2008 PONTIAC G8 service

Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from
the ignition.
The system is disarmed when the
key is turned to ON/RUN.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in your vehicle and automatically
disarms the system. Only the correct
key will start the vehicle. If the
key is ever damaged, you may not
be able to start your vehicle.
If the vehicle does not start:
Make sure the fold away key is
fully extended.
Avoid attaching several keys with
the ignition key.
Avoid attaching keys from other
vehicles to the ignition key.
Do not attempt to start the
vehicle with a non-approved key.
Do not disassemble the key.
When trying to start the vehicle, if
the engine does not start, the
key may have a damaged
transponder. Turn the ignition off
and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key.
If the engine still does not start,
your vehicle needs service.
See your dealer/retailer to service
the theft-deterrent system and
have a new key made.
The following procedure is for
programming additional keys only. If
all vehicle keys are lost or no
longer work, see your dealer/retailer.
A new key must be made prior to
programming.
A maximum of four keys can be
programmed for your vehicle.The key is purchased as two
sections: the key blade and
immobilizer section (A) and the
remote keyless entry and remote
start system section (B).
Do not join the two key sections
until programming is complete.
To program a new section (A):
1. Insert the original, already
programmed key into the ignition
and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, see
your dealer/retailer.
2. Remove the key from the
ignition.
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The vehicle has a manual rearview
mirror with a compass display
and OnStar
®control buttons located
at the bottom of the mirror. See
your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and how
to subscribe to OnStar. See
OnStar
®System on page 4-36for
more information about the services
OnStar provides.
Adjust the mirror to see clearly
behind your vehicle. Hold it in the
center to move it up or down
and side to side.
Headlamp Glare
1. To reduce headlamp glare from
vehicles following from behind,
pull the lever toward you.
The rear view clarity is reduced
when the mirror is set to
reduce headlamp glare.2. Return the lever back to its
original position as soon as
the glare has disappeared to
restore the rear view.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a paper towel
or similar material dampened
with glass cleaner.
Compass
Compass Display
Y(On/Off):Press to turn the
compass on or off. The compass
display can show a maximum of two
characters. For example, NE is
displayed for north-east.
When the ignition and the compass
feature are on, a character box
displays for about two seconds.
After two seconds, the mirror
displays the direction the vehicle is
facing.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically
calibrates as the vehicle is driven. If,
after two seconds, the display does
not show a compass direction, (N for
North, for example), there may be a
strong magnetic eld interfering with
the compass. Interference can be
caused by a magnetic antenna
mount, magnetic note pad holder, or
a similar magnetic item. If CAL
should ever display in the compass
window, the compass might need
calibration.
Press and hold
Yfor several
seconds to activate the compass
calibration mode. CAL displays
in the compass window on
the mirror.
The mirror can be calibrated by
driving the vehicle in circles
at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display shows a direction.
2-16 Keys, Doors and Windows
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness
light which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,
the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on
page 1-19.
This light will come on when you
start your vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. The light should
go out and the system is ready.If the airbag readiness light and the
Airbag Fault message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
stays on after you start the vehicle
or comes on when you are
driving, your airbag system may not
work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your
vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working
properly. The airbags in your
vehicle may not inate in a
crash, or they could even
inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle
serviced right away.The airbag readiness light should
ash for a few seconds when
you start the vehicle. If the light does
not come on then, have it xed
immediately. If there is a problem
with the airbag system, a message
may also come on. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 4-27for more information.
The message will remain until
3
or8are pressed, but the light
will remain until the problem is xed.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-27for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-13
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Even though the passenger
sensing system is designed to
turn off the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag if the
system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will
not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be
secured in the rear seat, even if
the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-26for
more information, including
important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light in
the instrument panel cluster
ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be
wrong with the airbag system.
If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have
the protection of the airbag(s).
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-13for more on this,
including important safety
information.
Voltmeter Gage
The voltmeter shows the voltage
output of your battery.
It is located in the center of the
instrument panel.
Charging System Light
This light will come on briey when
you turn on the ignition, and the
engine is not running, as a check to
show it is working. Then it should
go out when the engine is started.
If the light comes on and an
Alternator message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) stays
on, you may have a problem with
the electrical charging system. Have
it checked by your dealer/retailer.
Instruments and Controls 4-15
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Driving while this light is on could
drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
The Alternator message will remain
until
3(Trip/Fuel) or8(Enter)
are pressed, but the light will remain
until the problem is xed. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 4-27for more information.
Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts. If
one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop
you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
this light should come on when
you turn the key to START. If it does
not come on, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will also
come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if
your parking brake does not release
fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it
means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on and Brake
message comes on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), while you
are driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push or
the pedal may go closer to the oor.It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 4-17andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 9-84.
{CAUTION
Your brake system may not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an
accident. If the light is still on
after you have pulled off the
road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
The Brake message will remain until
3(Trip/Fuel) or8(Enter) are
pressed, but the brake light will
remain until the problem is xed. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 4-27for more information. United States
Canada
4-16 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light will come
on briey, as a check, when
you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced so that the light works
properly when it needs to.
If the light and a message in the
DIC stays on longer than a few
seconds after you start your engine,
or comes on and stays on while
you are driving, try resetting
the system. To reset the system:
1. If you are driving, pull over when
it is safe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.If the light remains on after resetting
the system or comes on again
while driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the ABS light is on,
but the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the antilock
brakes are not working properly,
but the regular brakes are still
functioning. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. If both brake
lights are on, you do not have
antilock brakes, and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes as
well. Have your vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 9-84.
The ABS Fault message will remain
until
3(Trip/Fuel) or8(Enter)
are pressed, but the warning
light will remain until the problem is
xed. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-27for more
information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, the engine
is too hot. It means that the engine
has overheated. Pull off the road,
stop the vehicle, and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating on page 9-16.
Instruments and Controls 4-17
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Tire Pressure Light
TPMS Light
This light comes on briey when the
engine is started and provides
information about tire pressures and
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is Solid
This light will also come on when
one or more of your tires are
signicantly underinated. A CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE DIC message
will accompany the light.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-27for more information.Stop and check your tires as soon as
it is safe to do so. If underinated,
inate to the proper pressure. See
Tires on page 9-39for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is Solid
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.
The light ashes for about a minute
and stays on solid for the
remainder of the ignition cycle. This
sequence will repeat with every
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 9-49
andTire Pressure Monitor Operation
on page 9-51for more information.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It makes sure that
emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle,
helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light comes on briey, as a
check to show it is working,
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN. If the light does not come
on, see your dealer/retailer.
If the light stays on it indicates that
there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.
4-18 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system assists
your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your
vehicle with this light on, after
a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your
vehicle’s fuel economy might not
be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This
could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systemscould lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This
could also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce
the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
You might be able to correct the
emission system malfunction
by considering the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 8-35. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
Instruments and Controls 4-19
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual