2010 PONTIAC G6 fuel additives

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

Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code B),
the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code 0), the 3.5L V6 engine
(VIN Code K), the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code N), or the
3.9L V6 engine (VIN Code 1), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher.
If the octane rating is less than 87, you might notice
an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you
are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine (VIN Code 7),
use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. For best performance or trailer
towing, you could choose to use middle grade 89 octane
unleaded gasoline. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 6-8
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-34. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
6-7

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing
MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission control system could be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on.
If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
6-8

To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specification D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. For good starting and heater efficiency below
32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain
no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not to alternate
repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do switch
fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible — do not add less than three gallons (11 L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately
after refueling for at least seven miles (11 km) to allow the
vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration.E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline,
so you will need to refill the fuel tank more often
when using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 6-11.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused
by additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the vehicle
warranty.
6-10

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

Flash-to-Pass................................................... 4-5
Flat Tire........................................................6-81
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................6-90
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................6-99
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................6-27, 6-28
Power Steering...........................................6-37
Windshield Washer......................................6-38
FM Stereo.....................................................4-83
Tire Size.......................................................6-60
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................4-12
Folding the Seatback.......................................2-13
Following Distance..........................................5-31
Format..........................................................4-63
Fuel............................................................... 6-6
Additives...................................................... 6-8
California Fuel.............................................. 6-7
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................6-13
Filling the Tank...........................................6-11
Fuels in Foreign Countries............................6-11
Gage .........................................................4-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 6-7
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 6-7
Low Fuel Warning Light................................4-39Fuel Economy
Driving for Better.........................................1-21
Fuses..........................................................6-116
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................6-119
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................6-116
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................6-122
Windshield Wiper.......................................6-115
G
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................4-33
Fuel..........................................................4-38
Speedometer..............................................4-26
Tachometer.................................................4-26
Trip Odometer.............................................4-26
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 6-7
Specifications............................................... 6-7
Glove Box.....................................................3-37
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 8-7
7