2009 PONTIAC G8 service

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The vehicle has a manual rearview
mirror with a compass display
and OnStar
®control buttons
located at the bottom of the mirror.
See your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and
how to subscribe to OnStar.
SeeOnStar
®System on page 4-35
for more information about the
services OnStar provides.
Adjust the mirror to see clearly
behind your vehicle. Hold it in the
center to move it up or down and
side to side.
Headlamp Glare
1. To reduce headlamp glare from
vehicles following from behind,
pull the lever toward you.
The rear view clarity is reduced
when the mirror is set to
reduce headlamp glare.
2. Return the lever back to its
original position as soon as
the glare has disappeared to
restore the rear view.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a paper towel
or similar material dampened
with glass cleaner.
Compass
Compass Display
Y(On/Off):Press to turn the
compass on or off. The compass
display can show a maximum of
two characters. For example,
NE is displayed for north-east.
When the ignition and the compass
feature are on, a character box
displays for about two seconds.
After two seconds, the mirror
displays the direction the vehicle
is facing.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically
calibrates as the vehicle is driven.
If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass direction,
(N for North, for example), there may
be a strong magnetic eld interfering
with the compass. Interference can
be caused by a magnetic antenna
2-16 Keys, Doors and Windows

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness
light which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,
the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on
page 1-20.
This light will come on when you
start your vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. The light should
go out and the system is ready.If the airbag readiness light and the
Airbag Fault message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
stays on after you start the vehicle
or comes on when you are
driving, your airbag system may not
work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a message may also
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-26for
more information.
The message will remain until
3
or8are pressed, but the light
will remain until the problem is xed.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-26for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-13

Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-27
for important safety information.
The rearview mirror has a
passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several secondsas a system check. If you are using
remote start to start your vehicle
from a distance, if equipped,
you may not see the system check.
Then, after several more seconds,
the status indicator will light
either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know
the status of the right front
passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag is enabled
(may inate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag.If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-13for more information,
including important safety
information. United States
Canada
4-14 Instruments and Controls

When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will also
come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if
your parking brake does not release
fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it
means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on and Brake
message comes on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), while you
are driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push or
the pedal may go closer to the oor.
It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 4-16andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 9-88.{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the
vehicle has been pulled off the
road and carefully stopped, have
the vehicle towed for service.
The Brake message will remain until
3(Trip/Fuel) or8(Enter) are
pressed, but the brake light will
remain until the problem is xed.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-26for more information.
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 P (Park).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.
4-16 Instruments and Controls

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 9-88.
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 4-26for 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 9-20.
Tire Pressure Light
TPMS Light
This light comes on briey when the
engine is started and provides
information about tire pressures and
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.When the Light is On Steady
This light will also come on when
one or more of your tires are
signicantly underinated. A CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE DIC message
will accompany the light.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-26for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon
as it is safe to do so. If underinated,
inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 9-42for more
information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.
The light ashes for about a minute
and stays on on steady for the
remainder of the ignition cycle.
This sequence will repeat with every
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 9-52
andTire Pressure Monitor Operation
on page 9-54for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-17

Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures
that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle,
helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light comes on when the ignition
is on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show it is working. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, while the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage to
the vehicle. This system assists the
service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the
engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
4-18 Instruments and Controls

This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash,
when it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to
park the vehicle. Turn the key off,
wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer/retailer for service as
soon as possible.Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by doing
the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 8-37. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of water,
the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition is
usually corrected when the
electrical system dries out.
A few driving trips should turn
the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle with
quality fuel. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misring,
hesitation on acceleration, or
stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand
used. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn
the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-35.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer/retailer can
check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical
or electrical problems that might
have developed.
Instruments and Controls 4-19

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