In days past when the name Pontiac was spoken, people instinctively knew that the conversation was shifting to a discussion about a fine line of sporty automobiles. At one time the brand had some of the hottest cars on the market including the GTO, Tempest, and the Firebird, exciting vehicles which imbued the Pontiac name.

Over time Pontiac began to change receiving fewer sporty models but seeing more economical cars along with a van, the ugly Aztek SUV, and a number of rebadged vehicles sold by GM’s other US divisions. General Motors, in a bid to consolidate operations, has united most Buick, GMC and Pontiac dealers under one roof, a move which has allowed the automaker to cut back on the number of models offered by each of the three brands.

Today, GM has transitioned the brand to one offering a line of small, sporty cars with only one model hearkening to a bygone era, the Pontiac G8. Based on the Holden Commodore — a GM model built in Australia — the G8 is a well proportioned mid-sized sedan, with a fully independent performance tuned suspension. Critics have been comparing the car to BMW, recognizing that it offers something that most American cars do not – a wonderful combination of raw power, handling, and manageable size.

Standard engine for the G8 is a V6 – the same 3.6L engine that powers the Cadillac CTS. However, for optimum power, a 6.0L V8 paired with a six speed automatic transmission ups the performance level a full notch, giving the car the distinction as being the most powerful sedan available on the market that retails for under $30,000. As a point of reference, the Cadillac CTS-V is the fastest sedan costing at least $30,000.

Though introduced earlier this year, the future of the Pontiac G8 is in doubt as is the sport truck version of the same model. General Motors has been hammered financially for the past several years and this year learned that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has backed a government initiative to require that Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) be increased fleet-wide for all vehicles sold in America. To get to the higher numbers some of the larger cars, trucks, vans, and other vehicles manufactured by GM will be discontinued or modified enough to make them lighter and more fuel efficient.

The Pontiac G8 isn’t one of those cars slated to be downsized though it is believed that the next generation Holden Commodore (the Pontiac’s sister model) will soldier on, but be available only in the land down under where such CAFE restrictions don’t come into play.

The good news is that the G8 should be available for another five years before the car fades into the sunset. Likely, the burly rear wheel drive sedan will be replaced by a front wheel drive car with smaller engines, a capable car roughly the size of today’s Pontiac Gran Prix. Less won’t necessarily be more, but when fed regs are factored in less may be all that you’ll have.



By: Matthew C. Keegan

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Protecting yourself from car accidents would be next to impossible if your Pontiac has not been equipped with all the necessary safety equipments—and among these is the braking system. It is one of the active safety components of your car that is directly associated with your car’s ability to prevent road accidents. Because it is a system, it is basically made up of various car components that play a unique role in your car’s braking assist. They depend upon each other, so the failure of one braking system component to perform its intended function would definitely affect the braking performance of your Pontiac. The brake fluid is among the important elements of your braking system that aids in the efficient braking of your car. This element is a viscous fluid that acts as a lubricant from the moving parts of your braking system. It has a high boiling point, and it is specifically designed to match its environment of high pressure and high temperature parts. The two types of brake fluid that can be used in your car are Polyglycol and silicone.

Your car would not be able to benefit from the braking fluid if it could not be transmitted properly to the various braking system components of your Pontiac. It’s a good thing your car is made up of brake lines and hoses that does this job. The Pontiac brake hose is a braking system component that forces the brake fluid by the movement of the master cylinder pistons. If you look under the hood of your Pontiac, you will see this braking system component originating from the chassis of your car as it runs through the front and rear suspension. A typical Pontiac brake hose is made up of special tubing that is bonded into 2 layers of heavy duty nylon sheathing and is protected by an external rubber cover. Because of its flexible nature, this car component makes your suspension move all throughout the range of its travel. Aside from that, your Pontiac brake hose is engineered with metals at each end so that it could send out brake fluid even in intense pressure.

Your Pontiac brake hose has been built to be highly resistant to extreme temperature, high pressure and corrosion. As a matter of fact, some brake hoses have been constructed with Teflon and other synthetic materials. But because nothing lasts forever, your brake hose would sooner or later wear out due to constant exposure to harsh environments, flexing, and high pressure in your lower chassis. The inner tube of your Pontiac brake hose will be the first one to get damaged. When it collapses and separates from the nylon sheathing, it could result to overheated brakes and a dragging caliper—which means a very dangerous handling condition. But do not worry, you can easily tell that your brake hose has been damaged if you have been noticing some leaking fluid on the brake lines. Spongy or swollen brake hose is another indicator that it needs immediate replacement. So do not think twice on replacing your worn out brake hose with a new one when you notice that it is exhibiting those wear and tear signs to ensure a safe driving.



By: Anthony Fontanelle

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Being a car owner entails a lot of responsibilities, and one of these is ensuring that you always drive safely. Since safety is among your primary considerations, you need to make sure that your Pontiac is completely equipped with all the necessary safety equipments to keep you safe no matter what happens. The braking system is among the many various components of your car that does this job. It works through hydraulic force multiplication and mechanical advantage. Using friction, your car is able to transmit force to the road from your tires. Another medium that is very much useful in your braking system is the brake fluid. This is a special oil that is designed to prevent boiling and thickening even at very high or very cold temperatures. However, the success of your braking system does not only depend on friction or brake fluid only. Because it is a system, it is composed of interrelated car components that contribute a role in the braking assist of your Pontiac.

The Pontiac brake booster is among the various braking system components of your car that is considered as one of the most indispensable. Located on the firewall just behind the master cylinder, this braking system component’s main function is to make sure that the needed pressure to stop your Pontiac is provided by amplifying the available foot pressure applied to the brake pedal. A simple pressure differential is the basic principle behind the Pontiac brake booster. Depending on the size of the diaphragm, the brake booster increases the force of your brake pedal 2 to 4 times. It does this by using the difference in the manifold vacuum of your internal combustion engine and the atmospheric pressure. The typical construction of a Pontiac brake booster includes the reaction mechanism, body, control valve mechanism, booster piston, and piston return spring. But even if it ensures fluidity and ease in braking, this braking system component is not solely responsible for all the braking force in your car. If the Pontiac brake booster is the only source of your braking force, you will definitely be in a serious trouble when the power supply of the booster is cut off by the engine.

There will be no difference in pressure between the variable pressure chamber and the constant pressure chamber if the vacuum fails to act on the brake booster. But in spite of this, your Pontiac brake booster can still maintain brake system cooperation because it will continue to generate hydraulic pressure mechanically. However, there will come a time when your stock brake boosters will finally reach a breaking point. The internal diaphragm of your Pontiac brake booster can become ruptured through one or more of these factors: excessive heat, leaking master cylinders, or old age. You can usually tell that your brake booster needs to be replaced if you have been seeing some white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. You can have it rebuilt, but it is highly recommended that you have it replaced if the damage is beyond repair. Do not think twice on replacing it with a new one because you will just risk yourself into a serious car accident if this problem is left unresolved for a long time.



By: Anthony Fontanelle

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Buying your Pontiac has cost you a lot of money so you might consider it as a precious commodity. However there are certain elements that can potentially damage the paint finish of your car. They are divided into two main groups—the man made and natural hazards. Nosey people can damage the paint of your car when they rub up against the car when peering inside. Natural hazards include trees, bird droppings, dust, rain, and sunshine. They may seem harmless, but they can really inflict a much serious damage on your car paint. The paint finish of your Pontiac is only about 0.006 inches thick, so those natural hazards can easily wreck havoc on your vehicle. If you want to protect your precious investment, then it would be a good idea to purchase a Pontiac car cover for your car. This car component can provide you with a good number of benefits. First, it protects the paint finish of your Pontiac against those finish destroying natural and man-made hazards. Second, it prevents dings, scratches and unsightly dents. Third, it puts an effective barrier against the damaging weather and your car paint. And lastly, it acts as an effective theft deterrent.

There are two kinds of car covers: the water resistant and water repellent car covers. Water resistant car covers stop the water from getting inside. However, this type of car caver also traps a lot more water which can cause mildew and rust build up. On the other hand, water repellent car covers are more expensive, but it does not allow water build up under it. There are also outdoor car covers and indoor car covers. Outdoor car covers can be used both inside and outside of your garage, while indoor car covers are only meant to be used inside. A good car cover is made up of 1-4 layers of durable polypropylene. This thermoplastic polymer is known to be highly resistant to chemical solvents and acids. So the more layers of this material, the more protected your Pontiac car will be from damage causing elements.

Looking for the right car cover for your Pontiac must not be taken lightly, especially if you are very much serious on protecting your car. There are some factors that you must consider in order to ensure maximum protection. First is where you live and the weather condition in your area. Second is the car cover material. It must allow you car to breathe—you would not want moisture under the cover, wouldn’t you? Aside from that, it must effectively shield your car and protect it against snow, rain, heat, sun, acid, dirt, scrapes, mildew, etc. You must also consider your storage needs and car cover maintenance. Can you wash your car cover at home or does it need to be professionally cleaned? See? It takes a lot of decision-making when choosing the right car cover for your Pontiac vehicle. Do not take this for granted, because having a high quality Pontiac car cover can be compared to lifetime insurance for the paint finish of your precious car. So make a wise investment! Go to the nearest car dealer and purchase a highly durable Pontiac car cover now.



By: Anthony Fontanelle

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They Cancelled the 2010 pontiac g8 st sports truck in january but i really need this car its the perfect vehicle for my mom i dont care what color or anything i just need one
I know it didn’t exist i’m saying like i need the parts i have also considered the Ford Falcon xr6/xr8 ute but its only available to australia are there any sport trucks in U.S.

I’m really digging the Pontiac Solstice, and like the small size; It fits well with my garage which is not that huge, and has a look that is definitely unique (The BMW Z4 is the only other car which comes to mind, in terms of front-end design for a covertible).

On the other hand. I’m in love with the 2010 Camaro; Bad News - Production is backed up 14k cars going forward; I could get one on the open market, but would pay above retail. And I just cannot bring myself to do that - One year is not worth several thousand dollars more.

I really don’t want to wait trading in my PT Cruiser for another year, so I’m inclined go with the Pontiac.

Thoughts?
NOTE: I’d jump for the Saturn as I do dig it over the Solstice, but I have my concerns about buying a model that did not sell well and the entire brand is promised to be phased out by 2010.

Which is faster? which is cheaper? and what is the smartest buy? I know pontiac is under right now and I might get a good price. also they have 3500 cash back. but ford is doing alright and the mustangs do look nice but so do the pontiac g8’s so what do you think?

I really want a pontiac solstice, so can someone please help me???

Will Pontiac Remake FireBirds and Trans Am’s again? In 2009, 2010 or maybe later????

Opening the hood of your Pontiac would expose a jumble of tubes, metals and wires. Among these parts is your Pontiac engine. It is a part of your internal combustion system that is responsible for burning gasoline in order to make your car move. It is considered to be the heart of your Pontiac car, because without it, your Pontiac would not be able to move an inch. There are different types of engines, and the most common of these are the 2-stroke engines and the 4-stroke engines. Automobiles are using 4-stroke engines because they have a larger capacity than 2-stroke engines. Four-stroke engines feature valves on top of the combustion chamber. The number of valves varies depending on the configurations of your car. That is why there are V-twin, V-5, V-6, and V-8 engines. The entire cycle of your Pontiac engine happens in four ways. First, it sucks a mixture of air and fuel. Second, the air fuel mixture is compressed. Third, it ignites the compressed mixture through the use of a spark plug. And lastly, it allows the combustion gases to force the piston back down.

However, your Pontiac engine would not be able to do this complex function if not for its sub components. There are key parts attached to your engine that makes internal combustion highly efficient. These are the spark plug, engine valves, piston, piston rings, connecting rod, crankshaft and sump. The spark plug makes it possible for combustion to occur because it ignites the air/fuel mixture by supplying spark at an exact time. Valves work by letting in air and fuel by opening and closing at the proper time. The piston looks like a cylindrical metal piece that moves up and down inside the cylinder. Pistons rings provide a sliding seal for the inner edge of the cylinder and the outer edge of the piston. Your engine is also made up of a connecting rod that links the crankshaft and the piston. The crankshaft aids the engine by turning the up and down motion of the piston into circular motion. Lastly, the sump can be found surrounding the crankshaft that serve as an oil collector.

Some of the major causes of engine failure include lack of lubrication, overheating, engine misassembly, and detonation or spark knock. Your Pontiac engine normally operates between 195 to 220 degrees F. But when your Pontiac engine overheats, the cylinder walls can swell, crack or warp. Engine overheating can be caused by low coolant level or coolant loss. Faulty thermostat is another cause of engine overheating. Lack of lubrication can be caused by oil starvation and low oil pressure. Meanwhile, detonation is another type of engine failure that results from excessive pressure and heat in the combustion chamber. This happens when there is a sudden rise in the cylinder pressure as the fuel ignites spontaneously. Engine misassembly can be cause by incorrect clearances of engine bearing, misalignment, and failure to lubricate and clean parts during engine assembly. Poorly functioning engines must be repaired by a professional mechanic to stop drivability and performance problems. But if your Pontiac engine is beyond repair, it would be best to replace it with a new one.



By: Anthony Fontanelle

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