2008 PONTIAC G8 ESP

Tire Chains
{CAUTION
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire
chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to
the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control
of the vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size
combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions. To
help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and do
not spin the vehicle’s wheels. If
you do nd traction devices
that will t, install them on the
front tires.
Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 9-39. If air goes out
of a tire, It is much more likely
to leak out slowly. But if you should
ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect
and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
9-62 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that
the vehicle you are driving is now a
good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric brakes,
start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your electrical connection
at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Towing with the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®)
When towing, the sound of the ESP
modulator might be heard. The
ESP is reacting to the vehicle
movement caused by the trailer,
which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed up
ahead when you are towing a
trailer. And, because the vehicle is
longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just move
that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move the hand to
the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause
the trailer to come in contact with
the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making
very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a
trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road
signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers.
Signal well in advance.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-89
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and
hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you’re pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, drivebelt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review
this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
Your cooling system may
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-16.
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
Your vehicle’s interior will continue
to look its best if it is cleaned
often. Although not always visible,
dust and dirt can accumulate
on your upholstery. Dirt can damage
carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic
surfaces. Regular vacuuming
is recommended to remove particles
from the upholstery. It is important
to keep your upholstery from
becoming and remaining heavily
soiled. Soils should be removed as
quickly as possible. Your vehicle’s
interior may experience extremes of
heat that could cause stains to
set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require
more frequent cleaning. Use care
because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color
to your vehicle’s interior.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-91
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Customer
Information
Customer Information
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure.......................12-1
Online Owner Center........12-3
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
..............................12-4
Customer Assistance
Offices............................12-4
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program
..........................12-5
Roadside Assistance
Program..........................12-6
Scheduling Service
Appointments..................12-8
Courtesy Transportation. . . .12-9
Collision Damage
Repair...........................12-10
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government
...................12-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the Canadian
Government
...................12-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors.........12-14
Service Publications
Ordering Information. . . . . .12-15
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy...................12-16
Event Data Recorders.....12-16
OnStar®..........................12-17
Navigation System...........12-17
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID).......12-17
Customer Information
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are
important to your dealer and to
Pontiac. Normally, any concerns with
the sales transaction or the operation
of the vehicle will be resolved by
the dealer’s sales or service
departments. Sometimes, however,
despite the best intentions of all
concerned, misunderstandings can
occur. If your concern has not been
resolved to your satisfaction, the
following steps should be taken:
STEP ONE:Discuss your concern
with a member of dealership
management. Normally, concerns
can be quickly resolved at that level.
If the matter has already been
reviewed with the sales, service, or
parts manager, contact the owner
of the dealership or the general
manager.
Customer Information 12-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

General Motors of Canada
also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483)
for details. TTY users call
1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance
Program
For vehicles purchased in the U.S.,
call1-800-ROADSIDE (762-3743);
(Text telephone (TTY):
1-888-889-2438).
For vehicles purchased in Canada,
call1-800-268-6800.
Service is available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
As the owner of a new Pontiac
vehicle, you are automatically
enrolled in the Pontiac Roadside
Assistance program.
Who is Covered?
Roadside Assistance coverage is for
the vehicle operator, regardless of
ownership. In Canada, a person
driving this vehicle without the
consent of the owner is not eligible
for coverage.
Services Provided
The following services are provided
in the U.S. and Canada up to
5 years/100,000 miles (160 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, and, in
Canada only, up to a maximum
coverage of $100.
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of
enough fuel for the vehicle to get
to the nearest service station
(approximately $5 in Canada).
In Canada, service to provide
diesel may be restricted.
For safety reasons, propane and
other alternative fuels will not
be provided through this service.
Lock-out Service:Lock-out
service is covered at no charge if
you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. A remote
unlock may be available if you
have an active OnStar
®
subscription. To ensure security,
the driver must present
personal identication before
lock-out service is provided. In
Canada, the vehicle registration
is also required.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Roadway or Highway:Tow to
the nearest dealership for
warranty service or in the event
of a vehicle-disabling crash.
Winch-out assistance is provided
when the vehicle is mired in
sand, mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Installation of
a spare tire in good condition,
when equipped and properly
inated, is covered at no charge.
The customer is responsible
for the repair or replacement of
the tire if not covered by a
warrantable failure.
12-6 Customer Information
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Jump Start:A battery jump start
is covered at no charge if the
vehicle does not start.
Trip Routing Service (Canada
only):Upon request, Roadside
Assistance will send you detailed,
computer personalized maps,
highlighting your choice of either
the most direct route or the most
scenic route to your destination,
anywhere in North America, along
with helpful travel information
pertaining to your trip.
Please allow three weeks before
your planned departure date.
Trip routing requests will be
limited to six per calendar year.
Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance (Canada only):
In the event of a warranty related
vehicle disablement, while en
route and over 250 kilometres
from the original point of
departure, you may qualify fortrip interruption expense
assistance. This assistance
covers reasonable reimbursement
of up to a maximum of $500
(Canadian) for (A) meals
(maximum of $50/day),
(B) lodging (maximum of
$100/night) and (C) alternate
ground transportation (maximum
of $40/day). This benet is to
assist you with some of the
unplanned expense you may
incur while waiting for your vehicle
to be repaired.
Pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts and a copy of
the repair order are required.
Once authorization has been
given, your advisor will help
you make any necessary
arrangements and explain how to
claim for trip interruption expense
assistance.
Alternative Service (Canada
only):There may be times, when
Roadside Assistance cannot
provide timely assistance.
Your advisor may authorize
you to secure local emergency
road service, and you will be
reimbursed up to $100 upon
submission of the original receipt
to Roadside Assistance.
In many instances, mechanical
failures may be covered. However,
any cost for parts and labor for
non-warranty repairs are the
responsibility of the driver.
Pontiac and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or reimbursement
to an owner or driver when, in their
sole discretion, the claims become
excessive in frequency or type
of occurrence.
Customer Information 12-7
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Courtesy Rental Vehicle
Your dealer may arrange to provide
you with a courtesy rental vehicle or
reimburse you for a rental vehicle
that you obtain if your vehicle is kept
for an overnight warranty repair.
Rental reimbursement will be limited
and must be supported by original
receipts. This requires that you sign
and complete a rental agreement
and meet state/provincial, local, and
rental vehicle provider requirements.
Requirements vary and may include
minimum age requirements,
insurance coverage, credit card, etc.
You are responsible for fuel
usage charges and may also be
responsible for taxes, levies, usage
fees, excessive mileage, or rental
usage beyond the completion of
the repair.
It may not be possible to provide a
like-vehicle as a courtesy rental.Additional Program
Information
All program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at
every dealer. Please contact
your dealer for specic information
about availability. All Courtesy
Transportation arrangements will be
administered by appropriate
dealer personnel.
General Motors reserves the right to
unilaterally modify, change or
discontinue Courtesy Transportation
at any time and to resolve all
questions of claim eligibility pursuant
to the terms and conditions
described herein at its sole
discretion.
Collision Damage Repair
If your vehicle is involved in a
collision and it is damaged, have the
damage repaired by a qualied
technician using the proper
equipment and quality replacement
parts. Poorly performed collision
repairs diminish your vehicle’s resale
value, and safety performance can
be compromised in subsequent
collisions.
Collision Parts
Genuine GM Collision parts are new
parts made with the same materials
and construction methods as the
parts with which your vehicle
was originally built. Genuine GM
Collision parts are your best choice
to ensure that your vehicle’s
designed appearance, durability,
and safety are preserved. The use
of Genuine GM parts can help
maintain your GM New Vehicle
Warranty.
12-10 Customer Information
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

If a Crash Occurs
Here is what to do if you are
involved in a crash.
Check to make sure that you are
all right. If you are uninjured,
make sure that no one else in
your vehicle, or the other vehicle,
is injured.
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help.
Do not leave the scene of a crash
until all matters have been
taken care of. Move your vehicle
only if its position puts you in
danger or you are instructed to
move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and
requested information to
police and other parties involved
in the crash. Do not discuss
your personal condition, mental
frame of mind, or anything
unrelated to the crash. This will
help guard against post-crash
legal action.
If you need roadside assistance,
call GM Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6for more
information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven,
know where the towing service
will be taking it. Get a card
from the tow truck operator or
write down the driver’s name, the
service’s name, and the phone
number.
Remove any valuables from your
vehicle before it is towed away.
Make sure this includes your
insurance information and
registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information
you will need from the other
driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s
license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, modeland model year, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN),
insurance company and policy
number, and a general
description of the damage to
the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance
company from the scene of
the crash. They will walk
you through the information they
will need. If they ask for a
police report, phone or go to the
police department headquarters
the next day and you can get
a copy of the report for a nominal
fee. In some states/provinces
with “no fault” insurance
laws, a report may not be
necessary. This is especially true
if there are no injuries and
both vehicles are driveable.
12-12 Customer Information
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual