2009 PONTIAC G3 automatic transmission

Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal, or press the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission.
PressI/Oon the cruise control pad.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.The exterior lamp band has three positions:
3(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, together
with the following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
Parking Lamps
The headlamps automatically turn off when the ignition
key is turned to LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps,
together with the taillamps, license plate lamp,
and instrument panel lights.
OFF:Turns all the lamps off, except the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL).
Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-13

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or if
the light comes on, stop as soon as possible and
turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs service. See your
dealer/retailer. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, the brakes will still work, but the antilock
brakes will not work. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the antilock brakes will not work
and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
The ABS warning light will come on briey when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. This is normal. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
Hold Mode Light
If the vehicle has this
feature, this light comes on
when the hold mode is
active.
If the HOLD mode light ashes, have the vehicle checked.
See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-20for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
The vehicle may have an engine coolant temperature
gage. With the ignition turned to ON/RUN, this gage
shows the engine coolant temperature.
United StatesCanada
3-30

3. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in N (Neutral).
4. Set the parking brake and remove the key.
5. For an automatic transmission, insert the
key into the shift-lock release slot and shift
to N (Neutral). SeeShifting Out of Park on
page 2-28.
6. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
7. Release the parking brake.Dolly Towing From the Rear
Notice:Towing the vehicle from the rear with
the front wheels on the ground could cause
transmission damage. Do not tow the vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle is not
designed or intended for such a use. Towing a trailer can
adversely affect handling, durability and fuel economy.
4-30

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-21
Cooling System............................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-42
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs
..............................................5-42
Headlamps..................................................5-43
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-44
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Hatchback)..............................................5-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................5-47
License Plate Lamp......................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-50
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-51
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-54
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic Transmission shown, Manual Transmission similar
5-12

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
C. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-32andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-21.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-22.
E.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-90.
F.Battery on page 5-35.
G. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-31.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
I. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-30.Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light comes on, check the
engine oil level right away.
The oil pressure light is on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-34. Check the engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
5-13

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can easily get
into the engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Check the automatic transmission uid level at least
twice a year. Add uid if needed. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
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 uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 158°F to 176°F
(70°C to 80°C).
5-19

Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
1. Locate the automatic transmission dipstick which is
located toward the front of the engine compartment,
near the power steering uid reservoir.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way, wait
three seconds, and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick. The uid should
be between MIN (A) and MAX (B) mark of the hot
area of the dipstick.
5. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
5-20