light PONTIAC G8 2008 Owners Manual

{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.
8. Check the air pressure gage (G).
If there is not a pressure reading
while the compressor is
running, check for leaks at the
connection between the tire valve
stem and the sealant/air
hose (E).9. Inate the tire to the
recommended ination
pressure, found on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 9-46.
The pressure gage (G) will
initially read high while the
compressor injects the sealant
into the tire. Once the sealant
injection is complete, the
pressure will quickly drop. It will
start to rise again as the tire
inates with air.
10. Turn the compressor off by
pushing the On/Off button (A)
to the I (off) position.
The pressure gage (G) reads
slightly high while the
compressor is on. Turn the
compressor off to get an
accurate reading. The
compressor may be turned on
and off until the correct pressure
is reached.Notice:If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached after
approximately 15 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven. The
tire is too severely damaged
and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inate the
tire. Remove the air compressor
accessory plug from the
accessory power outlet and
unscrew the sealant/air hose from
the tire valve or tire pressure
monitoring sensor valve.
SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6.
The tire is not sealed and will
continue to leak air until the
vehicle is driven and the sealant
is distributed in the tire.
Steps 11 through 19 must be
done right after Step 10.
Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as
they could be hot after usage.
9-66 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Idling the engine in a closed-in
place or with the climate
control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO).
SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 8-12.
5. 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).6. Push the On/Off switch (G) to the
I (on) position.
Check the pressure gage (F). If
there is not a pressure reading
while the compressor is running,
check for leaks at the connection
between the hose and the tire
valve stem.
7. Inate the tire up to the
recommended ination pressure
using the air pressure gage (F)
on the top of the unit. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46.
The pressure gage (F) reads
slightly high while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor off to
get an accurate reading. The
compressor may be turned on
and off until the correct pressure
is reached.
8. Push the On/Off switch (G) to the
O (off) position.
Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as
they could be hot after usage.9. Unplug the air compressor
accessory plug (A) from the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle and stow it in its original
location.
10. Disconnect the air-only hose (E)
from the tire valve stem and
stow it back in its original
location.
11. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
{CAUTION
Storing the tire sealant and
compressor kit or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle
could cause injury. In a sudden
stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike
someone. Store the tire sealant
and compressor kit in its
original location.
12. Place the equipment in the
original location in the trunk
of your vehicle.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-69
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:If you leave your radio or
other accessories on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your
warranty. Always turn off
your radio and other accessories
when jump starting your
vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF
and switch off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
ashers if needed.
{CAUTION
An electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not
running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{CAUTION
Using a match near a battery
can cause battery gas to
explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you
need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a
battery has ller caps, be sure
the right amount of uid is
there. If it is low, add water to
take care of that rst. If you
don’t, explosive gas could be
present.
Battery uid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly.
Keep your hands away from
moving parts once the engine
is running.
5. Connect one end of the red
positive (+) cable to the jump
start positive (+) post (A).
9-82 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it
are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your
safety and that of your passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies and tires are forced
to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat.
Also, the trailer adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.If You Do Decide To Pull A
Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points:
There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal,
not only where you live but
also where you will be driving. A
good source for this information
can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 1,000 miles (1 600 km)
your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) that you tow a trailer, do
not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at fullthrottle. This helps your engine
and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Use the Sport Shift mode and the
cruise control when towing. The
Active Select (A/S) may also be
used under light load conditions.
Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer. Do not drive
faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear
on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer.
The weight of the trailer tongue.
The total weight on your
vehicle’s tires.
9-86 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s
Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are
inated to the upper limit for cold
tires. You will nd these numbers on
the Tire-Loading Information label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-28. Then be sure you do not
go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight of the
trailer tongue.
Hitches
It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds,
large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why
you will need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch
that does not attach to the
bumper.
Will you have to make any holes
in the body of your vehicle when
you install a trailer hitch? If you
do, then be sure to seal the holes
later when you remove the hitch.
If you do not seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your
exhaust can get into your vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 8-12. Dirt and water can
also enter the vehicle.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains
between your vehicle and your
trailer. Cross the safety chains under
the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains
may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Alwaysleave just enough slack so you can
turn with your rig. And, never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own
brakes? Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you will be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes,
do not tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake
systems will not work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required
for your trailer lighting system
can be accessed at the driver’s side
rear lamp connector. This connector
is located under the carpet on
the rear corner of the trunk
compartment.
9-88 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
may need a different turn signal
asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer/retailer. The arrows
on your instrument panel will
ash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked
up, the trailer lamps will also ash,
telling other drivers you are
about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows
on your instrument panel will
ash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you
may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signal when they
are not. It is important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning
lights. When you plug a trailer
lighting system into your vehicle’s
lighting system, its bulb warning
lights may not let you know if one of
your lamps goes out. So, whenyou have a trailer lighting system
plugged in, be sure to check
your vehicle and trailer lamps from
time to time to be sure they are
all working. Once you disconnect the
trailer lamps, the bulb warning
lights again can tell you if one of
your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbeforeyou start down a
long or steep downgrade. If you do
not shift down, you might have
to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to
a lower gear and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h)
to reduce the possibility of engine
and transmission overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached,
on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to
move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig
on a hill, here is how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to P (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
9-90 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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 9-16.
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 9-91
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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 your 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 your 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 your
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 your vehicle. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer. SeeVehicle
Care/Appearance Materials on
page 9-99. Follow all manufacturers’
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care product.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-95
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
Description Usage
Polishing Cloth Interior and exterior
polishing cloth.
Tar and Road Oil
Remover Removes tar, road oil,
and asphalt.
Chrome Cleaner and
Polish Use on chrome or
stainless steel.
White Sidewall Tire
Cleaner Removes soil and black
marks from whitewalls
and raised white lettering.
Vinyl Cleaner Cleans vinyl.
Glass Cleaner Removes dirt, grime,
smoke and ngerprints.
Chrome Wheel Cleaner Removes dirt and grime
from chrome wheels.
Finish Enhancer Removes dust,
ngerprints, and surface
contaminants. Spray on
and wipe off.
Swirl Remover Polish Removes swirl marks, ne
scratches, and other light
surface contamination.
Cleaner Wax Removes light scratches
and protects nish.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-99
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Description Usage
Foaming Tire Shine Low
Gloss Cleans, shines, and
protects tires. No wiping
necessary.
Wash Wax Concentrate Medium foaming
shampoo. Cleans and
lightly waxes.
Biodegradable and
phosphate free.
Spot Lifter Quickly removes spots
and stains from carpets,
vinyl, and cloth
upholstery.
Odor Eliminator Odorless spray odor
eliminator used on fabrics,
vinyl, leather and carpet.
9-100 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual