2008 PONTIAC G6 headlamp

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

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with the headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-18

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-26
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L Engine)............................................5-27Automatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6 Engines)............5-30
Engine Coolant.............................................5-30
Pressure Cap...............................................5-33
Engine Overheating.......................................5-33
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-35
Cooling System............................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-40
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-41
Brakes........................................................5-42
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-54
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Retractable Hardtop and Coupe).................5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps (Sedan).......................5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps (Coupe).......................5-56
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
A. Front Sidemarker
B. Front Turn Signal/Parking Lamp
C. Low-Beam Headlamp
D. High-Beam Headlamp
5-52

To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Remove the two screws that secure the headlamp
assembly.
2. Loosen the front fascia by removing the plastic
push pins along the top of the tie bar by prying
under the fasteners with a tool.3. Pull back the front fascia then pull the headlamp
assembly forward, out of the vehicle. You need to
pry the headlamp assembly away from the
fender. This frees the ball stud from its retainer in
the fender bracket.
You might want someone to assist you with the
removal of the headlamp assembly to avoid possible
damage to the vehicle.
4. Remove the bulb access cover by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull out
the bulb assembly.
6. Disconnect the bulb socket from the wiring harness
for headlamps.
For the front turn signal/parking or sidemarker
bulbs, unclip the bulb from the socket.
7. Install a new bulb.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to reinstall the bulb
assembly and headlamp assembly.
5-53

License Plate Lamp
To replace the license plate lamp bulb:
1. Remove the two screws holding the license plate
lamp assembly to the fascia.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp forward
through the fascia opening.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the lamp
assembly.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Coupe and Retractable Hardtop 921
Sedan 3057K
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)912***
Front Parking and Turn Signal
Lamp3157KX
Front/Rear Sidemarker Lamp 194
License Plate Lamp 168
Headlamps
High-Beam Lamp H9
Low-Beam Lamp H11
Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn
Signal Lamp3057K*
Sidemarker, Stoplamp, Taillamp
and Turn Signal Lamp3157K**
*Coupe and Sedan only
**Retractable Hardtop only
***Sedan Only
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer/retailer.
5-58

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMS
sensors for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-86for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been
used or how far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-84

Fuses Usage
5 Mass Airow Sensor (LY7)
6 Emission
7 Left Headlamp Low Beam
8 Horn
9 Right Headlamp Low Beam
10 Front Fog Lamps
11 Left Headlamp High Beam
12 Right Headlamp High Beam
13Engine Control Module (Battery)
(LE5, LY7)
14 Windshield Wiper
15 Antilock Brake System (IGN 1)
16Engine Control Module (IGN 1)
(LE5, LY7)
17 Cooling Fan 1
18 Cooling Fan 2Fuses Usage
19Run Relay, Heating, Ventilation, Air
Conditioning Blower
20 Body Control Module 1
21 Body Control Module Run/Crank
22 Rear Electrical Center 1
23 Rear Electrical Center 2
24 Antilock Brake System
25 Body Control Module 2
26 Starter
41 Electric Power Steering
42Transmission Control Module
Battery
43Ignition Module (LE5, LZ4, LZ9),
Odd Cylinder Injectors/Ignition
Coils (LY7)
44Injectors (LE5, LZ4, LZ9),
Even Cylinder Injectors/Ignition
Coils (LY7)
5-114