sensor PONTIAC TORRENT 2007 Owners Manual

When Should an Airbag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal
airbags are designed to inate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are
designed to inate only if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds take into account a variety of desired
deployment and non-deployment events and are
used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in
time for the airbags to inate and help restrain the
occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle
is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the
direction of the impact, and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.In addition, your vehicle has “dual-stage” frontal
airbags, which adjust the restraint according
to crash severity. Your vehicle has electronic
frontal sensors which help the sensing system
distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and
a more severe frontal impact. For moderate
frontal impacts, these airbags inate at a level less
than full deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your
vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not
move or deform, the threshold level for the
reduced deployment is about 11 to 16 mph
(17 to 26 km/h), and the threshold level for a full
deployment is about 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 km/h).
The threshold level can vary, however, with
specic vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range.
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Frontal airbags may inate at different crash
speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits an object that
does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole),
the airbags could inate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object
(like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle,
the airbags could inate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the
object.
Frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger)
are not intended to inate during vehicle
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.Your vehicle may or may not have roof-mounted
airbags and a rollover sensor. SeeAirbag
System on page 72. These “rollover capable”
airbags are intended to inate in moderate
to severe side crashes or during a rollover. A
roof-mounted side impact airbag will inate if the
crash severity is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with
specic vehicle design. Roof-mounted side
impact airbags are not intended to inate in rear
impacts. Both roof-mounted rollover airbags
will deploy when either side of the vehicle is struck
or during a rollover.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether
an airbag should have inated simply because
of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the
repair costs were. For frontal airbags, ination is
determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle
of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows
down. For roof-mounted side impact airbags,
ination is determined by the location and severity
of the impact.
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The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s
seat. The sensors are designed to detect the
presence of a properly seated occupant and
determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag should
be enabled (may inate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear rather than the front
seat. We recommend that child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in
a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat, and an older child riding
in a booster seat.
If your vehicle has a rear seat that will
accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, there is
a label on your sun visor that says, “Never put
a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is
because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great
if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger’s airbag inates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the
inating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag if the system
detects a rear-facing child restraint, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend
that rear-facing child restraints be secured
in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger seat as
far back as it will go. It is better to secure
the child restraint in a rear seat.
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Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 456.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, rollover sensor
module, instrument panel, steering wheel,
ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim,
roof-mounted rollover airbag modules, or
airbag wiring can affect the operation of the
airbag system. If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 456.
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Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are
required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam
headlamps come on at a reduced brightness in
daylight when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp band is in the automatic
position.
The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, the low-beam headlamps
will be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on.
The instrument panel will not be lit up either.When you turn the exterior lamp band to the
headlamp position, your low-beam headlamps will
come on. The other lamps that come on with
your headlamps will also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular
lamps will go off, and your low-beam headlamps
will come on to the reduced brightness.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, move the
shift lever to PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you move the shift lever out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the exterior
lamps control is in the automatic position, the
headlamps will come on automatically. See
Headlamps on page 159.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on top of
the instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered,
or the headlamps will be on when you do not
need them.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the
airbag sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in
a crash, or they could even inate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a
few seconds when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.
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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.
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SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has been a
problem detected with the StabiliTrak®System.
A warning light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 182. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 298for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull
off the road as soon as possible and stop
carefully. Try resetting the system by turning the
ignition off and then back on. If this message
still stays on or turns back on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the
StabiliTrak
®System inspected by your dealer as
soon as possible.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
with the theft-deterrent system. A fault has
been detected in the system which means that the
system is disabled and it is not protecting the
vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you
may want to take the vehicle to your dealer
before turning off the engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+
Operation on page 113for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
This message displays if a part on the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is not working
properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of the
four sensors are missing or inoperable, the
warning comes on in about 20 minutes. A sensor
would be missing, for example, if you put
different wheels on your vehicle without
transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the
TPM. See your dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is not functioning properly. A
warning light also appears on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 182andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 297for more information.
Have the TCS serviced by your dealer as soon
as possible.
207

THEFT ATTEMPTED
This message displays if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while
you were away from your vehicle. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 111for more information.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM) system is re-learning the tire
positions. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 395. The tire positions must be re-learned
after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire
or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 399andInation - Tire Pressure on page 393
for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 297for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition
is in RUN and disappears after 10 seconds, unless
it is acknowledged or an urgent warning appears.Any of the following conditions may cause the
TCS to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing the
traction control button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 297for more
information.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your dealer for
service.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) turns on. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 297for more information.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off
the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for
more than about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn
signal on. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 151.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. The message will
not disappear until the turn signal is manually
turned off, or a turn is completed.
209

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 348for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 440for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine oil
change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter,
do the following:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Disconnect the air ow sensor electrical
connector.
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