2010 PONTIAC G6 check engine light

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. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 4-30for 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. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 6-24,Engine Oil on page 6-21, andScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-3for more information.
CHECK CARGO TOP
If your vehicle has a retractable hardtop, this message
displays if the cargo cover is not in place when
operating the retractable hardtop. Open the trunk and
make sure the cargo cover is secure and no objects are
in contact with the cargo cover. SeeTrunk on
page 3-11,Lowering the Retractable Hardtop on
page 3-38, andRaising the Retractable Hardtop on
page 3-41for 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.
4-42

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 6-4.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent
a braking skid.
When the engine is started and 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 a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 4-31.
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.
5-4

A
Accessories and Modifications............................ 6-4
Accessory Power............................................3-21
Accessory Power Outlets.................................4-15
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................6-38
Additional Factors Affecting System Operation.....2-71
Additional Program Information.........................8-11
Additional Required Services.............................. 7-4
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-8
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................6-115
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)..............4-58
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-26
Air Conditioning..............................................4-16
Airbag
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................2-72
Airbag System
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................2-65
Passenger Sensing System...........................2-67
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........2-72
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................2-65
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....2-65
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................2-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................2-61
Airbags.........................................................2-74
Passenger Status Indicator...........................4-29
Readiness Light..........................................4-28
System Check.............................................2-59AM ...............................................................4-83
Antenna
Backglass...................................................4-84
Fixed Mast.................................................4-84
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................4-84
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-4
Warning Light.............................................4-31
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels......................................6-112
Care of Safety Belts...................................6-110
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................6-114
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
..................6-111
Fabric/Carpet............................................6-108
Finish Care...............................................6-111
Finish Damage..........................................6-113
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................6-109
Interior Cleaning........................................6-107
Leather....................................................6-109
Sheet Metal Damage..................................6-113
Tires........................................................6-113
Underbody Maintenance.............................6-113
Washing Your Vehicle.................................6-110
Weatherstrips............................................6-110
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................6-112
Arming the System.........................................3-16
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 8-7
1

Audio System.........................................4-53, 4-72
Audio Steering
Wheel Controls........................................4-82
Radio Reception..........................................4-83
Setting the Clock.........................................4-53
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................4-81
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............4-84
Audio System(s).............................................4-54
Automatic Climate Control System.....................4-20
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..................3-34
Automatic Door Lock......................................... 3-9
Automatic Headlamp System............................4-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..................................................6-27, 6-28
Operation...................................................3-24
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................. 7-8
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................4-84
Backing Up....................................................5-31
Battery..........................................................6-42
Electric Power Management..........................4-14
Run-Down Protection...................................4-15
Battery Replacement......................................... 3-5
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................7-12
Bench Seat, Split (60/40).................................2-13Blizzard Conditions..........................................5-16
Bluetooth Controls...........................................4-72
Bluetooth
®.....................................................4-71
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 5-5
Brake Adjustment............................................6-41
Brake Fluid....................................................6-39
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................6-41
Brake Wear...................................................6-41
Brakes..........................................................6-39
Antilock....................................................... 5-4
Parking......................................................3-29
System Warning Light..................................4-30
Braking........................................................... 5-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 5-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................3-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................6-54
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) ........................................6-49, 6-50
Fog Lamps .................................................4-12
Halogen Bulbs............................................6-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................6-47
Headlamps.................................................6-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................6-48
License Plate Lamps....................................6-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps.................6-50, 6-51, 6-53
Buying New Tires...........................................6-75
2

C
Calibration.....................................................3-35
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 6-5
Warning....................................................... 6-5
California Fuel.................................................. 6-7
Call Waiting...................................................4-78
Calling for Assistance........................................ 8-7
Canada — Customer Assistance......................... 8-6
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Canadian Owners (Propriétaires Canadiens)........... iii
Canceling a Remote Start.................................. 1-5
Capacities and Specifications..........................6-125
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................3-32
Trunk.........................................................3-11
Winter Driving.............................................5-15
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................6-110
Care of CDs ..................................................4-61
Care of the CD Player.....................................4-62
CD Messages................................................4-61
CD, MP3 .......................................................4-63
Cellular Phone Usage......................................4-83
Center Console Storage...................................3-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)....6-49, 6-50
Certification Label...........................................5-22
Chains, Tire...................................................6-81Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing................5-33
Charging System Light....................................4-30
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................4-34
Check Engine Light.........................................4-34
Checking Coolant............................................6-32
Checking Engine Oil........................................6-21
Checking Things Under the Hood......................6-14
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-114
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................2-39
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........2-46
Older Children.............................................2-36
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................2-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................2-56
Systems.....................................................2-42
Where to Put the Restraint...........................2-44
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels......................................6-112
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................6-111
Fabric/Carpet............................................6-108
Finish Care...............................................6-111
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.....................................6-109
Interior.....................................................6-107
Leather....................................................6-109
Tires........................................................6-113
3

Electrical System (cont.)
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................3-18
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................3-18
Electronic Stability Control................................. 5-5
Electronic Stability Control Indicator/Warning
OFF Light...................................................4-32
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................3-12
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................4-36
Ending a Call.................................................4-79
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................6-26
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........4-34
Compartment Overview................................6-16
Coolant......................................................6-31
Coolant Heater............................................3-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................4-33
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................4-33
Cooling System...........................................6-30
Drive Belt Routing.......................................7-12
Exhaust.....................................................3-32
Oil .............................................................6-21
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........6-37
Overheating................................................6-35
Starting......................................................3-21Engine (cont.)
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................5-33
Engine Identification......................................6-114
Engine Oil
Life System................................................6-24
Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil Flushes...........6-24
Entering Personalization Menu..........................4-48
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................4-13
Event Data Recorders.....................................8-17
Exiting Personalization Menu............................4-52
Express-Down Window....................................3-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................2-35
Exterior Mirrors...............................................1-10
F
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and Industry and Science Canada.................6-67
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................6-26
Finding a Category (CAT) Station (XM Satellite
Radio Service Only).....................................4-58
Finding a Station............................................4-55
Finish Damage.............................................6-113
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................4-84
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 4-3
6

H
Halogen Bulbs................................................6-47
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 4-3
Head Restraints............................................... 2-2
Headlamps....................................................4-10
Aiming .......................................................6-47
Bulb Replacement.......................................6-47
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).....................4-11
Delayed.....................................................4-11
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 4-5
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................6-48
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 4-5
On Reminder..............................................4-10
Headlamps Off in Park....................................4-11
Heated Seats................................................... 2-6
Heater...........................................................4-16
Engine Coolant...........................................3-23
Highbeam On Light.........................................4-38
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................6-66
Highway Hypnosis...........................................5-13
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................5-14
Hitches..........................................................5-30
Hood
Checking Things Under................................6-14
Release.....................................................6-15Horn ............................................................... 4-3
How OnStar Service Works..............................1-22
How the System Alarm is Activated...................3-17
How to Add Automatic Transmission Fluid..........6-30
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................6-33
How to Check................................................6-65
How to Check Automatic Transmission Fluid.......6-28
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................6-38
How to Detect a Tamper Condition....................3-18
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......6-26
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System...........6-25
How to Turn Off the System Alarm....................3-17
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
...................2-20
Hydraulic Power Steering................................... 5-8
Hydroplaning..................................................5-12
I
If a Crash Occurs...........................................8-13
If No Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment..............................................6-36
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment..............................................6-35
If the Off Indicator is Lit for an Adult-Size
Occupant...................................................2-70
8

If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint......2-69
Ignition Positions.............................................3-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check....................... 7-9
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............2-39
Inflation - Tire Pressure...................................6-64
Information Modes..........................................4-40
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................4-13
Cluster.......................................................4-25
Insuring Your Vehicle.......................................8-12
Interior Mirror.................................................1-10
Introduction...................................................... 7-2
J
Jump Starting.................................................6-43
K
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System................................... 3-3
Keyless Entry System....................................... 3-3
Keys............................................................... 3-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................6-58
Lamps
Courtesy....................................................4-13
Daytime Running (DRL)................................4-11
Dome ........................................................4-13
License Plate..............................................6-54
Malfunction Indicator....................................4-34
Reading.....................................................4-14
Trunk.........................................................4-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................2-28
Latch, Seatback..............................................2-10
LATCH System for Child Restraints...................2-46
Leaving After Parking on a Hill.........................5-33
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......3-30
Lift Seat, Power..............................................2-12
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................4-13
Parade Dimming..........................................4-14
Lights............................................................4-10
Airbag Readiness........................................4-28
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning............4-31
Brake System Warning.................................4-30
Charging System.........................................4-30
Cruise Control.............................................4-38
Electronic StabiliTrak Control Indicator............4-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............4-33
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 4-5
Highbeam On.............................................4-38
9