Pontiac G8 manual Instruments and Controls

Instruments and Controls 4-19

Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before any problem

is apparent. Heeding the light can prevent more serious damage

to your vehicle. This system assists your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.

Notice: If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a while, the emission controls might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs

that might not be covered by your warranty.

Notice: Modifications made to the engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with other than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission controls and can cause this light to come on. Modifications to these systems

could lead to costly repairs not covered by your warranty. This could also result in a failure to pass a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See Accessories and Modifications on page 9-3.

This light comes on during a malfunction in one of two ways:

Light Flashing: A misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be required.

The following can prevent more serious damage to your vehicle:

•Reduce vehicle speed.

•Avoid hard accelerations.

•Avoid steep uphill grades.

•If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the previous steps and

see your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.

Light On Steady: An emission control system malfunction has been detected on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be required.

You might be able to correct the emission system malfunction by considering the following:

•Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling the Tank on page 8-35. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel

to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the light off.