2009 PONTIAC G8 Owners Manual

As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your
foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If
you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead
to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking.
Electronic Stability
Program
The vehicle has the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®) that assists
with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions by
reducing engine power and applying
the brakes to individual wheels. This
is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates if it
senses that the rear wheels are
spinning too much, are beginning to
lose traction or if it senses that the
vehicle is not moving in its intended
direction. It turns on automatically
every time the vehicle is started.When ESP is working, this light
and the STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will come on
and the ESP CTRL message will be
displayed at the bottom of the DIC.
The STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE message will remain
on while the system is working
until the
3button is pressed to
display the trip computer. The
ESP CTRL message stays on at the
bottom of the DIC while the
system is working.
Driving and Operating 8-19

The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
When this light and the STABILITY
CTRL OFF message is on and
the ESP OFF message is
displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-26for more information.ESP is automatically enabled
whenever the vehicle is started.
To limit wheel spin, especially
in slippery road conditions, always
leave the system enabled. ESP
can be turned off if needed.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the
vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to rock the
vehicle to attempt to free it. It may
also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme
off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow on page 8-29.The ESP button is located in front of
the transmission gear selector lever.
To turn the system off or on, press
and release the ESP button.
The DIC will briey display the
appropriate message and then
return to the trip computer display.
8-20 Driving and Operating

When this light and the STABILITY
CTRL OFF message is on briey and
the ESP OFF message is displayed
at the bottom of the DIC, the system
will not limit wheel spin.
If the ESP OFF message is always
displayed at the bottom of the
DIC when the button is pressed
to turn the system on or off, the
system needs repair. Contact your
dealer/retailer.The system is on when this light
and the STABILITY CTRL ON
message is displayed briey on
the DIC.
ESP Operation
ESP limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels and
by applying brakes to each
individual wheel as necessary.
The ESP system is enabled
automatically when the vehicle
is started, and it will activate
the STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE light and the ESP
CTRL message on the DIC if it
senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving.Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle
are allowed to spin excessively
while the ESC/TCS, ABS and
Brake warning lights and the
SERVICE ESC and/or SERVICE
TRACTION messages are
displayed, the differential could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens,
a noise, vibration, or a reduction
in acceleration may be noticed.
This is normal.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3for
more information.
Driving and Operating 8-21

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist
because the engine stops or the
system is not functioning, you can
steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the
road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and your speed.
While in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
If you need to reduce speed, do it
before you enter the curve, while the
front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and nd a truck stopped in your
lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts
out from between parked cars
and stops right in front of you.
You can avoid these problems by
braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot;
there is not room. That is the
time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First
apply the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 8-17. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If you are holding the steering wheel
at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear
safety belts properly.
8-22 Driving and Operating

Off-Road Recovery
Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy. Ease
off the accelerator and then, if there
is nothing in the way, steer so that
your vehicle straddles the edge of
the pavement. Turn the steering
wheel 3 to 5 inches, 76 to 127 mm,
(about one-eighth turn) until the right
front tire contacts the pavement
edge. Then turn the steering wheel to
go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane road can be dangerous.
To reduce the risk of danger
while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides,
and to crossroads for situations
that might affect a successful
pass. If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines that could
indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or
double-solid line on your side of
the lane.
Do not get too close to the
vehicle you want to pass. Doing
so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow
vehicle.
When you are being passed,
ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when
the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do
not have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control
of the vehicle. Defensive drivers
avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to your vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not rolling.
Driving and Operating 8-23

In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve
causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the
acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
you want to slow down and
adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance is longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous
than day driving because some
drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as
in the daytime. But, as we get
older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need
at least twice as much light to see
the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
8-24 Driving and Operating

Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake pedal
until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
owing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road iswet enough and you are going fast
enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-42.
Turn off cruise control, if
equipped.
Driving and Operating 8-25

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced by
your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving. If
you become tired or sleepy,
nd a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
8-26 Driving and Operating