year) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs
that you want to change.
4-53

•To scan preset stations in the selected band, press
and hold
©SEEK for four seconds until a double
beep sounds. The radio goes to a stored preset,
plays for a few seconds, then goes to the next
stored preset. Press
©SEEK again to stop
scanning preset stations.
¨SEEK:Press to seek or scan stations with a strong
signal in the selected band.
•To seek stations, press and release¨SEEK to go
to the next station and stay there.
•To scan stations, press and hold¨SEEK for a
few seconds until the radio beeps once. The
radio goes to a station, plays for a few seconds,
then goes to the next station. Press
¨SEEK again
to stop scanning.
•To scan preset stations in the selected band, press
and hold
¨SEEK for four seconds until a double
beep sounds. The radio goes to a stored preset,
plays for a few seconds, then goes to the next
stored preset. Press
¨SEEK again to stop
scanning preset stations.
4(Information):For vehicles with XM, MP3, WMA, or
RDS features, press
4to display additional text
information related to the current FM-RDS or XM station;
or CD, MP3, WMA song. Song title information will be
displayed on the top line of the display while the
artist information will be displayed on the bottom line, if
the information is available during XM, CD, MP3, or
WMA playback. When information is not available, “No
Info” displays.
Storing a Radio Station
Drivers are encouraged to set up radio station favorites
while the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to favorite
stations using the softkeys, favorites button, and steering
wheel controls (if equipped). SeeDefensive Driving
on page 5-2.
FAV (Favorites):A maximum of 36 stations can be
stored as favorites using the six softkeys located below
the radio station frequency tabs and by using the
radio favorites page button (FAV button). Press FAV to
go through up to six pages of favorites, each having
six favorite stations available per page. Each page
of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM, or
XM (if equipped) stations. The current balance/fade
and tone settings are also stored with the favorite
stations.
4-56

To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to the desired radio station and set the
balance/fade and tone settings to the desired levels.
2. Press FAV to display the page where to store the
station.
3. Press and hold one of the six softkeys until a beep
sounds.
4. Repeat the steps for each radio station to be stored
as a favorite.
To setup the number of favorites pages:
1. Press MENU to display the radio setup menu.
2. Press the softkey located below the FAV 1-6 tab.
3. Select the desired number of favorites pages
by pressing the softkey located below the displayed
page numbers.
4. Press FAV, or let the menu time out, to return to
the original main radio screen showing the radio
station frequency tabs and to begin programming
favorites.
Auto Text (Satellite Radio Service, CD, MP3, and
WMA features):If additional information is available
for the current song being played, Auto Text will
automatically page/scroll the information every
three seconds above the FAV presets on the
radio display.To activate Auto Text:
1. Press MENU to display the radio setup menu.
2. Press the softkey under AUTO TXT tab on the radio
display.
3. Press the softkey under the ON tab on the radio
display.
If
4is pressed and the song title or artist information is
longer than what can be displayed, the extra
information will page every three seconds when Auto
Text is activated.
Setting the Tone
(Bass/Midrange/Treble)
BASS/MID/TREB (Bass, Midrange, or Treble):The
radio may display some or all tones such as BASS, MID,
and TREB.
To adjust the tone settings:
1. Press
funtil the tone control tabs display.
2. Press the softkey below the desired tab, then turn
fto adjust the highlighted setting. The highlighted
setting can also be adjusted by pressing either
SEEK arrow, or by pressing
\FWD orsREV.
4-57

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunk Driving.................................................5-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-3
Braking.........................................................5-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................5-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-5
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......................5-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-6
Steering........................................................5-8
Off-Road Recovery.........................................5-9
Passing.......................................................5-10
Loss of Control.............................................5-10
Driving at Night............................................5-11Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-12
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-13
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-13
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-14
Winter Driving..............................................5-15
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................................5-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-18
Loading the Vehicle......................................5-18
Towing..........................................................5-23
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-23
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-23
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-27
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster
with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic
and allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot
of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes
are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down.
If the engine stops, there will still be some power brake
assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once
the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 6-4.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent
a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 4-31.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
5-4