charging PONTIAC TORRENT 2007 Owners Manual

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM)
that estimates the battery’s temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or voltage
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you
may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action may
be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or Service
Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 200.
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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’s frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 82for more on this,
including important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all 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 for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, it
means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens,
have the vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person sitting in the
right front passenger seat may not have
the protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 176.
Battery Warning Light
The battery warning light
will come on briey as a
check, when you turn on
the ignition. Then it
should go out when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on when you start your
vehicle, have your vehicle serviced right away.
This condition may indicate your battery warning
light is not functioning properly. If this light
comes on while you are driving, be sure to turn off
accessories such as the radio and climate
control system. Have your vehicle serviced right
away. The SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM message may also appear in the Driver
Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 200for more information.
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If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected
by the system while driving, a message advising
you to check the pressure in a specic tire
will appear in the display. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 393andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 200for more information.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes
instead of a value, there may be a problem with
your vehicle. If this consistently occurs, see
your dealer for service.
BATTERY
Press the vehicle information button until
BATTERY displays. This display shows the
current battery voltage. If the voltage is low, the
display will show LOW. If the voltage is high,
the display will show HIGH. Your vehicle’s
charging system regulates voltage based on the
state of the battery. The battery voltage may
uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC.
This is normal. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 179for more information.If there is a problem with the battery charging
system, the DIC will display SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM. See “SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 200for more information.
TIRE LOCATIONS
After rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or
sensor, the system must re-learn the tire positions.
To re-learn the tire positions, seeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 395. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 399andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 200for more information.
RELEARN REMOTE KEY
This display allows you to match the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
To match a RKE transmitter to your vehicle, do the
following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is in PARK (P).
2. Press the vehicle information button until
PRESS
VTO RELEARN REMOTE KEY
displays.
199

ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
system, this message displays along with
the All-Wheel Drive Disabled light when the rear
drive system is overheating. This message
turns off when the rear drive system cools down.
If the warning message stays on for a while,
you need to reset the warning message. To reset
the warning message, turn the ignition off and
then back on again. If the message stays on, see
your dealer right away. SeeAll-Wheel Drive
(AWD) System on page 299andAll-Wheel Drive
Disabled Light on page 191for more information.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the charging system
detects that the battery is being drained. You
may notice that the vehicle attempts to reduce the
drain for you by turning off accessories, such
as interior fans, rear defogger, and heated seats.
Turn off all accessories. If the vehicle is not
running, start and run the engine for at least
10 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. If the
engine is running and the condition persists,
see your dealer immediately.
BUCKLE PASSENGER SEATBELT
This message reminds you to buckle the
passenger’s safety belt. SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 82.
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is
buckled, the passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled
with the passenger airbag enabled, and the
vehicle is in motion. You should have the
passenger buckle their safety belt.
This reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on,
the vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled
and the passenger is still unbuckled, and
the passenger airbag is enabled. If the
passenger’s safety belt is already buckled, this
message and chime will not come on.
201

SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
system, this message displays along with
the service all-wheel drive light if a problem occurs
with this system. SeeService All-Wheel Drive
Light on page 191. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message on
the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the AWD
system needs service. See your dealer.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
with the generator and battery charging systems.
Driving with this problem could drain the
vehicle’s battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical system
checked by your dealer immediately.
Connecting a battery charger to your vehicle while
the ignition is in any position other than LOCK
may cause this message to appear. If you need to
charge your vehicle, make sure that the key is
in LOCK or out of the ignition during charging.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system
warning light also appears on the instrument panel
cluster when this message appears on the DIC.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 180.
Have the brake system serviced by your dealer as
soon as possible.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
On some vehicles, this message displays when a
problem is detected with the power steering
system. When this message is displayed, you may
notice that the effort required to steer the vehicle
increases or feels heavier, but you will still be able
to steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately.
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