10-2 PONTIAC G8 2008 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraints......... 1-1
Front Seats
.................... 1-2
Rear Seats
.................... 1-5
Safety Belts
................... 1-5
Airbag System
..............1-19
Child Restraints
.............1-32
Keys, Doors and
Windows............................ 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-8
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
...................2-11
Windows
......................2-14
Mirrors
.........................2-16
Sunroof
........................2-18
Storage.............................. 3-1
Storage
......................... 3-1
Instruments and
Controls............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 4-2
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............4-10Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............4-23
OnStar
®System
............4-36
Lighting............................. 5-1
Lighting
......................... 5-1
Infotainment...................... 6-1
Audio System(s)
............. 6-1
Climate Controls............... 7-1
Climate Controls
............. 7-1
Driving and Operating....... 8-1
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
....................... 8-2
Driving Your Vehicle
......8-13
Fuel
............................8-32
Vehicle Service
and Care............................ 9-1
Service
.......................... 9-2
Owner Checks
................ 9-5
Headlamp Aiming
..........9-27
Bulb Replacement
.........9-29Electrical System
...........9-32
Tires
...........................9-39
Tire Changing
...............9-62
Jump Starting
...............9-80
Towing
........................9-84
Appearance Care
..........9-91
Technical Data.................10-1
Vehicle Identication
. . . . . . 10-1
Capacities and
Specications
............10-2
Service and
Maintenance.....................11-1
Service and
Maintenance
..............11-1
Customer Information. . . . . . 12-1
Customer Information
. . . . . 12-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
...................12-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
.............12-16
Index................................... i-1
2008 Pontiac G8 Owner ManualM
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil every time you get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove
it again, keeping the tip down and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum)
mark, add at least one quart/liter
of the recommended oil. This
section explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2.
Notice:Do not add too much oil.
If the engine has so much oil
that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, the engine
could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the
level somewhere in the proper
operating range. Push the dipstick
all the way back in when you
are through.
9-8 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Notice:
Using the wrong uid can
badly damage brake hydraulic
system parts. For example,
just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system
parts so badly that they will
have to be replaced. Do not let
someone put in the wrong
kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do,
wash it off immediately. See
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-94.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time your vehicle is
moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead
to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound,
have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent
brake pulsation. When tires are
rotated, inspect brake pads for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-25
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 9-56andWheel
Replacement on page 9-61.
When rotating the vehicle’s tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.The compact spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is not included
in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated,
adjust the front and rear ination
pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46andLoading the
Vehicle on page 8-28.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 9-51.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications
on page 10-2.{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or
on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after
time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident.
When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a
cloth or a paper towel to do
this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later,
if needed, to get all the rust
or dirt off. SeeChanging a
Flat Tire (V6 Engine) on
page 9-71.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-55
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner 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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-77
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Technical Data
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................10-1
Service Parts
Identication Label...........10-1
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................10-2
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your
vehicle. It appears on a plate in the
front corner of the instrument panel,
on the driver side. It can be seen
through the windshield from outside
the vehicle. The VIN also appears on
the Vehicle Certication and Service
Parts labels and the certicates of
title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is
the engine code. This code helps
identify the vehicle’s engine,
specications, and replacement
parts. See “Engine Specications”
underCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for your vehicle’s
engine code.
Service Parts
Identication Label
This label is on the inside of the
glove box. It is very helpful if
you ever need to order parts.
The label has the following
information:
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special
equipment
Do not remove this label from the
vehicle.
Technical Data 10-1
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12 for more information.
Application Capacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more information.
Automatic Transmission 5 Speed Automatic, 3.6L V6 Engine 9.4 qt 8.9 L
6 Speed Automatic, 6.0L V8 Engine 12.4 qt 11.7 L
Cooling System 3.6L V6 Engine 10.6 qt 10.0 L
6.0L V8 Engine 11.6 qt 11.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter 3.6L V6 Engine 7.1 qt 6.7 L
6.0L V8 Engine 8.8 qt 8.3 L
10-2 Technical Data
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Bulb Replacement................9-29
Halogen Bulbs . . ................9-29
Headlamp Aiming ..............9-27
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps . ........................9-29
Replacement Bulbs...........9-32
Taillamps . ........................9-31
Buying New Tires . . ...............9-56
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . ...............2-16
California Fuel . . . ..................8-33
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning ............................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... ii
Capacities and
Specications . . . ................10-2
Carbon
Monoxide . . ......2-10, 8-12, 8-25
Care, Safety Belts................1-18
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 ............................6-19
Center Console
Storage Area..................... 3-1
Chains, Tire . . . . . ...................9-62
Charging System Light . . ........4-15Check
Engine Light....................4-18
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-98
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-37
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children..................1-40
Older Children..................1-32
Securing ..................1-46, 1-48
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-38
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-94
Interior............................9-91
Underbody Maintenance....9-98
Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Automatic.......................... 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-8
Clock, Setting . . ...................... 6-2
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 12-10
Compact Spare Tire . ............9-79
Compass............................2-16
Compressor Kit, Tire
Sealant...........................9-64
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-13
Control of a Vehicle . . ............8-14
Convenience Net................... 3-1Coolant
Engine . ...........................9-13
Engine Temperature Gage . . . 4-17
Cooling System . . . . ...............9-17
Cruise Control . . ..................... 4-5
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.......12-4, 12-9
Customer Assistance
Offices .........................12-4
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program . . . ....................12-5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors...........12-14
Reporting Safety Defects to
the Canadian
Government ................12-14
Reporting Safety Defects to
the United States
Government ................12-14
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . ....................12-6
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . 12-15
i-2 INDEX
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Security Light . . ....................4-21
Service . . . . ............................ 9-2
Accessories and
Modications.................. 9-3
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle..... 9-4
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements . . . . 9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning . . . . . . . . . ................ 9-3
Doing Your Own Work........ 9-4
Engine Soon Light............4-18
Owner Checks . . ................. 9-5
Publications Ordering
Information . . . ..............12-15
Service, Scheduling
Appointments . . . ................12-8
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . 1-30
Setting the Clock . . ................. 6-2
Sheet Metal Damage............9-98
Shift Lock Manual Release . . . . 9-84
Shifting Into Park . . ...............8-10
Shifting Out of Park ..............8-11Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . .................... 4-7
Spare Tire
Compact.........................9-79
Installing..........................9-73
Removing........................9-72
Storing............................9-78
Specications, Capacities......10-2
Speedometer.......................4-12
Start Vehicle, Remote............. 2-6
Starting the Engine................ 8-4
Steering . . . . ..........................8-19
Steering Wheel Controls,
Audio . . . . ..........................6-23
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel...... 4-4
Storage Areas
Center Console
Storage Area.................. 3-1
Convenience Net................ 3-1
Glove Box......................... 3-1
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow..........................8-27
Sun Visors..........................2-15
Sunroof . . . . ..........................2-18T
Tachometer .........................4-12
Taillamps . ...........................9-31
Theft-Deterrent, Radio . . .........6-23
Theft-Deterrent Systems........2-11
Content Theft-Deterrent .....2-13
Immobilizer . . ....................2-11
Immobilizer Operation........2-12
Tilt Wheel . ............................ 4-4
Time, Setting . . ....................... 6-2
Tire
Pressure Light..................4-18
Tires..................................9-39
Buying New Tires . ............9-56
Chains . ...........................9-62
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-71
Compact Spare Tire ..........9-79
Different Size . . . . ...............9-58
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . 9-48
If a Tire Goes Flat ............9-62
Ination - Tire Pressure .....9-46
Inspection and Rotation .....9-54
Installing the Spare Tire .....9-73
i-8 INDEX
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual