overheating PONTIAC TORRENT 2007 Owners Manual

Transaxle Overheating
If the transaxle uid temperature rises above
284°F (140°C) or rises rapidly, the Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light will ash. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 182for more information. When the transaxle
overheats it will go into a protection mode and
will default shift into fth gear if in the DRIVE (D)
position, or second gear if in the LOW (L)
position. Continue driving the vehicle in either
position depending on the required vehicle speed
and load. Once the uid temperature lowers to
the normal temperature range, the transaxle
will return to the normal shift patterns. Towing or
driving on long hills can cause the transaxle
uid temperature to be higher than normal. If the
transaxle uid temperature will not cool, you
may need to pull over and check the transaxle
uid level. You should also check the engine
coolant temperature. If it is hot, seeEngine
Overheating on page 360.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to the right of
the driver’s seat.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the
ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever all the way down.
122

Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to
your vehicle may damage it or keep other
components from working as they should.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not use equipment exceeding
maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to
follow the installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug because the
power outlets are designed for accessory
power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray and
cigarette lighter. The ashtray can be placed
into the front console cupholders.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let
go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while
it is heating will not allow the lighter to
back away from the heating element when it is
hot. Damage from overheating may occur to
the lighter or heating element, or a fuse could
be blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of
15 amperes.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle. Never
put ammable items in the ashtray.
165

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle has a
Traction Control
System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak
®warning
light.
This light will come on when the TCS is limiting
wheel spin or when the StabiliTrak
®system
is active. You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on
for an extended period of time when the system is
turned on, your vehicle needs service. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 297and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 298for more
information.
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 360for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 360. 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 does not, have your vehicle serviced.
182

Service All-Wheel Drive Light
This light is located in
the center of your
instrument panel cluster.
This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) will
come on and stay on to indicate that there may be a
problem with the drive system and service is
required. SeeAll-Wheel Drive (AWD) System on
page 299andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 200for more information.
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light
This light will come on
when the rear drive
system is overheating.
An ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF message will appear
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) too. This
light will turn off when the rear drive system cools
down. If this light stays on for a while, you
need to reset the light. To reset the light, turn the
ignition off and then back on again. If the light
stays on, see your dealer right away.
SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 378andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 200for more
information.
191

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

DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the driver’s door is
not closed properly. When this message appears,
make sure that the driver’s door is closed
completely.
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically turned off. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.
ENGINE OVERHEATD (Overheated)
IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 360for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down.
203

ENGINE OVERHEATD (Overheated)
STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine is overheating, severe engine damage
may occur. If an overheat warning appears on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop
the vehicle as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 360for more information.
This message displays along with a continuous
chime when the engine has overheated. Stop and
turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe
engine damage. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 360.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can
affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this
message is on, but there is no reduction in
performance, proceed to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer for service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when your vehicle is low
on fuel. Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 192andFilling the Tank
on page 343for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays on some vehicles when
the hood is not closed properly. When this
message appears, make sure that the hood is
closed completely. SeeHood Release on
page 347.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message displays when the outside air
temperature is cold enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.
LIFTGATE OPEN
This message displays when the liftgate is not
closed completely. Make sure that the liftgate is
closed completely. SeeLiftgate on page 107.
204

This light will come on
along with the ALL
WHEEL DRIVE OFF
message when the rear
drive system is
overheating.
This light will turn off when the rear drive system
cools down. If this light stays on, it must be
reset. To reset the light, turn the ignition off and
then back again. If the light stays on, see
your dealer for service.
See “All Wheel Drive Off” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 200for more information.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the
power steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the
electric power steering system is not functioning,
you can steer, but it will take more effort.If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, such as abnormally
high steering effort for a prolonged period of time,
contact your dealer for service repairs.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
300

Service........................................................ 339
Accessories and Modications................... 339
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 340
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 340
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 341
Fuel............................................................. 341
Gasoline Octane........................................ 341
Gasoline Specications.............................. 341
California Fuel........................................... 342
Additives................................................... 342
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 343
Filling the Tank......................................... 343
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 345
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 346
Hood Release........................................... 347
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 348
Engine Oil................................................. 349
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 352
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 354
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 357
Engine Coolant.......................................... 357
Engine Overheating................................... 360Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 362
Cooling System......................................... 362
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 368
Brakes...................................................... 369
Battery...................................................... 372
Jump Starting............................................ 373
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 378
Bulb Replacement....................................... 380
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 380
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps............. 381
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 382
License Plate Lamp................................... 383
Replacement Bulbs................................... 384
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 384
Tires............................................................ 386
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 387
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 390
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 393
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 395
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 399
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
337

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid
level. A transaxle uid leak is the only reason for
uid loss. If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to
the dealership service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid at the intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 443, and be sure to
use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 449.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 449.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 360.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F
(−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
357