service PONTIAC G8 2009 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraints......... 1-1
Front Seats
.................... 1-2
Rear Seats
.................... 1-5
Safety Belts
................... 1-5
Airbag System
..............1-20
Child Restraints
.............1-34
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)
.............4-22
OnStar
®System
............4-35
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
......8-16
Fuel
............................8-34
Vehicle Service
and Care............................ 9-1
Service
.......................... 9-2
Owner Checks
................ 9-5
Headlamp Aiming
..........9-28
Bulb Replacement
.........9-31
Electrical System
...........9-36
Tires
...........................9-42Tire Changing
...............9-66
Jump Starting
...............9-84
Towing
........................9-88
Appearance Care
..........9-95
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
2009 Pontiac G8 Owner ManualM

The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deated
airbags. Airbag ination does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION
When an airbag inates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon
as it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot get
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by
opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors,
turn the interior lamps on, and turn
the hazard warning ashers on
when the airbags inate. You can
lock the doors, turn the interior
lamps off, and turn the hazard
warning ashers off by using the
controls for those features.
In many crashes severe enough to
inate the airbag, windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.Airbags are designed to inate
only once. After an airbag
inates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help
protect you in another crash.
A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for
your vehicle covers the need to
replace other parts.
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and
Privacy on page 12-16andEvent
Data Recorders on page 12-16.
Let only qualied technicians work
on the airbag systems. Improper
service can mean that an airbag
system will not work properly. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
1-26 Seats and Restraints

The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on (may inate) the
right front passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that
a person of adult size is sitting
properly in the right front passenger
seat. When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbags
to be enabled, the on indicator will
light and stay lit to remind you
that the airbag is active.
For some children who have
outgrown child restraints and for very
small adults, the passenger sensing
system may or may not turn off the
right front passenger frontal airbag,
depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in
the vehicle who has outgrown child
restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an
airbag for that person.{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-13for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions
provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints
(Rear Seat) on page 1-48or
Securing Child Restraints
(Right Front Seat) on page 1-50.
5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is
still lit, turn the vehicle off.
Then slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat
cushion, if adjustable, to
make sure that the vehicle
seatback is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion.
6. Restart the vehicle.
If the on indicator is still lit,
secure the child in the child
restraint in a rear seat position
in the vehicle, and check
with your dealer/retailer.
Seats and Restraints 1-29

SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-32for more information about
modications that can affect how the
system operates.
The passenger sensing system may
suppress the airbag deployment
when liquid soaks into the seat. If this
happens, the off indicator in the
passenger airbag status indicator
and the airbag readiness light will be
lit. Have your dealer/retailer check
the system.
{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing the vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 12-15.
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualied to do so.
Seats and Restraints 1-31

In addition, your dealer/retailer
and the service manual have
information about the location of
the airbag sensors, sensing
and diagnostic module and
airbag wiring.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance
or replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 4-13for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering
is damaged, opened, or broken,
the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any opened
or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules,
seeWhat Makes an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-25. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
{CAUTION
A crash can damage the
airbag systems in your vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may not
work properly and may not protect
you and your passenger(s) in a
crash, resulting in serious injury or
even death. To help make sure
your airbag systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.If an airbag inates, you will need
to replace airbag system parts.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started
or comes on when you are driving,
the airbag system may not work
properly. Have the vehicle serviced
right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-13for more
information.
Seats and Restraints 1-33

Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. 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.This device complies with RSS-210
of Industry 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.If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range, try this:Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle. Stand closer
during rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few
steps to the left or right, hold
the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check the transmitter’s battery.
See “Battery Replacement”
later in this section.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer/retailer or a qualied
technician for service.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-3

There is an emergency trunk
release handle located inside the
trunk on the trunk latch. Access the
release handle by folding the rear
seat center seatback. SeeRear
Seat Operation on page 1-5. Pull the
release handle to open the trunk
from the inside.
The release can also be pulled from
inside the trunk.
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
Vehicle theft is big business,
especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features, however, they do not
make it impossible to steal.
Immobilizer
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. 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.This device complies with RSS-210
of Industry 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.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11

Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from
the ignition.
The system is disarmed when the
key is turned to ON/RUN.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in the vehicle and automatically
disarms the system. Only the correct
key starts the vehicle. The vehicle
may not start if the key is damaged.
If the vehicle does not start:
Make sure the fold away key is
fully extended.
Avoid attaching several keys with
the ignition key.
Avoid attaching keys from other
vehicles to the ignition key.
Do not attempt to start the
vehicle with a non-approved key.
Do not disassemble the key.
When trying to start the vehicle,
if the engine does not start, the key
may have a damaged transponder.
Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key.
If the engine still does not start,
the vehicle needs service.
See your dealer/retailer to service
the theft-deterrent system and
have a new key made.
The following procedure is for
programming additional keys only.
If all vehicle keys are lost or no
longer work, see your dealer/retailer.
A new key must be made prior to
programming.
A maximum of four keys can be
programmed for the vehicle.The key is purchased as two
sections: the key blade and
immobilizer section (A) and the
remote keyless entry and remote
start system section (B).
Do not join the two key sections
until programming is complete.
To program a new section (A):
1. Insert the original, already
programmed key into the
ignition and start the engine.
If the engine does not start,
see your dealer/retailer.
2. Remove the key from the ignition.
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The vehicle has a manual rearview
mirror with a compass display
and OnStar
®control buttons
located at the bottom of the mirror.
See your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and
how to subscribe to OnStar.
SeeOnStar
®System on page 4-35
for more information about the
services OnStar provides.
Adjust the mirror to see clearly
behind your vehicle. Hold it in the
center to move it up or down and
side to side.
Headlamp Glare
1. To reduce headlamp glare from
vehicles following from behind,
pull the lever toward you.
The rear view clarity is reduced
when the mirror is set to
reduce headlamp glare.
2. Return the lever back to its
original position as soon as
the glare has disappeared to
restore the rear view.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a paper towel
or similar material dampened
with glass cleaner.
Compass
Compass Display
Y(On/Off):Press to turn the
compass on or off. The compass
display can show a maximum of
two characters. For example,
NE is displayed for north-east.
When the ignition and the compass
feature are on, a character box
displays for about two seconds.
After two seconds, the mirror
displays the direction the vehicle
is facing.
Compass Calibration
When on, the compass automatically
calibrates as the vehicle is driven.
If, after two seconds, the display
does not show a compass direction,
(N for North, for example), there may
be a strong magnetic eld interfering
with the compass. Interference can
be caused by a magnetic antenna
2-16 Keys, Doors and Windows

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness
light which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,
the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on
page 1-20.
This light will come on when you
start your vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. The light should
go out and the system is ready.If the airbag readiness light and the
Airbag Fault message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
stays on after you start the vehicle
or comes on when you are
driving, your airbag system may not
work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a message may also
come on. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-26for
more information.
The message will remain until
3
or8are pressed, but the light
will remain until the problem is xed.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-26for more information.
Instruments and Controls 4-13