lock PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 Owner's Guide

Your Responsibility
Increase the radio volume if you cannot hear the
OnStar advisor. If the light next to the OnStar buttons
is red, this means that your system is not functioning
properly and should be checked by your dealer/retailer.
If the light appears clear (no light is appearing), your
OnStar subscription has expired. You can always
press the OnStar button to conrm that your OnStar
equipment is active.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, lift the handle up. Use the key to lock
and unlock.
Cupholder(s)
There are two cupholders located in the center console,
press and release to extend forward.
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Lowering the Manual Convertible Top
1. Empty the trunk of all contents.
2. 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).
3. Make sure the ignition is turned off.
4. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
5. Lift the trunk.
6. 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 turned to prevent damage.
7. Pull rearward on the side edge (B) of the convertible
top and pull it off of the windshield frame.
8. Push the convertible top down into the trunk (D).
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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 full-up position.
6. 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.
7. Turn the top front latch handle clockwise to latch
the convertible top.
8. Close the trunk (D) by pressing down from the
rear center of it with a swift, rm motion.9. At the rear edge of the convertible top, press down
on the two buttresses (C) to latch them into the
top of the trunk.
A clear Mylar
®protective lm has been installed at the
factory on the trunk lid surface under the convertible
top buttresses. This lm is designed to help prevent
paint damage to the trunk lid. Do not remove this
protective lm. It is intended to remain permanently
affixed to the trunk lid surface.
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Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Fog Lamps..................................................3-14
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-15
Mirror Reading Lamps...................................3-15
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-15
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-16
Climate Controls............................................3-17
Climate Control System.................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-20
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-21
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-22
Tachometer.................................................3-22
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-23
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-24
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-25
Charging System Light..................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light.........................
.3-27
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-28
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light............................................3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-30
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-30
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-32
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-34
Security Light...............................................3-35
Reduced Engine Power Light
(2.4L Engine Only)....................................3-35
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-35
Trunk Ajar Light............................................3-36
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-36
Fuel Gage...................................................3-36
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-37
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

To tilt the wheel, pull down the lever. Then move the
wheel to a comfortable position, pull up the lever to
lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn
and Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
on page 3-8.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-8.
OExterior Lamp Control.
SeeHeadlamps on page 3-13.
3-7

Windshield Washer
To wash the windshield, press the button at the end of
the lever until the washers begin.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
When the button is released, the washers stop, but the
wipers continue to wipe about three times or resume
the previous speed.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, it can maintain a
speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really
help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip,
and you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
3-10

Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the fog lamp button will come on when the
fog lamps are on. Push the button again to turn the
fog lamps off.
The parking lamps will automatically turn on and off
when the fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
DInstrument Panel Brightness:The control for
this feature is located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
Entry/Exit Lighting
The lamps inside your vehicle will go on when you
open any door. These lamps will fade out after about
20 seconds after all of the doors have been closedor when the ignition is turned on. These lamps will
also go on when you press the trunk release, unlock
symbol button or the horn symbol on the Remote
Keyless Entry System (RKE) Transmitter.
The lamps inside the vehicle will stay on for about
20 seconds after the key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
Your vehicle has reading lamps on the rearview
mirror. Push the button to turn the reading lamps
on and off.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed to
protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system
automatically turns the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This prevents draining of the battery.
3-15

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating and
ventilation of your vehicle. You may also be able to
control the cooling of your vehicle, if your vehicle
has air conditioning. For a combination setting, move
the control between two modes.
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
indicator 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. Climate Control System with Air Conditioning
shown, Climate Control System without
Air Conditioning similar
3-17

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.
9(Fan):Turn the center knob on the control panel
to control the fan speed. Turn the knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed.
9(Off):Turn the center knob to this position to
turn the fan off.
?(Recirculation):Press the center knob on
the control panel to recirculate air inside the vehicle
and prevent outside air from coming in. It can be used
to prevent outside odors from entering your vehicle
and cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on
or off. An indicator light on the button will come on to
let you know the recirculation mode is activated.
Recirculation is available in the bi-level and vent modes.
If recirculation is selected in either oor/heat, oor/defog,
or defrost mode, the LED light will ash three times
indicating recirculation is not available in that mode.
The right knob on the control panel is used to direct the
airow inside your vehicle. Turn the knob to select one of
the following modes:
H(Vent):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct air to the instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):Turn the right knob on the control panel
to this mode to direct air to the instrument panel outlets,
and the remaining air to the oor outlets and the defroster
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
[(Floor):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct most of the air to the oor outlets. The
remaining air is directed to the side window and defroster
outlets. If there is little or no airow on the passenger
side, make sure that the carpet covering is tucked under
the oor outlets.
3-18

Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the
side of the instrument panel to direct the airow.
Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust
the direction and amount of airow inside the vehicle.
Move the louvers up or down or turn them clockwise
or counterclockwise to change the direction of the
airow.
Your vehicle has ow through ventilation that allows
outside air to be forced through the ventilation system
when the vehicle is moving. Outside air will enter
the vehicle when the air conditioning fan is running.
Flow through ventilation can be stopped in vent
and bi-level modes by pressing the recirculation button.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let you
know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
3-20