2008 PONTIAC G8 Owners Manual

Tire and Loading Information
Label
A vehicle specic Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the vehicle’s center
pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s
door open, you will nd the
label attached near the door
lock post. The Tire and Loading
Information label shows thenumber of occupant seating
positions (A), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (B) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows
the tire size of the original
equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination
pressures (D). For more
information on tires and ination
seeTires on page 9-39and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46.
There is also important loading
information on the Certication
label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axle. See “Certication
Label” later in this section.Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.Locate the statement
“The combined weight
of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs” on your vehicle
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals
the available amount of
cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will
be ve 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750
(5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
Label Example
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5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on
page 9-85for important
information on towing a
trailer, towing safety rules
and trailering tips.
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs
(136 kg).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs
(317 kg).
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 2=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×5=750 lbs
(340 kg).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=250 lbs (113 kg).
Example 1Example 2
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A.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=0 lbs (0 kg).
Refer to the vehicle’s Tire and
Loading Information label for
specic information about
the vehicle’s capacity weightand seating positions. The
combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo
should never exceed the
vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication
label, is attached to the driver
side center pillar. The label tells
you the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle, called the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includesthe weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for the
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load,
you should spread it out. See
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{CAUTION
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
If you do, parts on the vehicle
can break, and it can change
the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to
lose control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten
the life of the vehicle.Example 3
Label Example
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If you put things inside the
vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is
a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of
your vehicle. In a trunk,
put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in the
vehicle.
When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep the engine clean
and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the
use of gasoline advertised as
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine.
The VIN is at the top left of
the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 10-1.
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Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has a V8 engine, use
regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher.
If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6
engine (VIN Code 7), use regular
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher.
For best performance or trailer
towing, you could choose to
use middle grade 89 octane
unleaded gasoline. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you might
notice an audible knocking noise
when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock.If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should
meet ASTM specication D 4814
in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada.
Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeAdditives on
page 8-34for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications.
See the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California
emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal specications,
but emission control system
performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could
turn on and your vehicle might fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-18.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of
fuel used, repairs might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
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Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now required
to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits
from forming, allowing the emission
control system to work properly.
In most cases, you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. However,
some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required
to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake
valves clean, or if your vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Also, your
dealer/retailer has additives that will
help correct and prevent most
deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might
be available in your area.We recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
10% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed
for those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not
reformulated for low emissions can
contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask
the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT.We recommend against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing
MMT can reduce the life of spark
plugs and the performance of the
emission control system could be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp might turn on. If this occurs,
return to your dealer/retailer for
service.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If you plan on driving in another
country outside the United States or
Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded
gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused
by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an
auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
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Filling the Tank
{CAUTION
Fuel vapor burns violently and
a fuel re can cause bad
injuries. To help avoid injuries
to you and others, read and
follow all the instructions on
the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling.
Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones.
Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from
fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended when refueling your
vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter
the vehicle while pumping fuel.
Keep children away from the
fuel pump; never let children
pump fuel.The fuel cap is located behind a
hinged fuel door on the driver side
of the vehicle.
To open the fuel door the vehicle
must be unlocked. Push on the rear
edge of the door to open.
When reinstalling the cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks, otherwise
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp may
turn on. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 4-18.
{CAUTION
Fuel can spray out on you if
you open the fuel cap too
quickly. If you spill fuel and
then something ignites it, you
could be badly burned. This
spray can happen if your tank
is nearly full, and is more likely
in hot weather. Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any
hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overll the tank and
wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing
the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible.
SeeExterior Cleaning on page 9-94.
When replacing the fuel cap,
turn it clockwise until it clicks.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
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The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. This
would allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-18.
{CAUTION
If a re starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer/retailer can get one for
you. If you get the wrong type, it
may not t properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 4-18.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{CAUTION
Never ll a portable fuel
container while it is in your
vehicle. Static electricity
discharge from the container
can ignite the fuel vapor. You
can be badly burned and your
vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and
others:
Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
Do not ll a container while it
is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Bring the ll nozzle in
contact with the inside of the
ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the lling is
complete.
Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
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