PONTIAC G8 2008 Owners Manual

AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle
Alert
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics
GM Goodwrench On Demand
Diagnostics
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with
30 complimentary minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor
(U.S. Only)
Available Services included with
Directions & Connections Plan
All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor
delivered or OnStar Turn-by-Turn
Navigation (If equipped)
RideAssist
Information and Convenience
Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows
eligible OnStar subscribers to
make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling
is fully integrated into the vehicle,
and can be used with OnStar
Pre-Paid Minute Packages.
Hands-Free Calling can also be
linked to a Verizon Wireless service
plan in the U.S. or a Bell Mobility
service plan in Canada, depending
on eligibility. To nd out more,
refer to the OnStar Owner’s Guide
in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca,
or speak with an OnStar advisor
by pressing the OnStar button
or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature
of OnStar Hands-Free Calling
that uses minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic
reports, and stock quotes. Press
the phone button and give afew simple voice commands to
browse through the various topics.
See the OnStar Owner’s Guide
for more information (only available
in the continental U.S.).
OnStar Steering Wheel
Controls
The vehicle may have a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to interact
with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, you may have to
hold the button for a few seconds
and give the command “ONSTAR” in
order to activate the OnStar
Hands-Free Calling feature.
On some vehicles, the mute button
can be used to dial numbers into
voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s
Guide for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-37
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

How OnStar Service Works
The OnStar system can record and
transmit vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to
an OnStar Call Center when the
OnStar button is pressed, the
emergency button is pressed, or if
the airbags or AACN system deploy.
The vehicle information usually
includes your GPS location and, in
the event of a crash, additional
information regarding the accident
that the vehicle has been involved in
(e.g. the direction from which the
vehicle was hit). When the Virtual
Advisor feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling is used, the
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS
location so that we can provide
services where you are located.
OnStar service cannot work unless
the vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless you are in
a place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired forthat area has coverage, network
capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and
technology that is compatible with
the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere,
particularly in remote or enclosed
areas, or at all times.
Location information about the
vehicle is only available if the GPS
satellite signals are available
and unobstructed.
The vehicle must have a working
electrical system (including adequate
battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar from
providing OnStar service to you at
any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important
parts of the vehicle in an accident,
hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather
or wireless phone network
congestion.Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if
you cannot hear the OnStar advisor.
If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system is not
functioning properly and should be
checked by your dealer/retailer.
If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), the OnStar subscription
has expired. Press the blue
OnStar button to conrm that the
OnStar equipment is active.
4-38 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Automatic Headlamp
System.............................5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-3
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-4
Perimeter Lighting...............5-4
Reading Lamps..................5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
Fog Lamps
The exterior lamps control has four
positions:
9(Off):Turns the headlamps,
parking lamps, and DRL off.
The DRL does not turn off on
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
AUTO (Automatic):Turns the
headlamps on and off automatically.
They come on at normal brightness,
together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
Lighting 5-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the
parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the
headlamps together with the
following:
Parking Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Sidemarker Lamps
A warning chime sounds if the
driver side door is opened while
the ignition switch is off and
the headlamps are on.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the
headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
The light sensor determines
it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker, instrument panel and
other lamps will not be on.
The headlamps automatically switch
from DRL to the regular headlamps
depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. See “Automatic
headlamp system” following.To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the
exterior lamps control to
9and
then release. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the DRL lamps cannot
be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside and
the exterior lamps control is in
the automatic position, the
headlamps and parking lamps will
turn on and off automatically.
SeeExterior Lamps Controls on
page 5-1.
If the headlamps or parking lamps
are left on and the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF, the lamps
automatically turn off after
10 minutes. The lamps remain off
until the ignition is switched on
or the lamps are turned on again
using the exterior lamps control.
5-2 Lighting
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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
This feature controls the brightness
of the instrument panel lights.
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
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Dome Lamp(s)
+
(On/Off):Press to turn the lamp
on or off.
&(Door):Press this button in and
the lamps automatically turn on
when a door is opened, the vehicle
is unlocked, or the key is removed
from the ignition.
The lamps dim to off after all the
doors are closed. They turn off
immediately if the ignition is turned
on and all the doors are closed.
The dome lamps turn on
automatically only when it is dark.
Perimeter Lighting
Press the unlock button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter to turn the headlamps
and back-up lamps on for
60 seconds if it is dark enough
outside.
The lamps only turn on if the
exterior lamp control is left in the
AUTO position.
Reading Lamps
Front Reading Lamps
()(On/Off):Press to turn
the lamps on or off.
Battery Run-Down
Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help
prevent the battery from being
drained. The trunk lamp and
reading lamps automatically turn off
10 minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
The lamps are reactivated if any of
the following occur:
The ignition is turned on.
The vehicle is unlocked.
The trunk is opened.
The reading lamps are turned on.
5-4 Lighting
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Infotainment
Audio System(s)
Audio System(s).................6-1
Setting the Clock................6-2
Radio(s).............................6-3
Using an MP3...................6-19
Theft-Deterrent Feature.....6-23
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls..........................6-23
Radio Reception...............6-24
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-24
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle
has and become familiar with
its features.
{CAUTION
This system provides you with
far greater access to audio
stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to
entertainment tasks while
driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or
killed. Always keep your eyes
on the road and your mind on
the drive — avoid engaging in
extended searching while
driving.Keeping your mind on the drive
is important for safe driving.
SeeDefensive Driving on
page 8-13.
Here are some ways in which you
can help avoid distraction while
driving.Familiarize yourself with all of
its controls
Familiarize yourself with its
operation.
Set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio
stations, setting the tone,
and adjusting the speakers.
Then, when driving conditions
permit, you can tune to your
favorite radio stations using the
presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Infotainment 6-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:Before adding any sound
equipment to your vehicle, such
as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or
two-way radio, make sure that it
can be added by checking with
your dealer/retailer. Also, check
federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units.
If sound equipment can be added,
it is very important to do it
properly. Added sound equipment
may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage
them. Your vehicle’s systems
may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been
added.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory
Power (RAP), and the audio system
can be played after the ignition is
turned off. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 8-3for more
information.Setting the Clock
Radio with Single CD Player
The time and date can be adjusted
when the radio is either on or
off, press
Gto display the date.
To adjust the time and date:
1. Press and hold
Guntil the
display shows the Set Clock
screen and the hour display
ashes.
2. Turn the volume knob to adjust
the hour.
3. Press the volume knob and the
minute display will ash to
adjust the minutes.
4. Turn the volume knob to adjust
the minutes.
5. Repeat these steps to adjust the
month, date, and year.
6. Press
Gto save the settings.
If no adjustments are made
for eight seconds, the radio will
automatically save the settings.
Radio with Six-Disc CD Player
The time and date can be adjusted
when the radio is either on or
off, press
Gto display the date.
To adjust the time and date:
1. Press and hold
Gfor more than
two seconds to display the
Options menu.
2. Turn the MENU knob to highlight:
Hour, Minute, Date, Month,
and Year.
3. Highlight Hour and Press the
MENU knob.
4. Turn the MENU knob to adjust
the hours.
5. Press the MENU knob to return
to the Options menu.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to
adjust the minutes, date,
month, and year.
7. Press
Gto save the settings.
If no adjustments are made for
eight seconds, the radio will
automatically save the settings.
6-2 Infotainment
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Radio(s)
Radio with Single CD Player
Infotainment 6-3
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

The vehicle has one of these radios
as its audio system.
Playing the Radio
}(Power):Press to turn the
system on and off.
Radio with Single CD Player
Volume: The volume knob
is located on the center of the radio.
Turn to adjust the volume.
0(Mute): Press to immediately
stop the volume. While the volume
is off, MUTED displays.
To cancel Mute, do one of the
following:
Press0again
Increase the radio volume
Turn the radio off and on
Radio with Six-Disc CD Player
6-4 Infotainment
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual