cruise control PONTIAC G8 2009 Owners Manual

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning
Flashers............................4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-7
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-7
Windshield Wipers..............4-8
Windshield Washer.............4-8
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)............................4-9
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-10
Instrument Panel
Cluster............................4-11
Speedometer....................4-12
Tachometer.......................4-12
Safety Belt Reminders......4-12
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-13
Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator...............4-14
Voltmeter Gage.................4-15
Charging System Light......4-15
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-15
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-16
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........4-17
Tire Pressure Light...........4-17
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-18
Security Light....................4-20
Fog Lamp Light................4-20
Highbeam On Light...........4-20
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light
.................4-21
Door Ajar Light.................4-21
Oil Pressure Gage............4-21
Fuel Gage........................4-21
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-22
DIC Operation and
Displays..........................4-22
DIC Warnings and
Messages........................4-26
DIC Vehicle
Customization..................4-31
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-35
Instruments and Controls 4-1

Hazard Warning Flashers
|
(Hazard Warning Flasher):
Press this button located on
the instrument panel, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps ash
on and off. This warns others that
you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the
ashers off.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols
on the steering wheel pad to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt and telescope wheel lets the
steering wheel position be adjusted.
The adjustment lever is located on
the left side of the steering column.
Pull the lever down to move the
steering wheel up or down and in or
out. Pull the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the tilt and telescope
lever while driving.
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever
The lever on the left side of the
steering column includes the
following:
E:Cruise Control (If Equipped).
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
Information for these features is
on the pages following.
4-4 Instruments and Controls

Cruise Control
For vehicles with cruise control,
the lever is located on the left side
of the steering wheel.
The cruise control maintains the
vehicle’s speed without having your
foot on the accelerator pedal.
The cruise control only works at
speeds above 21 mph (33 km/h)
(V6 engines) or above 24 mph
(38 km/h) (V8 engines).
{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.Setting Cruise Control{CAUTION
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.
1. Press the
OQbutton at the
end of the cruise control lever.
The CRUISE ON light comes on
in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on
page 4-11.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Turn the band down to SET−and
then release it. The CRUISE
ACTIVE light comes on in
the instrument panel cluster.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Instruments and Controls 4-5

If the vehicle is in cruise control
and the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) becomes active,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. SeeElectronic
Stability Program on page 8-19.
When road conditions allow the
cruise control can be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied or the
OQbutton
is pressed once, the cruise control
shuts off.
Once the vehicle speed is
21 mph (33 km/h) (V6 engines)
or 24 mph (38 km/h) (V8 engines) or
greater, turn the band briey to
RES+ position. The vehicle returns
to the previously set speed and
stays there.Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a
higher speed:
Turn theIband up to the
RES+ position. Hold it there until
the desired speed is reached,
then release it.
To increase the vehicle speed in
very small amounts, turn the
band to RES+ briey and then
release it. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce the
vehicle speed while using cruise
control:
Turn theIband down to the
SET−position. Hold it there
until the lower speed desired is
reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small
amounts, turn the band to SET−
briey and then release it.
Each time this is done, the
vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the
pedal, the vehicle slows down to
the cruise control speed set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills.
When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed.
4-6 Instruments and Controls

When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the vehicle speed down.
When the brakes are applied
the cruise control is turned off.
Ending Cruise Control
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
When the cruise control is
deactivated, the CRUISE
INACTIVE message appears in
the instrument panel cluster.
Press theOQbutton at the
end of the lever two times.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrowGon the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the direction
of the turn or lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all
the way up or down.
To signal a lane change, slightly
raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to ash and release
the lever. The turn signal ashes
automatically three times.
The lever returns to its starting
position when it is released.
To cancel the lane change, move the
lever back to the starting position.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
The headlamps must be on for this
feature to work.
Push the turn signal lever away
from you to turn the high beams on.
The fog lamps turn off automatically
when high beam is selected.
This instrument panel cluster light
3comes on while the high
beam headlamps are on.
Pull the lever towards you to return
to low beams.
To ash the high beams, pull the
lever towards you. The lamps
remain on high beam as long as
the lever is held.
Instruments and Controls 4-7

:Check Oil
This message is displayed if the oil
pressure or oil level is low. Stop
when safe, turn off the engine and
check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 9-8. Do not run
the engine when this warning is
illuminated. If the oil level is normal,
have the system checked at your
dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
:Check Oil will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
X Contact Dealer
This message is displayed when
there is a fault in the instrument
panel, see your dealer/retailer.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, butXService willcontinue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
ICruise On, Cruise Off,
Cruise Active, and Cruise
Inactive
These messages display the
status of the cruise control system.
SeeCruise Control on page 4-5
for more information.
Engine Immobilized Refer to
Owners Manual
This message is displayed when the
engine has been shutdown due to
the theft-deterrent system. See
Immobilizer Operation on page 2-12
for more information.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
AEng Immo will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
BEngine Temp
(Temperature) Hot
This message is displayed when the
engine coolant temperature is
excessively hot. Stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. See
Engine Overheating on page 9-20.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
BTemp Hot will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.
.Low Fuel
This message is displayed when the
fuel level is low.
You can press
3or8to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but
.Low Fuel will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the fuel
tank has been lled above the low
fuel level.
4-28 Instruments and Controls

Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake pedal
until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
owing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road iswet enough and you are going fast
enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-42.
Turn off cruise control, if
equipped.
Driving and Operating 8-25

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

Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has
to be used properly.
That is the reason for this part. In it
are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your
safety and that of your passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies and tires are forced
to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat.
Also, the trailer adds considerably to
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.If You Do Decide To Pull A
Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points:
There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering. Make
sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you
will be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or
provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
You can ask a hitch dealer about
sway controls.
Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 1,000 miles (1 600 km)
your new vehicle is driven. Your
engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) that you tow a trailer, do
not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at fullthrottle. This helps your engine
and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Use the Sport Shift mode and the
cruise control when towing. The
Active Select (A/S) may also be
used under light load conditions.
Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer. Do not drive
faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear
on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer.
The weight of the trailer tongue.
The total weight on your
vehicle’s tires.
9-90 Vehicle Service and Care

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