service PONTIAC G8 2009 Workshop Manual

A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Cap
{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
V8 Engine
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care

{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is
a leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®can cause
premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 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.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 9-20.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15

What to Use
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C), outside
temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C), engine
temperature.
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or
additives are used in the vehicle’s
cooling system, the vehicle
could be damaged. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12for
more information.
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the
coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant recovery tank. If the
coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the COLD mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant recovery tank,
but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done. See Engine
Coolant Engine Coolant for more
information.The coolant reservoir is located in
the engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
The coolant level should be at or
above the top mark on the coolant
reservoir dipstick. If it is not,
you may have a leak in the cooling
system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at
the coolant recovery tank.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17

How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the radiator pressure cap — even
a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and radiator pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
mixture directly to the radiator,
but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done.
9-18 Vehicle Service and Care

If no coolant is visible in the surge
tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Check the engine coolant
reservoir level and, if required,
top with coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 9-15Engine
Coolant.
2. Locate the radiator cap.
3. Cover the cap with a thick
cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.4. If there is no coolant or the level is
low, slowly ll the system through
the radiator cap opening with a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and a DEX-COOL
®coolant
until full. Wait 30 seconds for
coolant to settle and top off if the
level drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
5. Start the engine.
6. With the engine idling, top off the
coolant through the radiator cap
opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off, if the
level drops.
7. Once the system is full, put the
radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.8. Turn off the ignition.
9. Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and ll it until the
level is at the top of the dipstick.
Notice:If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage
may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is
not tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage
may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19

Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to
warn of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 4-17.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on
a level surface.Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are
not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch re. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care

If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when the vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle
in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle
slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the
car in front of you. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see ‘‘Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode’’
later in this section.
Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid Level
Power steering uid is used in
all vehicles.
Check the level after the vehicle has
been driven for at least twenty
minutes so the uid is warm.
How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
To check the power steering uid,
do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. The power steering uid reservoir
is located on the driver side
toward the front of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21

3. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
4. Turn the cap counterclockwise
and pull it straight up.
5. When the engine is hot, the level
should be at the hot MAX level.
When the engine is cold, the
uid level should be between
MIN and MAX on the dipstick.
6. Replace the cap.
Adding Power Steering Fluid
To determine what kind of uid
to use, seeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure
to use the proper uid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
2. Top off with power steering
uid. Do not overll the reservoir.
3. Push the cap straight down
and turn clockwise to tighten.
V6 Engine
V8 Engine
9-22 Vehicle Service and Care

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer
uid, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating
your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid
until the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23