2008 PONTIAC G8 manual transmission

When this light and the STABILITY
CTRL OFF message is on briey
and the ESP OFF message is
displayed at the bottom of the DIC,
the system will not limit wheel spin.
If the ESP OFF message is
always displayed at the bottom of
the DIC when the button is pressed
to turn the system on or off, the
system needs repair. Contact your
dealer/retailer.
The system is on when this light
and the STABILITY CTRL ON
message is displayed briey on
the DIC.
ESP Operation
ESP limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels and
by applying brakes to each
individual wheel as necessary.
The ESP system is enabled
automatically when you start your
vehicle, and it will activate the
STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE light and the ESP
CTRL message on the DIC if
it senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose
traction while driving.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s)
of one axle to spin excessively
while the ESC/TCS, ABS and
Brake warning lights and
the SERVICE ESC and/or
SERVICE TRACTION messages
are displayed, you could damagethe differential. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Reduce engine power and do
not spin the wheel(s) excessively
while these lights and this
message are displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads
or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens,
you may notice a reduction in
acceleration, or may hear a noise or
vibration. This is normal.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3for
more information.
8-18 Driving and Operating
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

Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left
and right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
stability system. SeeElectronic
Stability Program on page 8-16.
Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that could
free your vehicle. If that does not get
your vehicle out after a few tries,
it might need to be towed out. If your
vehicle does need to be towed
out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 9-84.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle show
how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certication label.{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.
8-28 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-5
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-8
Engine Oil Life System.....9-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .9-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-13
Engine Coolant.................9-13
Radiator Pressure Cap......9-15
Engine Overheating...........9-16
Cooling System.................9-17
Power Steering Fluid.........9-21
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .9-22
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-23
Brakes..............................9-24
Battery..............................9-26
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-27
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-29
Halogen Bulbs..................9-29
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps.............................9-29
Taillamps..........................9-31
Replacement Bulbs...........9-32
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-32
Headlamp Wiring..............9-33
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .9-33
Power Windows and
Other Power Options. . . . . . .9-33
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................9-33
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-35
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...............................9-38
Tires
Tires.................................9-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling. . . . . . .9-40
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-43
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-46
High-Speed Operation. . . . . . .9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-49
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-51
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-54
When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................9-56
Buying New Tires.............9-56
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................9-58
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is
off, a backre can cause a
damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission uid level. A
transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs,
take your vehicle to a dealer/retailer
and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 11-4. Be sure
to use the transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid may
damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is
lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 9-16.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-13
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Fuses Usage
F15Outside Rearview
Mirrors
F16Sunroof/Automatic
Transmission
Shift Lock
F17 Sunroof
F18Automatic Occupant
Sensor
F19Driver Side
Heated Seat
F20Passenger Side
Heated Seat
F21Daytime Running
Lamps
F22Front Cigarette
Lighter
F23Steering Wheel
Controls
Backlighting
F24 Power Window
FUSE
PULLERFuse PullerCircuit
BreakersUsage
B1 Spare
B2 Power Windows
B3 Power Seats
B4 Spare
Relays Usage
R1Retain Accessory
Power 1
R2 Door Locks
R3Passenger Side
Door Lock
R4 Spare
R5 Trunk Release
R6 Driver Side Lock
R7Retain Accessory
Power 2
R8 Accessory
R9 Blower
R10 Spare
R11Daytime Running
Lamps
R12 Fuel Pump
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To open the fuse block cover,
remove the clip on cover.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical components on
your vehicle may damage it.
Always keep the covers on any
electrical component.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-35
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Fuses UsageFL1 Spare
FL2 Rear Defog
FL3 ABS Motor
FL4 Battery Main 3
FL5 Battery Main 1
FL6 Spare
FL7 Battery Main 2
FL8 Starter
FL9 HVAC Blower Motor
FL10 Fan 1 Engine
Cooling (Right)
FL11 Spare
FL12 Fan 2 Engine
Cooling (Left)
F1 Comm Enable
F2 HVAC Battery
F3 Back-up Lamp
F4 Fog Lamps (Front)
F5 ABS Valves
F6 Spare
F8 Horn
F9 Transmission
Control Module
Engine Compartment Fuse Block - Fuse Puller Shown
9-36 Vehicle Service and Care
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