2008 PONTIAC G8 power steering

The main components of the
instrument panel are the following:
A.Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 4-4 .
B. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 6-23 andDIC Operation
and Displays on page 4-23 .
C. Instrument Panel Cluster on
page 4-11 .
D. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 6-23 .
E. Windshield Wipers on page 4-8 .
F. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 4-4 .
G. Voltmeter, Oil Gage. Voltmeter
Gage on page 4-15 .
H. Outlet Adjustment on page 7-8 .I.
Exterior Lamps Controls on
page 5-1 .Instrument Panel
Brightness on page 5-3 .Fog
Lamps on page 5-3 (If Equipped).
J. Hood Release on page 9-5.
K. Tilt Wheel on page 4-4 .
L. Horn on page 4-4.
M. Ignition Positions on page 8-2 .
N. Climate Control System on
page 7-1 .Automatic Climate
Control System on page 7-4
(If Equipped).
O. Shift Lever. Automatic
Transmission Operation on
page 8-6 . P.
Power Door Locks on page 2-9 .
Q. Outside Power Mirror(s) on
page 2-17 .
R. Power Windows on page 2-15 .
S. Traction Control System (TCS) Disable Button. Electronic
Stability Program on page 8-16 .
T. Heated Seats on page 1-5
(If Equipped).
U. Accessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 4-9 .
V. Audio System(s) on page 6-1 .
W. Glove Box on page 3-1 .
Instruments and Controls 4-3
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-4
Engine Coolant Heater.......8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-6
Parking Brake.....................8-9
Shifting Into Park
(Automatic
Transmission)
..................8-10
Shifting Out of Park..........8-11
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-11
Engine Exhaust.................8-12
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-12
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-13
Drunk Driving....................8-13
Control of a Vehicle..........8-14
Braking.............................8-14
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-15
Electronic Stability
Program..........................8-16
Steering............................8-19
Off-Road Recovery............8-20
Passing.............................8-21
Loss of Control.................8-21
Driving at Night.................8-22
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-23
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-24
Highway Hypnosis.............8-24
Hill and Mountain Roads. . . .8-24
Winter Driving...................8-25
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-28
Loading the Vehicle..........8-28
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-32
Gasoline Octane...............8-33
Gasoline Specications. . . . .8-33
California Fuel..................8-33
Additives...........................8-34
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-34
Filling the Tank.................8-35
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-36
Driving and Operating 8-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only
position from which you can remove
the key. This locks the steering
wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in
the LOCK/OFF position with your
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs
service.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This
position provides power to some
of the electrical accessories.
It unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition. The transmission is
also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission
vehicles. To move the key from
ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
push in the key and then turn it
to LOCK/OFF.C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the ventilation
fan and 12 volt power outlet, as
well as to display some warning and
indicator lights.
The battery could be drained
if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position with the engine off.
You may not be able to start the
vehicle if the battery is allowed
to drain for an extended period
of time.
D (START):This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off.
Audio System
Power Windows
The power windows will continue to
work for up to 10 minutes or until
any door is opened. The radio
will work when the key is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the
key is turned from ON/RUN to
LOCK/OFF, the radio will continue
to work for 10 minutes or until
the driver’s door is opened.
Driving and Operating 8-3
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your
foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance.
If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have
time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very
best braking.
Electronic Stability
Program
The vehicle has the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®) that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions
by reducing engine power and
applying the brakes to individual
wheels. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions.
The system operates if it senses
that the rear wheels are spinning
too much, are beginning to lose
traction or if it senses that the
vehicle is not moving in its intended
direction. It turns on automatically
every time the vehicle is started.
When ESP is working, this light
and the STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will come
8-16 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist
because the engine stops or
the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much
more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control”
accidents mentioned on the news
happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner,
each of us is subject to the same
laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires
against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front
wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in thesame direction. If you have ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice,
you will understand this.
Traction in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and
the road surface, the angle at which
the curve is banked, and your
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through
a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and
acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration
can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever
happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle
the way you want it to go, and
slow down.Speed limit signs near curves warn
that you should adjust your
speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather
and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you will want to
go slower.
If you need to reduce speed when
approaching a curve, do it before
you enter the curve, while the front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Driving and Operating 8-19
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