stop start PONTIAC TORRENT 2006 Owners Manual

Resynchronization
This is used to keep the transmitter of the vehicle
communicating with the receiver of the vehicle.
Resynchronization may be required due to the
security method used by this system.
Your vehicle has an automatic resynchronization
function built into the system. If your transmitter
is not working properly and you have to manually
resynchronize, press the lock and unlock buttons at
the same time for seven seconds while you are
near your vehicle. The doors will lock or unlock,
depending on their starting position. If they do not,
contact your dealer for service.
Doors and Locks
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.
2-6

Passlock®
Your vehicle has the Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
This light will come
on for the theft-deterent
system and is located
on the instrument
panel cluster.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock®
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition
lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
until the light stops ashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from START
as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the security light comes
on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn
the engine off. However, your Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at
this time. You may also want to check the fuses.
See your dealer for service.
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38for
the trailer towing capabilities of your
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
2-15

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle has a Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
feature which will allow the radio to continue to work
up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in RUN
or ACC. Once the key is turned off, the radio will
continue to work for up to 10 minutes or until any
door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.Notice:Repeated attempts to start your engine, will
cause your battery to drain much sooner. Excessive
heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, rotate the key
back from START to RUN. Holding the key in
START will not cause the vehicle to keep cranking.
Then push the accelerator pedal all the way to
the oor, while you turn the ignition key to START.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and let
up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds
between each try.
Use the same instructions as stated earlier, when
starting your engine in very cold weather. It is
recommended that you use the engine block heater,
if equipped, to assist in starting your engine in very
cold weather.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-17

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever – push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and also release the shift lever button as
you maintain brake application. Then, press the
shift lever button and move the shift lever into the
desired gear. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-24.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-30.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. 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)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
Notice:Shifting to a drive gear from NEUTRAL (N)
while the vehicle is moving could damage the
transaxle. Make sure the vehicle is stopped before
shifting from NEUTRAL (N) into a drive gear.
2-20

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to
the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning
light on can lead to an accident. If the light
is still on after you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the anti-lock portion of the
brake system. If the red BRAKE light is not on, you
still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you
do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
3-29

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have a
traction control system
warning light. The traction
control system warning
light may come on for the
following reasons:
For vehicles equipped with the traction control
system and front-wheel drive, this light will come on
and stay on if you turn the system off by pressing
the traction control button located on the instrument
panel above the audio system. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
For vehicles equipped with all-wheel-drive, this light
will come on and stay on when the all-wheel-drive
system is unable to protect for overheating
under extended heavy all-wheel-drive usage.
If there is an engine-related and brake system
problem that is specically related to traction control,
the traction control system will turn off and the
warning light will come on.If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Low Traction Light
If your vehicle has
the Traction Control
System (TCS) and has
front-wheel-drive, this
light will come on when
the system is limiting
wheel spin.
If your vehicle has all-wheel-drive, this light will come
on when the all-wheel-drive system is protecting
itself from overheating due to extended heavy all wheel
drive usage.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. The roads may be slippery if this light comes on.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the system
stops limiting wheel spin. This light should also come
on for a few seconds when you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
3-30

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-23for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause your vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-23.
Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not
be covered by your warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on when starting your vehicle.
If it doesn’t, have your vehicle serviced.
This light will ash when the transaxle has overheated.
See “Transaxle Overheating”, underAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 2-19, for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures
the temperature of
the vehicle’s engine.
If the indicator needle moves into the shaded area,
the engine is too hot. A temperature indicator light
will turn on.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, and the temperature indicator
light comes on, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
3-31

This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
3-33

Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine oil
pressure problem, this light
will stay on after you start
your engine, or come on
when you are driving. This
indicates that your engine
is not receiving enough oil.
The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it xed immediately.
The oil light could also come on in three other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to show
you it is working, but the light will go out when you
turn the ignition to START. If it doesn’t come on
with the ignition on, you may have a problem with
the fuse or bulb. Have it xed right away.
If the vehicle is idling at a stop sign, the light may
blink on and then off.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on
for a moment. This is normal.
{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.
3-35

Change Engine Oil Light
If this light comes on and
stays on for 30 seconds,
it means that service
is required for your
vehicle. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
After having the oil changed you will need to reset the
light. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for more information.
Security Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
With this system, the
security light will ash
as you open the door
if your ignition is off.
This light will come on briey when the vehicle is
turned on.
For more information, seePasslock
®on page 2-15.
Reduced Engine Power Light
This light will come
on briey when you
start the engine.
This light, along with the service engine soon light,
will be displayed when a noticeable reduction in
the vehicle’s performance may occur. Stop the vehicle
and turn off the ignition. Wait for 10 seconds and
restart your vehicle. This may correct the condition.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed when
the reduced engine power light is on, but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. The performance may
be reduced until the next time you drive your vehicle.
If this light stays on, see your GM dealer as soon
as possible for diagnosis and repair.
3-36