service PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2009 User Guide

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the mirror to see clearly behind your vehicle. Hold
the mirror in the center to move it up or down and side to
side. Adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps
behind your vehicle. Move the lever to the right for
nighttime use and to the left for daytime use.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three additional control
buttons located at the bottom of the mirror. See
your dealer/retailer for more information on the system
and how to subscribe to OnStar. SeeOnStar
®
System on page 2-30for more information on the
services OnStar provides.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside rearview mirrors to see a little of the
side of your vehicle, and the area beside your vehicle.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To
fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror
outward, to return to its original position.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door.
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Press the left or right side of the selector switch
located next to the control pad to choose the
driver or passenger side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror in the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the
vehicle and the area behind it can be seen.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To
fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror
outward, to return to its original position.
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OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services. If the airbags
deploy, the system is designed to make an automatic
call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can request
emergency services be sent to your location. If the
keys are locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR to have a signal sent to unlock the
doors. OnStar Hands-Free Calling, including 30 trial
minutes good for 60 days, is available on most vehicles.
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation service, with one trial
route, is available on most vehicles. Press the
OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor contact
Roadside Service.
OnStar service is provided subject to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.Some services such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen
Vehicle Location Assistance may not be available
until the owner of the vehicle registers with OnStar. After
the rst prepaid year, contact OnStar to select a
monthly or annual subscription payment plan. If a
payment plan is not selected, the OnStar system and all
services, including airbag notication and emergency
services, may be deactivated and no longer available.
For more information visit onstar.com (U.S.) or onstar.ca
(Canada), or press the OnStar button to speak with
an advisor.
Not all OnStar services are available on all vehicles.
To check if this vehicle is able to provide the services
described below, or for a full description of OnStar
services and system limitations, see the OnStar Owner’s
Guide in the glove box or visit onstar.com (U.S.) or
onstar.ca (Canada), contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) or TTY 1-877-248-2080, or press
the OnStar button to speak with an OnStar advisor
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OnStar Services Available with the
Safe & Sound Plan
Automatic Notication of Airbag Deployment
Advanced Automatic Crash Notication (AACN)
(If equipped)
Link to Emergency Services
2-30

Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostic Email
GM Goodwrench On Demand Diagnostics
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with 30 trial minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor (U.S. Only)
OnStar Services Included with
Directions & Connections Plan
All Safe and Sound Plan Services
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped) or
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar
subscribers to make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into
the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Most vehicles include 30 trial minutes
good for 60 days. Hands-Free Calling can also be
linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S. ora Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending on
eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar Owner’s
Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit onstar.com or
onstar.ca, or speak with an OnStar advisor by pressing
the OnStar button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Vehicles with the OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
system can provide voice-guided driving directions.
Press the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor
locate a business or address and download driving
directions to the vehicle. Voice-guided directions to the
desired destination will play through the audio system
speakers. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling that uses minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic reports, and stock
quotes. Press the phone button and give a few
simple voice commands to browse through the various
topics. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information. This feature is only available in the
continental U.S.
2-31

OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-79for
more information.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voice mail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
How OnStar Service Works
The OnStar system can record and transmit vehicle
information. This information is automatically sent to an
OnStar Call Center when the OnStar button is
pressed, the emergency button is pressed, or if the
airbags or AACN system deploy. This information
usually includes the vehicle’s GPS location and, in the
event of a crash, additional information regarding
the crash that the vehicle was involved in (e.g. the
direction from which the vehicle was hit). When
the Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling
is used, the vehicle also sends OnStar the vehicle’s
GPS location so they can provide services where it is
located.
OnStar service cannot work unless the vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar
service also cannot work unless the vehicle is in a placewhere the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services are
available everywhere, particularly in remote or
enclosed areas, or at all times.
Location information about the vehicle is only available
if the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and
available.
The vehicle must have a working electrical system,
including adequate battery power, for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service at any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important parts of the vehicle
in a crash, hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather or
wireless phone network congestion.
Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if the OnStar advisor
cannot be heard. If the light next to the OnStar buttons is
red, the system may not be functioning properly.
Press the OnStar button and request a vehicle
diagnostic. If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), your OnStar subscription has expired and
all services have been deactivated. Press the OnStar
button to conrm that the OnStar equipment is active.
2-32

Convertible Top
For care and cleaning of the convertible top, see
Convertible Top on page 5-95under “Service and
Appearance Care”. High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
A clear protective lm has been installed on the trunk lid
surface under the convertible top buttresses. This lm
is designed to help prevent paint damage to the trunk lid.
Do not remove this protective lm.
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of the manual convertible top.The parts of the manual convertible top that are used
when lowering and raising it are:
A. Front Edge
B. Side Edge
C. Lower Seal PinsD. Rear Buttresses
E. Trunk
Notice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Notice:Lowering the convertible top when there
are objects in the storage area could damage
it or break the glass rear window. Always verify that
no objects are in the storage area before lowering
the convertible top.
2-37

Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
possible malfunctions. If the light stays on it indicates
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 1-36.
The airbag readiness light
ashes for a few seconds
when the engine is
started. If the light does
not come on then, have it
xed immediately.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inate in a crash, or they could even inate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-37
for more information.
3-23

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-42for
important safety information. The instrument panel has
a passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to
let you know the status of the right front passenger
frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-23
for more information, including important safety
information. United StatesCanada
3-24

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it
stays on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-37
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking
both parts need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The
light stays on if the parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released,
it means the vehicle has a brake problem.
United StatesCanada
3-25

If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. Make sure the parking brake is fully
released. The pedal might be harder to push or,
the pedal could go closer to the oor. It can take longer
to stop. Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one
or two times, if the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-25.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) light comes on
briey when the engine is
started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-25.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-37for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-26

Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control System
(TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
The Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system or
the Traction Control
System (TCS)
indicator/warning light
comes on briey when the
engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
This light, along with the appropriate Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages, indicates when the ESC
system and the TCS are working or are disabled.If the light comes on and stays on, the TCS and
potentially the ESC system have been disabled. Check
the DIC messaging to determine which system is
turned off, or not working. If the system is not working,
the vehicle needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
When the TCS is disabled, wheel spin is not limited.
When the ESC system is disabled, the system does not
aid in maintaining vehicle directional control.
If the light comes on and ashes, the TCS or the ESC
system is actively working. When the LOW TRACTION
message appears, the system is limiting wheel spin.
When the ESC ACTIVE message appears, the system
is aiding in maintaining vehicle directional control.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-6and
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8for more
information.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-37for
more information on the messages associated with
this light.
3-27