2009 PONTIAC G6 towing

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For more information,
seeEngine Exhaust on page 2-35.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-32.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-30.
2-36

If pressure is released from the switch before the
hardtop cycle is complete, the cycle will stop and the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the TOP
NOT SECURE message. Always press and hold the
switch until a chime sounds, if the engine is on, and the
Driver Information Center (DIC) displays the TOP MOVE
COMPLT to signal the procedure is complete. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-46for more
information.
The hardtop will not operate if the vehicle has an
electrical failure. If an electrical failure occurs, see
your dealer/retailer for service.
If your vehicle has an electrical failure while operating
the hardtop, and must be towed to a dealer/retailer for
service, your vehicle should be towed by atbed with the
vehicle facing backwards. Consult your dealer/retailer or
professional towing service if you need to have your
disabled vehicle towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-7.Raising the Retractable Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface, and shift the transmission
into (P) Park. The vehicle must be in (P) Park,
and the engine must be running, or the ignition
turned to the ON/RUN position, to operate
the retractable hardtop.
2. The trunk cargo cover must be fully closed, and the
trunk must be closed before raising the hardtop.
2-47

As the switch is being pulled, the hardtop will raise from
the trunk and move into place. The hardtop and trunk lid
will close and latch. If the engine is on, a chime will sound
when the hardtop has raised completely.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
TOP MOVE COMPLT message to signal the procedure
is complete. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-46for more information.After the hardtop has raised completely, release the
switch. If you continue to pull the switch for about
two seconds after the hardtop has raised completely,
the windows will automatically close.
If the switch is released before the hardtop cycle is
complete, the cycle will stop and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display the TOP NOT SECURE
message. Always pull and hold the switch until a chime
sounds, if the engine is on, and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays the TOP MOVE COMPLT to signal
the procedure is complete. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-46for more information.
The hardtop will not operate if the vehicle has an
electrical failure. If an electrical failure occurs, see
your dealer/retailer for service.
If your vehicle must be towed to a dealer/retailer for
service, your vehicle should be towed by atbed with the
vehicle facing backwards. Consult your dealer/retailer
or professional towing service if you need to have your
disabled vehicle towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-7.
2-49

{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal can be harder to push, or
the pedal could go closer to the oor. It could take
longer to stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle
one or two times, if the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-26.
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 it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-34.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-46for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-35

To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still ashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon
as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 5-10. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel.
Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to run
as efficiently as designed and can cause: stalling
after start-up, stalling when the vehicle is changed
into gear, misring, hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration. These conditions
might go away once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change
the fuel brand used. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-7.
If none of the above have made the light turn off, your
dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
x any mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.
3-39

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-7
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-11Driving at Night............................................4-13
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-15
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-19
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-20
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-20
Towing..........................................................4-26
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-26
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-26
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-30
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-26.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on the vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Vehicle Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
4-20

Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-30for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
4-22