2009 PONTIAC G6 system

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
C. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-33.G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-42.
I.Battery on page 5-45.
J. SeeEngine Compartment Fuse Block on
page 5-112.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-17

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
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).
SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-33.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-42.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick.
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6
Engines) on page 5-29orAutomatic Transmission
Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-29.
J.Battery 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 5-40.
5-19

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (3.5 L V6 Engine) on
page 5-26orEngine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other
Engines) on page 5-27.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C.Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6
Engines) on page 5-29orAutomatic Transmission
Fluid (3.9L Engine) on page 5-29.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-33.
H. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-42.
J.Battery on page 5-45.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
L.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-112.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. 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. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
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 you do not do this,
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.
5-21

Cold Temperature Operation
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), use either an
SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 engine
oil. Both provide easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures. Always use an oil that
meets the required specication, GM6094M. See “What
Kind of Engine Oil to Use” for more information.
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 you need 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 a computer system that lets you know
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 will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE OIL SOON message will come on. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-46. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if you are 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, you must change
the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
5-24

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a CHANGE OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil and lter, the system must
be reset. To reset the oil life system:
1. With the CHANGE OIL SOON message displayed,
press any of the three DIC buttons to clear the
CHANGE OIL SOON message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-46.
2. Display OIL LIFE RESET on the DIC.
3. Press and hold the ENTER button for at least one
second. An ACKNOWLEDGED display message will
appear for three seconds or until the next button is
pressed. This will tell you the system has been reset.
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-50.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on
when you start the vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
5-25

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

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