2008 PONTIAC G8 fuel

Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-4
Engine Coolant Heater.......8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-6
Parking Brake.....................8-9
Shifting Into Park
(Automatic
Transmission)
..................8-10
Shifting Out of Park..........8-11
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-11
Engine Exhaust.................8-12
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-12
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-13
Drunk Driving....................8-13
Control of a Vehicle..........8-14
Braking.............................8-14
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-15
Electronic Stability
Program..........................8-16
Steering............................8-19
Off-Road Recovery............8-20
Passing.............................8-21
Loss of Control.................8-21
Driving at Night.................8-22
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-23
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-24
Highway Hypnosis.............8-24
Hill and Mountain Roads. . . .8-24
Winter Driving...................8-25
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-28
Loading the Vehicle..........8-28
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-32
Gasoline Octane...............8-33
Gasoline Specications. . . . .8-33
California Fuel..................8-33
Additives...........................8-34
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-34
Filling the Tank.................8-35
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-36
Driving and Operating 8-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

When the engine starts, let go of
the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briey but then
stops again, do the same thing.
This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics
in the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater, if
available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting your
vehicle. An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use The Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on
the driver side of the engine
compartment, behind the
air cleaner for V8 models.
The electrical cord is located on
the passenger side of the
engine compartment, behind the
engine compartment fuse
block for V6 models.3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a
re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a
properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
Driving and Operating 8-5
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way
into P (Park) while maintaining brake
application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever
into another gear. SeeShifting
Out of Park on page 8-11.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can also be used to rock the
vehicle back and forth to get out
of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 8-27for additional information.N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with
the wheels. To restart when the
vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose
control and hit people or
objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy from the vehicle.
If more power is needed for passing,
and the vehicle is:
Going less than 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
The transmission will shift down
to a lower gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding, see Skidding under
Loss of Control on page 8-21.
Notice:Spinning the tires or
holding the vehicle in one place
on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the transmission. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Driving and Operating 8-7
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
1st, 2nd or 3rd gear starts can
be selected from a standing start.
This is useful for gentle acceleration
on slippery surfaces.
To return to Normal Shift mode,
slide the shift lever over from
the right quadrant to the left into
D (Drive). A Normal Shift message
will be displayed in the DIC.
Normal Shift Mode is recommended
for normal or freeway driving, as
it provides optimum fuel economy.
Powertrain Braking
For vehicles with a 6 speed
automatic transmission, there is
an additional feature known
as Powertrain Braking. When driving
on steep descents where frequent
braking is required, the vehicle
will automatically downshift to
provide engine braking assistance.
This feature also reduces brake
temperatures and wear.Downshifting will only occur when
the driver’s foot is applied to the
brake. Driver Shift Control can
be switched on to override the
feature and gain complete control
of shifts if desired.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on
the parking brake handle. If the
ignition is in the ON/RUN position,
the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4-16.To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up
until you can press the release
button.
3. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake handle all the
way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Driving with the park brake applied
will cause a warning chime to
sound and the Park Brake message
to appear in the DIC. The message
will remain on until:
the park brake is released
the vehicle comes to a stop.
If you are towing a trailer and you
are parking on a hill, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 9-85.
Driving and Operating 8-9
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking
or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to
let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
8-24 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

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
Driving and Operating 8-31
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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.
8-32 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual