2008 PONTIAC G8 coolant

{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is
a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and
you could be burned. Get any
leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the
engine on, check to see if the electric
engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both
fans should be running. If they are
not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing
sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the
Cooling System
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.If no coolant is visible in the coolant
reservoir, add coolant as follows:
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as
alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the
engine could get too hot but
you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could
catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot
engine.
1. Check the engine coolant
reservoir (A) level and, if
required, top with coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-13.2. Locate the radiator pressure
cap (B).
{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids
from a hot cooling system can
blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if
you turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — they can
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the radiator
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and radiator
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
3. Cover the cap with a thick
cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
4. If there is no coolant or the level
is low, slowly ll the system
through the radiator pressure cap
opening with a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and
a DEX-COOL
®coolant until full.
Wait 30 seconds for coolant
to settle and top off if the
level drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

5. Start the engine.
6. With the engine idling, top off the
coolant through the radiator
pressure cap opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the
coolant to settle and top off, if
the level drops.
7. Once the system is full, put the
radiator pressure cap back on
by turning clockwise.
8. Turn off the ignition.
9. Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and ll it until the
level is at the top of the dipstick.Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid Level
Power steering uid is used in
all vehicles.
Check the level after the vehicle has
been driven for at least twenty
minutes so the uid is warm.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering uid,
do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. The power steering uid reservoir
is located on the driver side
toward the front of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6.3. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
V6 Engine
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
To replace the windshield wiper
blades:
1. Turn the wiper switch to the off
position.
2. Turn the ignition to the
LOCK/OFF position.
3. Raise the wiper arm away from
the windshield.4. Press the two clips at either side
of the wiper blade then tilt the
wiper blade at 90° to the
wiper arm and remove.
5. Replace the wiper blade by
pressing in the clip and turning
the blade toward the arm to reset
the clip with the wiper arm.
6. Lower the wiper arm on to the
windshield.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-32.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have
pressurized gas inside and can
burst if you drop or scratch the
bulb. You or others could be
injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the
bulb package.
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
If the front turn signal lamp
or parking lamp needs to be
changed, see your dealer/retailer.
A. Front Turn Signal Lamp/
Parking Lamp
B. Low Beam Headlamp
C. High Beam Headlamp1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Remove the radiator support by
turning the head screws
counterclockwise and then
pulling them straight out.
3. For the passenger side pull up
on the coolant bottle ller neck
to remove it and place it to
one side.
Let the ller neck drain before
pulling it all the way out. Place a
clean towel over the opening
of the coolant bottle after
removing it.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-29
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

12. Turn the dust cap clockwise to
lock it into place.
13. For the driver side reinstall the
air cleaner/lter cover.
14. For the passenger side reinstall
the coolant bottle ller neck.
15. Reinstall the radiator support
screws.
Taillamps
A. Turn Signal Lamp
B. Stoplamp/Taillamp
C. Back-up LampTo replace one of these bulbs:
For any lamp not listed here, see
your dealer/retailer to replace.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on
page 2-10.
2. Raise the spare tire cover. See
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools on page 9-72for more
information.
3. Turn the four convenience net
hooks securing the plastic
trunk trim counterclockwise.
4. Pull the trunk trim straight up to
remove.5. Turn the trunk lining securing
pins counterclockwise and
pull down at the same time to
remove.
6. Lower the spare tire cover.
7. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the rear lamp housing.
8. Lightly press the bulb and turn it
counterclockwise to remove it
from the bulb holder.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-31
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-46.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.DOT Markings
:A code
molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) motor
vehicle safety standards.
The DOT code includes the Tire
Identication Number (TIN),
an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire
manufacturer, production
plant, brand, and date of
production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-28.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Loading the Vehicle on
page 8-28.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-43
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on page 9-8. Reset oil life
system. See Engine Oil Life System on page 9-10 .An Emission Control
Service. ••
Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (j). ••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-11 .See footnote (k). •
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 9-54 and “Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month
on page 11-9 . ••
Inspect brake system. See footnote (a). ••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed. ••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section. ••
Inspect suspension and steering components. See footnote (b). •
Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c). •
Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d). •
Inspect restraint system components. See footnote (e). •
Lubricate body components. See footnote (f). •
Replace passenger compartment air lter. See footnote (l). •
Service and Maintenance 11-5
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual