2010 PONTIAC G3 maintenance

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your vehicle's tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a drag that pulls
the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{WARNING:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it is designed
only for changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with
touch-up materials available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your
dealer's/retailer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan,
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where
mud and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer/retailer or an underbody car washing
system can do this.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on the vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,
and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface.Although no defect in the paint job causes this, we will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new
vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the front corner of the
instrument panel, on the driver side. It can be seen
through the windshield from outside. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code. This
code identifies the vehicle's engine, specifications, and
replacement parts. See
“Engine Specifications”under
Capacities and Specifications
on page 6‑93for the
vehicle's engine code.
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Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Owner Checks and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Maintenance Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
7-1

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
recommended fluids, and lubricants are necessary
to keep this vehicle in good working condition.
Damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance might not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep the vehicle in
good working condition, improves fuel economy, and
reduces vehicle emissions for better air quality.
Because of all the different ways people use vehicles,
maintenance needs vary. The vehicle might need more
frequent checks and services. Please read the
information under Scheduled Maintenance. To keep the
vehicle in good condition, see your dealer/retailer. The maintenance schedule is for vehicles that:
.carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits on the Tire and Loading Information label.
See
Loading the Vehicle on page 5‑14.
.are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
.use the recommended fuel. See Gasoline Octaneon page 6‑6.
{WARNING:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be
dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can be
seriously injured. Do your own maintenance work
only if you have the required know-how and the
proper tools and equipment for the job. If you
have any doubt, see your dealer/retailer to have a
qualified technician do the work. See Doing Your
Own Service Work on page 6‑4.
At your General Motors dealer/retailer, you can be
certain that you will receive the highest level of service
available. Your dealer /retailer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine GM replacement
parts, as well as, up to date tools and equipment to
ensure fast and accurate diagnostics.
7-2

The proper replacement parts, fluids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7‑12andMaintenance Replacement Partson
page 7‑14. We recommend the use of genuine parts
from your dealer/retailer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and performance of the
vehicle, it is important that the first rotation service for
new tires be performed when they have 8 000 to
13 000 km (5,000 to 8,000 miles). See Tire Inspection
and Rotation on page 6‑61.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil Light
Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑15. An Emission Control Service.
When the change engine oil light displays, service is
required for the vehicle as soon as possible, within the
next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system might not indicate
the need for vehicle service for more than a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a
year and the oil life system must be reset. Your dealer/
retailer has trained service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system. If the engine oil life
system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within
5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last service. Reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine
Oil Life System on page 6‑18.
When the change engine oil light displays, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required. The
services described for Maintenance Ishould be
performed at every engine oil change. The services
described for Maintenance IIshould be
performed when:
.Maintenance Iwas performed the last time the
engine oil was changed.
.It has been 10 months or more since the change
engine oil light has displayed or since the last
service.
7-3

MaintenanceI
.Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑15. An Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑25.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑33.
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑57.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑61.
.Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotationon
page 6‑61.
.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven
in dusty conditions only). See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter on page 6‑19.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in Maintenance I.
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and
replacement, if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑83. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑49.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and
trunk lid hinges and latches lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑12. More frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component check. See Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 2‑72.
7-4

.Automatic transmission fluid level check and
adding fluid, if needed. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6‑21.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑19.
.Passenger compartment air filter (if equipped)
replacement (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). More frequent replacement may be
required if vehicle is driven regularly under dusty
conditions.
.PCV system inspection. An Emission Control
Service. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle's useful life. We,
however, urge that all recommended maintenance
services be performed at the indicated intervals
and the maintenance be recorded.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑15.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑25.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑33.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑57.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑61.
7-5

First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid and filter change
(severe service only) for vehicles mainly driven in
heavy city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or
mountainous terrain, when frequently towing a
trailer, or used for taxi, police, or delivery service.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 6‑21.
.Power steering pump accessory drive belt
replacement.
.Evaporative control system inspection. Check all
fuel and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook‐up,
routing, and condition. EVAP vent solenoid valve
replacement. An Emission Control Service. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined
that the failure to perform this maintenance item
will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall
liability prior to the completion of the vehicle's
useful life. We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance services be performed
at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Timing belt replacement.
.Valve clearance adjustment.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain, flush, and refill,
cooling system and cap pressure check, and
cleaning of outside of radiator and air conditioning
condenser (or every 5 years, whichever occurs
first). See Engine Coolant
on page 6‑25.An
Emission Control Service.
7-7