2010 PONTIAC G6 engine

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

CRUISE ENGAGED
This message displays when the cruise control system
is active. SeeCruise Control on page 4-7for more
information.
DOOR AJAR
This message displays if one or more of the vehicle’s
doors are not closed properly. Make sure that the
door(s) are closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED
This message displays if the starting of the engine is
disabled. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED
This message displays to inform you that the vehicle
has reduced engine power to avoid damaging the
engine. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle’s
ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the next
time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven
at a reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) ACTIVE
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and the ESC light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on when ESC is
assisting you with directional control of the vehicle. You
may feel or hear the system working and see this
message displayed in the DIC. Slippery road conditions
may exist when this message is displayed, so adjust
your driving accordingly. This message may stay on for
a few seconds after ESC stops assisting you with
directional control of the vehicle. This is normal when
the system is operating. SeeElectronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 5-5andElectronic Stability Control
Indicator Light on page 4-32for more information.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) OFF
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and the ESC OFF light on
the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when ESC
is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 5-5and
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light on page 4-32
for more information.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
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To change feature settings, use the following procedure:
Entering Personalization Menu
1. Turn the ignition on while the vehicle is stopped.
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press and hold the information and reset buttons at
the same time for one second, then release to enter
the personalization menu.
If the vehicle speed is greater than 3 km/h (2 mph),
only the UNITS menu will be accessible.
3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes.
Press the reset button to scroll through the available
settings for each mode.
If you do not make a selection within ten seconds,
the display will go back to the previous information
displayed.
Personalization Menu Modes
OIL LIFE RESET
When this feature is displayed, you can reset the engine
oil life system. To reset the system, seeEngine Oil
Life System on page 6-24. See “OIL LIFE” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 4-40for more
information.
UNITS
This feature allows you to select the units of
measurement in which the DIC will display the vehicle
information. When UNITS appears on the display, press
and hold the reset button for at least one second to
scroll through the available settings:
ENGLISH (default in United States):All information
will be displayed in English units.
METRIC (default in Canada):All information will be
displayed in metric units.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
TIRE LEARN?
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) and does not have Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE), this feature allows the TPMS to relearn the tire
positions. After rotating the tires or after replacing a
tire or sensor, the TPMS must re-learn the tire positions.
To re-learn the tire positions, seeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 6-67,Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6-73, andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-42for more information.
4-48

REMOTE START
If your vehicle has remote start, this feature allows
remote start to be turned off or on. Remote start allows
you to start the engine from outside of the vehicle
using your Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
When REMOTE START appears on the display, press
and hold the reset button for at least one second to
scroll through the available settings:
OFF:The remote start feature will be disabled.
ON (default):The remote start feature will be enabled.
SeeRemote Vehicle Start on page 3-5for more
information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
LOCK HORN
This feature, which allows the vehicle’s horn to chirp
every time the lock button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter is pressed, can be enabled or
disabled. When LOCK HORN appears on the display,
press and hold the reset button for at least one
second to scroll through the available settings:
OFF (default):The horn will not chirp on the first press
of the lock button on the RKE transmitter. The horn
will still chirp on the second press.ON:The horn will chirp on the first press of the lock
button on the RKE transmitter.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 3-3for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
UNLOCK HORN
This feature, which allows the vehicle’s horn to chirp on
the first press of the unlock button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, can be enabled or
disabled. When UNLOCK HORN appears on the display,
press and hold the reset button for at least one
second to scroll through the available settings:
OFF (default):The horn will not chirp when the unlock
button on the RKE transmitter is pressed.
ON:The horn will chirp on the first press of the unlock
button on the RKE transmitter.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 3-3for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
4-49

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle has and read the
following pages to become familiar with its features.
{WARNING:
Taking your eyes off the road for extended periods
could cause a crash resulting in injury or death to
you or others. Do not give extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.
This system provides access to many audio and non
audio listings.
To minimize taking your eyes off the road while driving,
do the following while the vehicle is parked:
•Become familiar with the operation and controls of
the audio system.
•Set up the tone, speaker adjustments, and preset
radio stations.
For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 5-2.Notice:Contact your dealer/retailer before adding
any equipment.
Adding audio or communication equipment could
interfere with the operation of the vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone equipment.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP). With
RAP, the audio system can be played even after the
ignition is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 3-21for more information.
Setting the Clock
To set the time and date:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN. Press
Oto turn the radio on.
2. Press
Hand the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour,
minute, month, day, and year) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs
that you want to change.
4-53

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

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

Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the vehicle has the electric power steering system and
the engine stalls while driving, the power steering assist
system will continue to operate until you are able to stop
the vehicle. If power steering assist is lost because the
electric power steering system is not functioning, the
vehicle can be steered but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction several
times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in the
stopped position for an extended amount of time, you
may notice a reduced amount of power steering assist.
The normal amount of power steering assist should return
shortly after a few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not require
regular maintenance. If you suspect steering system
problems, contact your dealer/retailer for service repairs.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If the vehicle has the hydraulic power steering system
and power steering assist is lost because the engine
stops or the power steering system is not functioning,
the vehicle can be steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. These problems can
be avoided by braking — if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you cannot stop in time because there is no
room. That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply the brakes — but, unless the vehicle
has antilock brakes, not enough to lock the wheels.
5-8