2008 PONTIAC G6 mirror

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle does not have a traction system, or if the
traction system is off, an acceleration skid is also
best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-5
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
If you have the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do
not have ABS, then in a braking skid, where the
wheels are no longer rolling, release enough pressure
on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This
restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-11

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or
by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
CAUTION: (Continued)
4-12

Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle
instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on at or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
Keep your vehicle serviced and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
4-14

Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended
for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If
you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you do not seal them,
dirt, water and deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from
your exhaust can get into your vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust on page 2-35.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to
the road if it becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with
your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the
ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you will be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly. And because you may have
anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s
brake system. If you do, both systems will not work well,
or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
4-31

Fuses Usage
POWER
MIRRORSPower Mirrors
EPS Electric Power Steering
RUN/CRANKCruise Control Switch, Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator, DSC SwitchFuses Usage
HVAC BLOWER
HIGHHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower - High Speed Relay
CLUSTER/
THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster, Theft
Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®
5-111

Fuses Usage
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag (Ignition)
HVAC
CTRL (BATT)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control Diagnostic Link Connector
(Battery)
PEDAL Adjustable Pedals
WIPER SW Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch
STR/WHL ILLUMSteering Wheel Controls
Backlighting
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR
LIGHTSInterior Lamps
REAR WIPER Not Used
POWER
WINDOWSPower Windows (Sedan)
HVAC CTRL
(IGN)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control (Ignition)
HVAC BLOWERHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower Switch
DOOR LOCK Door Locks
ROOF/HEAT
SEATSunroof, Heated Seat, Power
Windows (Coupe, Retractable
Hardtop), Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror, CompassFuses Usage
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
NOT INSTALLED Not Used
AIRBAG (BATT) Airbag (Battery)
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses and
features listed.
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver side of the engine compartment, near the battery.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any electrical components
on your vehicle may damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical component.
5-112

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-17
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-38
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-46
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass....2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®
and Compass..........................................2-37Mirrors (cont.)
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-37
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-41
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-40
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
O
Odometer......................................................3-29
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-29
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-21
Pressure Light.............................................3-41
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-24
Older Children, Restraints................................1-33
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-41
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
8

Outlet Adjustment............................................3-26
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-41
Power Mirrors.............................................2-40
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-17
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-35
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-107
Parade Dimming.............................................3-17
Park Brake....................................................2-31
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-32
Shifting Out of............................................2-34
Park (P) Headlamps Off in Park (P)..................3-14
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-31
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-68
Passing.........................................................4-10
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-20Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-5
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.......................................5-110
Lift Seat.....................................................1-11
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-23
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-40
Windows....................................................2-16
Pressure Cap.................................................5-33
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-16
Navigation System.......................................7-17
OnStar.......................................................7-17
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-17
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-12
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-17
Radios..........................................................3-52
Radio(s)........................................................3-54
Radios
Reception...................................................3-68
Setting the Clock.........................................3-53
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-67
Raising the Retractable Hardtop........................2-49
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
9