2008 PONTIAC G8 service reset

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light will come
on briey, as a check, when
you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced so that the light works
properly when it needs to.
If the light and a message in the
DIC stays on longer than a few
seconds after you start your engine,
or comes on and stays on while
you are driving, try resetting
the system. To reset the system:
1. If you are driving, pull over when
it is safe to do so.
2. Place the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.If the light remains on after resetting
the system or comes on again
while driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the ABS light is on,
but the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the antilock
brakes are not working properly,
but the regular brakes are still
functioning. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. If both brake
lights are on, you do not have
antilock brakes, and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes as
well. Have your vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 9-84.
The ABS Fault message will remain
until
3(Trip/Fuel) or8(Enter)
are pressed, but the warning
light will remain until the problem is
xed. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-27for more
information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, the engine
is too hot. It means that the engine
has overheated. Pull off the road,
stop the vehicle, and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. See
Engine Overheating on page 9-16.
Instruments and Controls 4-17
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC displays information about
your vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. The DIC also allows some
features to be customized. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization on page 4-32
for more information. All messages
will appear in the DIC display located
in the center of the instrument panel
cluster.
When the ignition is turned on, a
vehicle system check is performed
and the status is shown on the
DIC display. If there are no warnings
or service reminders, the display
shows a series of welcome screens.
When the ignition is turned off,
the odometer appears on the display
for a short period of time unless a
service reminder is active. Active
service reminders are displayed for
10 seconds before the odometer
appears. The odometer will
reappear on the display when the
driver door is opened. For moreinformation on the warnings and
messages seeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 4-27.DIC Operation and
Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons located on the
left side of the steering wheel. The
DIC displays trip, fuel, vehicle
system information, and warning
messages if a system problem
is detected.
DIC Buttons
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button
to go through the displays and
the select the information.
QR(Thumbwheel):Use the
thumbwheel to scroll through
the available options.
8(ENTER to Reset/Select):Press
the thumbwheel to set or reset
certain functions and to turn off or
acknowledge messages on the DIC.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
Press3to scroll through the
following menu items:
Speedometer
UNITS
Tire Pressure
Customize Options
Odometer/Trip Odometer
Distance/Time To Go
Range
Avg (Average)Speed/Avg
(Average) Fuel
OverSpeed
Instruments and Controls 4-23
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

yOverSpeed
This message is displayed when the
vehicle’s speed is greater than
the set OverSpeed value. See
“OverSpeed” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 4-23.
You can press
8or move the
thumbwheel up
Qor downRto
acknowledge that you received
the message, but OverSpeed will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display as long as the
vehicle’s speed exceeds the preset
value.
$Park Brake
This message is displayed if the
parking brake is applied when you
are driving. Release the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 8-9.
Replace Battery in
Remote Key
This message is displayed when the
battery in the remote keyless
entry transmitter needs to be
replaced. See your dealer/retailer to
replace the battery.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
QKey Batt will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the battery
has been replaced.
wRest Reminder
This feature reminds the driver that
they may have been driving for too
long without a break. When the
ignition is turned on, a timer starts
counting. After two hours of
continuous driving, the rest reminder
ashes to alert the driver. The Rest
Reminder message is displayed until
3or8are pressed. The rest
reminder reappears after 20 minutesaccompanied by a chime, unless the
ignition has been turned off. For
information on how to turn the rest
reminder on and off, seeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 4-32.
{Safety Mode Active and
Power Reduced
These messages display alternately
when there is a problem with the
engine control system, see
your dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
{Safety will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
4-30 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Service Charging System
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the battery
charging system, see your
dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
"Low Batt will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
:Service Engine Oil
This message is displayed when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the Oil Life System.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 9-10for information on how to
reset the message. SeeEngine
Oil on page 9-8andScheduled
Maintenance on page 11-4for more
information.
vService Vehicle Soon
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the vehicle,
see your dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
*Service will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
DSport Shift
This message is displayed when the
automatic transmission is operating
in sport shift mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 8-6.
LStability Ctrl (Control)
Assistance
This message is displayed when the
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®) is actively helping the
vehicle with road grip and stability.
ESP CTRL appears at the bottom
of the display and remains
illuminated as long as the ESP is
actively helping with road grip
and stability. SeeElectronic Stability
Program on page 8-16.
FStability Ctrl (Control) Off
This message is displayed when the
ESP has been turned off.
SeeElectronic Stability Program on
page 8-16. If this message is
displayed and you have not turned
off the ESP, it means there is a
problem with the ESP, see
your dealer/retailer.
Instruments and Controls 4-31
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

After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within ve seconds.
If the Service Engine Oil
message does not appear, the
system is reset.
If the Service Engine Oil message
displays, you will need to reset
the system again.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap andwater, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of clothing
or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings
about the use and disposal of oil
products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams
or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used
oil, ask your dealer/retailer, a
service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for the
location of the engine air
cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
See “Schedule Maintenance”
in Service and Maintenance for
more information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
To replace the windshield wiper
blades:
1. Turn the wiper switch to the off
position.
2. Turn the ignition to the
LOCK/OFF position.
3. Raise the wiper arm away from
the windshield.4. Press the two clips at either side
of the wiper blade then tilt the
wiper blade at 90° to the
wiper arm and remove.
5. Replace the wiper blade by
pressing in the clip and turning
the blade toward the arm to reset
the clip with the wiper arm.
6. Lower the wiper arm on to the
windshield.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Headlamp Aiming
The optical headlamp aiming system
has been preset at the factory
and should need no further
adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged
adjustment may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high
beams at you, this may also mean
the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle
is taken to your dealer/retailer
for service if the headlamps need to
be re-aimed. It is possible however,
to re-aim the headlamps as
described.
The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps
are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all
the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is at a right angle
to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or
mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being done.
Have a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on
the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.
Headlamp aiming is done with
the vehicle’s low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will
be correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.To adjust the vertical aim on the
headlamps:
1. Open the hood.Hood Release
on page 9-5.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of
the low-beam headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the
ground to the aim dot on the
low-beam headlamp.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-27
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual