brake light PONTIAC G8 2009 Owner's 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
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

When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and
hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you’re pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, drivebelt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review
this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
Your cooling system may
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-20.
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to
look its best if it is cleaned often.
Although not always visible, dust and
dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet,
fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended
to remove particles from the
upholstery. It is important to keep
your upholstery from becoming and
remaining heavily soiled. Soils
should be removed as quickly as
possible. Your vehicle’s interior may
experience extremes of heat that
could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require
more frequent cleaning. Use care
because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color
to your vehicle’s interior.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-95

(e)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt
system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also see
Airbag System Check on page 1-33.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
door hinges and latches, hood
hinges and latches and trunk lid
hinges and latches. More frequent
lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.(h)Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 9-15
for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.(j)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired and
the fluid level checked. Add fluid
if needed.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty
conditions, the filter may require
replacement more often.
(m)Drain, flush, and refill brake
hydraulic system at a regular service
interval (IorII) every two years.
This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Brakes
on page 9-25.
11-8 Service and Maintenance

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets........ 4-9
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-32
Additives, Fuel.....................8-36
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-36
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-11
Air Conditioning...............7-1, 7-4
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-14
Readiness Light................4-13
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-33
Airbag System.....................1-20
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-32
Check.............................1-33
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-25Airbag System (cont.)
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-27
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-31
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-25
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-25
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-23
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-22
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-37
Antenna, XM™ Satellite
Radio Antenna System......6-37
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-18
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-16
Appearance Care
Chemical Paint
Spotting.....................9-102
Exterior Cleaning..............9-98Appearance Care (cont.)
Finish Damage...............9-102
Interior Cleaning...............9-95
Sheet Metal Damage.......9-102
Underbody Maintenance . . . 9-102
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................12-8
Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-36
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-37
Radio Reception...............6-36
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
Theft-Deterrent Feature......6-35
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System............6-37
Audio System(s).................... 6-3
Automatic Climate Control
System............................. 7-4
Automatic Headlamp
System............................. 5-2
Automatic Transmission
Operation.......................... 8-6
INDEX i-1

B
Battery...............................9-28
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Bluetooth
®..........................6-25
Brake Fluid.........................9-25
Brakes...............................9-25
System Warning Light.......4-15
Braking...............................8-17
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-31
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . 9-33
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamp Aiming..............9-28
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
License Plate Lamps.........9-35
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Taillamps.........................9-34
Buying New Tires.................9-59
C
Calibration..........................2-16
California Fuel.....................8-35
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3California Proposition 65
Warning............................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... ii
Capacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon
Monoxide........2-10, 8-14, 8-27
Care, Safety Belts................1-19
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 ............................6-20
Center Console
Storage Area..................... 3-1
Chains, Tire........................9-65
Charging System Light..........4-15
Check
Engine Lamp...................4-18
Chemical Paint Spotting......9-102
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-39
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-36
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children.......1-42
Older Children..................1-34
Securing..................1-48, 1-50
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-40Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-98
Interior............................9-95
Underbody Maintenance . . . 9-102
Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Automatic.......................... 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-9
Clock, Setting........................ 6-2
Collision Damage Repair.....12-10
Compact Spare Tire.............9-83
Compass............................2-16
Compressor Kit, Tire
Sealant...........................9-67
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-13
Control of a Vehicle..............8-17
Convenience Net................... 3-2
Coolant
Engine............................9-15
Engine Temperature Gage . . . 4-17
Cooling System...................9-13
Cruise Control....................... 4-5
Cupholders........................... 3-1
i-2 INDEX

H
Hazard Warning Flashers........ 4-4
Head Restraints..................... 1-4
Headlamp
Aiming ............................9-28
Headlamp Wiring.................9-36
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.............9-31
Daytime Running Lamp....... 5-2
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . 9-33
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
High/Low Beam
Changer........................ 4-7
Heater...........................7-1, 7-4
Engine Coolant.................. 8-5
Highbeam On Light..............4-20
High-Speed
Operation, Tires................9-51
Highway Hypnosis................8-26
Hill and Mountain Roads.......8-26Hood
Release............................ 9-5
Horn .................................... 4-4
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly............................ 1-8
I
Ignition Positions................... 8-2
Immobilizer..........................2-11
Immobilizer Operation...........2-12
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-36
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-49
Inator Kit, Tire....................9-67
Instrument Panel
Brightness......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-11
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-84
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........9-42
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........4-18
Lamps
Dome ............................... 5-4
Reading............................ 5-4
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-14
LATCH System
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-47
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-42
License Plate Lamps............9-35
Light
Airbag Readiness.............4-13
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............4-16
INDEX i-5

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