warning light PONTIAC TORRENT 2009 User Guide

5. Press the release tab on the driver’s side of the
lter and pull out the edge of the lter.
6. Remove the lter from the vehicle.
7. Install a new passenger compartment air lter.
For the type of lter to use seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-15.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 5.Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention
to the warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when the engine is
started to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
3-24

Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime sounds for
several seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety
belt, unless the driver safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light
comes on and stays on
for several seconds, then
ashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor
the light comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is started, a chime
sounds for several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt. This only
occurs if the passenger airbag is enabled.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-63
for more information. The passenger safety belt
light, located on the instrument panel, comes on
and stays on for several seconds and then ashes
for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt warning light and
chime may turn on if an object is put on the seat such
as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the warning light and or
chime, remove the object from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.
3-27

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, 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 pretensioners, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-55.
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 the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inate in a crash, or they could even inate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a
few seconds when you start the engine. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed immediately.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49for
more information.
3-28

Charging System Light
If this light comes on while
you are driving, you may
have a problem with
the charging system.
A charging system Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may also appear. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-49for more information. This light
could indicate that you have problems with a generator
drive belt, or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. If you must drive a short distance with the light
on, be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on, there is
a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
The brake light is located in the instrument panel
cluster.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-30

When the ignition is on, the brake light will come on
when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on if
your parking brake does not release fully. A chime will
also sound if the parking brake is not fully released and
the vehicle is moving. If it stays on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a brake
problem.
The brake light will also come on to indicate a low
brake uid level. SeeBrakes on page 5-32for more
information.
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 4-26.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-30.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-31

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
Your vehicle has a
Traction Control System
(TCS) and StabiliTrak
®
warning light.
When the traction control is activated the light will
ash 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. This light may also
come on after extended heavy braking indicating the
brakes have become too hot to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on and stay on if the TCS is turned
off using the traction control on/off button, located
next to the gear shift lever.
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. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-7andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6
for 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 5-28for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause the vehicle to overheat.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-28. The vehicle’s
engine could be damaged, and it might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature warning light on.
3-32

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures
the temperature of the
vehicle’s engine coolant.
If the indicator needle moves towards the shaded in
thermostat, the engine is too hot. The engine coolant
temperature warning light will turn on. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 3-32
for more information.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, and the engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on, you should pull off the road,
stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring
system, this light comes
on briey when the engine
is started.
It provides information about tire pressures and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-49for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If a tire is underinated, inate to the
proper pressure. SeeTires on page 5-48for more
information.
3-33

This light comes on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally
the indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil
is not owing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other system
problem.
Change Engine Oil Light
If this light comes on and stays on for 30 seconds,
it means that service is required for your vehicle.
A CHANGE OIL SOON message will appear on the
DIC. For more information seeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-49.
After having the oil changed you will need to reset the
light. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15, andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-17, and
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation on
page 2-18.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes
on when the fog lamps are
in use.
The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off.
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-14for more information.
3-37

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 4-8
andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49
for 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/retailer right away.
SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 5-41andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-49for more information.
3-39

Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on,
the fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left in your tank.
When the indicator nears empty, the low fuel light will
come on. You still have a little fuel left, but you should get
more soon. SeeLow Fuel Warning Light on page 3-41for
more information.
Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took
a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage takes a few seconds to stabilize after the
ignition is turned on, and will go back to empty
when you turn the ignition off.
For your fuel tank capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-97.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light is located in
the fuel gage. For more
information seeFuel Gage
on page 3-41.
This light comes on when the fuel tank is low on fuel.
When you add fuel the light should go off. If it does not,
have your vehicle serviced.
A “Fuel Level LOW” message also appears in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeFuel Gage on page 3-41
for more information.
3-41