2009 PONTIAC G3 check engine

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. SeeAdditives on page 5-6
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the 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, the 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 the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-32. 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 the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
5-6

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the inside
of the ll opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the lling
is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
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.
5-10

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

Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel ll. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum) mark on the
dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended
oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-93.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range,
the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in
when through.
5-14

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has the Engine Oil Life System, a computer
system that indicates when to change the engine oil
and lter. This is based on engine revolutions and
engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on
driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system
to work properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A change engine oil light displays. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will perform this work using
genuine parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must
be changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-16

{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

How to Check and Add Fluid
The reservoir is located near the back of the engine
compartment on the driver side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
To check the uid level, look on the side of the reservoir.
If the uid reaches the MAX (A) mark on the reservoir,
the uid level is correct. If the uid does not reach
the MIN (B) mark on the reservoir, then uid needs
to be added.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
5-22