warning light PONTIAC G8 2009 Owner's Manual

When this light and the STABILITY
CTRL OFF message is on briey and
the ESP OFF message is displayed
at the bottom of the DIC, the system
will not limit wheel spin.
If the ESP OFF message is always
displayed at the bottom of the
DIC when the button is pressed
to turn the system on or off, the
system needs repair. Contact your
dealer/retailer.The system is on when this light
and the STABILITY CTRL ON
message is displayed briey on
the DIC.
ESP Operation
ESP limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels and
by applying brakes to each
individual wheel as necessary.
The ESP system is enabled
automatically when the vehicle
is started, and it will activate
the STABILITY CONTROL
ASSISTANCE light and the ESP
CTRL message on the DIC if it
senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction
while driving.Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle
are allowed to spin excessively
while the ESC/TCS, ABS and
Brake warning lights and the
SERVICE ESC and/or SERVICE
TRACTION messages are
displayed, the differential could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.
The traction control system may
activate on dry or rough roads or
under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this happens,
a noise, vibration, or a reduction
in acceleration may be noticed.
This is normal.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3for
more information.
Driving and Operating 8-21

In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve
causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the
acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
you want to slow down and
adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance is longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous
than day driving because some
drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as
in the daytime. But, as we get
older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need
at least twice as much light to see
the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
8-24 Driving and Operating

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.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake pedal
until the brakes work normally.
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 iswet 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 9-42.
Turn off cruise control, if
equipped.
Driving and Operating 8-25

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 and water,
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. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
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.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter,
remove the lter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter
remains caked with dirt, a new lter
is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/lter:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Locate the air lter housing on
the front of the driver side of
the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11

Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to
warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 4-17.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are
not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
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 Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{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.
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.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is lled with DOT-4 brake uid.
There are only two reasons why the
brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down:
The brake uid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the uid level goes
back up.
A uid leak in the brake hydraulic
system can also cause a low uid
level. Have the brake hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes will
not work well.
Do not top off the brake uid.
Adding uid does not correct a leak.
If uid is added when the linings
are worn, there will be too much
uid when new brake linings
are installed. Add or remove brake
uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.{CAUTION
If too much brake uid is added,
it can spill on the engine and
burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake uid only
when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When the brake uid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 4-15.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-25

The TPMS operates on a radio
frequency and complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and Science
Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly, excluding the
spare tire and wheel assembly. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the vehicle’s tires and
transmit the tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS turns on the
7
low tire pressure warning light.
At the same time a message to
check the pressure in a specic tire
appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed bythe driver. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 4-22andDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 4-26.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather
when the vehicle is rst started, and
then turn off as you start to drive.
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inated
to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the vehicle’s
original equipment tires and the
correct ination pressure for the
vehicle’s tires when they are cold.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-30, for an example of the Tire
and Loading Information label and its
location on the vehicle. Also see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-49.
9-54 Vehicle Service and Care

The vehicle’s TPMS system can
warn about a low tire pressure
condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 9-57andTires on page 9-42.
Notice:Using non-approved
tire sealants could damage
the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the GM approved
tire sealant available through your
dealer/retailer.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS
sensors are missing or not
operating.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the
7low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute
and then stays on for the remainderof the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The low tire
warning light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause the malfunction light and DIC
message to come on are:
One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message should go
off once the road tire containing
the TPMS sensor is re-installed.
The TPMS sensor matching
process was started but not
completed or not completed
successfully after installing
replacement tires or rotating the
vehicle’s tires. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light
should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is
performed successfully.
One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off
when the TPMS sensors are
installed and the sensor matching
process is performed
successfully. See the dealer/
retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the vehicle’s original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for the vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 9-59.
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-55

Notice:If you leave the radio or
other accessories on during
the jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off
the radio and other accessories
when jump starting the 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).
9-86 Vehicle Service and Care

Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
may need a different turn signal
asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer/retailer. The arrows
on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps will also ash, telling
other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
your instrument panel will ash
for turns even if the bulbs on the
trailer are burned out. Thus,
you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when
they are not. It is important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning
lights. When you plug a trailer
lighting system into your vehicle’s
lighting system, its bulb warning
lights may not let you know if one of
your lamps goes out. So, whenyou have a trailer lighting system
plugged in, be sure to check
your vehicle and trailer lamps from
time to time to be sure they are
all working. Once you disconnect the
trailer lamps, the bulb warning
lights again can tell you if one of
your vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbeforeyou start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you do not shift
down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get
hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to
a lower gear and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h)
to reduce the possibility of engine
and transmission overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
But if you ever have to park your rig
on a hill, here is how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift to P (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
9-94 Vehicle Service and Care