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
The following items are part of the
main customization menu.
Exit
Reset settings
Security
Lighting
Trip Computer
Language
Remote key
See the information following for
detailed descriptions of the
items available under each menu
item. There are also help screens
available to explain the features.
When selecting a menu item,
wait for a few seconds and a help
screen pops up with an explanation
of the selected feature.
Exit
To exit the customization menu
scroll to Exit and press
8.
You can also exit the customization
menu by:
Press3at any time to return
to the trip/fuel menu.
Drive the vehicle at more than
6 mph (10 km/h).
Turn the ignition off.
Reset settings
This item will reset all the
customization options to the factory
defaults.
Security
This item will allow you to
customize:
Auto unlock
Auto lock
Flash remote lck (lock)
Beep remote lck (lock)
Flash rem (remote) unlock
2 Stage unlock
Remote Start
Some of these work with your
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-4for more information.
Auto unlock
If you select Auto unlock you will be
able to choose when you want
the doors to unlock automatically.
Off:No automatic unlock of
any doors.
Driver door key out:The driver
door will unlock when the key
is removed.
Driver door in park:The driver
door will unlock when you put
the shift lever into PARK (P).
All doors at key out:All doors will
unlock when the key is removed.
Instruments and Controls 4-33
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Infotainment
Audio System(s)
Audio System(s).................6-1
Setting the Clock................6-2
Radio(s).............................6-3
Using an MP3...................6-19
Theft-Deterrent Feature.....6-23
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls..........................6-23
Radio Reception...............6-24
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-24
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle
has and become familiar with
its features.
{CAUTION
This system provides you with
far greater access to audio
stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to
entertainment tasks while
driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or
killed. Always keep your eyes
on the road and your mind on
the drive — avoid engaging in
extended searching while
driving.Keeping your mind on the drive
is important for safe driving.
SeeDefensive Driving on
page 8-13.
Here are some ways in which you
can help avoid distraction while
driving.Familiarize yourself with all of
its controls
Familiarize yourself with its
operation.
Set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio
stations, setting the tone,
and adjusting the speakers.
Then, when driving conditions
permit, you can tune to your
favorite radio stations using the
presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Infotainment 6-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
3. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Seek Sens setting.
4. Turn the MENU knob and
highlight either Local, Distance,
or Auto.
5. Select the BACK option or wait
eight seconds to exit the menu.
Setting Preset Stations
Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2,
six AM, six FM ASM, and six AM
ASM), can be programmed.
1. Press BAND to select FM1, FM2,
or AM.
2. Tune to a station.
3. For the radio with a single CD
player, press and hold one of
the six numbered pushbuttons
until the selected station displays
and a beep sounds.
4. For the radio with a six-disc CD
player, press and hold one of
the six softkeys until the selected
preset number displays and a
beep sounds.5. Repeat the steps to store the
other presets.
6. Repeat the steps for the other
radio bands.
ASM (Automatic Station Memory):
ASM searches and stores six FM
and six AM stations with the
strongest signal. To use ASM:
1. Press BAND to select FM or AM.
2. Press ASM for at least
two seconds until a beep sounds.
SEARCH displays on the radio,
followed by the number of
stations found.
3. The radio will automatically store
the six strongest stations found
as ASM presets.
Press the ASM button to alternate
between the ASM radio stations and
preset radio stations.
ASM displays on the radio when
using the ASM presets.
ASM does not delete previously
stored stations in FM1, FM2, or AM.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
The tone can be set independently
for each source: FM, AM, and
CD. The source must be active to
set the tone.
Bass and Treble can be adjusted
between−6 through +6.
To adjust the bass and treble 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 BASS
or TREBLE highlights.
4. Press the volume knob to enter
the BASS or TREBLE settings.
5. Turn the volume knob to adjust
the BASS or TREBLE setting.
6. Press the volume knob to save
and exit the setting.
7. Select the BACK option or wait
eight seconds to exit the menu.
6-6 Infotainment
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Speed Dependent Volume (SDV):
The SDV system automatically
adjusts the radio volume to
compensate for driving noise.
The SDV system can only be
adjusted while the radio is on.
As the speed of the vehicle
increases or decreases, the radio
volume increases or decreases.
The SDV adjustment range for the
radio with a single CD player is
between OFF and CUR 6, and the
adjustment range for the radio
with a six-disc CD player is
between 0 and 5.
To adjust the SDV setting on the
radio with a single CD player:
1. Press the volume knob to enter
the Options Menu.
2. Turn the volume knob until AUD
SETUP (audio setup) highlights.
3. Press the volume knob to enter
the AUD SETUP menu.4. Turn the volume knob until SD
VOLUME (speed dependent
volume) highlights.
5. Press the volume knob to enter
the SD VOLUME settings.
6. Turn the volume knob to adjust
the SD VOLUME setting.
7. Press the volume knob to save
and exit the setting.
8. Select the BACK option or wait
eight seconds to exit the menu.
To adjust the SDV setting on
the radio with a six-disc CD player:
1. Press the MENU knob to
enter the Options Menu.
2. Turn the MENU knob until Audio
Setup highlights.
3. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Audio Setup menu.
4. Turn the MENU knob until Speed
Vol (speed volume) highlights.
5. Press the MENU knob to enter
the Speed Vol settings.6. Turn the MENU knob to adjust
the Speed Vol setting.
7. Press the MENU knob to save
and exit the setting.
8. Select the BACK option or wait
eight seconds to exit the menu.
Dynamic Distortion Limiter (DDL):
The DDL system limits the amount
of audio distortion that can be heard.
The DDL system can only be
adjusted while the radio is on.
When the distortion level reaches a
preset limit, the radio automatically
reduces the volume until the
distortion is reduced. The DDL
adjustment range is between OFF
and CUR 3.
To adjust the DDL setting on the
radio with a single CD player:
1. Press the volume knob to enter
the Options Menu and the
option for AUDIO highlights.
2. Turn the volume knob until AUD
SETUP highlights.
Infotainment 6-17
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Personal Identity Memories
(Radio with Six-Disc CD
Player)
Personal Identity Memories are
coded to the vehicle’s keys. Only
two keys can be coded. The settings
are stored by the vehicle and are
unique to each key.
For the audio system, the following
settings are individually memorized
by the key system and become
unique to the particular key:
Radio On or Off.
Last used volume level.
Last used source (FM, AM,
or CD).
Radio station presets.
Bass and treble settings.
Speaker balance and fade
settings.
Additional features such as SDV
settings, Beeps, DDL settings,
display priority settings, and tuner
seek sensitivity.
Equalizer and boost settings,
if the radio has this feature.
CD track and disc settings.
Radio memory presets that are
stored for the rst time, are
automatically stored for both
personal identity keys. If the presets
are changed later by using a
different personal identity key, they
become speci c for that key only.
Independent Tone Memories
The radio is equipped with
Independent Tone Memories.
Bass and Treble settings are stored
independently for FM, AM, and CD.
After all independent tone memories
have been stored for the rst
ignition key, different settings can
be stored for the second ignition key
using the same procedure.
Using an MP3
MP3 CD-R / CD-RW Disc
MP3 Format
Only the radio with a six-disc CD
player can play MP3 CD’s.
The MP3 player is able to read and
play a maximum of:
50 folders.
11 folders in depth
50 playlists
10 sessions
255 les
All items over the maximum are
ignored.
Infotainment 6-19
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
l(Forward):Press to go to the
next track or press
lmultiple times
until the desired track is reached.
g(Reverse):Press to go back to
the start of the current track or
press
gmultiple times until
the desired track is reached.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
The radio has an electronically
coded security system that links the
radio to the vehicle. When the
ignition is off, a ashing red light on
the upper left side of the radio
indicates the security system is on.
If the radio is moved to a different
vehicle, it will not operate and
Security Lockout Active displays.
Contact your dealer/retailer to
unlock the radio.
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls
The vehicle has audio steering
wheel controls.
Some audio controls can be
adjusted at the steering wheel.
Several functions of the audio
system can be operated with the
audio remote control buttons and the
rotary control wheel.
SRCE (Source):Press to select
between FM1, FM2, AM, CD, Front
AUX (auxiliary), or Rear AUX.
QR(Scroll Wheel Control):
Push to select the next disc in the
changer.
Turn the scroll wheel up or down to:
Select the next or previous
preset radio station.
Select the next or previous track.
%(Voice In):Press to interact
with the OnStar®system.
{(Call End):Press to end an
OnStar®phone call.
+−(Scroll Wheel Control):Turn
the scroll wheel control up or
down to increase or decrease the
volume. Press to mute the audio
system, press again to turn
the sound back on.
Infotainment 6-23
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
If you are in an area of extreme
cold, where the temperature
falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either
an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or
an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better
protection for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the
starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all
you need for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system
that lets you know when to change
the engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, themileage at which an oil change will
be indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system
every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that
oil life has been diminished, it will
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. The Service Engine Oil
message will be displayed. Change
the oil as soon as possible within the
next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system
might not indicate that an oil change
is necessary for over a year.
However, the engine oil and lter
must be changed at least once a
year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset
accidentally, you must change the
oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is
required. If a situation occurs where
you change the oil prior to the
Service Engine Oil message being
displayed, reset the system.
9-10 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual