distance. When driving, the
computer constantly updates the
time to arrival, based on changing
driving speeds. Use the thumbwheel
to adjust the distance any time
this display is shown. Time to go is
shown in hours and minutes and
is only shown if the distance to go is
more than zero.
This display can be turned on or off
and the default setting can be
changed.
Range
Press
3until Range is displayed.
This display shows the approximate
distance the vehicle can be
driven without refueling. The fuel
range estimate is based on an
average of the vehicle’s fuel
economy over recent driving history
and the amount of fuel remaining
in the fuel tank. Fuel range cannot
be reset.Avg (Average)Speed/Avg
(Average) Fuel
Press
3until Avg Speed/Avg
Fuel is displayed.
Avg Speed shows the average
speed (while the engine is running)
since the last reset.
Avg Fuel shows average fuel used
since the last reset.
To reset only the Avg Speed or Avg
Fuel, press and hold
8while
either value is highlighted. If
8is
only pressed brie y, the Trip
Odometer will be reset as well.OverSpeed
OverSpeed allows the driver to set
a speed that they do not want
to exceed. OverSpeed will illuminate
in the display and a chime will
sound to warn that the vehicle’s
speed is equal or has exceeded the
preselected value. During an
OverSpeed warning, the OverSpeed
display is shown, allowing the
driver to make adjustments.
To set the OverSpeed warning
press3when OverSpeed
is displayed to highlight the
OverSpeed mode. Move the
thumbwheel up
Qor downRto
scroll through and highlight one
of the following options:
Off:No OverSpeed warning set.
Manual:Allows you to manually set
the OverSpeed warning. See
“Manual OverSpeed” following.
Preset 1:Default setting 30 MPH
(48 km/h)
Instruments and Controls 4-25
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Preset 2:Default setting 45 MPH
(72 km/h)
Preset 3:Default setting 55 MPH
(89 km/h)
Preset 4:Default setting 70 MPH
(113 km/h)
The selection is set automatically
after a few seconds.
The corresponding value of the
presets will be shown on the display.
The preset OverSpeed warnings
can be reprogrammed. See
“Programming the OverSpeed
Presets” later in this section.
Manual OverSpeed
To manually set the OverSpeed
warning:
1. Use the thumbwheel to select
Manual for OverSpeed.
2. Press
8to highlight the current
value.3. Use the thumbwheel to adjust
the value in 5 MPH or km/h
increments and press
8
to con rm the setting.
To set the OverSpeed warning to
the vehicle’s current speed:
1. Use the thumbwheel to select
Manual as described in the
OverSpeed section.
2. Press
8to highlight the current
value.
3. Press and hold
8for more than
3 seconds to set the value to
the nearest 5 MPH or km/h
above the current vehicle’s
speed.
Programming the OverSpeed
Presets
While the vehicle’s speed is 6 MPH
(10 km/h) or below, each of the
presets can be altered and values
can be stored for future use.To reprogram the OverSpeed
presets:
1. Use the thumbwheel to select the
desired preset and press
8.
2. Move the thumbwheel up
Qor
down
Rto adjust the value in
1km/h increments.
3. Press
8to con rm the setting.
Adjusting the Setting During
an OverSpeed Warning
While the OverSpeed warning is
displayed move the thumbwheel up
Qor downRto adjust the
value when in Manual mode or to
select a different preset when
in Preset mode. Press and hold
8
for more than 3 seconds to set
the value to the nearest 5 MPH or
km/h above the current vehicle’s
speed. If Preset mode was selected,
this will change it to Manual mode.
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2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Underspeed Chime
If an OverSpeed warning appeared
and the vehicle’s speed drops
below the set value, you will hear a
chime. The underspeed chime
can be turned on or off through the
vehicle customization. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization on page 4-32
for more information.
DIC Warnings and
Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status
of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear one
after another.
Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you can press
3or8to acknowledge that
you received the messages and to
clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display becausethey are more urgent. These
messages require action before they
can be cleared. You should take
any messages that appear on
the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages will
only make the messages disappear,
not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed
and some information about them.
!ABS Fault
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the ABS system.
The ABS light may also turn on in
the instrument panel cluster.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-17.
When this message is on, the brake
system will still operate with the
antilock operation disabled.
See your dealer/retailer.
uActive Select On
This message is displayed when the
automatic transmission active
select mode is enabled. See “Active
Select Mode” underAutomatic
Transmission Operation on
page 8-6.
9Airbag Fault
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the airbag system
or safety belt pretensioner system.
SeeAirbag System on page 1-19
and “Safety Belt Pretensioners”
underLap-Shoulder Belt on
page 1-14. The Airbag Readiness
light may also come on in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 4-13.
See your dealer/retailer.
Instruments and Controls 4-27
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
{Alarm Activated
This message is displayed when the
content theft-deterrent system
was activated by an attempted
break-in. The messages may also
include the location on the
vehicle where the break-in was
attempted. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-13for
more information.
"Alternator
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the battery charging
system. The charging system
light may also come on in the
instrument panel cluster. See
Charging System Light on
page 4-15. Driving while this
message is on could drain the
battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as
possible. See your dealer/retailer.
Battery Saver Mode On
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage level is low.
$Brake
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the brake system.
The Brake System Warning
light may also come on in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on
page 4-16. When this message is
on, stop the vehicle on the side
of the road. Do not continue driving
until you know that braking is
possible or that the cause of the
problem has been corrected,
see your dealer/retailer. This
message also indicates low brake
uid. Check the brake uid level.
SeeBrakes on page 9-24.
*Check Engine
If this message and the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp come on and
stay on when driving, the system
may require servicing. Although the
vehicle may still be drivable and
not require towing, take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. If this message comes
on when the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp is ashing, reduce the
vehicle’s speed and load until the
lamp stops ashing, then take
the vehicle to your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-18
for more information.
:Check Oil
This message is displayed if the oil
pressure or oil level is low. Stop
when safe, turn off the engine and
check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 9-8. Do not run
the engine when this warning is
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2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Digital speedo (speedometer)
Pressure Units
Rest reminder
Underspeed Chime
If you select Underspeed Chime you
will be able to enable or disable
the underspeed chime feature. See
DIC Operation and Displays on
page 4-23for more information.
Distance to go
If you select Distance to go you will
be able to choose if you want
the distance to go display to to be
shown on the DIC. SeeDIC
Operation and Displays on
page 4-23for more information.
Distance to go Default
If you select Distance to go Default
you will be able to change the
distance to go default setting. The
default setting is 500 km. Set
the value you want it to be.Digital speedometer
If you select Digital speedometer
you will be able to choose if
you want the digital speedometer to
be shown on the DIC display.
Pressure Units
If you select Pressure Units you can
choose how the tire pressures will
be displayed. If you select PSI
then all tire pressures will be
displayed in PSI. If you select kPa
then all tire pressures will be
displayed in kPa. If you select
Automatic and the Unit selection is
English then all tire pressures
will be displayed in PSI. If you select
Automatic and the Unit selection
is Metric then all tire pressures will
be displayed in kPa.
Rest reminder
If you select Rest reminder you will
be able to enable or disable the
rest reminder feature. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 4-27for more information.
Language
This item will allow you to set the
language for the display to English
or French.
Remote Key programming
Choose Program if the vehicle’s
remote keys require programming.
Follow the instructions on the
DIC display to complete key
programming. All the vehicle’s keys
must be programmed at the
same time. If an existing key is not
reprogrammed during the
procedure it will no longer work.
Choose Instructions if information is
required to complete programming
procedure.
Choose Exit to return to the
customization menu.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4
for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-35
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the
parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the
headlamps together with the
following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
A warning chime sounds if the
driver side door is opened while
the ignition switch is off and
the headlamps are on.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the
headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
The light sensor determines
it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker, instrument panel and
other lamps will not be on.
The headlamps automatically switch
from DRL to the regular headlamps
depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. See “Automatic
headlamp system” following.To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the
exterior lamps control to
9and
then release. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the DRL lamps cannot
be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside and
the exterior lamps control is in
the automatic position, the
headlamps and parking lamps will
turn on and off automatically.
SeeExterior Lamps Controls on
page 5-1.
If the headlamps or parking lamps
are left on and the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF, the lamps
automatically turn off after
10 minutes. The lamps remain off
until the ignition is switched on
or the lamps are turned on again
using the exterior lamps control.
5-2 Lighting
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
The vehicle has a light sensor
located on top of the instrument
panel. Do not cover the sensor or
the headlamps will come on
when they are not needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with this feature, it
provides better visibility in foggy or
misty conditions.
The fog lamp switch is located on
the exterior lamps control on
the instrument panel to the left of
the steering column.
-(Fog Lamps):To turn on the
fog lamps, turn the exterior
lamps control to parking lamps or
headlamps and pull the fog
lamps control. Push the control to
turn the fog lamps off.The fog lamp indicator in the
instrument panel comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The fog lamps control can be
pulled out while the exterior lamps
control is in the AUTO position.
If left in this position, the fog lamps
come on automatically whenever
the parking lamps or low-beam
headlamps turn on.
When the high-beam headlamps are
turned on, the fog lamps turn off
automatically. When the high-beam
headlamps are turned off, the
fog lamps come on again.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel
Brightness
This feature controls the brightness
of the instrument panel lights.
6:Press to brighten the
instrument panel lights.
f:Press to dim the instrument
panel lights.
Press both instrument panel
brightness buttons at the same time
to turn the night panel mode on
or off.
Night panel mode lights up the
speed, information displays and
warning reminders while the rest of
the instrument panel lights are off.
Lighting 5-3
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only
position from which you can remove
the key. This locks the steering
wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in
the LOCK/OFF position with your
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs
service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This
position provides power to some
of the electrical accessories.
It unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition. The transmission is
also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission
vehicles. To move the key from
ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
push in the key and then turn it
to LOCK/OFF.C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the ventilation
fan and 12 volt power outlet, as
well as to display some warning and
indicator lights.
The battery could be drained
if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position with the engine off.
You may not be able to start the
vehicle if the battery is allowed
to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off.
Audio System
Power Windows
The power windows will continue to
work for up to 10 minutes or until
any door is opened. The radio
will work when the key is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the
key is turned from ON/RUN to
LOCK/OFF, the radio will continue
to work for 10 minutes or until
the driver’s door is opened.
Driving and Operating 8-3
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual