PONTIAC G8 2008 Owners Manual

14. Tighten the wheel nuts rmly in
a crisscross sequence, as
shown.{CAUTION
Incorrect or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause
the wheel to come loose and
even come off. This could lead
to a crash. If you have to replace
them, be sure to get new original
equipment wheel nuts. Stop
somewhere as soon as you can
and have the nuts tightened with
a torque wrench to the proper
torque specication. See
Capacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for wheel nut
torque specication.Notice:Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to
the proper torque specication.
SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for the wheel nut
torque specication.
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Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools
{CAUTION
Storing a jack, a tire, 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 all these in the
proper place.To store a at or spare tire and
tools, do the following:
A. Jack Handle
B. Nut Cap Tool
C. Wheel Wrench
D. Jack1. Replace the jack and tools as
shown.
2. Turn the retainer nut clockwise to
tighten.
3. Remove the wheel center cap by
pushing it from the back.
4. Place the at tire face up into the
spare tire hub.
5. Turn the retainer nut clockwise to
secure it into place.
6. Put the load oor back in place.
The compact spare tire is for
temporary use only. Replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire as
soon as possible.
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Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire
was fully inated when the vehicle
was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the ination pressure
regularly. It should be 60 psi
(420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on
the vehicle, stop as soon as possible
and make sure the spare tire is
correctly inated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up
to 65 mph (105 km/h) for distances
up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you
can nish your trip and have the
full-size tire repaired or replaced at
your convenience. Of course, it is
best to replace the spare with a
full-size tire as soon as possible. The
spare tire will last longer and be in
good shape in case it is needed
again.Notice:When the compact spare
is installed, do not take your
vehicle through an automatic car
wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the
tire and wheel, and maybe other
parts of your vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels
or tires. They will not t. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not
t your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle
and can damage the chains
too. Do not use tire chains on
your compact spare.
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Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following
steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION
Batteries can hurt you. They
can be dangerous because:
They contain acid that can
burn you.
They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
your vehicle that would not
be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle
by pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
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The jump start positive (A) and
negative posts (B) are located in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.These posts are used instead of a
direct connection to the battery.The positive jump start connection
is covered by a red cap. Remove to
expose the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: If the other vehicle’s
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake rmly and put the shift lever in PARK (P).
See Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 8-10 .
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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).
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6. Connect the other end of the red
positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery (B).
7. Connect one end of the black
negative (–) cable to the
negative (–) terminal of the good
battery (C).
8. Connect the other end of the
black negative (–) cable to
the negative (–) post (D).
9. Start the engine in the vehicle
with the good battery and run
the engine at idle speed for
at least four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had
the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
Notice:If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
Always connect and remove thejumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the cables
do not touch each other or
other metal.
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine
Part or Remote Negative (–)
Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote
Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (–) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote
Positive (+) TerminalTo disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles, do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle that had
the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the other vehicle.
5. Return the caps over the
positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals to their original
positions. Jumper Cable Removal
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Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a
professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled
vehicle towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6.
Shift Lock Manual
Release
The transmission has an electric
park lock called a shift lock manual
release. The key must be in the
ON/RUN position, and the brake
pedal pressed so the transmission
gear selector can be moved from the
P (Park) position. If the battery
has lost power, the selector cannot
be moved to neutral for towing
unless the shift lock manual release
is disengaged manually.To access the shift lock manual
release:
1. Apply the park brake.
2. Remove the console trim
panel (A) from the console.
2.1. Gently lift the back corners
of the trim panel directly in
front of the cupholders (C)
until the two clips are
released from the console.
2.2. Gently lift the console trim
panel from the rear until the
four clips around the shift
lever are released.
3. Raise the panel (A) no more
than 2–3 inches (50–75 mm)
to avoid disconnecting the wiring
from the switches (B).
4. With the console trim panel
raised, remove the retainer (E)
and the shift lock manual release
cover plate (D).
5. Push and hold the manual
release lever (F) toward the
passenger side of the vehicle.
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6. Press the select button and
move the transmission gear
selector to the N (Neutral)
position (G).
7. Release the lever (F).
8. After the vehicle has been
moved, align the shift lock
manual release cover plate (D)
and install the retainer (E) so the
automatic transmission can
operate properly.
9. Place the trim panel (A) and the
wires in their original position
and gently press down around
the outside until it clicks in place.
10. Check the operation of the
switches (B) before operating
the vehicle.
The transmission selector locks if it
is moved back to the P (Park)
position.Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy
towing your vehicle may
cause damage because of
reduced ground clearance.
Always put your vehicle on a
atbed truck.
The vehicle was neither designed
nor intended to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. If the
vehicle must be towed, see “Towing
Your Vehicle” earlier in this
section.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
If you do not use the correct
equipment and drive properly,
you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
may not work well — or even at
all. You and your passengers
could be seriously injured. You
may also damage your vehicle;
the resulting repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this
section. Ask your dealer/retailer
for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.
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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.
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