brake PONTIAC G8 2009 Repair Manual

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-11.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in
each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-11.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN, but do not
start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF in each shift
lever position.
The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the
shift lever is in P (Park).
The ignition key should come out
only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
11-10 Service and Maintenance

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission
in N (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the P (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain
water to ush any corrosive
materials from the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly
any areas where mud and other
debris can collect.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit, check the sealant
expiration date printed on the
instruction label of the kit at least
once a year. See your dealer/retailer
for a replacement canister.
Service and Maintenance 11-11

Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certied for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see
Engine Oil on page 9-8 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-15 .
Hydraulic Brake System Hydraulic Brake Fluid. Use only GM Part No. U.S. 88958860,
in Canada 88901244, Super DOT-4 brake uid.
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 109435474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 3634770, in Canada 10953518)
or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
11-12 Service and Maintenance

In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on engines,
transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each
bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service
of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle.
The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio:
Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model
Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, specify
year and model name of the vehicle.ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday-Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit
Helm, Inc. on the World Wide
Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for
delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers:
All listed prices are quoted in
U.S. funds. Canadian residents
are to make checks payable in
U.S. funds.
Customer Information 12-15

Vehicle Data
Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of
sophisticated computers that record
information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven.
For example, your vehicle uses
computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission
performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and
deploy airbags in a crash and, if so
equipped, to provide antilock braking
to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to
help your dealer/retailer technician
service your vehicle. Some modules
may also store data about how you
operate the vehicle, such as rate of
fuel consumption or average speed.
These modules may also retain the
owner’s personal preferences, such
as radio pre-sets, seat positions, and
temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose
of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an airbag deployment or
hitting a road obstacle, data that
will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and
safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed
to record such data as:
How various systems in your
vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and
passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was
pressing the accelerator and/or
brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was travelingThis data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances
in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important:EDR data is recorded
by your vehicle only if a non-trivial
crash situation occurs; no data
is recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g., name, gender,
age, and crash location) is
recorded. However, other parties,
such as law enforcement, could
combine the EDR data with the type
of personally identifying data
routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR,
special equipment is required,
and access to the vehicle or the
EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer, other
parties, such as law enforcement,
that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR.
12-16 Customer Information

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