2009 PONTIAC G8 check engine

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

{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is
a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®can cause
premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 9-20.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15

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

If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Check the engine coolant
reservoir level and, if required,
top with coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-15Engine
Coolant.
2. Locate the radiator cap.
3. Cover the cap with a thick
cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.4. If there is no coolant or the level is
low, slowly ll the system through
the radiator cap opening with a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and a DEX-COOL
®coolant
until full. Wait 30 seconds for
coolant to settle and top off if the
level drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
5. Start the engine.
6. With the engine idling, top off the
coolant through the radiator cap
opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off, if the
level drops.
7. Once the system is full, put the
radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.8. Turn off the ignition.
9. Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and ll it until the
level is at the top of the dipstick.
Notice:If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage
may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage
may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19

Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to
warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 4-17.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are
not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch re. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care

If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle
in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle
slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the
car in front of you. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see ‘‘Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode’’
later in this section.
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid Level
Power steering uid is used in
all vehicles.
Check the level after the vehicle has
been driven for at least twenty
minutes so the uid is warm.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering uid,
do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. The power steering uid reservoir
is located on the driver side
toward the front of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21

Do a safety check before
proceeding. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 9-66.
Inspect the damaged tire.
The sealant cannot seal sidewall
damage, large punctures, or a
tire that has unseated from
the wheel. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6.
Do not remove any objects that
have penetrated the tire.
1. Place the tire sealant and
compressor kit on the ground and
unwrap the sealant/air hose (E)
from the side of the compressor.
2. Remove the air compressor
accessory plug (B) from the unit.
Do not plug the plug in yet.3. Turn the tire valve stem cap
counterclockwise to remove.
4. Attach the sealant/air hose (E)
onto the tire valve stem.
Turn it clockwise until tight.
5. Make sure the sealant and
compressor kit on/off switch (A)
is in the O (off) position.
Plug the air compressor
accessory plug (B) into an
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 4-9for
more information.
Do not slam door or close
window on the compressor
accessory plug cord.
{CAUTION
Idling the engine in a closed-in
place or with the climate control
system off can cause deadly
carbon monoxide (CO). See
Engine Exhaust on page 8-14.6. Start the vehicle. The vehicle
must be running while using
the air compressor.
{CAUTION
Overination could cause the tire
to rupture, and you or others
could be injured. Be sure to read
the inator instructions, and inate
the tire to its recommended
pressure. Do not exceed 36 psi
(248 kPa).
7. Push the On/Off switch (A) to the
I (on) position.
The kit will begin to inject sealant
into the tire. Sealant could leak
from the puncture hole until
the vehicle is driven and the hole
has sealed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-69