automatic transmission PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2009 User Guide

Removing the Roof Panel
{CAUTION:
Do not try to remove a roof panel while the vehicle
is moving. Trying to remove the roof panel while
the vehicle is moving could cause an accident.
The panel could fall into the vehicle and cause
you to lose control, or it could y off and strike
another vehicle. You or others could be injured.
Remove the roof panel only when the vehicle is
parked.
Until you are sure you can remove the panel alone,
have someone help you.
Notice:If you drop or rest a roof panel on its
edges, the roof panel, paint and/or weatherstripping
may be damaged.Park on a level surface and set the parking brake. Shift
an automatic transmission into (P) Park. Shift a
manual transmission into (N) Neutral.
1. Make sure the ignition is off.
2. Lower the windows.
There are two release latches on the front of the
roof panel and one rear release latch on the back of
the roof panel.
3. To unlock the release latches on the front of the
roof panel, grasp each handle and pull it outward.
2-34

Installing the Roof Panel
{CAUTION:
An improperly attached roof panel may fall into or
y off the vehicle. You or others could be injured.
After installing the roof panel, always check that it
is rmly attached by pushing up on the underside
of the panel. Check now and then to be sure the
roof panel is rmly in place.
Notice:If you drop or rest a roof panel on its
edges, the roof panel, paint and/or weatherstripping
may be damaged. Always place the roof panel in
the stowage receivers after removing it from
the vehicle.
In most cases, it makes it easier if two people re-install
the roof panel.
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
Shift an automatic transmission into (P) Park. Shift
a manual transmission into (N) Neutral.
2. Check that the front release latches and the rear
release latch on the vehicle’s roof opening are in
their opened positions before attempting to
install the roof panel.3. Carefully place the roof panel over the top of the
vehicle.
4. Position the rear edge of the roof panel on the back
of the roof opening. Then align and t the pins at
the rear of the roof panel. Gently lower the
front edge of the roof panel to the front of the roof
opening.
5. Turn the front release
handles inward so that
they latch to the
closed position.
6. Push up on the handle of the rear roof release
handle to latch its hook in the closed position.
7. Push and pull the roof panel up and down and
side-to-side to ensure the roof panel is securely
installed.
2-36

Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or dirty
can cause stains, mildew, and damage to the
inside of your vehicle. Dry off the top before
lowering it.
Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in cold
weather (0°F/-18°C or lower), you may damage
top components. Do not lower the top in cold
weather.
Notice:If you raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is in motion, you could damage the
top or the top mechanism. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always put an
automatic transmission in (P) Park or a manual
transmission in (1) First or (R) Reverse, turn
the ignition off and engage the parking brake before
raising or lowering the convertible top.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the convertible top can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
convertible top and its mechanism. Keep people
away from your vehicle when you are lowering or
raising the top.
Lowering the Manual Convertible Top
1. Empty the trunk of all contents.
2. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
Shift an automatic transmission into (P) Park. Shift
a manual transmission into (1) First or (R) Reverse.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Open the trunk.
5. Pull down on the convertible top front latch, located
above the inside rearview mirror, and turn it
counterclockwise to unlatch it.
Leave the latch open and turned to prevent damage.
2-38

6. Pull rearward on the side edge (B) of the convertible
top and pull it off of the windshield frame.
7. Push the convertible top down into the trunk (E).
8. After the top is stored, as shown, push on the
convertible top to ensure that the top is fully
retracted and securely stored.
9. Close the trunk (E) by pressing down from the rear
center of it with a swift, rm motion.
Do not operate the rear defogger when the convertible
top is down.Raising the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake rmly
and shift an automatic transmission into (P) Park.
Shift a manual transmission into (1) First or
(R) Reverse.
2. Turn off the ignition, and lower the windows.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Open the trunk.
5. Pull the convertible top forward by rmly gripping the
side edge (B) and applying a brisk upward and
forward motion to get the top in the full-up position.
2-39

The main components of the instrument panel are the
following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-16.
B.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-19.
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
D.Cruise Control on page 3-9(If Equipped).
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-20.
F.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-79
(If Equipped).
G.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-14.
H.Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-24.
I.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-5.
J.Fog Lamps on page 3-13(If Equipped).
K. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Button (If Equipped). SeeElectronic
Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-6orTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8.
L.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-34.
M.Horn on page 3-5.
N.Windshield Wipers on page 3-8andWindshield
Washer on page 3-9.
O.Climate Control System on page 3-16.P. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped).Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-15andAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-14(If Equipped).
Q. Shift Lever. SeeManual Transmission Operation on
page 2-22. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-19(If equipped with automatic
transmission).
R.Parking Brake on page 2-23.
S.Audio System(s) on page 3-46.
T.Cupholders on page 2-33.
U. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-8.
V.Glove Box on page 2-33.
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
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the steering
wheel.
3-5

Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, parking
lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps and
taillamps only.AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):Automatically
turns on the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) during
daytime, and the headlamps, parking lamps, and
taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):Turns the Automatic Headlamp System
on or off. In Canada, this applies to vehicles with
an automatic transmission set to P (Park) and manual
transmission vehicles with the parking brake engaged.
When operating in AUTO, a brief turn of the switch
to off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp System.
An AUTO LIGHTS OFF message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) and a chime will sound.
Turning the switch to off/on again will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System back on. An AUTO LIGHTS ON
message will display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
The Automatic Headlamp System is always turned on at
the beginning of an ignition cycle for vehicles with
manual transmission. When the parking brake is
engaged, the automatic headlamps will turn off.
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, when the
shift lever is shifted out of P (Park), the Automatic
Headlamp System turns on. Shifting the lever back to
P (Park) will turn off the automatic headlamp system.
3-12

Headlamps on Reminder
If the drivers door is opened with the ignition off and the
lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This indicates
that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel that helps control the DRL. Do not cover this
sensor or the headlamps will come on when they are
not needed.
The DRL system makes both low beam headlamps turn
on at reduced intensity when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in P (Park).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be on.The DRL system turns off on U.S. vehicles by using the
on/off switch for one ignition cycle, if the vehicle is in
the P (Park) position, or if the vehicle speed is less than
5 mph (8 km/h) after the vehicle is started.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada the DRL system will
turn off when a automatic transmission vehicle is in the
P (Park) position or the park brake is set on a manual
transmission vehicle and the vehicle speed is less than
8 mph (13 km/h).
The regular headlamp system should be turned on
when it is needed.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the button is located on the
instrument panel, to the right of the steering wheel.
The ignition must be on to use the fog lamps.
#:Press to turn the fog lamps on and off. An indicator
light on the button comes on when the fog lamps
are on.
The parking lamps automatically turn on and off when
the fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
3-13

AUTO UNLK (Unlock)
This feature, which allows the vehicle to automatically
unlock certain doors, can be enabled or disabled. When
AUTO UNLK appears on the display, press and hold
the reset button for at least one second to scroll through
the available settings:
ALL (default):All of the doors will automatically unlock.
DRIVER:The driver’s door will automatically unlock.
NONE:None of the doors will automatically unlock.
You will need to manually unlock the doors.
If you have a manual transmission vehicle, the door(s)
will automatically unlock when the key is turned off.
If you have an automatic transmission vehicle, you can
select when the automatic unlocking will occur. See
“UNLK (Unlock) (Automatic Transmission Only)”
following.
SeeAutomatic Door Unlock on page 2-7for more
information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
UNLK (Unlock) (Automatic
Transmission Only)
This screen displays only if your vehicle has an
automatic transmission and DRIVER or ALL is selected
for the AUTO UNLK feature. This feature determines
when the automatic door unlocking will occur. When
UNLK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
KEY OFF:The door(s) will unlock when the key is
turned off.
SHIFT TO P (Park) (default):The door(s) will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into P (Park).
SeeAutomatic Door Unlock on page 2-7for more
information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
3-44

The ESC/TCS button
is located on the
instrument panel.
To turn the traction control system off or back on, press
and release the ESC/TCS button. To disable both
traction control and ESC, press and hold the button until
TRACTION OFF and ESC OFF messages appear,
and the ESC/TCS light comes on.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle to attempt to
free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-19. Also, see
“Competitive Driving Mode” later in this section.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines that
a problem exists with the system. The ESC OFF and
SERVICE ESC messages and the ESC/TCS light will be
on solid to warn the driver that ESC is disabled and
requires service. If the problem does not clear after
restarting the vehicle, see your dealer/retailer for service.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-37for
more information.Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode
The driver can select this optional handling mode by
pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console two times
quickly. COMPETITIVE MODE displays in the DIC. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-37for more
information. Competitive Driving Mode allows the driver
to have full control of the rear wheels while the ESC
system helps maintain directional control of the vehicle by
selective brake application. The ESC/TCS light will be on
and the traction control system will not be operating.
Adjust your driving accordingly. This electronic stability
control mode is recommended only for use during closed
track events and competitive driving venues.
When the ESC/TCS button is pressed again, or the
vehicle is restarted, the ESC and TCS turn back on.
Notice:When traction control is turned off, or
Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the drive
wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible
to cause damage to the transmission. Do not
attempt to shift when the drive wheels do not have
traction. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered. See the warranty book for additional
information.
4-7

To turn the system off or
on, press and release the
ESC/TCS button located
on the instrument panel.
The DIC will display the appropriate message the button
is pressed.
Traction Control Operation
Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing engine
power to the wheels (engine speed management)
and by applying brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when the vehicle is started, and it will activate and ash
the ESC/TCS light and display the LOW TRACTION
message if it senses either of the rear wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving. For
more information on the LOW TRACTION message,
seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-34.Notice:If the wheel(s) of one axle are allowed to
spin excessively while the ESC/TCS, ABS and Brake
warning lights and the SERVICE ESC and/or
SERVICE TRACTION messages are displayed, the
differential could be damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Reduce engine
power and do not spin the wheel(s) excessively
while these lights and this message are displayed.
Notice:When traction control is turned off, or
Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the drive
wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible
to cause damage to the transmission. Do not
attempt to shift when the drive wheels do not have
traction. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered. See the warranty book for additional
information.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction
in acceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration
may be heard. This is normal.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
the vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
4-9