transmission PONTIAC G8 2008 Owner's Manual

Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is
off, a backre can cause a
damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission uid level. A
transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak occurs,
take your vehicle to a dealer/retailer
and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 11-4. Be sure
to use the transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid may
damage your vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the
automatic transmission uid
listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is
lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 9-16.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-13
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Fuses Usage
F15Outside Rearview
Mirrors
F16Sunroof/Automatic
Transmission
Shift Lock
F17 Sunroof
F18Automatic Occupant
Sensor
F19Driver Side
Heated Seat
F20Passenger Side
Heated Seat
F21Daytime Running
Lamps
F22Front Cigarette
Lighter
F23Steering Wheel
Controls
Backlighting
F24 Power Window
FUSE
PULLERFuse PullerCircuit
BreakersUsage
B1 Spare
B2 Power Windows
B3 Power Seats
B4 Spare
Relays Usage
R1Retain Accessory
Power 1
R2 Door Locks
R3Passenger Side
Door Lock
R4 Spare
R5 Trunk Release
R6 Driver Side Lock
R7Retain Accessory
Power 2
R8 Accessory
R9 Blower
R10 Spare
R11Daytime Running
Lamps
R12 Fuel Pump
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To open the fuse block cover,
remove the clip on cover.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical components on
your vehicle may damage it.
Always keep the covers on any
electrical component.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-35
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Fuses UsageFL1 Spare
FL2 Rear Defog
FL3 ABS Motor
FL4 Battery Main 3
FL5 Battery Main 1
FL6 Spare
FL7 Battery Main 2
FL8 Starter
FL9 HVAC Blower Motor
FL10 Fan 1 Engine
Cooling (Right)
FL11 Spare
FL12 Fan 2 Engine
Cooling (Left)
F1 Comm Enable
F2 HVAC Battery
F3 Back-up Lamp
F4 Fog Lamps (Front)
F5 ABS Valves
F6 Spare
F8 Horn
F9 Transmission
Control Module
Engine Compartment Fuse Block - Fuse Puller Shown
9-36 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-46.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.DOT Markings
:A code
molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) motor
vehicle safety standards.
The DOT code includes the Tire
Identication Number (TIN),
an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire
manufacturer, production
plant, brand, and date of
production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-28.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Loading the Vehicle on
page 8-28.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-43
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid
and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any
rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It
may be very bumpy and noisy,
but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if
possible.
If a tire goes at, and your vehicle
has a compact spare tire, see
Changing a Flat Tire (V6 Engine) on
page 9-71. This information shows
you how to use the vehicle’s
tire changing equipment and how to
change a at tire safely.{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided
with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a at tire. If it
is used for anything else, you or
others could be badly injured or
killed if the vehicle slips off the
jack. Use the jack provided with
your vehicle only for changing a
at tire.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
If your vehicle has a factory installed
Tire Sealant and Compressor kit,
there is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment and no place to
store a tire.If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning
ashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 4-4.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the
parking brake rmly and put the
shift lever in PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 8-10.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area
of the tire, seeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit (V8 Engine) on
page 9-64.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-63
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

The jump start positive (A) and
negative posts (B) are located in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle.These posts are used instead of a
direct connection to the battery.The positive jump start connection
is covered by a red cap. Remove to
expose the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: If the other vehicle’s
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake rmly and put the shift lever in PARK (P).
See Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 8-10 .
Vehicle Service and Care 9-81
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a
professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled
vehicle towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6.
Shift Lock Manual
Release
The transmission has an electric
park lock called a shift lock manual
release. The key must be in the
ON/RUN position, and the brake
pedal pressed so the transmission
gear selector can be moved from the
P (Park) position. If the battery
has lost power, the selector cannot
be moved to neutral for towing
unless the shift lock manual release
is disengaged manually.To access the shift lock manual
release:
1. Apply the park brake.
2. Remove the console trim
panel (A) from the console.
2.1. Gently lift the back corners
of the trim panel directly in
front of the cupholders (C)
until the two clips are
released from the console.
2.2. Gently lift the console trim
panel from the rear until the
four clips around the shift
lever are released.
3. Raise the panel (A) no more
than 2–3 inches (50–75 mm)
to avoid disconnecting the wiring
from the switches (B).
4. With the console trim panel
raised, remove the retainer (E)
and the shift lock manual release
cover plate (D).
5. Push and hold the manual
release lever (F) toward the
passenger side of the vehicle.
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2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

6. Press the select button and
move the transmission gear
selector to the N (Neutral)
position (G).
7. Release the lever (F).
8. After the vehicle has been
moved, align the shift lock
manual release cover plate (D)
and install the retainer (E) so the
automatic transmission can
operate properly.
9. Place the trim panel (A) and the
wires in their original position
and gently press down around
the outside until it clicks in place.
10. Check the operation of the
switches (B) before operating
the vehicle.
The transmission selector locks if it
is moved back to the P (Park)
position.Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy
towing your vehicle may
cause damage because of
reduced ground clearance.
Always put your vehicle on a
atbed truck.
The vehicle was neither designed
nor intended to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. If the
vehicle must be towed, see “Towing
Your Vehicle” earlier in this
section.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
If you do not use the correct
equipment and drive properly,
you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
may not work well — or even at
all. You and your passengers
could be seriously injured. You
may also damage your vehicle;
the resulting repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this
section. Ask your dealer/retailer
for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-85
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it
are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your
safety and that of your passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies and tires are forced
to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat.
Also, the trailer adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.If You Do Decide To Pull A
Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points:
There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal,
not only where you live but
also where you will be driving. A
good source for this information
can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 1,000 miles (1 600 km)
your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) that you tow a trailer, do
not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at fullthrottle. This helps your engine
and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Use the Sport Shift mode and the
cruise control when towing. The
Active Select (A/S) may also be
used under light load conditions.
Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer. Do not drive
faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear
on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer.
The weight of the trailer tongue.
The total weight on your
vehicle’s tires.
9-86 Vehicle Service and Care
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

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
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached,
on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to
move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
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.
9-90 Vehicle Service and Care
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