2010 PONTIAC G5 light

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
Depending on which radio the vehicle has, the
Balance/Fade can be adjusted using
for`.
To adjust balance or fade using
f:
1. Press
funtil the speaker control tabs display.
2. Press the softkey under the desired tab, or continue pressing
fto highlight the desired tab.
3. Turn
fto adjust the highlighted setting.
The highlighted setting can also be adjusted
by pressing either SEEK arrow.
On some radios,
\FWD andsREV can also
be used to adjust the highlighted level. To adjust balance or fade using
`:
1. Press
`until the speaker control labels display.
2. Continue pressing
`until the desired speaker
control label displays.
3. Turn
fto adjust the setting. The setting can also be
adjusted by pressing either SEEK arrow,
\FWD,
or
sREV.
The radio may be capable of adjusting balance or fade to
the middle position by pressing the softkey below the BAL
or FADE tab for more than two seconds. The radio beeps
once and the level adjusts to the middle position.
The radio may also be capable of adjusting all tone and
speaker controls to the middle position by pressing
ffor
more than two seconds until the radio beeps once.
4-57

Care of CDs
Store CD(s) in their original cases or other protective
cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. The CD
player scans the bottom of the disc. If the bottom of a CD
is damaged it may not play properly or at all. Do not touch
the bottom of a CD while handling it. Pick up CDs by
grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the
outer edge.
If the surface of a CD is dirty, take a soft, lint free cloth or
dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent
solution mixed with water, and clean it. Make sure the
wiping process starts from the center to the edge.
Care of the CD Player
Do not add labels to a CD, it could get caught in the CD
player. Use a marking pen to write on the top of the
CD if a description is needed.
Do not use CD lens cleaners, they could damage the
CD player.Notice:
If a label is added to a CD, or more than
one CD is inserted into the slot at a time, or an
attempt is made to play scratched or damaged CDs,
the CD player could be damaged. While using the
CD player, use only CDs in good condition without
any label, load one CD at a time, and keep the
CD player and the loading slot free of foreign
materials, liquids, and debris.
If an error displays, see “CD Messages” earlier in this
section.
Using the Auxiliary Input Jack
The radio system may have an auxiliary input jack
located on the lower right side of the faceplate. This is not
an audio output; do not plug the headphone set into the
front auxiliary input jack. An external audio device such
as an iPod
®, laptop computer, MP3 player, CD changer,
etc. can be connected to the auxiliary input jack for use
as another audio source.
Drivers are encouraged to set up any auxiliary device
while the vehicle is in P (Park). See Defensive Driving
on page 5-2 for more information on driver distraction.
4-61

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Vehicles with audio
steering wheel controls
could differ depending
on the vehicle’s options.
Some audio controls
can be adjusted at the
steering wheel.
e+/e−(Volume): Press to increase or to decrease
the radio volume.
w/x(Next / Previous): Press to change radio
stations, select tracks on a CD, or to select tracks
and navigate folders on an iPod
®or USB device.
To change radio stations:
•Press and releaseworxto go to the next or
previous radio station stored as a preset.
•Press and holdworxto go to the next or
previous radio station in the selected band with a
strong signal. To select tracks on a CD:
Press and release
worxto go to the next or previous
track.
To select tracks on an iPod or USB device:
1. Press and hold
worxwhile listening to a song
until the contents of the current folder display on
the radio display.
2. Press and release
worxto scroll up or down the
list, then press and hold
wto play the highlighted
track.
To navigate folders on an iPod or USB device:
1. Press and hold
worxwhile listening to a song
until the contents of the current folder display on
the radio display.
2. Press and hold
xto go back to the previous
folder list.
3. Press and release
worxto scroll up or down
the list.
•To select a folder, press and holdwwhen the
folder is highlighted.
•To go back further in the folder list, press and
hold
x.
4-82

XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception
from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States,
and in Canada. Just as with FM, tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals, causing the sound to
fade in and out. In addition, traveling or standing under
heavy foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause
loss of the XM signal for a period of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause interference with the
vehicle’s radio. This interference may occur when making
or receiving phone calls, charging the phone’s battery,
or simply having the phone on. This interference causes
an increased level of static while listening to the radio.
If static is received while listening to the radio, unplug
the cellular phone and turn it off.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged as long as it is securely attached
to the base. If the mast becomes slightly bent, straighten
it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent, replace it.
Occasionally check to make sure the antenna is
tightened to its base. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand until fully seated plus one quarter turn.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof
or the rear of the vehicle. Keep the antenna clear
of obstructions for clear radio reception.
4-84

For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle.See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 5-8 ,
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 5-11 , and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 5-6 .
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modications
on page 6-3.
Braking
See Brake System Warning Light on page 4-26 .
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a second.
But that is only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 feet). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency,
so keeping enough space between the vehicle and others
is important.
5-3

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

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get
a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly and let antilock work. A slight brake pedal
pulsation might be felt or some noise noticed, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If the vehicle has ABS, it allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. However, if the vehicle does not
have ABS, the first reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard
and hold it down — might be the wrong thing to do. The
wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot
respond to the driver’s steering. Momentum will carry it in
whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing the driver was trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If the vehicle does not have ABS, use a “squeeze”
braking technique. This gives maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. Do this by pushing on
the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This helps retain steering control. With ABS, it is
different. SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-4 .
In many emergencies, steering can help more than
even the very best braking.
5-5

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The vehicle may have an Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system which combines antilock brake, and
traction and stability control systems that help the driver
maintain directional control of the vehicle in most
driving conditions.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to ensure
there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal and does not mean
there is a problem with the vehicle. The system
should initialize before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h).
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the ESC/TCS
light comes on, and the ESC OFF and/or SERVICE ESC
message displays.
For more information, seeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 4-35 andElectronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light on page 4-28. This light flashes on the
instrument panel cluster
when the ESC system
is on and activated.
ESC activates when the computer senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and the direction the vehicle
is actually travelling. ESC selectively applies braking
pressure at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
When the system activates, an ESC ACTIVE message
displays on the Driver Information Center. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4-38 . This light also
flashes on the instrument panel cluster when the
ESC system is on and activated. A noise may be heard
or a vibration felt in the brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the intended direction.
5-6