2010 PONTIAC G6 brakes

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Get to know the rig before setting out for the open road.
Get acquainted with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind
that the vehicle you are driving is now longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This checks the electrical connection
at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to the
lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
5-31

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also flash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel
flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. For this reason you may think other drivers are
seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than
normal engine and transmission temperatures may
result and damage the vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transmission
to cool.Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If the engine does overheat, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-35.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a
flat surface.
5-32

Service............................................................6-4
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................6-6
Fuel................................................................6-6
Gasoline Octane............................................6-7
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-7
California Fuel...............................................6-7
Additives.......................................................6-8
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................6-11
Filling the Tank............................................6-11
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-14
Hood Release..............................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-16
Engine Oil...................................................6-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-24Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-26
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engines)..........6-27
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine).......................................6-28
Cooling System............................................6-30
Engine Coolant.............................................6-31
Engine Overheating.......................................6-35
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-38
Brakes........................................................6-39
Battery........................................................6-42
Jump Starting...............................................6-43
Headlamp Aiming
...........................................6-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................6-48
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) (Sedan)........................6-49
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to
the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes,
traction control, and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from the
installation or use of non-GM certified parts, including
control module modifications, are not covered under the
terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine
GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer/retailer
and ask for GM Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service technicians will
perform the work using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 2-72.
6-4

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
B. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 6-30.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-31.F. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-39.
H.Battery on page 6-42.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.
J.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 6-119.
6-17

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 6-37.
C. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 6-30.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-31.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-39.I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick
(Out of View). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(2.4L L4, 3.5L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 6-27
orAutomatic Transmission Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on
page 6-28.
J.Battery on page 6-42.
K. SeeEngine Compartment Fuse Block on
page 6-119.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.
6-19

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-26.
B.Power Steering Fluid on page 6-37.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-21.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-31.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 6-30.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 6-39.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick
(Out of View). See “Checking the Fluid Level”
underAutomatic Transmission Fluid (2.4L L4, 3.5L V6
and 3.6L V6 Engines) on page 6-27orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 6-28.
J.Battery on page 6-42.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 6-119.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-38.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-16
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
6-21

Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not clean
as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage the vehicle’s
windshield washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master
cylinder reservoir is filled
with DOT 3 brake fluid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-16for
the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down:
•The brake fluid level goes down because of normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are installed,
the fluid level goes back up.
•A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also
cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes will not work well.
6-39