2009 PONTIAC G8 high beam

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning
Flashers............................4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-7
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-7
Windshield Wipers..............4-8
Windshield Washer.............4-8
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)............................4-9
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-10
Instrument Panel
Cluster............................4-11
Speedometer....................4-12
Tachometer.......................4-12
Safety Belt Reminders......4-12
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-13
Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator...............4-14
Voltmeter Gage.................4-15
Charging System Light......4-15
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-15
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-16
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........4-17
Tire Pressure Light...........4-17
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-18
Security Light....................4-20
Fog Lamp Light................4-20
Highbeam On Light...........4-20
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light
.................4-21
Door Ajar Light.................4-21
Oil Pressure Gage............4-21
Fuel Gage........................4-21
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-22
DIC Operation and
Displays..........................4-22
DIC Warnings and
Messages........................4-26
DIC Vehicle
Customization..................4-31
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-35
Instruments and Controls 4-1

Hazard Warning Flashers
|
(Hazard Warning Flasher):
Press this button located on
the instrument panel, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps ash
on and off. This warns others that
you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the
ashers off.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols
on the steering wheel pad to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt and telescope wheel lets the
steering wheel position be adjusted.
The adjustment lever is located on
the left side of the steering column.
Pull the lever down to move the
steering wheel up or down and in or
out. Pull the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the tilt and telescope
lever while driving.
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever
The lever on the left side of the
steering column includes the
following:
E:Cruise Control (If Equipped).
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
Information for these features is
on the pages following.
4-4 Instruments and Controls

When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the vehicle speed down.
When the brakes are applied
the cruise control is turned off.
Ending Cruise Control
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
When the cruise control is
deactivated, the CRUISE
INACTIVE message appears in
the instrument panel cluster.
Press theOQbutton at the
end of the lever two times.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrowGon the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the direction
of the turn or lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all
the way up or down.
To signal a lane change, slightly
raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to ash and release
the lever. The turn signal ashes
automatically three times.
The lever returns to its starting
position when it is released.
To cancel the lane change, move the
lever back to the starting position.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
The headlamps must be on for this
feature to work.
Push the turn signal lever away
from you to turn the high beams on.
The fog lamps turn off automatically
when high beam is selected.
This instrument panel cluster light
3comes on while the high
beam headlamps are on.
Pull the lever towards you to return
to low beams.
To ash the high beams, pull the
lever towards you. The lamps
remain on high beam as long as
the lever is held.
Instruments and Controls 4-7

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

The vehicle has a light sensor
located on top of the instrument
panel. Do not cover the sensor or
the headlamps will come on
when they are not needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with this feature, it
provides better visibility in foggy or
misty conditions.
The fog lamp switch is located on
the exterior lamps control on
the instrument panel to the left of
the steering column.
-(Fog Lamps):To turn on
the fog lamps, turn the exterior
lamps control to parking lamps
or headlamps and pull the fog
lamps control. Push the control
to turn the fog lamps off.The fog lamp indicator in the
instrument panel comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The fog lamps control can be
pulled out while the exterior lamps
control is in the AUTO position.
If left in this position, the fog lamps
come on automatically whenever
the parking lamps or low-beam
headlamps turn on.
When the high-beam headlamps are
turned on, the fog lamps turn off
automatically. When the high-beam
headlamps are turned off, the
fog lamps come on again.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel
Brightness
The instrument panel lighting
buttons are located above the
exterior lamps control.
6:Press to brighten the
instrument panel lights.
f:Press to dim the instrument
panel lights.
Press both instrument panel
brightness buttons at the same time
to turn the night panel mode on
or off.
Night panel mode lights up the
speed, information displays
and warning reminders while the
rest of the instrument panel
lights are off.
Lighting 5-3

Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. When it is time for a new
battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. The battery is located
in the trunk behind a trim panel
on the driver’s side.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 9-84for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove
the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery or use a battery
trickle charger. This helps maintain
the charge of the battery over
an extended period of time.
Headlamp Aiming
The optical headlamp aiming system
has been preset at the factory
and should need no further
adjustment
However, if the vehicle is damaged
adjustment may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their
high beams at you, this may also
mean the vertical aim needs to
be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle
is taken to your dealer/retailer
for service if the headlamps need to
be re-aimed. It is possible however,
to re-aim the headlamps as
described.
9-28 Vehicle Service and Care

The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps
are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all
the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is at a right angle
to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or
mudonit.
Be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being done.
Have a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on
the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.
Headlamp aiming is done with
the vehicle’s low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will
be correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.To adjust the vertical aim on the
headlamps:
1. Open the hood.Hood Release
on page 9-5.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of
the low-beam headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the
ground to the aim dot on the
low-beam headlamp.4. At the wall, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from Step 3
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B)
on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the
mark in Step 4.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-29

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-35.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps and
Parking Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
If the front turn signal lamp
or parking lamp needs to be
changed, see your dealer/retailer.
A. Front Turn Signal Lamp/
Parking Lamp
B. Low Beam Headlamp
C. High Beam Headlamp1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Remove the radiator support
by turning the head screws
counterclockwise and then
pulling them straight out.
3. For the passenger side pull up
on the coolant bottle ller neck
to remove it and place it to
one side.
Let the ller neck drain before
pulling it all the way out. Place a
clean towel over the opening
of the coolant bottle after
removing it.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-31