Page 1
Congratulations on your purchase of a Pontiac G3. Please read this information about your vehicle’s features and
your Owner Manual to ensure an outstanding ownership experience. Note that your vehicle may not include all
the features described in this booklet. Keep this booklet with your Owner Manual for easy reference.
DRIVER INFORMATION
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Instrument Panel Cluster . . . . . . .3
SAFETY & SECURITY
Rear Center Safety Belt
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Remote Keyless Entry and
Content Theft-Deterrent Systems 4
OnStar
®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
COMFORT
Front Seat Adjustments . . . . . . . .5
Adjustable Head Restraints . . . . .6
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ENTERTAINMENT
Audio System Features . . . . . . . .7
XM
®
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Audio Steering Wheel Controls . .8
CONVENIENCE
Wipers/Washer Controls . . . . . . . .9
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Folding Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
PERFORMANCE & MAINTENANCE
Malfunction Indicator Lamp/
Check Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . .12
Automatic Transmission
Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Automatic Transmission
Cold Weather Shifting . . . . . . . . .13
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Manual Transmission Reverse
Lockout Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . .14
Reset the Engine Oil Life
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Opening the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . .15
OWNER INFORMATION
Roadside Assistance . . . . . . . . .16
Pontiac Owner Center . . . . . . . . .16
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Getting to Know Your G3
2
DRIVER INFORMATION
Instrument Panel
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
The main features of the instrument
panel include:
A. Turn Signal/Headlamp Control Lever
B. Instrument Panel Cluster
C. Windshield Wipers/Washer Lever
D. Clock/Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
E. Audio System
F. Power Mirror Controls (if equipped)
G. Hood Release
H. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(if equipped)
I. Horn
J. Cruise Control (if equipped)
K. Climate Controls
L. Shift Lever
M. Accessory Power Outlet
N. Hazard Warning Flashers Button
A C D
F G H J K L M N
B E
I
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3
Instrument Panel Cluster
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
The instrument panel cluster is designed
to let you know at a glance how your
vehicle is running. It includes these key
features:
A. Tachometer
B. Speedometer
C. Odometer/Trip Odometer
D. Fuel Gauge
E. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
Note: The instrument panel cluster is
designed to let you know about many
important aspects of your vehicle’s
operation. It is important to read your
Owner Manual and become familiar
with the information being relayed to
you by the lights, gauges and indicators,
as well as what action can be taken to
ensure safety and to prevent damage.
A C DB E
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Getting to Know Your G3
4
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
Rear Center Safety Belt
Operation
Your vehicle has a retractable safety belt
in the rear center seating position. The
safety belt should be unlatched and
retracted only when folding the rear seat.
• When fastening the safety belt,
connect it to the belt buckle with the
red release button (A).
• When folding the rear seatback,
disconnect the safety belt latch plate
by inserting a narrow-ended tool
(such as a key) into the hole on the
belt buckle (B). Allow the belt to
retract.
• When unfolding the rear seatback,
connect the safety belt by pushing
the safety belt latch plate into the belt
buckle with the keyhole. Make sure
the belt is not twisted.
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Passenger Sensing System located in
the front passenger seat for the front
passenger frontal airbag, and a passenger airbag status indicator located on
top of the instrument panel.
Note: It is recommended that children
not be placed in the front passenger
seat, even with the Passenger Sensing
System. All children should be properly
secured in a rear seat.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Remote Keyless Entry and
Content Theft-Deterrent
Systems (if equipped)
Remote Keyless
Entry System
The Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) trans mitter is integral to
the ignition key.
Functions include:
(Lock): Press this
button to lock all the doors and arm the
Content Theft-Deterrent System.
(Unlock): Press this button to
unlock all the doors and disarm the
Content Theft-Deterrent System.
(Panic Alarm): Press this button
to activate the panic alarm. The hazard
lamps will flash and an alarm will
sound for about 28 seconds. To cancel
the alarm, press any button on the
transmitter.
Content Theft-Deterrent System
The Content Theft-Deterrent System will
be armed only if the doors are locked
using the remote transmitter. It will not
arm if the doors are locked using the
key or the manual door lock.
To cancel the alarm, press any button
on the transmitter or unlock either front
door with the key.
A B
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
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5
COMFORT
Front Seat Adjustments
Seat Adjustment
• Lift the bar (A) under the front of the
seat to slide the seat to the desired
position; then release the bar.
Seat Height Adjustment
(Driver’s Seat only)
• Turn the height adjustment knob (B)
on the outboard side of the driver’s
seat cushion to raise or lower the
seat.
Seatback Recline Adjustment
• Lift the recline lever (C) on the outboard side of the seat to move the
seatback to the desired position;
then release the lever.
Lumbar Adjustment
(Driver’s Seat only)
• Raise or lower the lumbar support
lever (D) on the outboard side of the
driver’s seatback to adjust the position of the lumbar support.
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
Transmitter Range
The RKE transmitter’s range is up to
about 65 feet (20 m). If range is
reduced, check the:
• Distance — you may be too far away.
• Location — other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal.
• Battery — it may be weak and need
to be replaced.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
OnStar
®
Your vehicle may feature the OnStar
Safe & Sound Plan or the uplevel
OnStar Directions & Connections Plan,
with one year of OnStar service from the
date you purchased your new vehicle.
OnStar offers a variety of capabilities,
such as Remote Door Unlock, Automatic
Airbag Deployment Response, and
Hands-Free Calling.
Press the OnStar button to ask an
OnStar Advisor about the service plan
you have or to upgrade your plan.
For more information, refer to your
OnStar Owner’s Guide, call
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or visit onstar.com.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
A B C
D
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Getting to Know Your G3
6
Adjustable Head Restraints
To adjust the position of a head
restraint:
• Pull up the head restraint to raise it.
• Press the button on the guide sleeve
on top of the seatback to lower the
head restraint.
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
Climate Controls
Use the following controls to operate the
climate control system:
Air Temperature: Turn the temperature
control knob (A) to adjust the temperature setting.
A B C
(Fan): Turn the fan control knob (B)
to adjust fan speed.
Air Delivery: Turn the airflow selection
knob (C) to change the direction of the
air delivery to vent, bi-level, floor, defog
or defrost mode.
A/C (Air Conditioning) (if equipped):
With the fan turned on, press this button
to turn the air conditioning on or off. The
air conditioning turns on automatically
when the defog or defrost mode is
selected.
(Recirculation): Press this button
to prevent outside air from entering the
vehicle. Recirculation will not operate
when the floor, defog or defrost mode is
selected.
(Rear Defogger): Press this button
to turn the rear window defogger on or
off. The heated outside rearview mirrors
(if equipped) will also activate.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
Note: When the recirculation mode is
used for extended periods without the air
conditioning, the air humidity increases
and the windows may fog more easily.
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Audio System Features
While most of the features on the audio
system will look familiar, some of the following may be new:
(Power/Volume): Press this knob
to turn the system on or to mute the
volume. Turn the knob to adjust the volume. Press and hold the knob to turn off
the system.
(Seek): Press the right or left
Seek button to go to the next or previous radio station or, when a CD is playing, to the next track or the start of the
current track.
(Tune): Press these buttons
to select radio stations or, when a CD is
playing, to select a track.
SCAN: Press this button to scan radio
stations. Press the button again to stop
scanning.
SOUND: Press this button to access
the tone control (bass/treble), speaker
control (balance/fade) and other system
features. Press the pushbutton under
the desired feature to select it. Turn the
volume knob to adjust the setting.
ENTERTAINMENT
Radio/CD system
BAND: Press this button to switch
between AM, FM, and XM (if equipped)
bands. When playing a CD, press this
button to switch to the radio.
FAV (Favorite): Press this button to go
through up to six pages of any combination (AM, FM, or XM, if equipped) of
preset favorite radio stations. On each
page, up to six presets are available by
using the six pushbuttons below the
radio display.
CD/AUX (CD/Auxiliary): Press this
button to switch to CD operation. Press
it again to switch to operation of an
auxiliary device, such as a portable
audio player.
Portable Audio Device: A portable
audio device (such as an iPod
®
or MP3
player) can be connected to the auxiliary
input jack located on the radio. Press
the AUX button to play audio from the
portable device over the vehicle speakers. To optimize speaker volume, fully
increase the volume level of the portable
device.
Favorite Stations
Before setting your preset stations, park
the vehicle.
You can set up to six pages of any
combination (AM, FM, or XM, if
equipped) of favorite radio stations, with
up to six stations stored on each page.
Note: Engaging in extended searching
for specific audio stations or songs by
using buttons and knobs — or giving
extended attention to entertainment tasks
— can lead you to look away from the
road frequently or for prolonged periods,
which may cause you to miss seeing
things on the road that you need to see.
Avoid engaging in extended searching for
specific items while driving.
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Getting to Know Your G3
8
The following
audio controls
are located on
the steering
wheel:
+ VOLUME –:
Toggle the
outer button
(A) upward or
downward to
adjust the volume.
PWR: Press this button to turn the
system on or off, or simply tap this
button to mute the system.
MODE: Press this button to switch
between AM, FM, XM (if equipped),
CD and AUX operation.
SEEK: Press this button to go to the
next preset radio station or, when a CD
is playing, to the next track.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(if equipped)
A
Set Number of Favorite Station Pages
1. Press and hold the FAV button to
display the setup menu.
2. Press the pushbutton below the
desired number of favorite station
pages.
3. Press the FAV button. You may now
begin storing your favorite stations for
the chosen number of pages.
Store Favorite Stations
1. Tune in the desired radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to display the
pages where the station is to be
stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six pushbuttons until a beep sounds.
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton
on each page.
Playing MP3 Files
The audio system has MP3 file playback
capability. When playing a CD containing MP3 audio tracks, an MP3 label will
be displayed.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
XM®Radio
XM Radio offers more than 170
channels of digital-quality sound that
goes wherever you go — coast to coast.
After a free three-month trial period,
activation and service subscription
fees apply. Service is based in the
continental U.S. and Canada. For
more information, visit XM online at
www.XMradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
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The lever on the right side of the steering column operates the front windshield
wipers and the rear wiper.
Windshield Wipers/Washer
To operate the front wipers and washer,
move the lever to the following positions:
OFF: Move the lever to this position to
turn off the windshield wipers.
INT (Intermittent): Move the lever up to
the first position to choose a delayed
wiping cycle. Turn the band to adjust the
delay between wipes.
LO (Low Speed): Move the lever up to
the second position for steady, lowspeed wipes.
HI (High Speed): Move the lever up to
the third position for rapid, high-speed
wipes.
(Washer): Pull the lever toward you
to spray washer fluid on the windshield
and activate the wipers.
Rear Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper and washer operate in
the following positions:
(Rear Wiper): Turn the end of the
lever to the first position to operate the
rear wiper continuously.
CONVENIENCE
Wipers/Washer Controls
The cruise
control buttons
are located on
the right side
of the steering
wheel.
Set Cruise
Control
1. Press
the
(On/Off) button to turn on cruise
control.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET– button. An indicator
light on the instrument panel cluster
will illuminate.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Increase Speed
• Press and release the RES+ button
to increase speed by 1 mph.
• Press and hold the RES+ button until
you reach the desired speed; then
release the button.
• Use the accelerator to reach the
desired speed; then press the SET–
button. Release the button and the
accelerator pedal.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
(Rear Washer): Turn the end of the
lever to the second position to spray
washer fluid on the rear window and
operate the rear wiper continuously.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
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The outside rearview mirrors may be
adjusted using the controls located on
the left side of the instrument panel.
• Use the selector switch to select the
driver-side (left) mirror or passengerside (right) mirror; then use the
control pad to move the mirror in
the desired direction.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Getting to Know Your G3
10
Sunroof (if equipped)
The control switch for the sunroof is
located on the headliner between the
sun visors.
Vent
• To open the sunroof to the vent
position, press and hold the driver’s
side of the switch. Press and hold the
passenger’s side of the switch to
close the sunroof.
Open/Close
• To fully open the sunroof, press
and hold the passenger’s side of
the switch. Press and hold the
driver’s side of the switch to close
the sunroof.
Sunshade
• The sunshade must be manually
opened and closed.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Reduce Speed
• Press and release the SET– button
to reduce speed by 1 mph.
• Press and hold the SET– button until
you reach the desired lower speed;
then release the button.
Resume a Set Speed
• To return to a set speed after having
used the brakes, press the RES+
button. Vehicle speed must be more
than 24 mph.
End Cruise Control
• Step lightly on the brake pedal (or
clutch pedal, if equipped) to cancel
cruise control but retain the set speed
in memory.
• Press the button to erase the
set speed and turn off cruise control.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
Power Mirrors (if equipped)
Page 11
6. Pull the release handles on the rear
side of each seat cushion.
7. Lift and fold up the seat cushion.
8. Clip the hook to the front seat head
restraint to secure the folded rear
seat.
Reverse this process to return the rear
seat to the upright position.
• Before lowering the seat cushion,
place the safety belt buckles behind
the rear seat position so they are not
pinched under the seat.
11
Either side of the G3’s 60/40 split seatback may be folded down individually,
or both at the same time:
1. Lower the head restraints completely.
2. Detach the center safety belt by
inserting the key into the slot in the
mini buckle and pressing the release
button.
3. Pull up the release knob on top of the
seatback.
4. Fold each seatback forward and
down.
To fold and tumble the rear seatbacks
for more cargo space:
5. Move the safety belt buckles out of
the space between the seatback and
seat cushion.
Folding Rear Seat
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Getting to Know Your G3
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Automatic Transmission
Hold Mode (if equipped)
This feature allows the automatic transmission to stay in a specific gear range.
When the Hold mode is selected in the
“D” position, the transmission is held in
3rd gear, which locks out overdrive (4th
gear) and provides additional torque
and responsiveness at most higher
speeds. This allows for engine braking
during higher speed descents and
decelerations.
Similarly, if the Hold mode is selected in
the “2” position, the transmission will
start in 2nd gear (instead of 1st), helping
to reduce wheelspin when starting out
on slippery surfaces.
Cupholders
Two cupholders are located in the center
of the instrument panel.
• To open the front cupholder door,
press on its outer edge.
There also is a cupholder located in the
rear of the center console.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp/
Check Engine Light
If the light is flashing: A misfire condi-
tion has been detected. When it is safe
to do so, stop the vehicle and turn the
engine off. Wait 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light continues to flash,
see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
If the light is on steady: If you recently
put fuel into your vehicle, reinstall the
fuel cap, making sure that it is tight. A
few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn off the light.
See Section 3 of your Owner Manual.
PERFORMANCE & MAINTENANCE
• Before raising the rear seatbacks,
place the safety belts into the side
retaining clips (A) to avoid catching
the belt behind the seatback.
• To raise the seatback, lift it up and
push it rearward until it locks in place.
• Place the safety belt buckles and
center seat safety belt in their original
positions.
See Section 1 of your Owner Manual.
A
Page 13
Select the Hold Mode
1. Place the shift lever in the gear range
you want to hold.
2. Press the HOLD button (A) located
on the shift lever console. (The HOLD
indicator light on the instrument panel
cluster will illuminate.)
To turn off the Hold mode and return to
normal automatic transmission operation, press the HOLD button again.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
13
Note: Since selecting the Hold mode in
the “D” position locks the transmission
in 3rd gear and prevents downshifts to
2nd or 1st gear, acceleration from a
standstill or near standstill on dry pavement will be slower than expected. The
Hold mode should not be selected during these situations.
Automatic Transmission Cold
Weather Shifting (if equipped)
When operating your vehicle in severe
cold conditions, the transmission may be
prevented from shifting into 4th gear
until the transmission fluid has warmed
up to its operational temperature. It may
take several miles of driving to warm up
the fluid and enable the 4th gear upshift.
Up-Shift Light (if equipped)
Vehicles with a manual transmission
are equipped with an Up-Shift light that
indicates when to shift to achieve the
best possible fuel economy.
When the (Up-Shift) light on the
instrument panel cluster illuminates, shift
to the next higher gear when conditions
permit.
It is normal for the light to turn on and
off if the position of the accelerator
pedal is changed quickly. When downshifting, ignore the light.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Manual Transmission Reverse
Lockout Feature (if equipped)
This feature prevents the engagement of
Reverse (R) gear when the vehicle is
moving forward.
• To shift into Reverse (R), depress the
clutch pedal; then lift up the ring on
the shift lever and shift into Reverse
(R). Slowly release the clutch pedal
while pressing the accelerator pedal.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
Note: Shifting into Reverse (R) gear
while your vehicle is moving forward
could damage the transmission. Shift
into Reverse (R) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
A
While the fluid is warming up, your vehicle will shift normally between 1st, 2nd
and 3rd gear.
See Section 2 of your Owner Manual.
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Getting to Know Your G3
14
The Tire Pressure Monitor alerts you
when a significant reduction in pressure
occurs in one or more of your vehicle’s
tires by illuminating the (Low Tire
Pressure) warning light on the instrument panel cluster. The low tire pressure
warning light will remain on until you
correct the tire pressure.
Correcting the Tire Pressure
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you must inflate the tire to
the proper tire pressure (just as you
must refuel the vehicle when the low
fuel warning light illuminates). The Tire
and Loading Information label shows the
correct tire pressure for the tires when
they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than one mile.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear when
the vehicle is first started and then turn
off as you start to drive. This could be
an early indicator that the tire pressures
are getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
See Sections 3 and 5 of your Owner Manual.
Note: The Tire Pressure Monitor can
alert you about low tire pressure, but it
doesn’t replace normal monthly tire
maintenance.
Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Oil Life System calculates engine oil
life based on vehicle use and illuminates
the (Change Engine Oil) light on
the instrument panel cluster when it’s
necessary to change your engine oil and
filter. The Oil Life System should be
reset only following an oil change.
To reset the Oil Life System:
1. Turn on the ignition, with the
engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times within
five seconds.
3. Turn off the ignition.
See Sections 3 and 5 of your Owner Manual.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Page 15
3. Lift the hood and release the hood
prop from its retainer on the underside of the hood. Place the hood prop
into the slot on the inner fender.
To close the hood:
1. Lift up on the hood to relieve pressure on the hood prop. Remove the
hood prop from the slot in the inner
fender and return the prop to its
retainer on the underside of the hood.
2. Lower the hood to 8–10 inches
above the vehicle and release it to
latch it fully. Check to ensure that
it is latched properly and repeat
if necessary.
See Section 5 of your Owner Manual.
15
Opening the Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the (Hood Release) handle
(A) located on the lower-left side of
the instrument panel.
2. At the front of the vehicle, feel under
the front-center lip of the hood for the
secondary hood release and push the
lever up, using a squeezing motion.
A
Page 16
Getting to Know Your G3
16
20811658 A
Roadside Assistance
Pontiac Owner Center
1-800-ROADSIDE
(1-800-762-3743)
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac, you
are automatically enrolled in the Pontiac
Roadside Assistance program. This valueadded service is intended to provide you
with peace of mind as you drive in the city
or travel the open road.
Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free
number is staffed by a team of technically
trained advisors who are available 24
hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide
minor repair information or make arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
Pontiac will provide the following ser vices
for 5 years/100,000 miles at no expense
to you:
• Fuel delivery
• Lockout service (identification required)
• Tow to nearest dealer for warranty
service
• Flat tire assistance
• Jump starts
In many instances, mechanical failures are
covered under Pontiac’s comprehensive
warranty. However, when other services
are utilized, our advisors will explain any
payment obligations you might incur.
The Pontiac Owner Center, a compli mentary service for Pontiac owners, is a
one-stop resource to enhance your
Pontiac ownership experience. Exclusive
member benefits include online service
reminders, vehicle maintenance tips,
online owner manual, special privileges
and more. Sign up today at
www.gmownercenter.com/pontiac.
For prompt and efficient assistance when
calling, please provide the following information to the advisor:
• Location of the vehicle
• Telephone number and your location
• Vehicle model, year and color
• Vehicle mileage
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Vehicle license plate number
Pontiac reserves the right to limit services
or reimbursement to an owner or driver
when, in Pontiac’s judgment, the claims
become excessive in frequency or type of
occurrence.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have a current OnStar subscription,
press the OnStar button and the vehicle
will send your current GPS location to an
OnStar Advisor who will speak to you,
assess your problem, contact Roadside
Assistance and relay your exact location
so you will get the help you need.
Certain restrictions, precautions and safety procedures apply to your vehicle. Please read your Owner Manual
for complete instructions. All information contained herein is based on the latest information available at the
time of printing and is subject to change without notice. © 2008 GM Corp. All rights reserved.
!20811658=A!
OWNER INFORMATION
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