2009 PONTIAC G8 brake

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 4-22.
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 8-11.
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 minutes
accompanied 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 4-31.
{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.
Instruments and Controls 4-29

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
Manual Transmission
Operation........................8-10
Parking Brake...................8-11
Shifting Into Park
(Automatic
Transmission)
..................8-12
Shifting Out of Park..........8-13
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission). . . .8-14
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-14
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-15
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
Electronic Stability
Program..........................8-19
Steering............................8-22
Off-Road Recovery............8-23
Passing.............................8-23
Loss of Control.................8-23
Driving at Night.................8-24
Driving in Rain and
on Wet Roads.................8-25
Before Leaving on
a Long Trip.....................8-26
Highway Hypnosis.............8-26
Hill and Mountain Roads. . . .8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle
to Get It Out...................8-30
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-34
Gasoline Octane...............8-35
Gasoline Specications.....8-35
California Fuel..................8-35
Additives...........................8-36
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-36
Filling the Tank.................8-37
Filling a Portable
Fuel Container................8-38
Driving and Operating 8-1

Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not
need an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
During the rst 600 miles
(1 000 km), avoid using more
than moderate acceleration
in lower gears and avoid
vehicle speeds above 68 mph
(110 km/h).
Between the rst 600 miles
(1 000 km) and 3,000 miles
(5 000 km), heavy acceleration
in lower gears can be used.
Vehicle speeds above 68 mph
(110 km/h) should be limited to
ve minutes per use.
Avoid making hard stops for the
rst 200 miles (322 km) or so.
During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can
mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTowing a Trailer
on page 9-89for the trailer
towing capabilities of your
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand,
see your dealer/retailer.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply
the brake pedal.
8-2 Driving and Operating

Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart
the vehicle when it is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal down to
the oor and start the engine. The
vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.Starting Procedure
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 the engine
warms. 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 secondsto 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. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the oor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for
a maximum of 15 seconds.
8-4 Driving and Operating

The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be
parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Automatic Transmission
Operation
The shift lever is located on the
center console between the
front seats.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever. When the
position of the shift lever is changed,a message is shown in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The
selected gear is magnied in the
DIC, and changes according to the
shift lever’s movement. There
are also messages for Sport Shift
Mode, Normal Shift Mode and Driver
Shift Control.
P (Park):This position locks the
rear wheels. It is the best position
to use when the engine is started
because the vehicle cannot
move easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on
page 8-12. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 9-89.
Make sure the shift lever is fully
in P (Park) before starting the
engine. The vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock
control system. Fully apply the brake
pedal rst and then press the shift
lever button before shifting from
P (Park) when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY.
If you cannot shift out of P (Park),
8-6 Driving and Operating

ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way
into P (Park) while maintaining brake
application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever
into another gear. SeeShifting
Out of Park on page 8-13.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can also be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow, ice,
or sand without damaging the
transmission. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 8-29for additional information.N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with
the wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.D (Drive):This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If more power is needed
for passing, and the vehicle is:
Going less than 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all the
way down.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding, see Skidding under
Loss of Control on page 8-23
Notice:Spinning the tires or
holding the vehicle in one place
on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the transmission. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Driving and Operating 8-7

While using the DSC mode, the
vehicle has rmer shifting and
increased performance. This can be
used for sport driving or when
climbing or descending hills, to stay
in gear longer, or to down shift
for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow the
driver to shift into gears appropriate
for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The
transmission will not automatically
shift to the next lower gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the currently selected gear
will ash multiple times, indicating
that the transmission has not
shifted gears.While in the DSC mode, the
transmission automatically
downshifts when the vehicle comes
to a stop.
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. Active Select Mode can
be switched on to override the
feature and gain complete control of
shifts if desired.
Driving and Operating 8-9

Manual Transmission
Operation
This is the shift pattern for the
six-speed manual transmission.Here is how to operate the
transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Then slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 40 mph
(64 km/h). If you come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into
1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral
and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift
into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and
6 (Sixth):Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) the
same way you do for 2 (Second).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake
pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the
brake pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you
start or idle the engine. The shift
lever is in Neutral when it is centered
in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
R (Reverse):To back up, press
down the clutch pedal and shift into
R (Reverse). Apply pressure to
get the lever past 5 (Fifth) and
6 (Sixth) into R (Reverse). Let up on
the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.
8-10 Driving and Operating