2008 PONTIAC G8 brake fluid

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.
8-24 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-5
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-8
Engine Oil Life System.....9-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .9-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-13
Engine Coolant.................9-13
Radiator Pressure Cap......9-15
Engine Overheating...........9-16
Cooling System.................9-17
Power Steering Fluid.........9-21
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .9-22
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-23
Brakes..............................9-24
Battery..............................9-26
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-27
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-29
Halogen Bulbs..................9-29
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps.............................9-29
Taillamps..........................9-31
Replacement Bulbs...........9-32
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-32
Headlamp Wiring..............9-33
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .9-33
Power Windows and
Other Power Options. . . . . . .9-33
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................9-33
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-35
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...............................9-38
Tires
Tires.................................9-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling. . . . . . .9-40
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-43
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-46
High-Speed Operation. . . . . . .9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-49
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-51
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-54
When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................9-56
Buying New Tires.............9-56
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................9-58
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is lled with DOT-4 brake uid.
There are only two reasons why the
brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an
acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the uid level goes
back up. The other reason is that
uid is leaking out of the brake
hydraulic system. If it is, have the
brake hydraulic system xed,
since a leak means that sooner or
later the brakes will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the
brake uid. Adding brake uid
will not correct a leak. If uid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much uid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake uid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.{CAUTION
If your vehicle has too much
brake uid, it can spill on the
engine. The uid will burn if the
engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and
your vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake uid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4-16.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use
only DOT-4 brake uid. It is
recommended that you ush the
brake hydraulic system and rell it
with new DOT-4 uid at a regular
maintenance service every two
years. See “Additional Required
Services” in the Maintenance
Schedule. Use new brake uid from
a sealed container only. See
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Maintenance
Schedule.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in
the brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake uid.
9-24 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

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets........ 4-9
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . 1-30
Additives, Fuel.....................8-34
Add-On Electrical
Equipment .......................9-32
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine .......9-11
Air Conditioning...............7-1, 7-4
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator .......................4-14
Readiness Light . ...............4-13
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash . ...............1-32
Airbag System.....................1-19
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle . .......................1-30
Check . . . . .........................1-31
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-24Airbag System (cont.)
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-30
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-24
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates? . ............1-24
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-22
Where Are the
Airbags?..............1-21, 1-26
Antenna, Fixed Mast . ...........6-24
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-15
Anti-lock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-17
Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-98
Exterior Cleaning . . ............9-94
Finish Damage.................9-98
Interior Cleaning . . .............9-91
Sheet Metal Damage........9-98
Underbody Maintenance....9-98
Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials......................9-99
Appointments, Scheduling
Service . ..........................12-8
Audio System . . ...................... 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls .......................6-23
Fixed Mast Antenna ..........6-24
Radio Reception . . .............6-24
Setting the Clock . . . . . . .......... 6-2
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . 6-23
Audio System(s) . . . ................. 6-3
Automatic Climate Control
System ............................. 7-4
Automatic Headlamp System . . . 5-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-13
Operation . . . ....................... 8-6
B
Battery...............................9-26
Run-Down Protection . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Brakes...............................9-24
System Warning Light . . . . . . . 4-16
Braking...............................8-14
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
INDEX i-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

I
Ignition Positions . . ................. 8-2
Immobilizer ..........................2-11
Immobilizer Operation...........2-12
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints . .......................1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-46
Inator Kit, Tire....................9-64
Instrument Panel
Brightness ......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-11
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-80
K
Keyless Entry System . . .......... 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . ........9-40
Lamps
Dome . . . . . . . ........................ 5-4
Reading . . . . . . . ..................... 5-4
Lap-Shoulder Belt . ...............1-14LATCH System
Child Restraints................1-40
Replacing Parts After
a Crash.......................1-45
Light
Airbag Readiness . ............4-13
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Warning . . ............4-17
Brake System Warning......4-16
Charging System . . ............4-15
Daytime Running Lamps
Indicator.......................4-21
Door Ajar .........................4-21
Fog Lamp........................4-21
Highbeam On...................4-21
Malfunction Indicator.........4-18
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-14
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-12
Security...........................4-21
Tire Pressure...................4-18
Lighting
Perimeter.......................... 5-4
Lights
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
High/Low Beam Changer ..... 4-7
Loading Your Vehicle . ...........8-28Locks
Door................................. 2-8
Power Door . . . . . .................. 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks . . . . 2-9
Loss of Control....................8-21
Lumbar Seat Adjustment......... 1-2
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services .......................11-6
At Each Fuel Fill..............11-9
At Least Once a Month . . . . . 11-9
At Least Once a Year......11-10
Introduction . .....................11-1
Maintenance Footnotes . . . . . . 11-7
Maintenance Record . . . . . . . . 11-15
Maintenance
Requirements . . .............11-2
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts.......11-13
Owner Checks and
Services .......................11-9
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . ................11-12
INDEX i-5
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual