2008 PONTIAC G8 ESP

How OnStar Service Works
The OnStar system can record and
transmit vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to
an OnStar Call Center when the
OnStar button is pressed, the
emergency button is pressed, or if
the airbags or AACN system deploy.
The vehicle information usually
includes your GPS location and, in
the event of a crash, additional
information regarding the accident
that the vehicle has been involved in
(e.g. the direction from which the
vehicle was hit). When the Virtual
Advisor feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling is used, the
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS
location so that we can provide
services where you are located.
OnStar service cannot work unless
the vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless you are in
a place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired forthat area has coverage, network
capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and
technology that is compatible with
the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere,
particularly in remote or enclosed
areas, or at all times.
Location information about the
vehicle is only available if the GPS
satellite signals are available
and unobstructed.
The vehicle must have a working
electrical system (including adequate
battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar from
providing OnStar service to you at
any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important
parts of the vehicle in an accident,
hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather
or wireless phone network
congestion.Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if
you cannot hear the OnStar advisor.
If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system is not
functioning properly and should be
checked by your dealer/retailer.
If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), the OnStar subscription
has expired. Press the blue
OnStar button to conrm that the
OnStar equipment is active.
4-38 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

To adjust the bass and treble on the
radio with a six-disc CD player:
1. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Option Menu, Audio is
highlighted.
2. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Audio menu.
3. Turn the MENU knob until Bass
or Treble highlights.
4. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Bass or Treble settings.
5. Turn the MENU knob to adjust
the Bass or Treble setting.
6. Press the MENU knob to save
and exit the setting.
7. Select the Back option or wait
eight seconds to exit the menu.
The Bass and Treble cannot
be adjusted while the Equalizer is
being used.Loudness Contour Circuit:
The Loudness Contour Circuit
automatically boosts the bass and
treble response at low volume
levels.
The Loudness Contour Circuit
cannot be adjusted on the base
radio.
To adjust the Loudness Contour
Circuit on the radio with a six-disc
CD player:
1. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Option Menu, Audio is
highlighted.
2. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Audio menu.
3. Turn the MENU knob until
Loudness highlights.
4. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Loudness settings.
5. Turn the MENU knob to turn the
Loudness setting On or Off.6. Press the MENU knob to save
and exit the setting.
7. Select the Back option or wait
eight seconds to exit the menu.
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)

Balance can be adjusted from
L6 (left) to R6 (right)
Fade can be adjusted from
F6 (front) to R6 (rear)
To adjust the balance and fade on
the radio with a single CD player:
1. Press the volume knob to enter
the Option Menu, AUDIO is
highlighted.
2. Press the volume knob to enter
the AUDIO Menu.
3. Turn the volume knob until
BALANCE or FADE highlights.
4. Press the volume knob to enter
the BALANCE or FADE settings.
Infotainment 6-7
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Radio Message
Security Lockout Active:
This message displays when the
coded security system has been
activated. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Using the CD Player
The CD player plays standard sized
CDs. Using CDs of a different
size can damage the drive or disc,
even if an adapter is used.
The CD player has a memory
buffer that holds approximately
seven seconds of music to prevent
interruption while driving over
bumpy surfaces. If the interruption
lasts longer than seven seconds, the
memory buffer can become empty
and playback will be interrupted until
the player has time to refocus, read
the disc, and ll the buffer again.When the player reaches the end of
a CD, it automatically returns to
the start and plays the CD again.
CDs can be loaded with the
ignition and the radio on or off.
CDs will stay in the player if the
ignition or radio is turned off.
If the CD was the last source
selected, it resumes playing
when the radio is turned on.
Loading CDs
To load a CD with the radio with a
single CD player:
1. Insert a CD label side up
partway into the slot.
2. The CD player will pull the CD
in and begin playing if the
radio is on.To load CDs with the radio with a
six-disc CD player:
#LOAD:Press to load CDs into
the CD player. The display shows
DISC and six numbers that
correspond to the six CD storage
locations. When a storage location
has no disc loaded a dash
displays.
To insert one CD:
1. Press
#LOAD and Insert Disc
displays.
2. The load indicator light ashes,
and the radio beeps twice.
3. Insert a CD label side up partway
into the slot.
4. The CD player will pull the CD
in and begin playing if the
radio is on.
Infotainment 6-9
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the item
from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the
day, and then reduce these levels
during the night. Static can also
occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try
reducing the treble on the radio.
FM Stereo
FM signals only reach about
10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Although the radio has a built-in
electronic circuit that automatically
works to reduce interference,
some static can occur, especially
around tall buildings or hills.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The AM-FM antenna is located on
the roof of the vehicle.
Driving through an automatic car
wash without removing the antenna
could damage it.
To remove the antenna, turn it
counterclockwise. To replace the
antenna, turn it clockwise until hand
tightened.
6-24 Infotainment
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart
when you are already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if your vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle
speed will go down as your
engine gets warm. Do not race
the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently to allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists
in starting the engine and
protects components. If the
ignition key is turned to
the START position, and then
released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will
continue cranking for a few
seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START
for many seconds, cranking
will be stopped after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor
damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by
turning the ignition switch
to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded
with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor
and holding it there as you hold
the key in START for up to a
maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
8-4 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Police records show that
almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these deaths
are the result of someone who
was drinking and driving. In recent
years, more than 17,000 annual
motor vehicle-related deaths have
been associated with the use of
alcohol, with about 250,000 people
injured.
For persons under 21, it is against
the law in every U.S. state to
drink alcohol. There are good
medical, psychological, and
developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the
leading highway safety problem
is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol
in a person’s system can make crash
injuries worse, especially injuries
to the brain, spinal cord, or heart.This means that when anyone who
has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help
to control your vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of
your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-16.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. First,
you have to decide to push on the
brake pedal. That is perception time.
Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But that is
only an average. It might be less with
one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another.
Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a
part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths
of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet
(20 m). That could be a lot of
distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your
vehicle and others is important.
8-14 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your
foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance.
If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have
time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very
best braking.
Electronic Stability
Program
The vehicle has the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®) that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions
by reducing engine power and
applying the brakes to individual
wheels. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions.
The system operates if it senses
that the rear wheels are spinning
too much, are beginning to lose
traction or if it senses that the
vehicle is not moving in its intended
direction. It turns on automatically
every time the vehicle is started.
When ESP is working, this light
and the STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will come
8-16 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

on and the ESP CTRL message
will be displayed at the bottom of
the DIC.
The STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will remain
on while the system is working
until the
3button is pressed to
display the trip computer. The ESP
CTRL message stays on at the
bottom of the DIC while the system
is working.
You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
When this light and the STABILITY
CTRL OFF message is on and
the ESP OFF message is displayed,
the system will not limit wheel spin.Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-27for more information.
ESP is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially
in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system
enabled. You can turn ESP off if you
ever need to.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your
vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to rock your
vehicle to attempt to free it. It may
also be necessary to turn off the
system when driving in extreme
off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow on page 8-27.The ESP button is located in front of
the transmission gear selector lever.
To turn the system off or on, press
and release the ESP button.
The DIC will briey display the
appropriate message and then
return to the trip computer display.
Driving and Operating 8-17
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual