jump start PONTIAC TORRENT 2006 Owners Manual

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel
will come on briey
when you start your
vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even notice
that your brake pedal moves or pulses a little.
This is normal.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
4-7

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-21
Engine Overheating.......................................5-23
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-26Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-34
Jump Starting...............................................5-34
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-40
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-42
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-44
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-45
Tires..............................................................5-46
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-47
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-50
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-52
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-54
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-55
Buying New Tires.........................................5-56
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-57
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-58
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-59
Wheel Replacement......................................5-60
Tire Chains..................................................5-61
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
D. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-32.
E. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-83.
F. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-34.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-21.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-31.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level
ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-13

Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When
it is time for a new battery, get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery’s
label. We recommend an ACDelco
®replacement
battery.
For battery replacement, see your dealer or the
service manual. To purchase a service manual, see
Service and Owner PublicationsinService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-34for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
You must close all doors and the liftgate before
reconnecting the battery. After reconnecting the battery,
you must press the unlock button on the key transmitter.
Failure to follow this procedure may result in a
sounding alarm. Pressing unlock on the key transmitter
would stop the sounding alarm.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely.
5-34

{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be
able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save your radio!
5-35

4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) terminal locations on each vehicle.
You will not need to access your battery for jump
starting. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+)
and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal
for that purpose.
The remote positive (+)
terminal is located under
the engine compartment
fuse block cover, and
is marked with a plus (+)
symbol on the cover.
To access the terminal,
remove the fuse block
cover.The remote negative (−)
terminal is located in
the front of the engine
compartment, near
the engine oil dipstick.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on the location of the remote
positive (+) terminal and the engine oil dipstick.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
5-36

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything until the
next step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the
dead battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable at
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there, and the chance
of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.
Your vehicle has a remote negative (−) terminal
for this purpose.10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter to disarm your content
theft-deterrent system.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery.
If it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
Notice:If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may
occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the cables do not touch
each other or other metal.
5-38

Flat Tire Change:Installation of a spare tire will be
covered at no charge. The customer is responsible
for the repair or replacement of the tire if not
covered by a warrantable failure.
Jump Start:No-start occurrences which require a
battery jump start will be covered at no charge.
Dealer Locator Service
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our Roadside
Assistance Representatives will explain any payment
obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling,
please provide the following to the Roadside Assistance
Representative:
Your name, home address, and home
telephone number.
Telephone number of your location.
Location of the vehicle.
Model, year, color, and license plate number of
the vehicle.
Mileage, Vehicle Identication Number (VIN),
and delivery date of the vehicle.
Description of the problem.While we hope you never have the occasion to use
our service, it is added security while traveling for
you and your family. Remember, we are only a
phone call away. Pontiac Roadside Assistance:
1-800-ROADSIDE (762-3743), text telephone (TTY)
users, call1-888-889-2438.
Pontiac reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in
Pontiac’s judgement, the claims become excessive
in frequency or type of occurrence.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Pontiac reserves the right to make any changes or
discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at any
time without notication.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
roadside assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information book.
7-7

Headlamps (cont.)
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-42
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-19
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-37
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-17
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-33
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-52
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-24
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-34
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-47
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-18
Cargo........................................................3-17
Dome........................................................3-16
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Map ..........................................................3-17
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-42
Liftgate..........................................................2-10
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-29
6