2009 PONTIAC G8 check oil

A.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-38 .
B. Coolant Reservoir and Dipstick. See Cooling System on
page 9-13 .
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 9-25 .
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-11 .
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 9-23 .
I. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on page 9-13 .
V8 Engine
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil every time you get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove
it again, keeping the tip down and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum)
mark, add at least one quart/liter
of the recommended oil. This
section explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2.
Notice:Do not add too much oil.
If the engine has so much oil
that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, the engine
could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
9-8 Vehicle Service and Care

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This 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, the mileage 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 the 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.
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, reset the system again.
9-10 Vehicle Service and Care

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the
coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the COLD mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant recovery tank,
but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done. See Engine
Coolant Engine Coolant for more
information.The coolant reservoir is located in
the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
The coolant level should be at or
above the top mark on the coolant
reservoir dipstick. If it is not,
you may have a leak in the cooling
system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at
the coolant recovery tank.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17

When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and
hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you’re pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, drivebelt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review
this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
Your cooling system may
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-20.
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to
look its best if it is cleaned often.
Although not always visible, dust and
dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet,
fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended
to remove particles from the
upholstery. It is important to keep
your upholstery from becoming and
remaining heavily soiled. Soils
should be removed as quickly as
possible. Your vehicle’s interior may
experience extremes of heat that
could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require
more frequent cleaning. Use care
because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color
to your vehicle’s interior.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-95

Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals
from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle’s nish if
they remain on painted surfaces.
Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are
marked safe for painted surfaces to
remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject
to aging, weather and chemical
fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep
the paint nish looking new by
keeping the vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible.Protecting Exterior Bright
Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be
cleaned regularly to keep their
luster. Wash with water or
use chrome polish on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean
aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for all
bright metal parts.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve the
vehicle’s nish is to keep it clean by
washing it often.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use a car washing soap.Notice:Certain cleaners contain
chemicals that can damage
the emblems or nameplates on
your vehicle. Check the cleaning
product label. If it states that
it should not be used on plastic
parts, do not use it on your
vehicle or damage may occur and
it would not be covered by the
warranty.
Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based or that contain acid
or abrasives, as they can damage
the paint, metal or plastic on the
vehicle. Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your dealer/
retailer. Follow all manufacturers’
directions regarding correct product
usage, necessary safety precautions
and appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-99

Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-2
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-4
Additional Required
Services..........................11-6
Maintenance Footnotes.....11-7
Owner Checks and
Services..........................11-9
At Each Fuel Fill...............11-9
At Least Once a Month. . . .11-9
At Least Once a Year.....11-10
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants...............11-12
Maintenance
Replacement Parts........11-13
Engine Drive Belt
Routing..........................11-14
Maintenance Record........11-15
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the
proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Service and Maintenance 11-1

Scheduled Maintenance
When the Service Engine Oil
message comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle.
Have your vehicle serviced 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 engine oil life system may not
indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However,
your 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 technicians who will perform
this work using genuine parts and
reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever
reset accidentally, you must service
your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service.
Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 9-10
for information on the Engine Oil Life
System and resetting the system.
When the Service Engine Oil
message appears, certain services,
checks, and inspections are
required. Required services
are described in the following
for “MaintenanceI” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that your rst service
be MaintenanceI, your second
service be MaintenanceII, and that
you alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However,
in some cases, MaintenanceIImay
be required more often.MaintenanceI—Use
MaintenanceIif the Service
Engine Oil message comes on
within 10 months since the vehicle
was purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.
MaintenanceII—Use
MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was
MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the
Service Engine Oil message comes
on 10 months or more since the
last service or if the message
has not come on at all for one year.
11-4 Service and Maintenance