automatic transmission PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 Owner's Guide

At Least Once a Month
Tire Inspection and Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires for wear and make
sure they are inated to the correct pressures.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-25.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The vehicle should start only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the vehicle
starts in any other position, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL, push the clutch pedal down halfway,
and try to start the engine. The vehicle should start
only when the clutch pedal is pushed down all the
way to the oor. If the vehicle starts when the clutch
pedal is not pushed all the way down, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
6-9

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-25.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the ignition should
turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever is in
PARK (P). The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
With a manual transmission, the ignition key should
come out only in LOCK/OFF.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. It
should only lock when turned to the right. Contact your
dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-10

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
(2.4L L4
engine)Engine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Oil
(2.0L L4 engine)The engine requires a special engine
oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M.
Oils meeting this standard can be
identied with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
However, not all synthetic API oils
with the starburst symbol will meet
this GM standard. Look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard
GM4718M. For the proper viscosity,
seeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-24.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Manual
TransmissionManual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021806,
in Canada 89021807).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021677,
in Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
6-12

Audio System(s).............................................3-53
Automatic Door Lock......................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock...................................... 2-8
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-40
Run-Down Protection...................................3-15
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-37
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps.....5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-46
Headlamps.................................................5-47
License Plate Lamps....................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-68
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-101
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-9, 2-29, 4-19, 4-29
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-88
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-63
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-36
Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-32
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-92
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-29
Infants and Young Children...........................1-25
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-31
Older Children.............................................1-22
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-32
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-91
Convertible Top...........................................5-90
2

Light (cont.)
Reduced Engine Power................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-23
Security.....................................................3-35
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-36
Tire Pressure..............................................3-31
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-36
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-15
Lights............................................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Limited-Slip Rear Axle....................................... 4-9
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-24
Locks
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Manual Door................................................ 2-7
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-30
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-37M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-14
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-24
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Manual Windows............................................2-11
7

T
Tachometer....................................................3-22
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-48
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-68
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-13
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-15
PASS-Key®III+ Operation.............................2-15
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Time, Setting..................................................3-50
Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-31
Tires.............................................................5-51
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning.................................................5-91
Buying New Tires........................................5-68
Chains.......................................................5-74
Cleaning....................................................5-91
Different Size..............................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-75
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-58
Inspection and Rotation................................5-65
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-61
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-59
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit...................5-76
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-55Tires (cont.)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-71
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-72
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-67
Winter Tires................................................5-52
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-29
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-29
Your Vehicle...............................................4-29
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-6
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.................................... 4-9
Traction Control System...................................3-29
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-23
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-23
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-22
Transmission Operation, Manual........................
2-24
Trunk.............................................................. 2-9
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-36
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-70
Using this Manual............................................... iii
11