lock PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 Repair Manual

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and the
road, you can have a very slippery situation. You have a
lot less traction, or grip, and need to be very careful.
What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is aboutfreezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
Traction control improves your ability to accelerate when
driving on a slippery road. Even if your vehicle has the
Traction Control System (TCS), slow down and adjust
your driving to the road conditions. Under certain
conditions, you might want to turn the TCS off, such as
when driving through deep snow and loose gravel, to help
maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds or if your vehicle
ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6,Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) on page 4-9,If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-23, andWinter Tires
on page 5-52.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin
and polish the surface under the tires even more.
Unless you have the Antilock Brake System (ABS), you
will want to brake very gently, too. If you do have ABS,
seeAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4. ABS
improves your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard
stop on a slippery road. Whether your vehicle has ABS
or not, begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. Without ABS, if you feel your vehicle begin to
slide, let up on the brakes a little. Push the brake pedal
down steadily to get the most traction you can.
4-20

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
the headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
4-22

Tires..............................................................5-51
Winter Tires.................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-55
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-59
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-61
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-67
Buying New Tires.........................................5-68
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-71
Wheel Replacement......................................5-72
Tire Chains..................................................5-74
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-75
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit....................5-76
Appearance Care............................................5-85
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-85
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-86
Leather.......................................................5-87
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces..................................................5-87
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-88Weatherstrips...............................................5-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-89
Finish Care..................................................5-89
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-90
Convertible Top............................................5-90
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels and Trim . . .5-91
Tires...........................................................5-91
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-92
Finish Damage.............................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance................................5-92
Chemical Paint Spotting
.................................5-92
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-93
Vehicle Identication......................................5-94
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-94
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-94
Electrical System............................................5-95
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-95
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-95
Floor Console Fuse Block..............................5-96
Underhood Fuse Block..................................5-97
Capacities and Specications........................5-101
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to
your vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance
and safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like
antilock brakes, traction control and stability control.
Some of these accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer/retailer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your
GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM Accessories, you will
know that GM-trained and supported service technicians
will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-48.
5-3

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries
to you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke
if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks,
ames, and smoking materials away from fuel.
Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel. Keep children away from
the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the
hook on the fuel door.
5-8

{CAUTION:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full,
and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overll the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have nished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel
from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-88.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until
it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. This would allow
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-32.Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The CHECK GAS CAP message displays if the fuel
cap is not properly installed. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-40for more information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer/ retailer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
t properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage your
fuel tank and emissions system. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-32.
5-9

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-36.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-29.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-37andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-35.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-41.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 5-40.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-41.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-97.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-36.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-29.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-37andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-35.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-41.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 5-40.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-41.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-97.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
5-15

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change the oil prior to a CHANGE OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press the information and reset buttons on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) at the same
time to enter the personalization menu.
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-44.
3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes until the
DIC display shows OIL-LIFE RESET.
4. Press and hold the reset button until the DIC
display shows ACKNOWLEDGED. This will tell
you the system has been reset.
5. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the reset procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it
by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have
a problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local recycling
center for help.
5-20

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The engine
could catch re and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer
hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about two or two and one-half turns. If you hear a
hiss, wait for that to stop. This will allow any pressure
still left to be vented out the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
5-33