tow PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2006 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-4
Child Restraints
.......................................1-18
Airbag System
.........................................1-30
Restraint System Check
............................1-43
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-11
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-29
OnStar
®System
......................................2-30
Storage Areas
.........................................2-33
Convertible Top
.......................................2-33
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-20
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-36
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-45Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-34
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-39
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-40
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-43
Tires
......................................................5-44
Appearance Care
.....................................5-69
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-77
Electrical System
......................................5-77
Capacities and Specications
.....................5-82
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Index................................................................ 1
2006 Pontiac Solstice Owner ManualM

{CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can not properly spread the impact
forces. In a crash, the two children can be
crushed together and seriously injured. A belt
must be used by only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt
is very close to the child’s face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper
body would have the restraint that belts provide.
1-19

{CAUTION:
The body structure of a young child is quite
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom
the safety belts are designed. A young child’s
hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s
regular safety belt may not remain low on the
hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle
up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the
belt would apply force on a body area that is
unprotected by any bony structure. This alone
could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young
children always should be secured in
appropriate child restraints.
Child Restraint Systems
An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a
motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to
restrain or position a child on a continuous at surface.
Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center
of the vehicle.
1-23

Frontal airbags may inate at different crash speeds.
For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could inate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags
could inate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits an object does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle goes straight into the object.
The frontal airbags are not intended to inate during
vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag
should have inated simply because of the damage to a
vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Ination
is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the
impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down.
What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inator, which inates the airbag. The inator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But airbags would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those
airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
1-35

Doors and Locks
Manual Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked,
the handle will not open it. You increase
the chance of being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash if the doors are not
locked. So, wear safety belts properly
and lock the doors whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors
can help prevent this from happening.There are a couple of ways to lock and unlock your
vehicle manually.
From inside the vehicle,
use the manual door lock
knob. Pull up on the knob
to unlock the door. Push
down on the knob to lock
the door.
To lock either door from the outside, turn the key toward
the rear of the vehicle. To unlock the door, turn the key
toward the front of the vehicle.
Power Door Locks
If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry (RKE)
transmitter, you can use it to lock and unlock the doors
from inside or outside the vehicle. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry System Operation on page 2-4for more
information.
2-7

Manual Windows
If your vehicle has manual
windows, use the window
crank to open and close
each window.
Power Windows
If your vehicle has power
windows, the switches on
the driver’s door armrest
control both windows.In addition, the passenger’s door has a window switch
that controls their window. Press the front of the switch to
open the window. Pull the switch up to close it.
Express-Down Window
The driver’s window has an express-down feature which
allows the window to be lowered fully without pressing
and holding the switch. Press the front of the switch to the
rst position, and the window will open a small amount.
Press the switch down fully and the window will go all the
way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, pull the front of
the switch up.
Sun Visors
To use the sun visor(s), pull the edge of the visor nearest
to the windshield toward you.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle may have a driver’s side vanity mirror.
Swing down the sun visor and slide the cover to expose
the mirror.
2-12

/(START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
while in LOCK or ACC, when the key has not been
removed from the ignition.
Shift Lock Release
The following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to LOCK and for ignition key removal in case of a dead
battery or low voltage battery.
1. Make sure the shift lever is in PARK (P).2. Using a tool, pry off the cover from the bottom of
the steering column.
3. Place your nger into the access hole and locate
the plunger.
4. Press and hold the plunger toward the driver’s door
while turning the ignition key to LOCK. Remove
the key.
Have your vehicle serviced at your GM dealer as soon
as possible.
2-18

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You must fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever. Push the shift
lever all the way into PARK (P) while pressing the button
on the shift lever as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. SeeShifting
Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-26.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R) to
rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or
sand without damaging your transmission. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-28
for additional information.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. You can also
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
2-21

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing the
button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into PARK (P).
2-25

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than LOCK.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a discharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has a discharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-35for more information.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
2-26