Doing Your Own
Service Work
{CAUTION
You can be injured and your
vehicle could be damaged if
you try to do service work on
a vehicle without knowing
enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience, the
proper replacement parts, and
tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and
metric fasteners can be
easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts
can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.If you want to do some of your own
service work, you should use the
proper service manual. It tells
you much more about how to
service your vehicle than this
manual can. To order the proper
service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on
page 12-15.
Your vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your
own service work, seeAirbag
System Check on page 1-31.
You should keep a record with all
parts receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service
work you perform. SeeMaintenance
Record on page 11-15.
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside
of your vehicle can affect the
air ow around it. This can cause
wind noise and can affect fuel
economy and windshield washer
performance. Check with your
dealer/retailer before adding
equipment to the outside of your
vehicle.
9-4 Vehicle Service and Care
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