tow PONTIAC TORRENT 2007 User Guide

Automatic Transaxle Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console.
When you change gears, the different shift positions
will display on the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for the
automatic transaxle.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is 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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 123.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 328.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system.
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You must fully apply your regular brakes rst and
then press the shift lever button before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the shift lever button
and move the shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 125.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 320.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
Notice:Shifting to a drive gear from
NEUTRAL (N) while the vehicle is moving
could damage the transaxle. Make sure the
vehicle is stopped before shifting from
NEUTRAL (N) into a drive gear.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving with
the automatic transaxle. It provides the best fuel
economy for your vehicle. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 305.
INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
without using your brakes for slight downgrades
where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due
to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or
downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills, this
position can be used to prevent repetitive types of
shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I)
instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding
roads and when towing a trailer, so that there is less
shifting between gears.LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually
using your brakes. You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into
LOW (L) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
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Transaxle Overheating
If the transaxle uid temperature rises above
284°F (140°C) or rises rapidly, the Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light will ash. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 182for more information. When the transaxle
overheats it will go into a protection mode and
will default shift into fth gear if in the DRIVE (D)
position, or second gear if in the LOW (L)
position. Continue driving the vehicle in either
position depending on the required vehicle speed
and load. Once the uid temperature lowers to
the normal temperature range, the transaxle
will return to the normal shift patterns. Towing or
driving on long hills can cause the transaxle
uid temperature to be higher than normal. If the
transaxle uid temperature will not cool, you
may need to pull over and check the transaxle
uid level. You should also check the engine
coolant temperature. If it is hot, seeEngine
Overheating on page 360.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to the right of
the driver’s seat.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the
ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the brake lever all the way down.
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Make sure to release the parking brake before
driving the vehicle.
If the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is
moving at least 4 mph (6 km/h), a chime will
activate to remind you to release the parking brake.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 328.
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).
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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.
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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.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
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.
There are also OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 133for
more information about the services OnStar®
provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
If your 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 133.
The mirror includes a display in the upper right
corner of the mirror face that shows the compass
reading.
O(On/Off):Press this button to operate the
automatic dimming and compass 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.
Press and hold the on/off button for about
four seconds to manually turn the automatic
dimming function on or off.
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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
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 display in the upper right
corner of the mirror that shows the compass
reading.
OOn/Off:Press this button to operate the
automatic dimming and compass features.
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Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar®and Compass on page 129for information
on Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation and
Compass Operation.
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.
Both mirrors can manually be folded by pulling
them toward the vehicle. This feature may
be useful when going through a car wash or a
conned space. Push the mirrors away from the
vehicle, to the normal position, before driving.
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Rear Compartment Storage
Panel/Cover
Your vehicle may have 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.
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