brake PONTIAC TORRENT 2007 User Guide

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
underEngine Exhaust on page 127.
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 316.
{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 123.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 328.
128

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 148
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 150
Other Warning Devices............................. 150
Horn.......................................................... 150
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 151
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 151
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 152
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 152
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 153
Windshield Wipers..................................... 153
Windshield Washer.................................... 154
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...................... 155
Cruise Control........................................... 155
Headlamps................................................ 159
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 159
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 160
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 160
Fog Lamps................................................ 161
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 161
Dome Lamp.............................................. 162
Entry Lighting............................................ 162
Map Lamps............................................... 162
Cargo Lamp.............................................. 162
Electric Power Management...................... 163Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 164
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 164
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 165
Climate Controls......................................... 166
Climate Control System............................. 166
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 170
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 170
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 172
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 173
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 174
Trip Odometer........................................... 174
Tachometer............................................... 174
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 175
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 175
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 176
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 177
Battery Warning Light................................ 179
Brake System Warning Light..................... 180
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 181
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 182
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 182
Section 3 Instrument Panel
145

Setting Cruise Control
The cruise control light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on after the cruise control
has been set to the desired speed.
1. Press the on/off button to turn cruise control on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET−button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel
spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 297. When road conditions allow, the
cruise control can be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brakes. This
shuts off the cruise control. The cruise symbol in
the instrument panel cluster will also go off
indicating cruise is no longer engaged. To return
to your previously set speed, you do not need
to go through the set process again.
Once you are driving about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, press the +RES button on your steering
wheel. The vehicle will go back to the previous set
speed and stay there.
157

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Press and hold the +RES button on the
steering wheel until you reach your new
desired speed, then release it.
To increase vehicle speed in small amounts,
press the +RES button. Each time you do
this, you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the
steering wheel until the desired lower speed is
reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time you do this, the vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle
will slow down to the cruise control speed you set
earlier. However, if you use the accelerator to
increase the vehicle’s speed for approximately
60 seconds, cruise control will disengage.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills
depends upon your speed, load, and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills,
you may have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain your vehicle’s speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to limit the vehicle’s speed. Of course,
applying the brakes ends cruise control. Many
drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do not
use cruise control on steep hills.
158

Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the cancel button on the steering wheel.
Press the On/Off button on the steering
wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
When the cruise control or the ignition is turned
off, the cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the control
with this symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.The exterior lamp control has the following
positions:
AUTO (Off/Automatic Headlamps):Turn the
control to this position to put the headlamps
in automatic mode. Automatic mode will turn the
exterior lamps on and off depending upon
how much light is available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this
position to turn on the parking lamps together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
53(Headlamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off
and the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
159

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are
required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam
headlamps come on at a reduced brightness in
daylight when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp band is in the automatic
position.
The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, the low-beam headlamps
will be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on.
The instrument panel will not be lit up either.When you turn the exterior lamp band to the
headlamp position, your low-beam headlamps will
come on. The other lamps that come on with
your headlamps will also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular
lamps will go off, and your low-beam headlamps
will come on to the reduced brightness.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, move the
shift lever to PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you move the shift lever out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the exterior
lamps control is in the automatic position, the
headlamps will come on automatically. See
Headlamps on page 159.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on top of
the instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered,
or the headlamps will be on when you do not
need them.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
160

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
The brake light is located in the instrument panel
cluster.This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake light will come
on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake does not release
fully. A chime will also sound if the parking
brake is not fully released and the vehicle is
moving. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
The brake light will also come on to indicate a
low brake uid level. SeeBrakes on page 369for
more information.
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 326.
United StatesCanada
180

{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 (ABS),
the light will come
on when your engine is
started and stay on
for several seconds.
This 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 brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 180for more
information.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK. 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 180for more information.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
181

SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
system, this message displays along with
the service all-wheel drive light if a problem occurs
with this system. SeeService All-Wheel Drive
Light on page 191. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message on
the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the AWD
system needs service. See your dealer.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
with the generator and battery charging systems.
Driving with this problem could drain the
vehicle’s battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical system
checked by your dealer immediately.
Connecting a battery charger to your vehicle while
the ignition is in any position other than LOCK
may cause this message to appear. If you need to
charge your vehicle, make sure that the key is
in LOCK or out of the ignition during charging.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system
warning light also appears on the instrument panel
cluster when this message appears on the DIC.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 180.
Have the brake system serviced by your dealer as
soon as possible.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
On some vehicles, this message displays when a
problem is detected with the power steering
system. When this message is displayed, you may
notice that the effort required to steer the vehicle
increases or feels heavier, but you will still be able
to steer the vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately.
206

Your Driving, the Road, and Your
Vehicle..................................................... 290
Defensive Driving...................................... 290
Drunken Driving........................................ 291
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 294
Braking...................................................... 294
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 295
Braking in Emergencies............................. 297
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 297
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 298
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 299
Steering.................................................... 300
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 303
Passing..................................................... 303
Loss of Control.......................................... 305
Driving at Night......................................... 306Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 308
City Driving............................................... 311
Freeway Driving........................................ 312
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 313
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 314
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 314
Winter Driving........................................... 316
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 320
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 321
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 321
Towing........................................................ 326
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 326
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 326
Towing a Trailer........................................ 328
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
289