2010 PONTIAC G6 light

This light comes on if there
is a problem with the
system or the system
has been turned off.
StabiliTrak comes on automatically whenever the
vehicle is started. To help assist with directional control
of the vehicle, the system should always be left on.
The Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak
can be turned off if needed by pressing and holding
the TCS/ESC button until the StabiliTrak/TCS Off light
comes on. Press the button again to turn StabiliTrak and
Traction Control back on. See Traction Control System
(TCS) following for more information.
If cruise control is being used when the system
activates, cruise control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to reengage when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 4-7for
more information.Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one
or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, the system reduces
engine power and may also upshift the transmission
to limit wheel spin. Also, the traction control system
activates the appropriate corner brakes to gain even
quicker control to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal.
If cruise control is being used when TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. Press the cruise control button to reengage
when road conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 4-7for more information.
TCS operates in all transmission shift lever positions
except park or neutral. But the system can upshift the
transmission only as high as the shift lever position that
is chosen, so use the lower gears only when necessary.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 3-24.
5-6

The traction off light is
located on the instrument
panel cluster.
This light comes on if there is a problem with the
system or if the system has been turned off.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle
is started. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery
road conditions, always leave the system turned
on. TCS can be turned off if needed.
To turn the system on or
off, press the TCS/ESC
button located below
the climate controls.It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn
the system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud,
ice or snow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle
to attempt to free it. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-17.
If the TCS/ESC button is pressed once, the traction
control system turns off and the traction off light comes
on. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system called
StabiliTrak stays on. Press the TCS/ESC button again to
turn the system back on. The traction off light will go off.
The Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak can
be turned off if needed by pressing and holding the
TCS/ESC button until the StabiliTrak/TCS Off light comes
on. Press the TCS/ESC button again to turn StabiliTrak
and the traction control system back on. For more
information, seeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)
on page 5-5.
When the system is off, the traction off light will come
on and stay on. If the Traction Control System is limiting
wheel spin and the button is pressed to turn the system
off, the traction off light will come on and the system will
stop limiting wheel spin. The system will not provide
traction assistance until the system is turned back on.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 6-4for more information.
5-7

SeeBraking on page 5-3. It is better to remove as much
speed as possible from a collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right depending on the space
available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, it can be turned
a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either
hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the
object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm, 3 to 5 inches, (about
one-eighth turn) until the right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
5-9

While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to
a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
If the vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If the
vehicle does not have ABS, then in a braking skid,
where the wheels are no longer rolling, release enough
pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again.
This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.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.
5-11

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.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect
your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower
in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or flowing
water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
5-12

Run the engine for short periods only as needed to
keep warm, but be careful.
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 5-18.
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.
{WARNING:
If the 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 fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 6-81.
5-17

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 5-23.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on the vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Vehicle Certification label.
{WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
5-18

{WARNING:
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the station
attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer/retailer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not t
properly. This may cause the malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-34.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{WARNING:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
•Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
•Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
•Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the inside
of the fill opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the filling
is complete.
•Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
•Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
6-13