transmission PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2006 User Guide

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than LOCK.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a discharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has a discharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-35for more information.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
2-26

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
If your vehicle has a manual transmission. Before leaving
your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal in, move the shift
lever in either FIRST (1) gear or REVERSE (R), and
rmly apply the parking brake. SeeManual Transmission
Operation on page 2-23.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
2-27

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your
vehicle when the engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-25andParking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission) on page 2-27.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Move the lever to the right for
nighttime use and to the left for daytime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If the vehicle has this mirror, while sitting in a comfortable
driving position, adjust the mirror so you can see clearly
behind the vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center and move
it up and down or side to side. The day/night control,
located at the bottom of the mirror, allows adjustment to
lessen glare from the lamps behind you. Flip the lever
right for nighttime use; ip the lever left for daytime use.
There are three OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom of
the mirror face. For more information about OnStar®and
the services it provides, seeOnStar®System on
page 2-30.
2-29

The parts of the manual convertible top that are used
when lowering and raising it are:
A. Front Edge
B. Side Edge
C. Rear Buttresses
D. Trunk
Notice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Notice:Lowering the convertible top when there are
objects in the storage area could damage it or break
the glass rear window. Always verify that no objects
are in the storage area before lowering the
convertible top.Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or dirty
can cause stains, mildew, and damage to the inside
of your vehicle. Dry off the top before lowering it.
Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in cold
weather (0°F/-18°C or lower), you may damage top
components. Do not lower the top in cold weather.
Notice:If you raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is in motion, you could damage the
top or the top mechanism. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R), turn the ignition off and
engage the parking brake before raising or lowering
the convertible top.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the convertible top can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
convertible top and its mechanism. Keep
people away from your vehicle when you are
lowering or raising the top.
2-34

Lowering the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking
brake. Shift an automatic transmission into
PARK (P). Shift a manual transmission into
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
2. Make sure the ignition is turned off.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Lift the trunk.
5. The convertible top front latch, located above the
inside rearview mirror, must be unlatched. Pull the
latch down and turn it counterclockwise to unlatch it.
Leave the latch open and rotated to prevent damage.6. Pull rearward on the side edge (B) of the convertible
top and pull it off of the windshield frame.
7. Push the convertible top down into the trunk (D).
8. After the top is stored, apply one even push, as
shown, on the convertible top to ensure that the
top is fully retracted and securely stored.
9. Close the trunk (D) by pressing down on it with a
swift, rm motion.
2-35

Raising the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake rmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
2. Make sure the ignition is turned off, and lower the
windows.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Lift the trunk.
5. Pull the convertible top forward by rmly gripping the
side edge (B) and applying a brisk upward and
forward motion to get the top in the pull-up position.6. Close the trunk (D) by pushing it down with a swift,
rm motion.
7. At the rear edge of the convertible top, press down
on the two buttresses (C) to latch them into the top
of the trunk.
8. Pull the front edge (A) of the convertible top forward
from the outside of the vehicle, or push the front
edge (A) of the convertible top forward from the
inside of the vehicle.
9. Turn the top front latch handle clockwise to latch
the convertible top.
2-36

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-17.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-20.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-21.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-69.
G. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-15.
H. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-25.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-14.
K. Drive Information Center (DIC) Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-36.L. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
M. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield Washer on
page 3-10.
N. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-17.
O. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). Accessory Power
Outlet (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-16andAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-15.
P. Shift Lever. SeeManual Transmission Operation on
page 2-23. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-20(if equipped with automatic transmission).
Q. Parking Brake Lever. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-24.
R. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-45.
S. Cupholder. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-33.
T. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-9.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-33.
3-5

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to increase speed.
1. Disengage the cruise control by applying the brake
pedal but do not turn it off. Accelerate to a higher
speed and reset the cruise control.
2. If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ button. Press it until you get up
to the speed you want, and then release the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ button briey and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET−part of the button until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−part of the button briey. Each time you
do this, you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and don’t use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end cruise control, step lightly on the brake pedal or
the clutch if your vehicle has a manual transmission.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch will only end the
current cruise control session. Press the cruise
control on/off button to turn the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-12

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):This position turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):This position
automatically turns on the Daytime Running Lamps
during daytime, and the headlamps, parking lamps, and
taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):This position is an Off/On switch for the
Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada, this applies
to vehicles with an automatic transmission set to
PARK (P) and manual transmission vehicles with the
parking brake engaged.
When operating in AUTO, a momentary turn of the
switch to off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp
System. An AUTO LIGHTS OFF message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC), if equipped, and
a chime will sound. Rotating the switch to off/on
again will turn the Automatic Headlamp System back
on. An AUTO LIGHTS ON message will display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
The Automatic Headlamp System is always turned on at
the beginning of an ignition cycle for vehicles with
manual transmission. When the parking brake is
engaged, the automatic headlamps will turn off. For
vehicles with an automatic transmission, when the shift
lever is shifted out of PARK (P), the Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on. Shifting the lever back to
PARK (P) will turn off the automatic headlamp system
for vehicles with an automatic transmission.
3-13

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
The check engine light comes on to indicate that there is
a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will
be indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
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.
3-30