lights 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

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

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

Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........9-89
Towing a Trailer................9-89
Your Vehicle.....................9-88
Transmission Operation,
Automatic.......................... 8-6
Transmission Operation,
Manual............................8-10
Trunk.................................2-10
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals............................. 4-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................ 4-4
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................9-62
V
Vehicle
Control............................8-17
Loading...........................8-30
Parking Your....................8-14
Running While Parked.......8-15Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy....................12-16
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)...................10-1
Service Parts Identication
Label...........................10-1
Vehicle, Remote Start............. 2-6
Ventilation Adjustment............. 7-9
Visors.................................2-15
Voltmeter Gage....................4-15
W
Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators........................4-10
Warnings
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................4-26
Hazard Warning Flashers.... 4-4
Wheels
Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................9-64
Different Size...................9-61
Replacement....................9-64
Where to Put the Restraint....1-40Windows.............................2-14
Power.............................2-15
Windshield
Washer............................. 4-8
Washer Fluid....................9-23
Wiper Blade
Replacement................9-24
Wiper Fuses....................9-36
Wipers.............................. 4-8
Winter Driving......................8-27
X
XM Radio Messages............6-24
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System...............6-37
Y
Your Vehicle and the
Environment.....................11-2
i-10 INDEX