engine coolant PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 Owners Manual

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

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause your vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not
be covered by your warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant level in
your vehicle is low. If the light is on you may have a
serious overheating problem.
Notice:Driving with the low coolant warning light
on could cause your vehicle to overheat. See “Engine
Overheating” underEngine Coolant on page 5-24.
Your vehicle could be damaged and the damages
might not be covered by your warranty.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for more information.
Your vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.
3-30

MPG (L/100 KM) INST (Instantaneous)
Press the information button until MPG (L/100 KM) INST
displays. This mode shows the current fuel economy
at a particular moment and changes frequently as
driving conditions change. This mode shows the
instantaneous fuel economy in miles per gallon (mpg)
or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km). Unlike average
fuel economy, this screen cannot be reset.
AV (Average) SPEED
Press the information button until AV SPEED displays.
This mode shows the vehicle’s average speed in
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
To reset the average vehicle speed, press and hold
the reset button while AV SPEED is displayed.
OIL LIFE
Press the information button until OIL LIFE displays.
The engine oil life system shows an estimate of the oil’s
remaining useful life. It shows 100% when the system
is reset after an oil change. It alerts you to change the oil
on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring
the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine
Oil on page 5-15andScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4.Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. See “How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System”
underEngine Oil Life System on page 5-19.
COOLANT
Press the information button until COOLANT displays.
This mode shows the temperature of the engine coolant
in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C).
Tire Pressure
The pressure for each tire can be viewed in the DIC.
The tire pressure is shown in either pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). Press the information
button until LF ## PSI (kPa) ## RF displays for the
front tires. Press the information button again until
LR ## PSI (kPa) ## RR displays for the rear tires.
If a low tire pressure condition is detected by the system
while driving, a message advising you to check the
tire pressure appears in the display. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-58andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-40for more information.
BOOST (Turbo Only)
If your vehicle has this feature, press the information
button until BOOST displays. 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).
3-39

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-23Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-41
Rear Axle.......................................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming
...........................................5-46
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-46
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-46
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps......5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-48
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-48
License Plate Lamp......................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from
the container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if
this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and
others:
Dispense fuel only into approved
containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the
inside of the ll opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the lling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-10

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

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-24

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your 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:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer/retailer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could damage
your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture of the
engine coolant listed in this manual for the cooling
system. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for more information.
5-25

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
COLD FILL line.
Do not overll the surge tank. Too much coolant can
result in an overow condition when the uid is hot.
5-26