mirror PONTIAC G8 2009 User Guide

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

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

Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8-18improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
a slippery roads, but apply the
brakes sooner than when on
dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches
can occur on otherwise clear roads
in shaded areas. The surface of
a curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning
Flashers on page 4-4.
Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{CAUTION
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from
around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window about
two inches on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
(Continued)
8-28 Driving and Operating

Fuses Usage
F14 Auxiliary Power
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
the vehicle may damage it.
Always keep the covers on any
electrical component.
9-38 Vehicle Service and Care

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that
the vehicle you are driving is now a
good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric brakes,
start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your electrical connection
at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Towing with the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®)
When towing, the sound of the ESP
modulator might be heard. The ESP
is reacting to the vehicle movement
caused by the trailer, which mainly
occurs during cornering. This is
normal when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed up
ahead when you are towing a trailer.
And, because the vehicle is longer, it
is necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move the hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so your trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-93

Light (cont.)
Brake System Warning......4-15
Charging System..............4-15
Daytime Running Lamps
Indicator.......................4-21
Door Ajar.........................4-21
Fog Lamp ........................4-20
Highbeam On...................4-20
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-14
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-12
Security...........................4-20
Tire Pressure...................4-17
Lighting
Perimeter.......................... 5-4
Lights
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-7
Loading Your Vehicle............8-30
Locks
Door ................................. 2-8
Power Door ....................... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-9
Loss of Control....................8-23
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children......................1-42
Lumbar Seat Adjustment......... 1-2M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services.......................11-6
At Each Fuel Fill..............11-9
At Least Once a Month.....11-9
At Least Once a Year......11-10
Introduction......................11-1
Maintenance Footnotes......11-7
Maintenance Record........11-15
Maintenance
Requirements...............11-2
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts.......11-13
Owner Checks and
Services.......................11-9
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...................11-12
Scheduled Maintenance.....11-4
Using..............................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment.................11-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp....4-18
Manual Seats........................ 1-2
Manual Transmission
Operation........................8-10Message
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................4-26
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror.....2-16
Outside Convex Mirror.......2-18
Outside Power Mirrors.......2-17
MP3 ...................................6-20
MyGMLink.com....................12-3
N
Navigation System,
Privacy..........................12-17
New Vehicle Break-In............. 8-2
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts..........11-13
Notices and Cautions............... iii
O
Off-Road Recovery...............8-23
Oil
Engine.............................. 9-8
Pressure Gage.................4-21
Oil, Engine Oil Life System....9-10
Older Children, Restraints......1-34
i-6 INDEX

Online Owner Center............12-3
OnStar, Privacy..................12-17
OnStar
®System, see
OnStar®Manual...............4-35
Outlet Adjustment.................. 7-9
Outlets
Accessory Power................ 4-9
Outside
Convex Mirror..................2-18
Power Mirrors..................2-17
Owner Checks and
Services..........................11-9
Owner Checks, Service.......... 9-5
Owners, Canadian.................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...................9-102
Park
Shifting Into.....................8-12
Shifting Out of..................8-13
Park Brake..........................8-11
Parking
Over Things That Burn......8-14Parking (cont.)
Parking Your Vehicle............8-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-14
Passenger Sensing
System...........................1-27
Passing..............................8-23
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California...... 9-3
Perimeter Lighting.................. 5-4
Phone
Bluetooth
®.......................6-25
Power
Door Locks........................ 2-9
Electrical System..............9-36
Retained Accessory (RAP).... 8-3
Seat................................. 1-2
Steering Fluid...................9-21
Windows.........................2-15
Pressure Cap......................9-19
Privacy.............................12-16
Event Data Recorders.....12-16
Navigation System..........12-17
OnStar..........................12-17
Radio Frequency
Identication................12-17
R
Radio Frequency
Identication
(RFID), Privacy...............12-17
Radio(s)............................... 6-3
Radios
Reception........................6-36
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
Theft-Deterrent.................6-35
Reading Lamps..................... 5-4
Rear Door Security Locks....... 2-9
Rear Heated Seats................ 1-5
Rear Seat Operation.............. 1-5
Rearview Mirrors..................2-16
Reclining Seatbacks............... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants......................11-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing....9-89
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System.................... 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System, Operation..... 2-4
Remote Vehicle Start............. 2-6
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire.....9-77
INDEX i-7