2008 PONTIAC G8 display

on and the ESP CTRL message
will be displayed at the bottom of
the DIC.
The STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will remain
on while the system is working
until the
3button is pressed to
display the trip computer. The ESP
CTRL message stays on at the
bottom of the DIC while the system
is working.
You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
When this light and the STABILITY
CTRL OFF message is on and
the ESP OFF message is displayed,
the system will not limit wheel spin.Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-27for more information.
ESP is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially
in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system
enabled. You can turn ESP off if you
ever need to.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your
vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to rock your
vehicle to attempt to free it. It may
also be necessary to turn off the
system when driving in extreme
off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow on page 8-27.The ESP button is located in front of
the transmission gear selector lever.
To turn the system off or on, press
and release the ESP button.
The DIC will briey display the
appropriate message and then
return to the trip computer display.
Driving and Operating 8-17
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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

If you are in an area of extreme
cold, where the temperature
falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either
an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or
an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better
protection for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the
starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all
you need for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system
that lets you know when to change
the engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, themileage at which an oil change will
be indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system
every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that
oil life has been diminished, it will
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. The Service Engine Oil
message will be displayed. Change
the oil 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 oil life system
might not indicate that an oil change
is necessary for over a year.
However, the 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 people who will
perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.If the system is ever reset
accidentally, you must change the
oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is
required. If a situation occurs where
you change the oil prior to the
Service Engine Oil message being
displayed, reset the system.
9-10 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within ve seconds.
If the Service Engine Oil
message does not appear, the
system is reset.
If the Service Engine Oil message
displays, you will need to reset
the system again.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap andwater, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of clothing
or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings
about the use and disposal of oil
products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams
or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used
oil, ask your dealer/retailer, a
service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for the
location of the engine air
cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
See “Schedule Maintenance”
in Service and Maintenance for
more information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Relays Usage
R15 Windshield Wiper
R16 Horn
R17Fan 1 (Engine
Cooling)
R18 Parking Lamps
R19Fan 2 (Engine
Cooling)
R20Fan 3 (Engine
Cooling)
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block
The rear compartment fuse block is
located on the left side of the
trunk behind a cover.Use the fuse puller, to remove and
replace fuses.
Fuses Usage
F1 Spare
F2 Amplier
F3 XM Radio™
F4 Radio
F5Instrument/Display/
Remote Function
Actuator/Data Link
Connection
F6 Spare
F7 Spare
Fuses Usage
F8 OnStar™
F9 Spare
F10 ECM Battery
F11Regulated Voltage
Control Sensor
F12 Fuel Pump
Relays Usage
R1 Spare
R2 Spare
9-38 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

The TPMS operates on a radio
frequency and complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and Science
Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modications to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly, excluding the
spare tire and wheel assembly. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the vehicle’s tires and
transmit the tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS turns on the
7
low tire pressure warning light.
At the same time a message to
check the pressure in a specic tire
appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on
at each ignition cycle until the tires
are inated to the correct ination
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed bythe driver. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays seeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 4-23andDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 4-27.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather
when the vehicle is rst started, and
then turn off as you start to drive.
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inated
to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the vehicle’s
original equipment tires and
the correct ination pressure for the
vehicle’s tires when they are
cold. SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-28, for an example of
the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location on the vehicle.
Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 9-46.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-51
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

The vehicle’s TPMS system can
warn about a low tire pressure
condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 9-54andTires on page 9-39.
Notice:Using non-approved
tire sealants could damage
the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the GM approved
tire sealant available through your
dealer/retailer.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS
sensors are missing or not
operating.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the
7low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute
and then stays on for the remainderof the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The low tire
warning light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause the malfunction light and DIC
message to come on are:
One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message should go
off once the road tire containing
the TPMS sensor is re-installed.
The TPMS sensor matching
process was started but not
completed or not completed
successfully after installing
replacement tires or rotating the
vehicle’s tires. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light
should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is
performed successfully.
One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off
when the TPMS sensors are
installed and the sensor matching
process is performed
successfully. See the dealer/
retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the vehicle’s original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for the vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 9-56.
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
9-52 Vehicle Service and Care
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