service schedule PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-22
Airbag System
.........................................1-36
Restraint System Check
............................1-50
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-10
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-32
Storage Areas
.........................................2-35
Convertible Top
.......................................2-36
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-20
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-37
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-49Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-29
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-46
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-50
Tires
......................................................5-51
Appearance Care
.....................................5-85
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-94
Electrical System
......................................5-95
Capacities and Specications
...................5-101
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Pontiac Solstice Owner ManualM

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt
system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed
safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip
apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a
new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-23for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-88.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-24for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules, seeWhat Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-41. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
1-50

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or might begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection. This
can happen if you have recently replaced the battery
or if the battery has run down. The diagnostic system
is designed to evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving. This can take several
days of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack
of OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
This light will come on
briey when you start
your engine. If it does
not, have your vehicle
serviced.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not owing through your engine properly.
You could be low on oil and you might have some
other system problem.
3-34

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message clears when the vehicle’s condition is no
longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it
from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons.
If the condition is still present, the warning message
comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned off
and back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27for
more information. Have the brake system serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed.
When this message is acknowledged and cleared from
the display, the engine oil life system must still be
reset separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 5-19andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it
is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the message off.
CHECK TIRE PRESS (Pressure)
This message displays when the pressure in one or
more of the vehicle’s tires needs to be checked. If a tire
pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon
as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to
those shown on the Tire Loading Information label.
SeeTires on page 5-51,Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-24, andInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
The DIC also shows the tire pressure values. See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-38. If the tire
pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning light
comes on. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-31.
3-40

When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter element at each scheduled
MaintenanceIIservice interval and replace the air
cleaner/lter element at the rst oil change after
50,000 miles (80 000 km). If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with
dirt, a new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the lter, open the clamps that
hold the cover on and lift off the cover. Be sure to
reinstall the cover tightly.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ames if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter
in place when you are driving.
5-22

Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to a dealer/retailer and
have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in the
Maintenance Schedule. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4. Be sure to use the transmission uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual transmission
uid level. A transmission uid leak is the only reason
for uid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to a
dealer/retailer for service. Have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your uid level checked
by your dealer/retailer when you have your oil changed.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12
for the proper uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-37for more information.
5-23

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using the Maintenance Schedule......................6-2
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-7Owner Checks and Services............................6-8
At Each Fuel Fill............................................6-8
At Least Once a Month...................................6-9
At Least Once a Year.....................................6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-12
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........6-14
Engine Drive Belt Routing..............................6-15
Maintenance Record.....................................6-16
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-24.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-7for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the required
know-how and the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt, see your
dealer/retailer to have a qualied technician do
the work. SeeDoing Your Own Service Work
on page 5-4.Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualied and have the
necessary equipment, you should have your
dealer/retailer do these jobs.
When you go to your dealer/retailer for your service
needs, you will know that trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work using genuine parts.
If you want to purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-16.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8tells you what
should be checked, when to check it, and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-14. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine parts from your dealer/retailer.
6-3

Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-40. Have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is necessary
for over a year. However, the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service
technicians who will perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-19for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the CHANGE OIL SOON message appears,
certain services, checks, and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally,
it is recommended that your rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII,
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the CHANGE
OIL SOON message comes on within 10 months
since the vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceIIwas
performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the CHANGE OIL SOON
message comes on 10 months or more since the last
service or if the message has not come on at all
for one year.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-19.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.See footnote (h).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-65andAt Least Once a Month on page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels. Add uid as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
6-5