2008 PONTIAC G8 battery

yOverSpeed
This message is displayed when the
vehicle’s speed is greater than
the set OverSpeed value. See
“OverSpeed” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 4-23.
You can press
8or move the
thumbwheel up
Qor downRto
acknowledge that you received
the message, but OverSpeed will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display as long as the
vehicle’s speed exceeds the preset
value.
$Park Brake
This message is displayed if the
parking brake is applied when you
are driving. Release the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 8-9.
Replace Battery in
Remote Key
This message is displayed when the
battery in the remote keyless
entry transmitter needs to be
replaced. See your dealer/retailer to
replace the battery.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
QKey Batt will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the battery
has been replaced.
wRest Reminder
This feature reminds the driver that
they may have been driving for too
long without a break. When the
ignition is turned on, a timer starts
counting. After two hours of
continuous driving, the rest reminder
ashes to alert the driver. The Rest
Reminder message is displayed until
3or8are pressed. The rest
reminder reappears after 20 minutesaccompanied by a chime, unless the
ignition has been turned off. For
information on how to turn the rest
reminder on and off, seeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 4-32.
{Safety Mode Active and
Power Reduced
These messages display alternately
when there is a problem with the
engine control system, see
your dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
{Safety will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
4-30 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Service Charging System
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system, see your
dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
"Low Batt will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
:Service Engine Oil
This message is displayed when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the Oil Life System.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 9-10for information on how to
reset the message. SeeEngine
Oil on page 9-8andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11-4for more
information.
vService Vehicle Soon
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the vehicle,
see your dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
*Service will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
DSport Shift
This message is displayed when the
automatic transmission is operating
in sport shift mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 8-6.
LStability Ctrl (Control)
Assistance
This message is displayed when the
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®) is actively helping the
vehicle with road grip and stability.
ESP CTRL appears at the bottom
of the display and remains
illuminated as long as the ESP is
actively helping with road grip
and stability. SeeElectronic Stability
Program on page 8-16.
FStability Ctrl (Control) Off
This message is displayed when the
ESP has been turned off.
SeeElectronic Stability Program on
page 8-16. If this message is
displayed and you have not turned
off the ESP, it means there is a
problem with the ESP, see
your dealer/retailer.
Instruments and Controls 4-31
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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

Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Automatic Headlamp
System.............................5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-3
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-4
Perimeter Lighting...............5-4
Reading Lamps..................5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
Fog Lamps
The exterior lamps control has four
positions:
9(Off):Turns the headlamps,
parking lamps, and DRL off.
The DRL does not turn off on
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
AUTO (Automatic):Turns the
headlamps on and off automatically.
They come on at normal brightness,
together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
Lighting 5-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Dome Lamp(s)
+
(On/Off):Press to turn the lamp
on or off.
&(Door):Press this button in and
the lamps automatically turn on
when a door is opened, the vehicle
is unlocked, or the key is removed
from the ignition.
The lamps dim to off after all the
doors are closed. They turn off
immediately if the ignition is turned
on and all the doors are closed.
The dome lamps turn on
automatically only when it is dark.
Perimeter Lighting
Press the unlock button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter to turn the headlamps
and back-up lamps on for
60 seconds if it is dark enough
outside.
The lamps only turn on if the
exterior lamp control is left in the
AUTO position.
Reading Lamps
Front Reading Lamps
()(On/Off):Press to turn
the lamps on or off.
Battery Run-Down
Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help
prevent the battery from being
drained. The trunk lamp and
reading lamps automatically turn off
10 minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
The lamps are reactivated if any of
the following occur:
The ignition is turned on.
The vehicle is unlocked.
The trunk is opened.
The reading lamps are turned on.
5-4 Lighting
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only
position from which you can remove
the key. This locks the steering
wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in
the LOCK/OFF position with your
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs
service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This
position provides power to some
of the electrical accessories.
It unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition. The transmission is
also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission
vehicles. To move the key from
ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
push in the key and then turn it
to LOCK/OFF.C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the ventilation
fan and 12 volt power outlet, as
well as to display some warning and
indicator lights.
The battery could be drained
if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position with the engine off.
You may not be able to start the
vehicle if the battery is allowed
to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off.
Audio System
Power Windows
The power windows will continue to
work for up to 10 minutes or until
any door is opened. The radio
will work when the key is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the
key is turned from ON/RUN to
LOCK/OFF, the radio will continue
to work for 10 minutes or until
the driver’s door is opened.
Driving and Operating 8-3
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

{CAUTION
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and
kill you. You cannot see it or
smell it, so you might not know
it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust
pipe. And check around again
from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on
the side of the vehicle that is
away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you
must. This saves fuel. When you run
the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less
fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery charged. You will
need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with the
headlamps. Let the heater run
for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close
the window almost all the way to
preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. But do it as little as possible.
Preserve the fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly
vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out on page 8-28.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires
spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or
other damage. Spin the wheels
as little as possible and avoid
going above 35 mph (55 km/h)
as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 9-62.
Driving and Operating 8-27
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual