Seats and Restraints......... 1-1
Front Seats
.................... 1-2
Rear Seats
.................... 1-5
Safety Belts
................... 1-5
Airbag System
..............1-19
Child Restraints
.............1-32
Keys, Doors and
Windows............................ 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-8
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
...................2-11
Windows
......................2-14
Mirrors
.........................2-16
Sunroof
........................2-18
Storage.............................. 3-1
Storage
......................... 3-1
Instruments and
Controls............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 4-2
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............4-10Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............4-23
OnStar
®System
............4-36
Lighting............................. 5-1
Lighting
......................... 5-1
Infotainment...................... 6-1
Audio System(s)
............. 6-1
Climate Controls............... 7-1
Climate Controls
............. 7-1
Driving and Operating....... 8-1
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
....................... 8-2
Driving Your Vehicle
......8-13
Fuel
............................8-32
Vehicle Service
and Care............................ 9-1
Service
.......................... 9-2
Owner Checks
................ 9-5
Headlamp Aiming
..........9-27
Bulb Replacement
.........9-29Electrical System
...........9-32
Tires
...........................9-39
Tire Changing
...............9-62
Jump Starting
...............9-80
Towing
........................9-84
Appearance Care
..........9-91
Technical Data.................10-1
Vehicle Identi cation
. . . . . . 10-1
Capacities and
Speci cations
............10-2
Service and
Maintenance.....................11-1
Service and
Maintenance
..............11-1
Customer Information. . . . . . 12-1
Customer Information
. . . . . 12-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
...................12-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
.............12-16
Index................................... i-1
2008 Pontiac G8 Owner ManualM
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats,
the controls are located on the
center console. To operate
the heated seats the ignition must
be on.
L(Heated Seat):Press to turn on
the heated seat.
A light indicates that the feature is
working. The number of indicator
lights shows the level of heat
selected: one for low, two for
medium, and three for high. Press
the button to cycle through the
temperature settings and to turn the
heat off.
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
The center seatback folds forward
to allow access to the trunk.
Press the button at the top of the
seatback to release it, then fold
it forward.
Lift the seatback to return it to the
sitting position. Move the safety belt
out of the way, and push the
seatback until it is locked in place.
Safety Belts
This section of the manual describes
how to use safety belts properly.
It also describes some things not to
do with safety belts.
{CAUTION
Do not let anyone ride where he
or she cannot wear a safety
belt properly. If you are in a
crash and you are not wearing
a safety belt, your injuries can
be much worse. You can hit
things inside the vehicle harder
or be ejected from it and be
seriously injured or killed. In
the same crash, you might not
be, if you are buckled up.
Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your
passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.
Seats and Restraints 1-5
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning
Flashers............................4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-7
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-7
Windshield Wipers..............4-8
Windshield Washer.............4-8
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)............................4-9
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-10
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-11
Speedometer....................4-12
Tachometer.......................4-12
Safety Belt Reminders......4-12
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-13
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-14
Voltmeter Gage.................4-15
Charging System Light......4-15
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-16
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-17
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........4-17
Tire Pressure Light...........4-18
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-18
Security Light....................4-21
Fog Lamp Light................4-21
Highbeam On Light...........4-21
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Indicator Light. . . . . . .4-21
Door Ajar Light.................4-21
Oil Pressure Gage............4-22
Fuel Gage........................4-22
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-23
DIC Operation and
Displays..........................4-23
DIC Warnings and
Messages........................4-27
DIC Vehicle
Customization..................4-32
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-36
Instruments and Controls 4-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators
This section describes the warning
lights and gages on the vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal
that something is wrong before it
becomes serious enough to
cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gages could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
may be or is a problem with one
of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on brie y when
the engine is started to indicate
they are working.Gages can indicate when there may
be or is a problem with one of the
vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to
indicate a problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
4-10 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual
{CAUTION
Even though the passenger
sensing system is designed to
turn off the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag if the
system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will
not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be
secured in the rear seat, even if
the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-26for
more information, including
important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light in
the instrument panel cluster
ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be
wrong with the airbag system.
If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have
the protection of the airbag(s).
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-13for more on this,
including important safety
information.
Voltmeter Gage
The voltmeter shows the voltage
output of your battery.
It is located in the center of the
instrument panel.
Charging System Light
This light will come on brie y when
you turn on the ignition, and the
engine is not running, as a check to
show it is working. Then it should
go out when the engine is started.
If the light comes on and an
Alternator message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) stays
on, you may have a problem with
the electrical charging system. Have
it checked by your dealer/retailer.
Instruments and Controls 4-15
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual