2009 PONTIAC G6 engine

Automatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6 Engines)
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid
level. A transmission uid leak is the only reason for
uid loss. If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the
dealer/retailer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
Always use the automatic transmission uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13.For the 3.5L and 3.6L engines, the transmission uid
will not reach the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating temperature. If you need to
check the transmission uid level, please take the
vehicle to your dealer/retailer.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L Engine)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
5-29

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.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
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.
5-30

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, pausing for about three
seconds in each one. 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. The transmission uid
dipstick handle has
this symbol on it, and
is located near the
rear of the engine
compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.2. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
3. Reinstall it back in all the way, wait three seconds,
and then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. The uid level must be within the
crosshatched area.
5. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, reinstall
the dipstick back in all the way.
5-31

How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission uid to use. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the crosshatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Remove the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
a half pint (0.24 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, reinstall
the dipstick back in all the way.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap3.6L V6 Engine shown, 2.4L L4, 3.5L, 3.9L Engines
similar
5-32

{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. The coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-37.
5-33

What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used, the
engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13for more information.
5-34

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done. See Engine Coolant
for more information.
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 in the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
5-35

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank might be lower. If the level is lower than
the FULL COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn of engine
overheating.
There is an engine coolant temperature gage on the
instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-37.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run
the engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged. The
costly repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 5-39for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
5-37