light PONTIAC G8 2008 User Guide

Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
{CAUTION
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in your vehicle.
A damaged airbag system
may not work properly and
may not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash,
resulting in serious injury or
even death. To help make sure
your airbag systems are
working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any
necessary replacements made
as soon as possible.If an airbag inates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the
airbag system may not work
properly. Have the vehicle serviced
right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-13for more
information.
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the
vehicle’s safety belts.
1-32 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with
the child restraint say that the top
strap must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether
be attached.
You will be using the lap-shoulder
belt to secure the child restraint in
this position. Follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint.
1. Move the seat as far back as it
will go before securing the
forward-facing child restraint.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal
airbag, the off indicator on the
passenger airbag status indicator
should light and stay lit when
the vehicle is started. See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-14.2. Put the child restraint on
the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run
the lap and shoulder portions of
the vehicle’s safety belt
through or around the restraint.
The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
4. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be
able to unbuckle the safety belt
quickly if necessary.5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt
all the way out of the retractor to
set the lock.
Seats and Restraints 1-49
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

6. To tighten the belt, push down on
the child restraint, pull the
shoulder portion of the belt to
tighten the lap portion of the belt
and feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor. If you are using
a forward-facing child restraint,
you may nd it helpful to use your
knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.7. Push and pull the child restraint
in different directions to be sure
it is secure.
If the airbag is off, the off indicator
in the passenger airbag status
indicator will come on and stay on
when the vehicle is started.
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit, turn the
vehicle off. Remove the child
restraint from the vehicle and
reinstall the child restraint.
If, after reinstalling the child restraint
and restarting the vehicle, the on
indicator is still lit, check to make
sure that the vehicle’s seatback is
not pressing the child restraint into
the seat cushion. If this happens,slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback
and adjust the seat cushion if
possible. Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under the
vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure
the child in the child restraint in
a rear seat position in the vehicle
and check with your dealer/retailer.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt
and let it go back all the way.
1-50 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

3. Insert and turn the new
section (A) to ON/RUN within
ve seconds of removing
the original key.
4. Turn the new section (A) to
LOCK/OFF. Section (A) is
now programmed.
To program a new section (B):
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the new section (A).
The vehicle must be in
PARK (P).
2. Select Remote Key from the
personalization menu.
3. Select Program.
4. Press
QandWon the new
section (B), at the same time,
until you hear two beeps.
5. Repeat Step 4 for all other keys,
including keys that require
programming or ones previously
programmed to the vehicle.
Any key not reprogrammed will
be erased.6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
7. Join sections (A) and (B)
until they click.
Do not join the two key sections
until programming is complete.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle has a content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, either:
PressQon the RKE transmitter.
Or, lock the vehicle using the
key in the driver’s door.
The alarm will automatically arm
after about 30 seconds. The security
light, located on the instrument
panel, will ash.Press
Von the RKE transmitter
to open the trunk without setting
off the alarm. The system will rearm
when the trunk is closed.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the
following:
PressKon the RKE transmitter.
Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
Allow the alarm to time out after
about 30 seconds and reset
itself.
The alarm will automatically disarm.
If the system is armed and any
door is unlocked without pressing
K
on the RKE transmitter the alarm
will sound.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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................................4-16
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-17
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........4-17
Tire Pressure Light...........4-18
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-18
Security Light....................4-21
Fog Lamp Light................4-21
Highbeam On Light...........4-21
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Indicator Light. . . . . . .4-21
Door Ajar Light.................4-21
Oil Pressure Gage............4-22
Fuel Gage........................4-22
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-23
DIC Operation and
Displays..........................4-23
DIC Warnings and
Messages........................4-27
DIC Vehicle
Customization..................4-32
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-36
Instruments and Controls 4-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Cruise Control
For vehicles with cruise control, the
lever is located on the left side
of the steering wheel.
The cruise control maintains the
vehicle’s speed without having your
foot on the accelerator pedal.
The cruise control only works at
speeds above 21 mph (33 km/h)
(V6 engines) or above 24 mph
(38 km/h) (V8 engines).
{CAUTION
Cruise control can be
dangerous where you cannot
drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise
control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes in
tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you
could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery
roads.Setting Cruise Control{CAUTION
If you leave your cruise control
on when you are not using
cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do
not want to. You could be
startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch
off until you want to use cruise
control.
1. Press the
OQbutton at the
end of the cruise control lever.
The CRUISE ON light comes on
in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on
page 4-11.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
Instruments and Controls 4-5
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

3. Turn the band down to SET−
and then release it. The
CRUISE ACTIVE light comes on
in the instrument panel cluster.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and
the Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) becomes active, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
SeeElectronic Stability Program on
page 8-16. When road conditions
allow the cruise control can be
used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or the
OQbutton
is pressed once, the cruise control
shuts off.Once the vehicle speed is 21 mph
(33 km/h) (V6 engines) or 24 mph
(38 km/h) (V8 engines) or greater,
turn the band briey to RES+
position. The vehicle returns to the
previously set speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a
higher speed:
Turn theIband up to the
RES+ position. Hold it there until
the desired speed is reached,
then release it.
To increase the vehicle speed in
very small amounts, turn the
band to RES+ briey and then
release it. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce the
vehicle speed while using cruise
control:
Turn theIband down to the
SET−position. Hold it there
until the lower speed desired is
reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small
amounts, turn the band to
SET−briey and then release it.
Each time this is done, the
vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the cruise
control speed set earlier.
4-6 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on
hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills.
When going up steep hills, you
might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed.
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
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators
This section describes the warning
lights and gages on the vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal
that something is wrong before it
becomes serious enough to
cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gages could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
may be or is a problem with one
of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when
the engine is started to indicate
they are working.Gages can indicate when there may
be or is a problem with one of the
vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to
indicate a problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
4-10 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Speedometer
The speedometer can display your
speed in both miles per hour
(MPH) and kilometers per hour
(km/h). You can select between
MPH and km/h using the UNITS
display in the DIC. SeeDIC
Operation and Displays on
page 4-23for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime
will come on for several seconds
to remind people to fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver’s
safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will also come on
and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light is repeated if
the driver remains unbuckled
and the vehicle is in motion. If the
driver’s belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the light will
come on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
If your vehicle has this light, several
seconds after the engine is
started, a chime will sound for
several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety
belt. The passenger safety belt light
will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for
several more.
This chime and light are repeated if
the passenger remains unbuckled
and the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
4-12 Instruments and Controls
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual