PONTIAC G8 2009 Owners Manual

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 he brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have
to be of top quality and work
well together if the vehicle is
to have really good braking.The vehicle was designed and
tested with top-quality brake parts.
When parts of the braking system
are replaced — for example,
when the brake linings wear
down and new ones are
installed — be sure to get new
approved replacement parts. If this
is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
if someone puts in brake linings that
are wrong for the vehicle, the
balance between the front and rear
brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance
expected can change in many other
ways if the wrong replacement
brake parts are installed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-27

Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. When it is time for a new
battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. The battery is located
in the trunk behind a trim panel
on the driver’s side.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 9-84for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove
the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery or use a battery
trickle charger. This helps maintain
the charge of the battery over
an extended period of time.
Headlamp Aiming
The optical headlamp aiming system
has been preset at the factory
and should need no further
adjustment
However, if the vehicle is damaged
adjustment may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their
high beams at you, this may also
mean the vertical aim needs to
be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle
is taken to your dealer/retailer
for service if the headlamps need to
be re-aimed. It is possible however,
to re-aim the headlamps as
described.
9-28 Vehicle Service and Care

The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps
are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all
the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is at a right angle
to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or
mudonit.
Be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being done.
Have a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on
the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.
Headlamp aiming is done with
the vehicle’s low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will
be correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.To adjust the vertical aim on the
headlamps:
1. Open the hood.Hood Release
on page 9-5.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of
the low-beam headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the
ground to the aim dot on the
low-beam headlamp.4. At the wall, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from Step 3
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B)
on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the
mark in Step 4.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-29

Notice:Do not cover a headlamp
to improve beam cut-off when
aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up
which may cause damage to the
headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and place a piece of cardboard
or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted.
Do not place it directly on
the headlamp. This allows only
the beam of light from the
headlamp being adjusted to be
seen on the at surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp
aiming screws, which are
under the hood near each
headlamp assembly.
The adjustment screw can be
turned with a 6 mm socket
wrench.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw
clockwise or counterclockwise
until the headlamp beam is
aimed to the horizontal tape line.9. Make sure that the light from the
headlamp is positioned at the
bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the left (A)
shows the correct headlamp aim.
The lamp on the right (B) shows
the incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for
the opposite headlamp. Driver Side
(Passenger Side Similar)
9-30 Vehicle Service and Care

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-35.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps and
Parking Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
If the front turn signal lamp
or parking lamp needs to be
changed, see your dealer/retailer.
A. Front Turn Signal Lamp/
Parking Lamp
B. Low Beam Headlamp
C. High Beam Headlamp1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Remove the radiator support
by turning the head screws
counterclockwise and then
pulling them straight out.
3. For the passenger side pull up
on the coolant bottle ller neck
to remove it and place it to
one side.
Let the ller neck drain before
pulling it all the way out. Place a
clean towel over the opening
of the coolant bottle after
removing it.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-31

4. For the driver side remove the
clip from the air cleaner/lter
cover. Move the cover to
the back, out of the way.5. Turn the dust cap
counterclockwise to remove.
6. Press the two prongs together
on the connector to remove
the wiring harness connector.7. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull it
out to remove from the lamp
assembly.
8. Pull the old bulb straight out of
the bulb socket.
9. Push the new bulb straight into
the bulb socket until it clicks.
9-32 Vehicle Service and Care

10. Reconnect the wiring harness
to the bulb socket.
11. Push the bulb socket into the
lamp assembly and turn it
clockwise to lock it into place.
12. Turn the dust cap clockwise to
lock it into place.
13. For the driver side reinstall the
air cleaner/lter cover.
14. For the passenger side reinstall
the coolant bottle ller neck.
15. Reinstall the radiator support
screws.Front Turn Signal Lamps
Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Remove the radiator support by
unscrewing and prying out the
head screws.3. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull
straight out.
4. Push and turn bulb
counterclockwise and remove.
5. Push the bulb straight in and turn
clockwise to lock into place.
6. Push the bulb socket and turn it
clockwise to lock it into place.
7. Reinstall the radiator support
head screws.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-33

Taillamps
A. Turn Signal Lamp
B. Stoplamp/Taillamp
C. Back-up Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
For any lamp not listed here, see
your dealer/retailer to replace.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk
on page 2-10.
2. Raise the spare tire cover.
SeeRemoving the Spare
Tire and Tools on page 9-76
for more information.3. Turn the four convenience net
hooks securing the plastic
trunk trim counterclockwise.
4. Pull the trunk trim straight up
to remove.5. Turn the trunk lining securing pins
counterclockwise and pull down
at the same time to remove.
6. Lower the spare tire cover.
7. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the rear lamp housing.
8. Lightly press the bulb and turn it
counterclockwise to remove it
from the bulb holder.
9-34 Vehicle Service and Care

9. Push the new bulb into the
socket and turn it clockwise
to lock it into place.
10. Push the bulb socket straight in
and turn it clockwise to lock it
into place.
11. Make sure the seals are applied
to the taillamp assembly and
screws.
12. Raise the spare tire cover.
13. Turn the trunk lining securing
pins clockwise to lock into place.14. Return the plastic trunk trim
to its original location.
15. Reinstall the plastic
retaining pins.
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on
page 2-10.
2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull it
straight out.3. Pull the bulb straight out of the
bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight into
the bulb socket until it clicks.
5. Push the bulb socket straight in
and turn it clockwise to lock it
into place.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior LampBulb
Number
High-Beam Headlamp H9
Low-Beam Headlamp H11
Stoplamp/Taillamp P21/5W
Rear Turn
Signal LampPY21W
Back-up Lamp P21W
For replacement bulbs not listed
here, contact your dealer/retailer.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-35

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless you
check with your dealer/retailer
rst. Some electrical equipment
can damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle battery, even if the vehicle
is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-31.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by
fuses in the fuse block. An electrical
overload will cause the lamps to
turn off. If this happens, have the
headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is
protected by a circuit breaker and a
fuse. If the motor overheats due
to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will
stop until the motor cools. If the
overload is caused by some
electrical problem, have it xed.
Power Windows and
Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse block
protect the power windows and
other power accessories. When the
current load is too heavy, the
circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the
problem is xed or goes away.
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block is
located on the end of the instrument
panel, on the driver side of the
vehicle. To access the fuses, open
the fuse panel door by pulling out.
To reinstall the door, push the door
back into its original location.
9-36 Vehicle Service and Care