2008 PONTIAC G8 lock

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, this is what you will see:A. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block. See Engine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 9-35 .
B. Coolant Reservoir and Dipstick. See Cooling System on
page 9-17 .
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine
Oil on page 9-8 .
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 9-8 .
E. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes
on page 9-24 .
F. Power Steering Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 9-21 .
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 9-11 .
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 9-22 .
I. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 9-17 .
V6 Engine
9-6 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

A. Engine Compartment FuseBlock. See Engine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 9-35 .
B. Coolant Reservoir and Dipstick. See Cooling System on
page 9-17 .
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 9-8 .
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 9-8 .
E. Power Steering Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 9-21 .
F. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes
on page 9-24 .
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-11 .
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 9-22 .
I. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 9-17 .
V8 Engine
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Checking Coolant
The coolant reservoir and dipstick is
located in the engine compartment
on the passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
1. Turn off the ignition.
2. Turn the coolant dipstick
cap one-eighth of a turn
counterclockwise and slowly
pull the dipstick straight up.3. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at or
above the Min mark on the
dipstick.
After the vehicle has been driven
and the engine is at normal
operating temperature, the level
should be somewhere between
half full and the Max mark.
4. If the coolant level is correct,
replace the dipstick and turn
the cap one-eighth of a
turn clockwise.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the
proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
at the coolant reservoir, but only
when the engine is cool. If the
coolant reservoir is empty, a special
ll procedure is necessary. See
Engine Overheating on page 9-16
for instructions on “How to Add
Coolant to the Cooling System.”
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene
glycol, and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot
engine.
When replacing the coolant reservoir
cap, make sure it is hand-tight
and fully seated.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your
vehicle is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and
possible engine damage from
overheating. Be sure the cap is
properly closed.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot
engine.
1. Check the engine coolant
reservoir (A) level and, if
required, top with coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-13.2. Locate the radiator pressure
cap (B).
{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids
from a hot cooling system can
blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure, and if
you turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — they can
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the radiator
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and radiator
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
3. Cover the cap with a thick
cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
4. If there is no coolant or the level
is low, slowly ll the system
through the radiator pressure cap
opening with a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and
a DEX-COOL
®coolant until full.
Wait 30 seconds for coolant
to settle and top off if the
level drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

5. Start the engine.
6. With the engine idling, top off the
coolant through the radiator
pressure cap opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the
coolant to settle and top off, if
the level drops.
7. Once the system is full, put the
radiator pressure cap back on
by turning clockwise.
8. Turn off the ignition.
9. Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and ll it until the
level is at the top of the dipstick.Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid Level
Power steering uid is used in
all vehicles.
Check the level after the vehicle has
been driven for at least twenty
minutes so the uid is warm.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering uid,
do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. The power steering uid reservoir
is located on the driver side
toward the front of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6.3. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
V6 Engine
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

4. Turn the cap counterclockwise
and pull it straight up.
5. When the engine is hot, the level
should be at the hot MAX level.
When the engine is cold, the
uid level should be between
MIN and MAX on the dipstick.
6. Replace the cap.
Adding Power Steering Fluid
To determine what kind of uid
to use, seeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure
to use the proper uid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
2. Top off with power steering
uid. Do not overll the reservoir.
3. Push the cap straight down
and turn clockwise to tighten.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer
uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating
your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid
until the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for reservoir location. V8 Engine
9-22 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
To replace the windshield wiper
blades:
1. Turn the wiper switch to the off
position.
2. Turn the ignition to the
LOCK/OFF position.
3. Raise the wiper arm away from
the windshield.4. Press the two clips at either side
of the wiper blade then tilt the
wiper blade at 90° to the
wiper arm and remove.
5. Replace the wiper blade by
pressing in the clip and turning
the blade toward the arm to reset
the clip with the wiper arm.
6. Lower the wiper arm on to the
windshield.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

4. At the wall, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from Step 3
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B)
on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the mark
in Step 4.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp
to improve beam cut-off when
aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up
which may cause damage to the
headlamp.6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and place a piece of cardboard
or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted.
Do not place it directly on
the headlamp. This allows only
the beam of light from the
headlamp being adjusted to be
seen on the at surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp
aiming screws, which are
under the hood near each
headlamp assembly.The adjustment screw can be
turned with a 6 mm socket
wrench.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw
clockwise or counterclockwise
until the headlamp beam is
aimed to the horizontal tape line.
9. Make sure that the light from the
headlamp is positioned at the
bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the left (A)
shows the correct headlamp aim.
The lamp on the right (B) shows
the incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for
the opposite headlamp.
Driver Side (Passenger
Side Similar)
9-28 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual