brake PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007 Owner's Manual

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 (DRL) 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 brief 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 the vehicle has one, and a chime
will sound. Turning 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.
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Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off
and the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
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
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel that helps control the DRL. Make
sure it is not covered or the headlamps will
come on when they are not needed.The DRL system makes both low beam headlamps
turn on at reduced intensity when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, and instrument panel lights will
not be on.
The DRL system turns off on U.S. vehicles by
using the on/off switch for one ignition cycle, if the
vehicle is in the PARK (P) position, or if the
vehicle speed is less than 5 mph (8 km h) after
the vehicle is started.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada the DRL system
will turn off when a automatic transmission
vehicle is in the PARK (P) position or the park
brake is set on a manual transmission vehicle and
the vehicle speed is less than 8 mph (13 km h).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when it is needed.
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Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briey
when you turn on the
ignition, and when
the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. Have it checked by your dealer.
Driving while this light is on could drain your
battery.
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 warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to 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
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When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have
a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. 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 231.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have
the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when your engine is
started and may stay on for several seconds.
That is normal.
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If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then
start the engine again to reset the system. If the
light still stays on after driving at a speed of at least
13 mph (20 km/h), or comes on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still have
brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you
do not have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 134.
The ABS warning light will come on briey when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only)
This light is located in
the center of the
instrument panel cluster.
For vehicles that have the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system or the Traction Control
System (TCS), this warning light should come on
briey when the engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. This light, along with the appropriate
Driver Information Center (DIC) messages,
indicates when the ESC system and the TCS are
working or are disabled.
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BOOST (Turbo Only)
If your vehicle has this feature, press the
information button until BOOST is displayed. This
mode shows a graphic that indicates the amount
of boost the engine is receiving in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message will clear when the vehicle’s condition
is no longer present. To acknowledge a message
and clear it from the display, press and hold
any of the DIC buttons. If the condition is still
present, the warning message will come back on
the next time the vehicle is turned off and back
on. With most messages, a warning chime sounds
when the message displays. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays to inform the driver that the
brake uid level is low while the ignition is on.
The brake system warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 134for more information.
Have the brake system serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine
oil has expired and it should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you
still must reset the engine oil life system
separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 252andPart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 336for more information.
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Slippery road conditions may exist when this
message is displayed, so adjust your driving
accordingly. This message may stay on for a few
seconds after ESC stops assisting you with
directional control of the vehicle. This is normal
when the system is operating. SeeElectronic
Stability Control on page 200andElectronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine
Only) on page 136for more information.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) OFF
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), this message displays and the
ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on solid when ESC is turned off. Adjust
your driving accordingly. SeeElectronic Stability
Control on page 200andElectronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine Only) on
page 136for more information.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW
This message displays if the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter battery is low. Replace the
battery in the transmitter. See “Battery
Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 62.
LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS), this message displays and the ESC/TCS
light on the instrument panel cluster ashes
when the system is actively limiting wheel spin.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message
is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly.
This message stays on for a few seconds after the
system stops limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 198and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L
Engine Only) on page 136for more information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 86for
more information.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 190
Defensive Driving...................................... 190
Drunken Driving........................................ 191
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 194
Braking...................................................... 194
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 195
Braking in Emergencies............................. 197
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 198
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 200
Electronic Stability Control......................... 200
Steering.................................................... 203
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 206
Passing..................................................... 206
Loss of Control.......................................... 208
Driving at Night......................................... 209Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 211
City Driving............................................... 214
Freeway Driving........................................ 215
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 216
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 217
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 218
Winter Driving........................................... 220
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 224
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 225
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 226
Towing........................................................ 231
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 231
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 231
Towing a Trailer........................................ 231
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
189

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the
brakes, the steering, and the accelerator. All
three systems have to do their work at the places
where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 198and
Electronic Stability Control on page 200.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 235.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 134.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 235.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your ABS will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a
little. This is normal.
195