warning light PONTIAC TORRENT 2006 Owner's Manual

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out
for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention
to traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for
a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-21.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-20

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies
in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-46.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple
of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
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
will have a lot less traction, or grip, and will need to be
very careful.
4-26

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. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change your oil prior to a change engine oil
light being turned on, reset the system.
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
three times within ve seconds.
The change engine oil light will ash while the
system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the change engine oil light comes back on and
stays on when you start your vehicle, the engine oil
life system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may 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 your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
5-17

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid level.
A transaxle uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the uid at the intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure to use
the transaxle uid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-11.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transaxle
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always use
the automatic transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-11.
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 100,000 miles
(166 000 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 5-23.
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.
5-21

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is lled
with DOT-3 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level
in the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the uid
level goes back up. The other reason is that uid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should
have your brake system xed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work well, or will
not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add
uid when your linings are worn, then you will have
too much uid when you get new brake linings.You should add or remove brake uid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-28.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving,
except when you are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
5-32

{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes will not work well. That could lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Your rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and inspected each time the
tires are removed for rotation or changing. When you
have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system — for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change — for
the worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
5-33

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-58

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-62
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-83
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
Airbag System................................................1-53
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-62
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-59
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-61
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-59
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-60
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-58
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-55
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-40
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-10
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-81
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....3-81
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-29Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-77
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-80
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-78
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-74
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-75
Finish Care.................................................5-78
Finish Damage............................................5-80
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-76
Leather......................................................5-76
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-80
Tires..........................................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-80
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-81
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-77
Weatherstrips..............................................5-77
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-78
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-19
Audio System(s).............................................3-38
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-79
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-81
Care of Your CDs........................................3-80
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-81
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-81
Radio with CD....................................3-40, 3-50
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-65
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Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time..........................................3-40
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-79
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-80
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-81
Automatic Door Lock......................................... 2-8
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-19
B
Battery..........................................................5-34
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Battery Warning Light......................................3-27
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-22
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brakes..........................................................5-32
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-15
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-42
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-43
Buying New Tires...........................................5-56
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-88
Carbon Monoxide....................2-10, 2-25, 4-26, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-77
Your CD Player...........................................3-81
Your CDs ...................................................3-80
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-17
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Chains, Tire...................................................5-61
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-32
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-80
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children...........................1-33
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-42
Older Children.............................................1-30
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-50
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-81
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-79
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-78
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-75
Finish Care.................................................5-78
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-74
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-76
Leather......................................................5-76
Tires..........................................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-80
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-77
Weatherstrips..............................................5-77
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-78
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-27
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-73
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-13
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-40
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-31
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-31
Heater, Engine............................................2-18
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-34
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
3