Page 1 of 348

Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-2
Front Seats
............................................... 1-4
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-14
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Airbag System
.........................................1-58
Restraint System Check
............................1-72
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-6
Windows
.................................................2-11
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
OnStar
®System
......................................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-37
Sunroof
..................................................2-38
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-23
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-38Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-28
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-42
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-49
Tires
......................................................5-50
Appearance Care
.....................................5-79
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-86
Electrical System
......................................5-87
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-93
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
2009 Pontiac G3 Owner ManualM
Page 5 of 348

Head Restraints...............................................1-2
Front Seats......................................................1-4
Manual Seats................................................1-4
Seat Height Adjuster.......................................1-5
Manual Lumbar..............................................1-5
Reclining Seatbacks........................................1-6
Rear Seats.......................................................1-8
Rear Seat Operation (Sedan)...........................1-8
Rear Seat Operation (Hatchback)....................1-11
Safety Belts...................................................1-14
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone................1-14
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly.................1-20
Lap-Shoulder Belt.........................................1-28
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy..................1-31
Safety Belt Extender.....................................1-32
Child Restraints.............................................1-32
Older Children..............................................1-32
Infants and Young Children............................1-36
Child Restraint Systems.................................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint.............................1-42Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH)......................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position....................................1-51
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position............................1-54
Airbag System...............................................1-58
Where Are the Airbags?................................1-60
When Should an Airbag In ate?.....................1-62
What Makes an Airbag In ate?.......................1-63
How Does an Airbag Restrain?.......................1-63
What Will You See After an Airbag In ates?.....1-64
Passenger Sensing System............................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle...........1-70
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle.............................1-71
Restraint System Check
..................................1-72
Checking the Restraint Systems......................1-72
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash............................................1-73
Section 1 Seats and Restraint System
1-1
Page 6 of 348
Head Restraints
The front seats have adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
{CAUTION:
With head restraints that are not installed and
adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal injury in a
crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint
is at the same height as the top of the occupant’s head.
This position reduces the chances of a neck injury in
a crash.
1-2
Page 7 of 348
Pull the head restraint up to raise it. To lower the head
restraint, press the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the restraint down.Push down on the head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is locked in place.
The head restraints are not designed to be removed.
The rear seats have head rests that are adjustable
up and down.
1-3
Page 8 of 348
Front Seats
Manual Seats
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.Pull up and hold the bar
located under the front of
the seat to unlock it.
Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar.
Then try to move the seat with your body, to make sure
the seat is locked into place.
1-4
Page 10 of 348

Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION:
If either seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they
are locked.
The seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The lever
used to operate them is located on the outboard side of
the seats.To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then
release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.
To return the seatback to an upright position:
1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the
seatback and the seatback will return to the upright
position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.
1-6
Page 12 of 348
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation (Sedan)
Folding the Seatbacks
The rear seatbacks can be folded down to increase
cargo space.
To fold down the seatbacks:
Notice:Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still
fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety
belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return
them to their normal stowed position before folding
a rear seat.
1. Remove the safety belt strap from the safety belt
guide by pulling it through the slot.
2. Push the head restraints all the way down.
3. Unlatch the center safety belt by pressing the red
button on the buckle.
1-8
Page 15 of 348
Rear Seat Operation (Hatchback)
Folding the Rear Seats
The rear seats can be folded to increase cargo space.
To fold the rear seats:
1. Lower the head restraints completely.
2. Unlatch the center safety belt by pressing the red
button on the buckle.
3. Detach the center safety belt from the mini buckle by
inserting the key into the slot in the mini buckle,
pressing the release button, and allowing it to retract.4. Pull up the release knob, located on the top of the
seatbacks, and fold the seatbacks forward and down.
Notice:Folding a rear seat with the safety belts
still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and
return them to their normal stowed position before
folding a rear seat.
5. Move the safety belt buckles and safety belt in the
center seating position out of the space between
the seatbacks and the seat cushion so they are not
in the way as the seat is being folded.
1-11