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2008 Pontiac G5 Owner's Manual - Page 228

2008 Pontiac G5 Manual

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Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg). But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See "Weight of the Trailer Tongue" later in this section for more information. Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight. You can ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice. Also, see Customer Assistance Offices on page 7-5 for more information. If you have a lot of options, equipment, passengers, or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. And if you tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-25 for more information about your vehicle's maximum load capacity. Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. 4-34 If you are using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

Section	Page
2008 Pontiac G5 BookTOC	1
Seats and Restraint Systems	5
Front Seats	6
Manual Seats	6
Seat Height Adjuster	7
Manual Lumbar	7
Heated Seats	8
Reclining Seatbacks	8
Head Restraints	11
Easy Entry Seat (Coupe)	12
Rear Seats	13
Split Folding Rear Seat	13
Safety Belts	14
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	14
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	19
Lap-Shoulder Belt	27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	33
Safety Belt Extender	33
Child Restraints	34
Older Children	34
Infants and Young Children	36
Child Restraint Systems	40
Where to Put the Restraint	42
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)	43
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position	49
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	52
Airbag System	55
Where Are the Airbags?	58
When Should an Airbag Inflate?	60
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?	61
How Does an Airbag Restrain?	62
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?	62
Passenger Sensing System	64
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle	68
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle	69
Restraint System Check	70
Checking the Restraint Systems	70
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	71
Features and Controls	73
Keys	74
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System	75
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation	76
Remote Vehicle Start	78
Doors and Locks	81
Door Locks	81
Power Door Locks	82
Delayed Locking	82
Automatic Door Lock	83
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock	83
Rear Door Security Locks (Sedan)	83
Lockout Protection	84
Trunk	84
Windows	86
Manual Windows	86
Power Windows	87
Sun Visors	88
Theft-Deterrent Systems	88
Content Theft-Deterrent	89
PASS-Key® III+	90
PASS-Key® III+ Operation	91
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	92
New Vehicle Break-In	92
Ignition Positions	93
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)	96
Starting the Engine	96
Engine Coolant Heater	98
Automatic Transmission Operation	99
Manual Transmission Operation	102
Parking Brake	104
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transmission)	105
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transmission)	107
Parking Your Vehicle	107
Parking Over Things That Burn	108
Engine Exhaust	108
Running the Vehicle While Parked	109
Mirrors	110
Manual Rearview Mirror	110
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®	110
Outside Remote Control Mirror	110
Outside Power Mirrors	111
Outside Convex Mirror	111
OnStar® System	112
Storage Areas	115
Glove Box	115
Cupholder(s)	115
Center Console Storage	115
Driver’s Storage Compartment	115
Convenience Net	115
Sunroof	116
Instrument Panel	117
Instrument Panel Overview	120
Hazard Warning Flashers	122
Other Warning Devices	122
Horn	122
Tilt Wheel	123
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	123
Turn and Lane-Change Signals	124
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer	124
Flash-to-Pass	124
Windshield Wipers	125
Windshield Washer	126
Cruise Control	126
Headlamps	130
Wiper Activated Headlamps	130
Headlamps on Reminder	131
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)	131
Fog Lamps	132
Instrument Panel Brightness	132
Dome Lamp	132
Entry/Exit Lighting	133
Mirror Reading Lamps	133
Electric Power Management	133
Battery Run-Down Protection	134
Accessory Power Outlet(s)	134
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter	135
Climate Controls	135
Climate Control System	135
Outlet Adjustment	138
Passenger Compartment Air Filter	139
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators	141
Instrument Panel Cluster	142
Speedometer and Odometer	143
Tachometer	143
Safety Belt Reminders	144
Airbag Readiness Light	145
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator	146
Charging System Light	148
Up-Shift Light	148
Brake System Warning Light	149
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light	150
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	150
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light	151
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light	152
Tire Pressure Light	152
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	153
Oil Pressure Light	156
Security Light	156
Fog Lamp Light	156
Highbeam On Light	157
Fuel Gage	157
Driver Information Center (DIC)	158
DIC Operation and Displays	158
DIC Warnings and Messages	160
DIC Vehicle Personalization	166
Audio System(s)	171
Setting the Clock	172
Radio(s)	175
Using an MP3	185
XM Radio Messages	190
Theft-Deterrent Feature	191
Audio Steering Wheel Controls	192
Radio Reception	192
Fixed Mast Antenna	193
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System	193
Driving Your Vehicle	195
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	196
Defensive Driving	196
Drunk Driving	196
Control of a Vehicle	197
Braking	198
Antilock Brake System (ABS)	199
Braking in Emergencies	200
Traction Control System (TCS)	200
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)	203
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	204
Steering	206
Off-Road Recovery	209
Passing	209
Loss of Control	209
Driving at Night	211
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	211
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	212
Highway Hypnosis	212
Hill and Mountain Roads	213
Winter Driving	214
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow	218
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out	218
Loading Your Vehicle	219
Towing	224
Towing Your Vehicle	224
Recreational Vehicle Towing	224
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)	226
Towing a Trailer (Automatic Transmission)	226
Service and Appearance Care	235
Service	237
Accessories and Modifications	237
California Proposition 65 Warning	237
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements	238
Doing Your Own Service Work	238
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	239
Fuel	239
Gasoline Octane	239
Gasoline Specifications	240
California Fuel	240
Additives	240
Fuels in Foreign Countries	241
Filling the Tank	242
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	244
Checking Things Under the Hood	244
Hood Release	245
Engine Compartment Overview	246
Engine Oil	247
Engine Oil Life System	250
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	251
Automatic Transmission Fluid	252
Manual Transmission Fluid	253
Hydraulic Clutch	253
Engine Coolant	253
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap	256
Engine Overheating	256
Cooling System	258
Windshield Washer Fluid	263
Brakes	264
Battery	267
Jump Starting	268
Headlamp Aiming	273
Bulb Replacement	276
Halogen Bulbs	276
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps	276
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	278
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps (Coupe)	278
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps (Sedan)	279
Back-Up Lamps (Coupe)	280
License Plate Lamp	280
Replacement Bulbs	281
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	281
Tires	282
Tire Sidewall Labeling	283
Tire Terminology and Definitions	286
Inflation - Tire Pressure	289
Tire Pressure Monitor System	290
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation	292
Tire Inspection and Rotation	296
When It Is Time for New Tires	298
Buying New Tires	299
Different Size Tires and Wheels	300
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	301
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	302
Wheel Replacement	302
Tire Chains	304
If a Tire Goes Flat	305
Changing a Flat Tire	306
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools	307
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire	312
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools	317
Compact Spare Tire	319
Appearance Care	320
Interior Cleaning	320
Fabric/Carpet	321
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces	322
Care of Safety Belts	323
Weatherstrips	323
Washing Your Vehicle	323
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses	324
Finish Care	324
Windshield and Wiper Blades	325
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels and Trim	326
Tires	327
Sheet Metal Damage	327
Finish Damage	327
Underbody Maintenance	327
Chemical Paint Spotting	327
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	328
Vehicle Identification	329
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	329
Service Parts Identification Label	329
Electrical System	330
Add-On Electrical Equipment	330
Headlamp Wiring	330
Windshield Wiper Fuses	330
Power Windows and Other Power Options	330
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	331
Floor Console Fuse Block	331
Engine Compartment Fuse Block	333
Capacities and Specifications	336
Maintenance Schedule	339
Maintenance Schedule	340
Introduction	340
Maintenance Requirements	340
Your Vehicle and the Environment	340
Using the Maintenance Schedule	341
Scheduled Maintenance	342
Additional Required Services	344
Maintenance Footnotes	345
Owner Checks and Services	346
At Each Fuel Fill	346
At Least Once a Month	347
At Least Once a Year	347
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	350
Maintenance Replacement Parts	352
Engine Drive Belt Routing	353
Maintenance Record	354
Customer Assistance Information	357
Customer Assistance and Information	358
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	358
Online Owner Center	360
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	361
Customer Assistance Offices	361
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program	362
Roadside Assistance Program	363
Scheduling Service Appointments	366
Courtesy Transportation	366
Collision Damage Repair	368
Reporting Safety Defects	371
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	371
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	371
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	371
Service Publications Ordering Information	372
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy	373
Event Data Recorders	373
OnStar®	374
Navigation System	374
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)	374

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Weight of the Trailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be?

It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg).

But even that can be too heavy.

It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example,

speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and

how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all

important. It can also depend on any special equipment

that you have on your vehicle, and the amount of tongue

weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer

Tongue” later in this section for more information.

Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the

driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required

trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional

equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle

must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.

You can ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering

information or advice. Also, see

Customer Assistance

Offices on page 7-5

for more information.

Weight of the Trailer Tongue

The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight

to measure because it affects the total or gross weight

of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you

may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the

vehicle.

If you have a lot of options, equipment, passengers, or

cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight your

vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight

your vehicle can tow. And if you tow a trailer, you must

add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will

be carrying that weight, too. See

Loading Your Vehicle on

page 4-25

for more information about your vehicle’s

maximum load capacity.

If you are using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer

tongue (A) should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total

loaded trailer weight (B).

After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and

then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are

proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right

simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

4-34