engine PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007 User Guide

Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use
REVERSE (R) to rock your vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging
your transmission. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 224for
additional information.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
You can also use NEUTRAL (N) when your
vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high
speed may damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting your vehicle.
83

Manual Transmission Operation
This is the shift pattern
for a manual
transmission.
Here is how to operate your manual transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going
less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1),
put the shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on
the clutch pedal. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let
up on the accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5):Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the
same way you do for SECOND (2).
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
85

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.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime
will sound and a warning message will be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph
(8 kph). SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 148.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. 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 you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
87

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and
your parking brake is rmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. If the vehicle
has an automatic transmission, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pushing the shift lock release button. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
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 87.
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).
88

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
91

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 91.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 220.
{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 87andParking
Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission) on page 89.
92

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 108
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 110
Other Warning Devices............................. 110
Horn.......................................................... 110
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 111
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 111
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 112
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 112
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 113
Windshield Wipers..................................... 113
Windshield Washer.................................... 114
Cruise Control........................................... 115
Headlamps................................................ 118
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 119
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 119
Fog Lamps................................................ 120
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 120
Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 120
Mirror Reading Lamps............................... 120
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 121
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 121
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 122Climate Controls......................................... 122
Climate Control System............................. 122
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 126
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 127
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 128
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 129
Tachometer............................................... 129
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 130
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 130
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 131
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 132
Charging System Light.............................. 134
Brake System Warning Light..................... 134
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 135
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only).................................. 136
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 137
Low Coolant Warning Light....................... 138
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 138
Section 3 Instrument Panel
105

Oil Pressure Light..................................... 142
Security Light............................................ 143
Reduced Engine Power Light
(2.4L Engine Only)................................. 143
Highbeam On Light................................... 143
Trunk Ajar Light........................................ 144
Service Vehicle Soon Light
(2.4L Engine Only)................................. 144
Fuel Gage................................................. 144
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 145
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 145
DIC Operation and Displays...................... 146
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 148
DIC Vehicle Personalization....................... 152Audio System(s)......................................... 157
Setting the Time (Without Date Display).... 158
Setting the Time (With Date Display)......... 159
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 161
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 166
Using an MP3........................................... 176
XM Radio Messages................................. 183
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 185
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 185
Radio Reception........................................ 186
Care of Your CDs..................................... 187
Care of the CD Player.............................. 187
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 187
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 187
Section 3 Instrument Panel
106

Temperature:Turn the left knob on the control
panel to adjust the temperature of the air in
the vehicle. Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease
the temperature.
#(Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning press the left knob on the control
panel to turn the air conditioning system on or off.
An indicator light on the button will come on to
let you know the air conditioning is activated.
When the system is on, this setting cools
and dehumidies the air entering your vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is
turned off. If air conditioning is selected with
fan off, the LED light will ash three times and
then turn off.
You may notice a slight change in engine
performance when the air conditioning compressor
turns off and turns on again. This is normal. The
system is designed to make adjustments to
help with fuel economy while still maintaining the
selected temperature.Air conditioning does not operate at temperature
below 40°F (4°C). In temperatures above 40°F
(4°C), the air conditioning cannot be turned off in
defrost, oor/defog, and recirculation modes
because it helps to remove moisture from the
vehicle. It also helps to keep the windows clear.
On hot days, open the windows to let the hot
inside air escape; then close them. This helps
reduce the time it takes for your vehicle to
cool down. It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioning to on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of
time may cause the air inside of your vehicle
to become too dry. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in your vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
123

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to
clear fog or frost from your windshield and side
windows. Use the defog mode to clear the windows
of fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Use
the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly. For best results, clear all
snow and ice from the windshield before defrosting.
Use a temperature setting that provides warm air.
The warmer the air the quicker the windows
will clear.
To prevent fogging on the inside of the windows in
modes other than oor/defog and defrost, make
sure the air conditioning compressor, if the vehicle
has one, is on and recirculation mode is off.
/(Floor/Defog):Turn the right knob on the
control panel to this mode to direct the air to the
windshield, the side window outlets, and to the oor
outlets. When you select this mode, the system
runs the air conditioning compressor unless the
outside temperature is near freezing or below.
0(Defrost):Turn the right knob on the control
panel to this mode to direct most of the air to
the windshield, and the side window outlets. When
you select this mode, the system runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is near or below freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows
are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window. Be
sure to clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible. An indicator light on the knob will
come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated. The rear window defogger
will turn off about fteen minutes after the
knob is pressed. If turned on again, the defogger
will run for about seven and one-half minutes
before turning off. If the vehicle speed is greater
than 50 mph (80 kph) and the rear defogger
is active, it will remain on as long as the speed is
greater than 50 mph (80 kph). The defogger
can also be turned off by pressing the knob again
or by turning off the engine.
125