Temperature PONTIAC G8 2009 User Guide

Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system. For vehicles with the remote start feature, the climate control
system will turn on with a remote start. SeeRemote Vehicle Start on page 2-6.
A. Rear Window Defogger
B. Defrost
C. Fan Control
D. Air Delivery Mode Control
E. Air Conditioning F. EXT TEMP
G. ZONE
H. Recirculation
I. AUTO
J. Power
O(OFF):
Press to turn the climate
control system off. Press any button
to turn the system on again. While
the climate control system is off the
recirculation and rear window
defogger can still be turned on.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic): When this
button is pressed, the system
automatically controls the inside
temperature, the air delivery mode,
the air conditioning compressor, and
the fan speed. When AUTO appears
in the display, the system is in full
automatic operation. If any of the
controls are manually adjusted, the
AUTO indicator turns off in the
display.
1. Press the AUTO button, if the AUTO indicator does
not appear on the display.
7-4 Climate Controls

2. Adjust the temperature to a
comfortable setting between
72°F (22°C) and 75°F (24°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest
temperature setting will not cause
the system to heat or cool any
faster.
3. Let the system stabilize for a
few minutes.
4. Adjust the air outlets or
temperature.
In cold weather, the system starts in
the recirculation mode with the fan
off. As the engine warms up, warm
air is directed to the oor outlets,
before automatically changing to
bi-level mode with a reduced fan
speed.
Do not cover the solar sensor
located in the center of the
instrument panel, near the
windshield. For more information
on the solar sensor, see “Sensors”
later in this section.Manual Operation
+A−(Fan Control):Press + or−
to increase or decrease the fan
speed. The fan speed and indicator
appears in the display.
The climate control system sets the
fan speed automatically. When the
fan speed is adjusted the system
goes into semi-automatic operation.
Press the AUTO button to return to
automatic operation.
Temperature Control:The
temperature can be adjusted
separately for the driver and the
passenger. Turn the temperature
controls clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature.
The temperature can be set
between 63°F (17°C) and
176°F (30°C). A setting between
72°F (22°C) and 75°F (24°C)
is recommended.The temperature settings for each
side are shown in the display.
If the temperature control is past
86°F (30°C), the display shows
H (hottest). Turning it past
63°F (17°C), shows C (coolest).
The EXT TEMP (Exterior
Temperature) can be displayed in
Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C).
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 4-31.
ZONE:Press to set the climate
control to single-zone (SZ) mode or
dual-zone (DZ) mode. SZ or DZ
appears in the display when a mode
is set.
Single-Zone (SZ) Mode:All zones
are set to the same temperature.
The temperature is shown in
the display. Turn the ZONE control
to set the temperature.
Climate Controls 7-5

Dual-Zone (DZ) Mode:Allows
different temperatures to be set for
the driver and passenger sides
or to link them. When linked,
the passenger side temperature
uses the same temperature setting
as the driver side.
Turn the AUTO control to set a
different temperature for the
passenger.
Press and hold the AUTO button
for at least three seconds to link
the passenger and driver side
temperatures. Linking automatically
occurs if the passenger and driver
sides are set to the same
temperature when the ignition is
turned on.e*(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press to change the current airow
mode. The current mode selection
appears in the display screen.
Changing the mode cancels the
automatic operation and the system
goes into semi-automatic operation.
Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
Select from the following:
0(Vent):Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
1(Bi-Level):Air is divided
between the instrument panel
outlets and the oor outlets. Cooler
air is directed to the upper outlets
and warmer air to the oor outlets.
d(Floor):Air is directed to the
oor outlets with some air directed
to the outer instrument panel,
windshield and side window outlets.
4(Defog):Air is directed to the
windshield, oor and side window
outlets. Use this mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and
warm the passengers.
5(Defrost):Press to turn the
defrost on or off. The
5indicator
appears in the display. A portion
of the air is directed to the
windshield, with some air directed to
the side window vents.
When defrost is selected, the air
conditioning turns on automatically to
improve defrosting performance. In
this mode the air conditioning cannot
be turned off and the recirculation
mode cannot be turned on.
7-6 Climate Controls

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog or
frost from the rear window. It only
works when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
The rear window defogger will
only work when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
+(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. The
+indicator
appears in the display. The rear
window defogger turns off
automatically if it is left on.
Notice:Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
EXT TEMP
EXT TEMP (Exterior Temperature):
Press EXT TEMP to show the
temperature outside the vehicle or
the normal display.
Pressing any other climate control
button will change the display from
showing the outside temperature to
showing the normal display.
The units for the EXT TEMP can be
displayed in °F or °C. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization on page 4-31.
Sensors
The climate control system uses
three different sensors to maintain
the desired temperature. The
solar sensor is located on the
instrument panel, near the
windshield. The interior temperature
sensor is located on the instrument
panel near the steering wheel
and the outside temperature sensor
is in front of the radiator.By monitoring the solar radiation,
the air inside the vehicle and
air moving across the outside
sensor, the selected temperature
can be maintained while using
the AUTO mode by adjusting the
temperature, fan speed, and
air delivery system. The system
may also supply cooler air to
the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will
also be activated, as necessary.
Do not cover the sensors or
the automatic climate control
system will not work properly.Remote Start Climate Control
Operation
For vehicles with the remote start
feature and it is activated, the climate
control system will automatically set
the temperature to 73°F (23°C).
When the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN the climate control system
heats and cools the inside of the
vehicle using the modes that
were set before the vehicle was
turned off.
7-8 Climate Controls

Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again,
repeat the procedure. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics
in the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater, if
available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting your
vehicle. An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use The Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on
the driver side of the engine
compartment, behind the
air cleaner for V8 models.
The electrical cord is located
on the passenger side of
the engine compartment, behind
the engine compartment fuse
block for V6 models.3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep
it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
Driving and Operating 8-5

While using the DSC mode, the
vehicle has rmer shifting and
increased performance. This can be
used for sport driving or when
climbing or descending hills, to stay
in gear longer, or to down shift
for more power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow the
driver to shift into gears appropriate
for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The
transmission will not automatically
shift to the next lower gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the currently selected gear
will ash multiple times, indicating
that the transmission has not
shifted gears.While in the DSC mode, the
transmission automatically
downshifts when the vehicle comes
to a stop.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
1st, 2nd or 3rd gear starts can
be selected from a standing start.
This is useful for gentle acceleration
on slippery surfaces.
To return to Normal Shift mode,
slide the shift lever over from
the right quadrant to the left into
D (Drive). A Normal Shift message
will be displayed in the DIC.
Normal Shift Mode is recommended
for normal or freeway driving, as
it provides optimum fuel economy.Powertrain Braking
For vehicles with a 6 speed
automatic transmission, there is
an additional feature known as
Powertrain Braking. When driving
on steep descents where frequent
braking is required, the vehicle
will automatically downshift to
provide engine braking assistance.
This feature also reduces brake
temperatures and wear.
Downshifting will only occur when
the driver’s foot is applied to
the brake. Active Select Mode can
be switched on to override the
feature and gain complete control of
shifts if desired.
Driving and Operating 8-9

One to Four Shift Light
When this light comes on, you can
only shift from 1 (First) to 4 (Fourth)
instead of 1 (First) to 2 (Second).
The light will be displayed on theinstrument panel cluster and a
message will be displayed in
the Driver Information Center.
You must complete the shift into
4 (Fourth) to turn off this feature.
This helps you get the best possible
fuel economy.
After shifting to 4 (Fourth), you may
downshift to a lower gear if you
prefer.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever
into any gear except FOURTH (4)
when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light
comes on may damage the
transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the
light comes on.
This light will come on when:
The engine coolant temperature
is higher than 169°F (76°C),
you are going 15 to 19 mph
(24 to 31 km/h) and
you are 21 percent throttle
or less.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, pull up on
the parking brake handle. If the
ignition is in the ON/RUN position,
the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 4-15. Instrument Panel
Cluster
Driver Information
Center
Driving and Operating 8-11

Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced by
your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving. If
you become tired or sleepy,
nd a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes 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. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
8-26 Driving and Operating

GM6094M
Use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the
vehicle. If you are in an area
of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below
−20°F (−29°C), use either an
SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or
an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better
protection for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or
thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute
(API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these requirements
should have the starburst symbol
on the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Notice:Use only engine oil
identied as meeting GM Standard
GM6094M and showing the
American Petroleum Institute
Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use
the recommended oil can result in
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all you
need for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-9

Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that lets you know when to change
the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and
engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an
oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every
time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. The Service Engine
Oil message will be displayed.Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km).
It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year.
However, the engine oil and lter
must be changed at least once a
year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, you must change
the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since the last oil change. Remember
to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required.
If a situation occurs where you
change the oil prior to the Service
Engine Oil message being displayed,
reset the system.
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, reset the system again.
9-10 Vehicle Service and Care