2010 PONTIAC G6 heater

•The system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat.
•A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time.
•The right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints.
•Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag, the off indicator will light and stay lit
to remind you that the airbags are off. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on
(may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag anytime the system
senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in
the right front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system has allowed the
airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay
lit to remind you that the airbags are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag,
depending upon the person’s seating posture andbody build. Everyone in the vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 4-28
for more information, including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child
Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed and the on
indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as
blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or
seat massagers.
2-69

If this happens, use the following steps to allow the
system to detect that person and enable the right front
passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material from the seat, such
as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or
seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on
the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in
this position for two to three minutes after the on
indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which
helps the passenger sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and
“Child Restraints” in the Index for additional information
about the importance of proper restraint use.A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM for
your specific vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-72for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system operates.
{WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
2-71

Any object, such as an aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or device, installed under
or on top of the seat fabric, could also interfere with
the operation of the passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper deployment of the
passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 2-67.
If you have any questions, call Customer
Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8-2.Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8-2.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual
have information about the location of the airbag sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring.
2-73

Keys...............................................................3-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................3-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................3-3
Remote Vehicle Start......................................3-5
Doors and Locks.............................................3-8
Door Locks....................................................3-8
Power Door Locks..........................................3-8
Door Ajar Reminder........................................3-9
Delayed Locking.............................................3-9
Automatic Door Lock.......................................3-9
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............3-10
Rear Door Security Locks..............................3-10
Lockout Protection........................................3-11
Trunk..........................................................3-11
Windows........................................................3-13
Power Windows............................................3-14
Sun Visors...................................................3-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................3-16
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................3-16
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............3-18
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................3-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................3-20
New Vehicle Break-In....................................3-20
Ignition Positions..........................................3-20
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................3-21Starting the Engine.......................................3-21
Engine Coolant Heater..................................3-23
Automatic Transmission Operation...................3-24
Parking Brake..............................................3-29
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)......3-30
Shifting Out of Park......................................3-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................3-32
Engine Exhaust............................................3-32
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................3-33
Mirrors...........................................................3-34
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................3-34
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................3-34
Compass.....................................................3-35
Outside Power Mirrors...................................3-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................3-36
Storage Areas................................................3-37
Glove Box...................................................3-37
Cupholders..................................................3-37
Center Console Storage.................................3-37
Convenience Net..........................................3-37
Sunroof.........................................................3-37
Retractable Hardtop........................................3-38
Lowering the Retractable Hardtop...................3-38
Raising the Retractable Hardtop......................3-41
Section 3 Features and Controls
3-1

Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicle
with an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at
least four hours before starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at temperatures above
0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On
the 2.4L L4 ECOTEC
®engine, the engine coolant
heater cord is located near the air cleaner box
on the passenger’ side of the engine compartment.
On the 3.5L, 3.6L and 3.9L V6 engines, the
engine coolant heater cord is located on the driver
side around the battery box. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 6-16for more
information on location.3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt
AC outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a
properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts and prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in
the area where you will be parking your vehicle for the
best advice in this.
3-23

9(Fan Control):Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
The fan must be on to run the air conditioning
compressor.
Temperature Control:Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
When it is cold outside−18°C (0°F) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater, if the vehicle has one, to quickly
provide warmer air. An engine coolant heater warms
coolant that the engine uses to warm the inside of the
vehicle. For more information, seeEngine Coolant
Heater on page 3-23.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn the knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to change the air delivery settings.
Select from the following modes:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the air to the
instrument panel and floor outlets. Some air may
be directed toward the side windows.
6(Floor):Air is directed to the floor outlets with
some air directed to the side window outlets and
windshield.
-(Defog):This mode clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the windshield and floor
outlets, with some air directed to the side windows.
When this mode is selected, the system automatically
turns off recirculation and tuns the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is at
or below freezing. The air conditioning compressor
operates although the indicator light is not on. The air
conditioning indicator light turns off when defog is
selected. If the air conditioning button is pressed while
in defog mode, the indicator light turns on. If the
button is pressed again, the light turns off. The
recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the defog
mode. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows
are clear.
1(Defrost):This mode clears the windshield of fog
or frost more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield,
with some air directed to the floor vents. In this
mode, the system automatically forces outside air into
the vehicle. The air conditioning compressor runs unless
the outside temperature is at or below freezing. The
air conditioning compressor operates although the
indicator light is not on. The air conditioning indicator
light turns off when defrost is selected. If the air
conditioning button is pressed while in defrost mode, the
indicator light turns on. If the button is pressed again,
the light turns off. Recirculation cannot be selected while
in the defrost mode.
4-17

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

{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 miles)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. The coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for five years or 240 000 km
(150,000 miles), whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system and how
to check and add coolant when it is low. If there is
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-35.
6-31