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.
4-26 Instruments and Controls
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
4-28 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
The following items are part of the
main customization menu.
Exit
Reset settings
Security
Lighting
Trip Computer
Language
Remote key
See the information following for
detailed descriptions of the
items available under each menu
item. There are also help screens
available to explain the features.
When selecting a menu item,
wait for a few seconds and a help
screen pops up with an explanation
of the selected feature.
Exit
To exit the customization menu
scroll to Exit and press
8.
You can also exit the customization
menu by:
Press3at any time to return
to the trip/fuel menu.
Drive the vehicle at more than
6 mph (10 km/h).
Turn the ignition off.
Reset settings
This item will reset all the
customization options to the factory
defaults.
Security
This item will allow you to
customize:
Auto unlock
Auto lock
Flash remote lck (lock)
Beep remote lck (lock)
Flash rem (remote) unlock
2 Stage unlock
Remote Start
Some of these work with your
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-4for more information.
Auto unlock
If you select Auto unlock you will be
able to choose when you want
the doors to unlock automatically.
Off:No automatic unlock of
any doors.
Driver door key out:The driver
door will unlock when the key
is removed.
Driver door in park:The driver
door will unlock when you put
the shift lever into PARK (P).
All doors at key out:All doors will
unlock when the key is removed.
Instruments and Controls 4-33
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
All doors in park:All doors will
unlock when you put the shift lever
into PARK (P).
Auto lock
If you select Auto lock you will be
able to choose when you want
the doors to lock automatically.
At vehicle speed:The doors will
lock when the vehicle speed is at or
above 8 mph (13 km/h).
Out of Park:The doors will lock
when you move the shift lever out of
PARK (P).
Flash remote lock
If you select Flash remote lock you
will be able to choose if the
parking lamps will ash when you
lock the doors with the RKE
transmitter.
Beep remote lock
If you select Beep remote lock you
will be able to choose if the horn
will sound when you lock the doors
with the RKE transmitter.Flash remote unlock
If you select Flash remote unlock
you will be able to choose if
the parking lamps will ash when
you unlock the doors with the
RKE transmitter.
2 Stage unlock
If you select 2 stage unlock you will
be able to choose if you want
only the driver door to unlock with
the rst press of the unlock
button on the RKE transmitter.
Remote Start
If you select Remote start you will
be able to enable or disable
the remote start feature. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2-6
for more information.Lighting
This item will allow you to
customize:
Approach lighting
Egress lighting timer
Approach lighting
If you select Approach lighting you
will be able to choose if you
want the exterior lamps to turn on
when you unlock the doors with the
RKE transmitter.
Egress lighting timer
If you select Egress lighting timer you
will be able to choose if, and for how
long, the exterior lamps should stay
on when you lock the doors.
Trip Computer
This item will allow you to
customize:
Underspeed Chime
Distance to go
Distance to go Default
4-34 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
How OnStar Service Works
The OnStar system can record and
transmit vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to
an OnStar Call Center when the
OnStar button is pressed, the
emergency button is pressed, or if
the airbags or AACN system deploy.
The vehicle information usually
includes your GPS location and, in
the event of a crash, additional
information regarding the accident
that the vehicle has been involved in
(e.g. the direction from which the
vehicle was hit). When the Virtual
Advisor feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling is used, the
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS
location so that we can provide
services where you are located.
OnStar service cannot work unless
the vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless you are in
a place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired forthat area has coverage, network
capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and
technology that is compatible with
the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere,
particularly in remote or enclosed
areas, or at all times.
Location information about the
vehicle is only available if the GPS
satellite signals are available
and unobstructed.
The vehicle must have a working
electrical system (including adequate
battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar from
providing OnStar service to you at
any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important
parts of the vehicle in an accident,
hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather
or wireless phone network
congestion.Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if
you cannot hear the OnStar advisor.
If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system is not
functioning properly and should be
checked by your dealer/retailer.
If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), the OnStar subscription
has expired. Press the blue
OnStar button to con rm that the
OnStar equipment is active.
4-38 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Automatic Headlamp
System.............................5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-3
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-4
Perimeter Lighting...............5-4
Reading Lamps..................5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
Fog Lamps
The exterior lamps control has four
positions:
9(Off):Turns the headlamps,
parking lamps, and DRL off.
The DRL does not turn off on
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
AUTO (Automatic):Turns the
headlamps on and off automatically.
They come on at normal brightness,
together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
Lighting 5-1
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