2010 PONTIAC G3 service

2010 Pontiac G3 Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Seats and Restraint System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-57
Restraint System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-72
Features and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Doors and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Driving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Service and Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

Safety Warnings and Symbols
Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which will result in serious injury or death.
Warning orCaution indicates a hazard that could result
in injury or death.
{WARNING:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Notice: This means there is something that could
result in property or vehicle damage. This would not
be covered by the vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do
this,” or“Do not let this
happen.”
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information relating
to a specific component, control, message, gage,
or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*: This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
iv

BAND :Press to choose FM, AM, or XM™
(if equipped).
uSEEK: Press to seek the next radio station with a
strong signal in the selected band.
tSEEK: Press to seek the previous radio station with
a strong signal in the selected band.
[TUNE: Press to go to the next station manually.
rTUNE: Press to go to the previous station manually.
SCAN/AST : Press to scan radio stations. Press and
hold to use Auto Store.
CD/AUX : Press to play a CD when listening to the
radio. CDP appears on the display when the CD player
has been selected. The CD symbol will appear on the
display when a CD is loaded. Press CD/AUX while a
CD is playing to pause the CD. PAUSE flashes on the
display. Press CD/AUX again to start playing the CD.
Press CD/AUX to play a CD when listening to the audio
contents from other device (AUX mode). CDP appears
on the display when the CD player has been selected.
The CD symbol will appear on the display when a CD is
loaded.
Press to play a CD while a portable audio device is
playing. Press CD/AUX a second time for the system to
begin playing audio from the connected portable audio
player. The portable audio device continues playing
until it is turned off. For more information about these and other radio
features, see
Audio System(s) on page 4‑36.
Storing a Favorite Station
A maximum of 36 stations can be programmed as
favorites using the six pushbuttons positioned below
the radio station frequency labels and by using
the radio favorites page button (FAV button).
Press the FAV button to go through up to six pages of
favorites, each having six favorite stations available per
page. If Automatic Store is used, then four pages of
favorites are available. Each page of favorites can
contain any combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if
equipped) stations.
See “Storing a Favorite Station” underAM-FM Radio
on
page 4‑37and Radio with CD on page 4‑41.
Satellite Radio
XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian
provinces. XM satellite radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free music,
coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound.
A fee is required to receive the XM service.
For more information, refer to:
.www.xmradio.com or call 1-800-929-2100 (U.S.)
.www.xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677 (Canada)
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See“XM Satellite Radio Service” underAM-FM Radioon page 4‑37andRadio with CD on page 4‑41.
Portable Audio Devices
This vehicle may have a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) auxiliary input
jack, located on the lower right side of the audio
faceplate. External devices such as iPod
®, laptop
computers, MP3 players, etc. can be connected to the
3.5 mm (1/8 in) auxiliary input jack using a 3.5 mm
(1/8 in) input jack cable.
See “Using the Auxiliary Input Jack” underAM-FM
Radio
on page 4‑37and Radio with CD on page 4‑41.
Steering Wheel Controls
Front View of the Steering
Wheel ControlsSide View of the Volume Control If the vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can
be adjusted at the steering wheel.
PWR :
Press and release to turn the system on
and off.
When the system is on, press and release for a short
time to mute the system. Press and release again to
turn the sound back on.
+ VOLUME −:Press the toggle bar located below the
+ VOLUME −to adjust the volume.
MODE : Press and release this button multiple times
to cycle through the audio playback options that are
available on the vehicle.
SEEK : Press and release to go to the next preset
station, or CD track. Press and hold for a long time to
go to the next AM, FM, or XM station, or to fast forward
through CD tracks.
For more information, see Audio Steering Wheel
Controls on page 4‑51.
1-18

Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some
driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed limits or drive more
slowly when conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same TPC
Spec number molded into the tire's sidewall near
the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.
Roadside Assistance Program
U.S.:1-800-ROADSIDE (762-3743)
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new Pontiac, you are automatically
enrolled in the Roadside Assistance program. This
program provides technically trained advisors who are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, minor repair
information or towing arrangements.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have a current OnStar subscription, press the
OnStar button and the current GPS location will be sent
to an OnStar Advisor who will assess your problem,
contact Roadside Assistance, and relay exact location
to get you the help you need.
Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a complimentary service
that includes online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner manual, special
privileges and more.
Sign up today at: www.gmownercenter.com/pontiac
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
1-22

OnStar®
OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
navigation, diagnostics, and calling services.
Automatic Crash Response
In a crash, built in sensors can automatically alert an
OnStar advisor who is immediately connected to the
vehicle to see if you need help.
How OnStar Service Works
Q
: This blue button connects you to a specially
trained OnStar advisor to verify your account
information and to answer questions.
]: Push this red emergency button to get priority help
from specially trained OnStar emergency advisors.
X: Push this button for hands‐free, voice‐activated
calling and to give voice commands for turn‐by‐turn
navigation. Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside
Assistance, Turn‐by‐Turn Navigation and Hands‐Free
Calling are available on most vehicles. Not all OnStar
services are available on all vehicles. For more
information see the OnStar Owner's Guide or visit
www.onstar.com (U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada),
contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1‐888‐466‐7827)
or TTY 1‐877‐248‐2080, or press
Qto speak with an
OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For a full description of OnStar services and system
limitations, see the OnStar Owner's Guide in the
glove box.
OnStar service is subject to the OnStar terms and
conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
Information.
OnStar service cannot work unless the vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar service
also cannot work unless the vehicle is in a place where
the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that
area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services are
available everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed
areas, or at all times.
1-23

The OnStar system can record and transmit vehicle
information. This information is automatically sent to an
OnStar call center when
Qis pressed,]is pressed,
or if the airbags or ACR system deploy. This information
usually includes the vehicle's GPS location and, in the
event of a crash, additional information regarding the
crash that the vehicle was involved in (e.g. the direction
from which the vehicle was hit). When the virtual
advisor feature of OnStar hands-free calling is used, the
vehicle also sends OnStar the vehicle's GPS location
so they can provide services where it is located.
Location information about the vehicle is only available
if the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and
available.
The vehicle must have a working electrical system,
including adequate battery power, for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service at any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important parts of the vehicle
in a crash, hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather or
wireless phone network congestion.
Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if the OnStar advisor
cannot be heard.
If the light next to the OnStar buttons is red, the system
may not be functioning properly. Press
Qand request a
vehicle diagnostic. If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), your OnStar subscription has expired and
all services have been deactivated. Press
Qto confirm
that the OnStar equipment is active.
1-24

In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and Privacy
on
page 8‑16and Event Data Recorderson
page 8‑16.
.Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag
system. Improper service can mean that the airbag
system will not work properly. See your dealer/
retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position. The passenger airbag
status indicator will be visible, near the clock, located in
the center of the instrument panel, when the vehicle is
started.
United StatesCanada
The words PASSENGER AIRBAG ON and
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or the symbols for
on and off will be visible, during the system check.
When the system check is complete, either the words
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON and PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF or the symbol for on and off will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 4‑24.
2-65