2008 PONTIAC G8 engine oil

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

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more information.
Automatic Transmission 5 Speed Automatic, 3.6L V6 Engine 9.4 qt 8.9 L
6 Speed Automatic, 6.0L V8 Engine 12.4 qt 11.7 L
Cooling System 3.6L V6 Engine 10.6 qt 10.0 L
6.0L V8 Engine 11.6 qt 11.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter 3.6L V6 Engine 7.1 qt 6.7 L
6.0L V8 Engine 8.8 qt 8.3 L
10-2 Technical Data
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-2
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-4
Additional Required
Services..........................11-6
Maintenance Footnotes.....11-7
Owner Checks and
Services..........................11-9
At Each Fuel Fill...............11-9
At Least Once a Month. . . .11-9
At Least Once a Year.....11-10
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants...............11-12
Maintenance
Replacement Parts........11-13
Engine Drive Belt
Routing..........................11-14
Maintenance Record........11-15
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the
proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle
warranties. See your Warranty and
Owner Assistance booklet or
your dealer/retailer for details.
Service and Maintenance 11-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Scheduled Maintenance
When the Service Engine Oil
message comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions,
the engine oil life system may not
indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer/retailer has trained
service technicians who will perform
this work using genuine parts and
reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever
reset accidentally, you must
service your vehicle within
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last service. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is
changed. SeeEngine Oil Life
System on page 9-10for information
on the Engine Oil Life System
and resetting the system.
When the Service Engine Oil
message appears, certain services,
checks, and inspections are
required. Required services are
described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that your rst service
be MaintenanceI, your second
service be MaintenanceII, and that
you alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However,
in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.MaintenanceI— Use
MaintenanceIif the Service Engine
Oil message comes on within
10 months since the vehicle was
purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.
MaintenanceII— Use
MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was
MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the
Service Engine Oil message comes
on 10 months or more since the
last service or if the message
has not come on at all for one year.
11-4 Service and Maintenance
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

(e)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If
you see anything that might keep
a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any
torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also see Airbag System Check
on page 1-31.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
door hinges and latches, hood
hinges and latches and trunk lid
hinges and latches. More frequent
lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer,
seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.(h)Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 9-13 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.(j)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add
fluid if needed.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, the filter may require
replacement more often.
(m)Drain, flush, and refill brake
hydraulic system at a regular service
interval (IorII) every two years.
This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Brakes
on page 9-24.
11-8 Service and Maintenance
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Owner Checks and
Services
These owner checks and services
should be performed at the intervals
specied to help ensure vehicle
safety, dependability, and emission
control performance. Your
dealer/retailer can assist with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once. Whenever
any uids or lubricants are added to
the vehicle, make sure they are
the proper ones, as shown in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these
underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Notice:It is important to check
the engine oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level. Failure
to keep the engine oil at the
proper level can cause damage to
the engine not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Check the engine oil level and add
the proper oil if necessary. See
Engine Oil on page 9-8.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level
and add DEX-COOL®coolant
mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-13.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid
level in the windshield washer
uid reservoir and add the proper
uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make
sure they are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check the
spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-46. Check to
make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
(V6 Engine) on page 9-71.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for
high mileage highway drivers prior to
the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for
wear and, if necessary, rotate the
tires. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 9-54.
Service and Maintenance 11-9
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certied for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see
Engine Oil on page 9-8 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-13 .
Hydraulic Brake System Hydraulic Brake Fluid. Use only GM Part No. U.S. 88958860,
in Canada 88901244, Super DOT-4 brake uid.
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in
Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 109435474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 3634770, in Canada 10953518)
or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
11-12 Service and Maintenance
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual