tow PONTIAC TORRENT 2006 User Guide

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-38.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
by holding in the button on the shift lever and
pushing it all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever
was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-23

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-25.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-23.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
2-26

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
To adjust the angle of the mirror, move the mirror
to a position that allows you see to out of the back
window. To adjust the height of the mirror, adjust
the arm that connects the mirror to the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the
lever toward you to the night position.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with OnStar
®, Compass
and Temperature Display
If the vehicle has this feature, an automatic dimming
mirror automatically dims to the proper level to
minimize glare at night from lights behind your vehicle.
For more information about OnStar
®, seeOnStar®
System on page 2-32.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading
and the outside temperature will both appear in
the display at the same time.
Y(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned on
each time the ignition is started. A light near the
on/off button will come on to indicate the automatic
dimming is on.
Press the on/off button for about four seconds to
manually turn the automatic dimming function
on or off.
Temperature and Compass Display
Press the on/off button, located to the far left, to cycle
between °F, °C and off.
If the display reads CAL, the compass needs to be
calibrated. For more information, see “Compass
Calibration” later in this section.
If an abnormal temperature reading is displayed for
an extended period of time, please consult your dealer.
Under certain circumstances, especially in idle, an
increase and delay in updating the temperature
is normal.
2-27

Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
After approximately ve seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed,
push the on/off button for approximately 12 seconds
or until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with Compass and
Temperature Display
If the vehicle has this feature, the automatic dimming
mirror automatically dims to the proper level to minimize
glare at night from lights behind your vehicle.
The mirror also has a dual display in the upper right
corner of the mirror that shows the compass reading
and the outside temperature.
YOn/Off:Press this button to operate the automatic
dimming, compass and temperature features.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned on
each time the ignition is started. A light near the
on/off button will come on to indicate the automatic
dimming is on.
If the automatic dimming function is off, press and
hold the on/off button for four seconds to manually
turn the system back on.
2-29

Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
If CAL is displayed while driving in the vehicle.
After approximately ve seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, push
in the on/off button for approximately eight seconds
or until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
power mirrors are located
on the instrument panel.
To adjust the mirrors do the following:
1. Move the selector switch to the left or right to
choose the driver’s or passenger’s mirror.
2. Press the corresponding edges of the round control
pad to move each mirror to the desired direction.
Adjust each outside mirror so that you can see a little of
your vehicle, and the area behind your vehicle.
2-31

Rear Compartment Storage
Panel/Cover
Your vehicle may be equipped with an adjustable
panel/cargo cover feature. The panel/cargo cover
can be adjusted into three positions.
There is a ip panel towards the front of the cargo
cover. You may have to ip this panel upward in
order to gain access to the cargo cover.To use the panel in the lower position, do the following:
1. Insert the front corners of the panel into the
lower guides.
2. Slide the panel forward.
3. Press down on the back of the panel to lock it
in place.
The panel can be used in this position if you need
additional space above the panel. Place the cargo
on top of the panel in this position.
2-37

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the
instrument panel
cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you complete
the lane change. The lever will return by itself when
you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-83and for burned-out bulbs.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or
high beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the way
towards you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If the wiper blades are frozen to the
windshield, gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do
become damaged, install new blades or blade inserts.
SeeWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-45.
3-8

Windshield Washer
{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.
Pull the windshield wiper lever toward you to operate
the windshield wipers. Washer uid will squirt onto
the windshield and the wipers will run for a few cycles
to clear the windshield. For more wash cycles, pull
the lever toward you and hold it there.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The band on the wiper lever with the smaller arrow
operates the rear wiper/washer.
9(Off):Turn the band to this position to turn off
the rear wiper.
Z(Rear Wiper):Turn the band with the smaller
arrow to this position to turn on the rear wiper. To set
for a shorter or longer delay between wipes, turn
the other band with the larger arrow pointing to the
numbers (1, 2, or 3). Select 3 for the most frequent
movement; select 1 for the least frequent. The band
with the arrow pointing to the numbers (1, 2, or 3) will
affect both the front and rear wipers if they are on at
the same time.
Y(Wash):Turn and hold the band in this position
to spray washer uid on the rear window. The rear wiper
will also come on. Release the band when enough
uid has been sprayed on the window. The rear wiper
will run a few additional times after you release it.
3-10

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to
the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning
light on can lead to an accident. If the light
is still on after you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the anti-lock portion of the
brake system. If the red BRAKE light is not on, you
still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you
do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
3-29

This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
3-33