warning PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007 Owner's Manual

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.
148

CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been
fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure
that it is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the message off.
COMPETITIVE MODE
If your vehicle has this feature, this message
displays when the Competitive Driving mode is
selected. The Traction Control System (TCS) will
not be operating while in the Competitive Driving
mode and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument
panel cluster will be on solid. 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.
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message displays when the cruise control
system is active. SeeCruise Control on page 115
for more information.
DOOR AJAR
This message displays if one or more of the
vehicle’s doors are not closed properly. When this
message displays, make sure that the door(s)
are closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED
This message displays if the starting of the engine
is disabled. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) ACTIVE
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), this message displays and the
ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster
ashes when ESC is assisting you with directional
control of the vehicle. You may feel or hear the
system working and see this message displayed
in the DIC.
149

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.
150

SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem
with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), this message displays and a chime
sounds if there has been a problem detected with
ESC. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as
long as the detected problem remains present.
When this message displays, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Electronic Stability Control on page 200and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine
Only) on page 136for 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
ESC inspected by your dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message displays and a chime
sounds when the system is not functioning
properly. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. This light stays on
solid as long as the detected problem remains
present. When this message displays, the system
is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 198
andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light (2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information. Have the TCS serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible.
TRACTION OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message displays and the
ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster
comes on solid when the TCS is turned off. Adjust
your driving accordingly. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 198andElectronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine Only)
on page 136for more information.
151

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.
194

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

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System
(TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that the rear wheels are
spinning too much or are beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the
rear brakes and reduces engine power by
closing the throttle and managing engine spark to
limit wheel spin.
This light will ash
when your traction
control system is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.If your vehicle is in cruise control when TCS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 111.
When this light is on
solid and either the
SERVICE TRACTION
or TRACTION OFF
message is displayed,
the system will not
limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 148for more information.
The Traction Control System is automatically
enabled whenever you start your vehicle. To limit
wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave the system enabled.
You can turn TCS off if you ever need to.
198

It is recommended to leave the system on for
normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to
“rock” your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also
be necessary to turn off the system when driving
in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 224.
To turn the system off
or on, press and release
this button located on
the instrument panel.
The DIC will display the appropriate message as
described previously when you press the button.Traction Control Operation
Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying brakes to each
individual wheel (brake-traction control) as
necessary.
The traction control system is enabled
automatically when you start your vehicle, and it
will activate and ash the ESC/TCS light and
display the LOW TRACTION message if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction while driving. For more information
on the LOW TRACTION message, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 145.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to
spin excessively while the ESC/TCS, ABS and
Brake warning lights and the SERVICE ESC
and/or SERVICE TRACTION messages are
displayed, you could damage the differential.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin
the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.
199

This is normal and does not mean there is
a problem with your vehicle. The system
should initialize before the vehicle reaches
20 mph (32 km/h).
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the
ESC/TCS light will be on solid, and the ESC OFF
or SERVICE ESC message will be displayed.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 145andElectronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine Only)
on page 136.
This light will ash on
the instrument panel
cluster when the
ESC system is both
on and activated.
You may also feel or hear the system working;
this is normal.When the light is on solid and either the
SERVICE ESC or ESC OFF message is displayed,
the system will not assist the driver in maintaining
directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 148.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
automatically enabled whenever you start
your vehicle. To assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the system
on. But, you can turn ESC off if you ever need to.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the system
begins to assist the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will ash
and the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to use cruise
again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 115.
201

The ESC/TCS button
is located on the
instrument panel.
The traction control system can be turned off
or back on by pressing the ESC/TCS button.
To disable both traction control and ESC, press
and hold the button briey.
When the ESC system is turned off, the
TRACTION OFF and ESC OFF messages will
appear, and the ESC/TCS light will be on solid
to warn the driver that both traction control
and ESC are disabled.
It is recommended to leave the system on for
normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to
“rock” your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also
be necessary to turn off the system when driving
in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle isStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 224.
Also, see “Competitive Driving Mode” later in
this section.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. The ESC
OFF and SERVICE ESC messages and the
ESC/TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver
that ESC is disabled and requires service. If
the problem does not clear after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer for service.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 148for
more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 235for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console
two times within a ve second time period.
COMPETITIVE MODE will be displayed in the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 148for
more information. Competitive Driving Mode allows
the driver to have full control of the rear wheels
while the ESC system helps maintain directional
control of the vehicle by selective brake application.
202