2008 PONTIAC G8 engine

You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your
foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance.
If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have
time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very
best braking.
Electronic Stability
Program
The vehicle has the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®) that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions
by reducing engine power and
applying the brakes to individual
wheels. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions.
The system operates if it senses
that the rear wheels are spinning
too much, are beginning to lose
traction or if it senses that the
vehicle is not moving in its intended
direction. It turns on automatically
every time the vehicle is started.
When ESP is working, this light
and the STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will come
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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.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist
because the engine stops or
the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much
more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control”
accidents mentioned on the news
happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner,
each of us is subject to the same
laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires
against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front
wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in thesame direction. If you have ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice,
you will understand this.
Traction in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and
the road surface, the angle at which
the curve is banked, and your
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through
a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and
acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration
can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever
happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle
the way you want it to go, and
slow down.Speed limit signs near curves warn
that you should adjust your
speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather
and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you will want to
go slower.
If you need to reduce speed when
approaching a curve, do it before
you enter the curve, while the front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Driving and Operating 8-19
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking
or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to
let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
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{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will
have to do all the work of
slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not
work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could
crash. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear
when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape
for winter.
You might want to put winter
emergency supplies in your
vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small
brush or broom, a supply of
windshield washer uid, a rag,
some winter outer clothing, a small
shovel, a ashlight, a red cloth,
and reective warning triangles.
And, if you will be driving under
severe conditions, include a small
bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or
a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in
your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 9-39.
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2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places
where the tires meet the road
probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice
between the tires and the road, you
can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip,
and need to be very careful.
What is the worst time for this?
Wet ice. Very cold snow or ice can
be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble
because it can offer the least traction
of all. You can get wet ice when it is
about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until salt and
sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth
ice, packed, blowing, or loose
snow — drive with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break
the fragile traction. If you accelerate
too fast, the drive wheels will spin
and polish the surface under the tires
even more.The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you
have ABS, begin stopping sooner
than you would on dry pavement.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8-15.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots.
The road might be ne until you
hit a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice
patches can appear in shaded
areas where the sun cannot
reach, such as around clumps of
trees, behind buildings, or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface of
a curve or an overpass can
remain icy when the surrounding
roads are clear. If you see a patch
of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake
while you are actually on the ice,
and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy
snow, you could be in a serious
situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you
know for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do
to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
Turn on the hazard warning
ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to
alert police that you have been
stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a
blanket around you. If you do
not have blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators
from newspapers, burlap
bags, rags, oor mats — anything
you can wrap around yourself
or tuck under your clothing
to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep
warm, but be careful.
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{CAUTION
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and
kill you. You cannot see it or
smell it, so you might not know
it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust
pipe. And check around again
from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on
the side of the vehicle that is
away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you
must. This saves fuel. When you run
the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less
fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery charged. You will
need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with the
headlamps. Let the heater run
for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close
the window almost all the way to
preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. But do it as little as possible.
Preserve the fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly
vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out on page 8-28.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires
spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle
can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or
other damage. Spin the wheels
as little as possible and avoid
going above 35 mph (55 km/h)
as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 9-62.
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2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

If you put things inside the
vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is
a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of
your vehicle. In a trunk,
put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in the
vehicle.
When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep the engine clean
and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the
use of gasoline advertised as
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine.
The VIN is at the top left of
the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 10-1.
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