2009 PONTIAC G8 check engine

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local
governments have or might begin
programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on the vehicle.
Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to
help the vehicle pass an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the check engine
light is on with the engine
running, or if the key is in the
ON/RUN and the light is
not on.
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the OBD II
(on-board diagnostic) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by
the system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready forinspection. This can happen if
the battery has recently been
replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system
is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems
during normal driving. This can
take several days of routine
driving. If this has been done
and the vehicle still does not
pass the inspection for lack of
OBD II system readiness,
your dealer/retailer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
Security Light
For information regarding this light
and the vehicle’s security system,
seeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-13.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog Lamps
on page 5-3for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 4-7for more
information.
4-20 Instruments and Controls

Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Indicator Light
This light turns on whenever the
Daytime Running Lamps are on.
SeeDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)
on page 5-2for more information.
Door Ajar Light
When the ignition is on, this light
stays on until all doors are closed
and completely latched.
If a door is not closed properly,
a chime sounds after the engine is
started and the vehicle is not in
P (Park).
Oil Pressure Gage
The gage shows the engine oil
pressure.
It is located in the center of the
instrument panel.
{CAUTION
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows about how
much fuel you have left, when the
ignition is on.
When the indicator nears empty,
the low fuel warning light will come
on and along with a chime.
There is still a little fuel left,
but you should refuel soon.
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. These are normal
and do not indicate a problem
with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas
pump shuts off before the gage
reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel
to ll up than the gage indicated.
The indicator moves a little when
you turn a corner or speed up.
The gage will continue to show
the remaining fuel when the
ignition is turned off.
Instruments and Controls 4-21

Distance/Time To Go
Press
3until To Go is displayed.
If this item doesn’t display, check
that the display is turned on through
the Customize Options menu.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 4-31for more information.
At the start of a trip, estimate the
distance to arrival (for example,
from maps, road signs). Move the
thumbwheel up or down until
the display shows the estimated
trip distance. When driving, the
computer constantly updates
the time to arrival, based on
changing driving speeds. Use the
thumbwheel to adjust the distance
any time this display is shown.
Time to go is shown in hours and
minutes and is only shown if the
distance to go is more than zero.
This display can be turned on or off
and the default setting can be
changed.Range
Press3until Range is displayed.
This display shows the approximate
distance the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The fuel range
estimate is based on an average of
the vehicle’s fuel economy over
recent driving history and the amount
of fuel remaining in the fuel tank.
Fuel range cannot be reset.
Avg (Average) Speed/Avg
(Average) Fuel
Press
3until Avg Speed/Avg
Fuel is displayed.
Avg Speed shows the average
speed (while the engine is running)
since the last reset.
Avg Fuel shows average fuel used
since the last reset.
To reset only the Avg Speed or Avg
Fuel, press and hold
8while either
value is highlighted. If
8is only
pressed briey, the Trip Odometer
will be reset as well.OverSpeed
OverSpeed allows the driver to set
a speed that they do not want to
exceed. OverSpeed will illuminate in
the display and a chime will sound
to warn that the vehicle’s speed
is equal or has exceeded the
preselected value. During an
OverSpeed warning, the OverSpeed
display is shown, allowing the
driver to make adjustments.
To set the OverSpeed warning
press
3when OverSpeed
is displayed to highlight the
OverSpeed mode. Move the
thumbwheel up
Qor downRto
scroll through and highlight one
of the following options:
Off:No OverSpeed warning set.
Manual:Allows you to manually
set the OverSpeed warning.
See “Manual OverSpeed” following.
4-24 Instruments and Controls

9Airbag Fault
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the airbag system
or safety belt pretensioner system.
SeeAirbag System on page 1-20
and “Safety Belt Pretensioners”
underLap-Shoulder Belt on
page 1-14. The Airbag Readiness
light may also come on in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 4-13.
See your dealer/retailer.
{Alarm Activated
This message is displayed when
the content theft-deterrent system
was activated by an attempted
break-in. The messages may
also include the location on the
vehicle where the break-in
was attempted. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-13
for more information.
"Alternator
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the battery charging
system. The charging system light
may also come on in the instrument
panel cluster. SeeCharging System
Light on page 4-15. Driving while this
message is on could drain the
battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
See your dealer/retailer.
Battery Saver Mode On
This message is displayed when the
battery voltage level is low.
$Brake
This message is displayed if there is
a problem with the brake system.
The Brake System Warning light may
also come on in the instrument panel
cluster. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 4-15. When this
message is on, stop the vehicle onthe side of the road. Do not continue
driving until you know that braking is
possible or that the cause of the
problem has been corrected, see
your dealer/retailer. This message
also indicates low brake uid. Check
the brake uid level. SeeBrakes on
page 9-25.
*Check Engine
If this message and the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp come on and
stay on when driving, the system
may require servicing. Although the
vehicle may still be drivable and
not require towing, take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. If this message comes
on when the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp is ashing, reduce the
vehicle’s speed and load until the
lamp stops ashing, then take
the vehicle to your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-18
for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-27

:Check Oil
This message is displayed if the oil
pressure or oil level is low. Stop
when safe, turn off the engine and
check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 9-8. Do not run
the engine when this warning is
illuminated. If the oil level is normal,
have the system checked at your
dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
:Check Oil will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
X Contact Dealer
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the instrument
panel, see your dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, butXService willcontinue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
ICruise On, Cruise Off,
Cruise Active, and Cruise
Inactive
These messages display the
status of the cruise control system.
SeeCruise Control on page 4-5
for more information.
Engine Immobilized Refer to
Owners Manual
This message is displayed when the
engine has been shutdown due to
the theft-deterrent system. See
Immobilizer Operation on page 2-12
for more information.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
AEng Immo will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
BEngine Temp
(Temperature) Hot
This message is displayed when the
engine coolant temperature is
excessively hot. Stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. See
Engine Overheating on page 9-20.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
BTemp Hot will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
.Low Fuel
This message is displayed when the
fuel level is low.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
.Low Fuel will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the fuel
tank has been lled above the low
fuel level.
4-28 Instruments and Controls

Notice:Before adding any sound
equipment to your vehicle, such
as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or
two-way radio, make sure that it
can be added by checking with
your dealer/retailer. Also, check
federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If
sound equipment can be added, it
is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your
vehicle’s engine, radio, or other
systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation of
sound equipment that has been
added.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory
Power (RAP), and the audio system
can be played after the ignition is
turned off. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 8-3for more
information.Setting the Clock
Radio with Single CD Player
The time and date can be adjusted
when the radio is either on or
off, press
Gto display the date.
To adjust the time and date:
1. Press and hold
Guntil the
display shows the Set Clock
screen and the hour display
ashes.
2. Turn the volume knob to adjust
the hour.
3. Press the volume knob and the
minute display will ash to
adjust the minutes.
4. Turn the volume knob to adjust
the minutes.
5. Repeat these steps to adjust the
month, date, and year.
6. Press
Gto save the settings.
If no adjustments are made for
eight seconds, the radio will
automatically save the settings.
Radio with Six-Disc CD Player
The time and date can be adjusted
when the radio is either on or
off, press
Gto display the date.
To adjust the time and date:
1. Press and hold
Gfor more than
two seconds to display the
Options menu.
2. Turn the MENU knob to highlight:
Hour, Minute, Date, Month,
and Year.
3. Highlight Hour and Press the
MENU knob.
4. Turn the MENU knob to adjust
the hours.
5. Press the MENU knob to return
to the Options menu.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to
adjust the minutes, date, month,
and year.
7. Press
Gto save the settings.
If no adjustments are made for
eight seconds, the radio will
automatically save the settings.
6-2 Infotainment

Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again,
repeat the procedure. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics
in the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater, if
available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting your
vehicle. An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use The Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on
the driver side of the engine
compartment, behind the
air cleaner for V8 models.
The electrical cord is located
on the passenger side of
the engine compartment, behind
the engine compartment fuse
block for V6 models.3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep
it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
Driving and Operating 8-5

And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy;
tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy
braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration
followed by heavy braking — rather
than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might
not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of
heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops
while you are driving, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. If you
do, the pedal could get harder topush down. If the engine stops, you
will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you
brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this
test is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light will stay on. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-16.
Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the 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
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
8-18 Driving and Operating