2008 PONTIAC G8 park assist

Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system assists
your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your
vehicle with this light on, after
a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your
vehicle’s fuel economy might not
be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This
could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systemscould lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This
could also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce
the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
You might be able to correct the
emission system malfunction
by considering the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 8-35. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
Instruments and Controls 4-19
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart
when you are already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if your vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle
speed will go down as your
engine gets warm. Do not race
the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently to allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists
in starting the engine and
protects components. If the
ignition key is turned to
the START position, and then
released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will
continue cranking for a few
seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START
for many seconds, cranking
will be stopped after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor
damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by
turning the ignition switch
to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded
with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor
and holding it there as you hold
the key in START for up to a
maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
8-4 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
1st, 2nd or 3rd gear starts can
be selected from a standing start.
This is useful for gentle acceleration
on slippery surfaces.
To return to Normal Shift mode,
slide the shift lever over from
the right quadrant to the left into
D (Drive). A Normal Shift message
will be displayed in the DIC.
Normal Shift Mode is recommended
for normal or freeway driving, as
it provides optimum fuel economy.
Powertrain Braking
For vehicles with a 6 speed
automatic transmission, there is
an additional feature known
as Powertrain Braking. When driving
on steep descents where frequent
braking is required, the vehicle
will automatically downshift to
provide engine braking assistance.
This feature also reduces brake
temperatures and wear.Downshifting will only occur when
the driver’s foot is applied to the
brake. Driver Shift Control can
be switched on to override the
feature and gain complete control
of shifts if desired.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on
the parking brake handle. If the
ignition is in the ON/RUN position,
the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4-16.To release the parking brake:
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up
until you can press the release
button.
3. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake handle all the
way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Driving with the park brake applied
will cause a warning chime to
sound and the Park Brake message
to appear in the DIC. The message
will remain on until:
the park brake is released
the vehicle comes to a stop.
If you are towing a trailer and you
are parking on a hill, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 9-85.
Driving and Operating 8-9
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.
8-24 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid
and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any
rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It
may be very bumpy and noisy,
but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if
possible.
If a tire goes at, and your vehicle
has a compact spare tire, see
Changing a Flat Tire (V6 Engine) on
page 9-71. This information shows
you how to use the vehicle’s
tire changing equipment and how to
change a at tire safely.{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided
with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a at tire. If it
is used for anything else, you or
others could be badly injured or
killed if the vehicle slips off the
jack. Use the jack provided with
your vehicle only for changing a
at tire.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
If your vehicle has a factory installed
Tire Sealant and Compressor kit,
there is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment and no place to
store a tire.If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning
ashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 4-4.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the
parking brake rmly and put the
shift lever in PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 8-10.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area
of the tire, seeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit (V8 Engine) on
page 9-64.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-63
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Changing a Flat Tire
(V6 Engine)
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the
hazard warning ashers.
{CAUTION
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
on you or other people. You
and they could be badly injured
or even killed. Find a level
place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake
rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in
PARK (P).
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do
not restart while the
vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be certain the vehicle will
not move, put blocks at the
front and rear of the tire
farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be
the tire on the other side, at the
opposite end of the vehicle.When you have a at tire, use the
following example as a guide to
assist you in the placement of wheel
blocks.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-71
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a
professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled
vehicle towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6.
Shift Lock Manual
Release
The transmission has an electric
park lock called a shift lock manual
release. The key must be in the
ON/RUN position, and the brake
pedal pressed so the transmission
gear selector can be moved from the
P (Park) position. If the battery
has lost power, the selector cannot
be moved to neutral for towing
unless the shift lock manual release
is disengaged manually.To access the shift lock manual
release:
1. Apply the park brake.
2. Remove the console trim
panel (A) from the console.
2.1. Gently lift the back corners
of the trim panel directly in
front of the cupholders (C)
until the two clips are
released from the console.
2.2. Gently lift the console trim
panel from the rear until the
four clips around the shift
lever are released.
3. Raise the panel (A) no more
than 2–3 inches (50–75 mm)
to avoid disconnecting the wiring
from the switches (B).
4. With the console trim panel
raised, remove the retainer (E)
and the shift lock manual release
cover plate (D).
5. Push and hold the manual
release lever (F) toward the
passenger side of the vehicle.
9-84 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Bulb Replacement................9-29
Halogen Bulbs . . ................9-29
Headlamp Aiming ..............9-27
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps . ........................9-29
Replacement Bulbs...........9-32
Taillamps . ........................9-31
Buying New Tires . . ...............9-56
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . ...............2-16
California Fuel . . . ..................8-33
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning ............................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... ii
Capacities and
Specications . . . ................10-2
Carbon
Monoxide . . ......2-10, 8-12, 8-25
Care, Safety Belts................1-18
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 ............................6-19
Center Console
Storage Area..................... 3-1
Chains, Tire . . . . . ...................9-62
Charging System Light . . ........4-15Check
Engine Light....................4-18
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-98
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-37
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children..................1-40
Older Children..................1-32
Securing ..................1-46, 1-48
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-38
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-94
Interior............................9-91
Underbody Maintenance....9-98
Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Automatic.......................... 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-8
Clock, Setting . . ...................... 6-2
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 12-10
Compact Spare Tire . ............9-79
Compass............................2-16
Compressor Kit, Tire
Sealant...........................9-64
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-13
Control of a Vehicle . . ............8-14
Convenience Net................... 3-1Coolant
Engine . ...........................9-13
Engine Temperature Gage . . . 4-17
Cooling System . . . . ...............9-17
Cruise Control . . ..................... 4-5
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.......12-4, 12-9
Customer Assistance
Offices .........................12-4
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program . . . ....................12-5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors...........12-14
Reporting Safety Defects to
the Canadian
Government ................12-14
Reporting Safety Defects to
the United States
Government ................12-14
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . ....................12-6
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . 12-15
i-2 INDEX
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual