trailer PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2009 Owners Manual

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................4-10
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Driving at Night............................................4-13
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-15
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-19
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-20
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-20
Towing..........................................................4-25
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-25
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-25
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-25
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended
to tow a trailer.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 1=400 lbs (181 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight @ 150 lbs
(68kg)x1=150 lbs (68 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =250 lbs (113 kg)
Example 1
4-22

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some
of them are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing the vehicle
may cause damage because of reduced ground
clearance. Always put the vehicle on a atbed truck
or trailer.
The vehicle was neither designed nor intended to be
towed with any of its wheels on the ground. If the vehicle
must be towed, see “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in
this section.
Towing a Trailer
The vehicle is neither designed nor intended to tow a
trailer.
4-25

Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-29
Tire Sealant
Storing.......................................................5-89
Tires.............................................................5-47
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning.................................................5-96
Buying New Tires........................................5-63
Chains.......................................................5-70
Cleaning....................................................5-96
Different Size..............................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-70
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-53
Inspection and Rotation................................5-60
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-56
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-54
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit...........5-71, 5-80
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-49
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-50
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-62
Winter Tires................................................5-48
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-25
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-25
Your Vehicle...............................................4-25Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..................................4-10
Traction Control System...................................3-27
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-23
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-19
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-22
Trunk.............................................................. 2-8
Trunk Ajar Light
..............................................3-33
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-6
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Loading......................................................4-20
Parking Your...............................................2-26
Running While Parked..................................2-28
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-15
11