warning PONTIAC G8 2008 Owner's Guide

Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in
a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water
creates strong forces. Driving
through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be
carried away. If this happens,
you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to
drive through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-39.
Turn off cruise control,
if equipped.
Driving and Operating 8-23
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will
have to do all the work of
slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not
work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could
crash. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear
when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape
for winter.
You might want to put winter
emergency supplies in your
vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small
brush or broom, a supply of
windshield washer uid, a rag,
some winter outer clothing, a small
shovel, a ashlight, a red cloth,
and reective warning triangles.
And, if you will be driving under
severe conditions, include a small
bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or
a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in
your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 9-39.
Driving and Operating 8-25
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places
where the tires meet the road
probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice
between the tires and the road, you
can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip,
and need to be very careful.
What is the worst time for this?
Wet ice. Very cold snow or ice can
be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble
because it can offer the least traction
of all. You can get wet ice when it is
about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until salt and
sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth
ice, packed, blowing, or loose
snow — drive with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break
the fragile traction. If you accelerate
too fast, the drive wheels will spin
and polish the surface under the tires
even more.The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you
have ABS, begin stopping sooner
than you would on dry pavement.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8-15.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots.
The road might be ne until you
hit a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice
patches can appear in shaded
areas where the sun cannot
reach, such as around clumps of
trees, behind buildings, or under
bridges. Sometimes the surface of
a curve or an overpass can
remain icy when the surrounding
roads are clear. If you see a patch
of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake
while you are actually on the ice,
and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy
snow, you could be in a serious
situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you
know for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do
to summon help and keep yourself
and your passengers safe:
Turn on the hazard warning
ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to
alert police that you have been
stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a
blanket around you. If you do
not have blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators
from newspapers, burlap
bags, rags, oor mats — anything
you can wrap around yourself
or tuck under your clothing
to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep
warm, but be careful.
8-26 Driving and Operating
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-5
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-8
Engine Oil Life System.....9-10
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .9-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-13
Engine Coolant.................9-13
Radiator Pressure Cap......9-15
Engine Overheating...........9-16
Cooling System.................9-17
Power Steering Fluid.........9-21
Windshield Washer Fluid. . .9-22
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-23
Brakes..............................9-24
Battery..............................9-26
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-27
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-29
Halogen Bulbs..................9-29
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps.............................9-29
Taillamps..........................9-31
Replacement Bulbs...........9-32
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-32
Headlamp Wiring..............9-33
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .9-33
Power Windows and
Other Power Options. . . . . . .9-33
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................9-33
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-35
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...............................9-38
Tires
Tires.................................9-39
Tire Sidewall Labeling. . . . . . .9-40
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-43
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-46
High-Speed Operation. . . . . . .9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-49
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-51
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-54
When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................9-56
Buying New Tires.............9-56
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................9-58
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Accessories and
Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories are added to your
vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s
performance and safety, including
such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling,
emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems
like antilock brakes, traction control
and stability control. Some of
these accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not
covered by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer/retailer can accessorize
your vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories. When you go to yourGM dealer/retailer and ask for GM
Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service
technicians will perform the
work using genuine GM
Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-30.
California Proposition 65
Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle),
many uids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained
in remote keyless entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-3
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

After changing the engine oil, reset
the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the
accelerator pedal three times
within ve seconds.
If the Service Engine Oil
message does not appear, the
system is reset.
If the Service Engine Oil message
displays, you will need to reset
the system again.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap andwater, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of clothing
or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings
about the use and disposal of oil
products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal.
Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams
or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used
oil, ask your dealer/retailer, a
service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6for the
location of the engine air
cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
See “Schedule Maintenance”
in Service and Maintenance for
more information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is
off, a backre can cause a
damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission uid level. A
transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs,
take your vehicle to a dealer/retailer
and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 11-4. Be sure
to use the transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid may
damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is
lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 9-16.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-13
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean,
drinkable water and one-half
DEX-COOL
®coolant which will not
damage aluminum parts. If you
use this coolant mixture, you do not
need to add anything else.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as
alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the
engine could get too hot but
would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could
catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and
other parts.If you have to add coolant more
than four times a year, have
your dealer/retailer check your
cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra
inhibitors and/or additives in your
vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use
only the proper mixture of the
engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12for
more information.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Engine Overheating
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 4-17.
If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated
engine can burn you badly,
even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle
until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open
the hood.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the
liquids in it can catch re. You
or others could be badly
burned. Stop your engine if it
overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An engine coolant temperature
warning can indicate a serious
problem. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 4-17.If you get an engine coolant
temperature warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
If you get the engine coolant
temperature warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn
it off.
2. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle
in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.
3. Turn on your heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you
have not stopped, pull over, stop,
and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you
can idle the engine for three minutes
while you are parked. If you still have
the warning, turn off the engine and
get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service help right away.Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, this is what you see:
A. Coolant Reservoir and Dipstick
B. Radiator Pressure CapV6 Engine
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual