2010 PONTIAC G5 check engine light

When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there may be a problem with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System. The light flashes for about
a minute and stays on steady for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation
on page 6-58 for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer. If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle.
This system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:
If the vehicle is continually driven with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice: Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of the vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 6-3 .
4-30

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
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
•The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on with the engine running, or if the
key is in ON/RUN and the light is not on.
•The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD II
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if the battery has recently been replaced or if the
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving. This can take several
days of routine driving. If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD II system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
4-32

Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil. This light comes on briefly while starting the engine.
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 light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is
not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other system
problem.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 3-15.
4-33

If a low tire pressure condition is detected by the system
while driving, a message advising you to check the tire
pressure appears in the display. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 6-55 andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-38 for more information.
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 fluid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4-26 for 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. See Engine Oil Life System on page 6-16
and Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-3 for 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.
4-38

And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster with a
lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic and
allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes
are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down.
If the engine stops, there will still be some power brake
assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once
the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 6-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
If the vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel comes on
briefly when the vehicle is
started.
When the engine is started, or when the vehicle begins
to drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
5-4

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,to the COLD FILL line. Wait about five minutes,
then check to see if the level is below the COLD
FILL line. If the level is below the line, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to the line. Repeat
this procedure until the level remains constant at the
COLD FILL line for at least five minutes.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan. By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower than
the COLD FILL line, add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches
the COLD FILL line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer/retailer, if necessary.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating on
page 6-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to −34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
6-24

FusesUsage
18 Empty
19 Electric Power Steering, Steering
Wheel Control
20 Sunroof
21 Spare
22 Empty
23 Audio System
24 XM Radio™, OnStar™
25 Engine Control Module,
Transmission Control Module
26 Door Locks
27 Interior Lights
28 Steering Wheel Control Illumination
29 Power WindowsRelays Usage
30 Climate Control System
31 Empty
32 Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver side of the vehicle. Lift off the cover to check the
fuses. See Engine Compartment Overview on
page 6-12 for more information on location.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any electrical components
on the vehicle may damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical component.
6-105

A
Accessories and Modifications............................ 6-3
Accessory Power ............................................ 3-22
Accessory Power Outlets .................................4-13
Additives, Fuel ................................................. 6-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment ...........................6-102
Adjustments Headlamp Range .......................................... 2-7
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine .................................6-18
Air Conditioning .............................................. 4-14
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment ....................4-18
Airbag Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-EquippedVehicle ................................................... 2-70
Airbag System How Does an Airbag Restrain? ......................2-61
Passenger Sensing System ...........................2-64
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ..........2-69
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? ......................2-61
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? ....2-62
When Should an Airbag Inflate? ....................2-60
Where Are the Airbags? ...............................2-58
Airbags Passenger Status Indicator ...........................4-24
Readiness Light .......................................... 4-23
System Check ............................................. 2-55Antenna
Fixed Mast ................................................. 4-84
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System .....4-84
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ............................. 5-4
Warning Light ............................................. 4-27
Appearance Care Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels ..............6-99
Care of Safety Belts .................................... 6-96
Chemical Paint Spotting ..............................6-100
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ....................6-97
Fabric/Carpet .............................................. 6-95
Finish Care ................................................. 6-98
Finish Damage .......................................... 6-100
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces ................................................. 6-96
Interior Cleaning .......................................... 6-94
Leather ...................................................... 6-96
Sheet

Metal Damage .................................. 6-100
Tires ........................................................ 6-100
Underbody Maintenance .............................6-100
Washing Your Vehicle ................................... 6-97
Weatherstrips .............................................. 6-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades ........................6-98
Ashtray ......................................................... 4-14
Assistance Program, Roadside ........................... 8-7
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