2008 PONTIAC G6 Under the hood

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-11
Safety Belts
.............................................1-13
Child Restraints
.......................................1-33
Airbag System
.........................................1-59
Restraint System Check
............................1-74
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-37
OnStar
®System
......................................2-41
Storage Areas
.........................................2-44
Sunroof
..................................................2-45
Retractable Hardtop
..................................2-45
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-27
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-43
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-52Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-25
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-4
Fuel
......................................................... 5-6
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-59
Tires
......................................................5-60
Appearance Care
...................................5-100
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-109
Electrical System
....................................5-109
Capacities and Specications
...................5-119
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Pontiac G6 Owner ManualM

Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that can
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors can
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is
encountered, use the recirculation mode, with the
temperature knob at a comfortable setting to prevent
the odor from entering the vehicle through the
ventilation system. This can be helpful when driving
through a long tunnel with poor ventilation.
However, extended usage of this mode in cold or
cool weather can cause window fogging.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This section describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let you
know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
3-27

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

If your 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.
If your vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code B),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration could be slightly reduced,
and you might notice a slight audible knocking
noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the
octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you could damage the engine. 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 specication
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. See
Additives on page 5-8for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-38. 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 your warranty.
5-7

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle with
this symbol on it. It is
located under the
instrument panel on
the driver’s side of the
vehicle.
5-12

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-40.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See
Cooling System on page 5-36.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-30.
G. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-33.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-27or
Automatic Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L
and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 5-30.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 5-112.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
5-19

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, this is what
you see:
A. Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do
not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark on the coolant surge tank. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
3.5L V6 Engine shown, 2.4L L4, 3.6L V6 and 3.9L
V6 Engines similar
5-36

4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
5-48