2009 PONTIAC G6 headlamp

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message clears when the vehicle’s condition is no
longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it
from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons.
If the condition is still present, the warning message
comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned
off and back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your vehicle
may have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-34for more
information. Have the brake system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed.
When this message is acknowledged and cleared from
the display, the engine oil life system must still be
reset separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 5-24,Engine Oil on page 5-21, andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
CHECK CARGO TOP
If your vehicle has a retractable hardtop, this message
displays if the cargo cover is not in place when operating
the retractable hardtop. Open the trunk and make sure
the cargo cover is secure and no objects are in contact
with the cover. SeeTrunk on page 2-12,Lowering the
Retractable Hardtop on page 2-44, andRaising the
Retractable Hardtop on page 2-47for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it
is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the message off.
3-46

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-13

To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then
when you run the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-20.If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-84.
4-19

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
(3.5 L V6 Engine)......................................5-26Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (All Other Engines).....5-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L and 3.6L V6 Engines)............5-29
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L Engine)............................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-32
Engine Coolant.............................................5-33
Pressure Cap...............................................5-37
Engine Overheating.......................................5-37
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-39
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-42
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-51
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-51
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-53
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers ash their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-57.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.
5-51

Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
A. Front Sidemarker
B. Front Turn Signal/
Parking LampC. Low-Beam
Headlamp
D. High-Beam
HeadlampTo replace one of these bulbs:
1. Remove the two screws that secure the headlamp
assembly.
2. Remove the fasteners of the front facia by lifting
under them.
3. Pull the front facia back and then pull the headlamp
assembly out of the vehicle.
Assistance may be needed with this step to avoid
possible damage to the vehicle.
4. Pull the headlamp assembly away from the fender
to release the ball stud from the retainer in the
fender bracket.
5. Remove the bulb access cover by turning it
counterclockwise.
5-52

6. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull out
the bulb assembly.
7. Disconnect the bulb socket from the wiring harness
for headlamps.
For the front turn signal/parking or sidemarker
bulbs, unclip the bulb from the socket.
8. Install a new bulb.
9. Turn the bulb access cover clockwise to reinstall it.
10. Push the headlamp assembly back into the vehicle
making sure to align the ball stud into its retainer.
11. Push the front fascia back into its original
location.
12. Reinstall the plastic push pins on the top of the
tire bar.
13. Reinstall the two screws that secure the
headlamp assembly.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) (Sedan)
To replace a center high-mounted stoplamp
(CHMSL) bulb:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-12.
2. Locate the center high-mounted stoplamp
(CHMSL) on the inside of the trunk lid.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness.4. Remove the cover by pressing the tabs at either
end with a tool.
5. Remove the bulb by turning it counterclockwise.
6. Turn the bulb clockwise to install it.
7. Reinstall the cover and reconnect the wiring
harness.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) (Retractable Hardtop
and Coupe)
If your vehicle has this component and it needs
replacement, it is recommended that it be replaced
as a unit by your dealer/retailer.
5-53

License Plate Lamp
To replace the license plate lamp bulb:
1. Remove the license plate assembly by turning the
two screws counterclockwise.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp forward
through the fascia opening.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Push the new bulb in and turn it clockwise to install.
5. Replace the license plate lamp by pushing it through
the fascia opening.
6. Turn the two screws that hold the license plate
lamp clockwise to reinstall.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Coupe and Retractable Hardtop 921
Sedan 3057K
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)912***
Front Parking and Turn
Signal Lamp3157KX
Front/Rear Sidemarker Lamp 194
License Plate Lamp 168
Headlamps
High-Beam Lamp H9
Low-Beam Lamp H11
Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn
Signal Lamp3057K*
Sidemarker, Stoplamp, Taillamp
and Turn Signal Lamp3157K**
*Coupe and Sedan only
**Retractable Hardtop only
***Sedan Only
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer/retailer.
5-57