2010 PONTIAC G6 towing

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-30.To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can
press the release button.
3. Hold the release button in as you move the brake
handle all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and you are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 5-27.
GT and GTP Shown, SE Similar
3-29

Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission)
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 5-27.
Use this procedure to shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 3-29for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch fire. You or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the brake pedal
down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from P (Park) without first pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked into P (Park).
3-30

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-32.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 3-30.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 5-27.
3-33

After the hardtop has raised completely, release the
switch. If you continue to pull the switch for about
two seconds after the hardtop has raised completely,
the windows will automatically close.
If the switch is released before the hardtop cycle is
complete, the cycle stops and the Driver Information
Center (DIC) displays the TOP NOT SECURE message.
Always pull and hold the switch until a chime sounds,
if the engine is on, and the Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays the TOP MOVE COMPLT to signal
the procedure is complete. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-42for more information.The hardtop will not operate if the vehicle has an
electrical failure. If an electrical failure occurs,
see your dealer/retailer for service.
If your vehicle must be towed to a dealer/retailer for
service, your vehicle should be towed by flatbed with the
vehicle facing backwards. Consult your dealer/retailer
or professional towing service if you need to have
your disabled vehicle towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 8-7.
3-43

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The
light will stay on if the parking brake does not fully
release. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means there is a brake problem.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal can be harder to push, or
the pedal could go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle
one or two times, if the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 5-23.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
The Antilock Brake
System (ABS) light comes
on briefly when the
engine is started.
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 ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 4-30.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42for all
brake related DIC messages.
4-31

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 6-4.
This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:A misfire condition has been detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
•Reduce vehicle speed.
•Avoid hard accelerations.
•Avoid steep uphill grades.
•If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon
as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
•Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 6-11. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
4-35

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunk Driving.................................................5-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-3
Braking.........................................................5-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................5-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-5
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......................5-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-6
Steering........................................................5-8
Off-Road Recovery.........................................5-9
Passing.......................................................5-10
Loss of Control.............................................5-10
Driving at Night............................................5-11Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-12
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-13
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-13
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-14
Winter Driving..............................................5-15
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................................5-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-18
Loading the Vehicle......................................5-18
Towing..........................................................5-23
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-23
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-23
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-27
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

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