warning light PONTIAC TORRENT 2007 Owner's Manual

OIL PRSSURE (Pressure) LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine oil pressure is low, severe engine
damage may occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the
cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See
Engine Oil on page 349for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s
engine oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light
also appears on the instrument panel cluster. See
Oil Pressure Light on page 187.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage
can result from driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible when this message is
displayed.
PASSENGER DOOR FRONT/
REAR OPEN
This message displays when one or more of the
passenger’s doors are not closed properly.
When this message appears, make sure that all
passenger doors are closed completely.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to
your vehicle. See “LEARN REMOTE KEY” under
DIC Operation and Displays on page 195for
more information.
SERVICE A/C (Air Conditioning)
SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
detected in the air conditioning system. Have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem
with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 176for more information.
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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.
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SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has been a
problem detected with the StabiliTrak®System.
A warning light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 182. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 298for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull
off the road as soon as possible and stop
carefully. Try resetting the system by turning the
ignition off and then back on. If this message
still stays on or turns back on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the
StabiliTrak
®System inspected by your dealer as
soon as possible.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
with the theft-deterrent system. A fault has
been detected in the system which means that the
system is disabled and it is not protecting the
vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, you
may want to take the vehicle to your dealer
before turning off the engine. SeePASS-Key
®III+
Operation on page 113for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
This message displays if a part on the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system is not working
properly. If you drive your vehicle while any of the
four sensors are missing or inoperable, the
warning comes on in about 20 minutes. A sensor
would be missing, for example, if you put
different wheels on your vehicle without
transferring the sensors. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the
TPM. See your dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is not functioning properly. A
warning light also appears on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 182andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 297for more information.
Have the TCS serviced by your dealer as soon
as possible.
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SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions
related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
This message may display and a warning light on
the instrument panel cluster may be on after
rst driving the vehicle and exceeding 30 mph
(48 km/h) for 30 seconds. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 182.
The StabiliTrak
®System is not functional until the
light has turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 298for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays any time the StabiliTrak®
System turns off. When this message has
been displayed, StabiliTrak®is no longer available
to assist you with directional control of the
vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 298.
This message displays only while the ignition is
in RUN.Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak
®System to turn off:
The StabiliTrak®System is turned off by
pressing and holding the traction control
button. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 298
for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®System failure. See
your dealer for service.
STARTING DISABLD (Disabled)
SERVICE THRTTLE (Throttle)
This message displays if the starting of the engine
is disabled due to the electronic throttle control
system. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer
immediately.
This message only appears while the ignition is in
RUN, and will not disappear until the problem
is resolved.
This message cannot be acknowledged.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 297.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 339.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 180.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 339.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 181.
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The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system on. But you
can turn the traction control system off if you ever
need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow
and rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking
Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 321.
The traction control
system can be turned
off by pressing the
traction control button,
located next to the
gear shift lever.
The traction control system can be activated again
by pressing the traction control button.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button, the traction control off light will
appear on the instrument panel cluster. The
system will not turn off until there is no longer a
current need to limit wheel spin. You can turn the
system back on at any time by pressing thebutton again. If the light does not come on, you
may not have traction control and your vehicle
should be serviced by a dealer.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 339for more information.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has this feature. The StabiliTrak®
system is an advanced computer controlled system
that helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one
of the vehicle’s brakes and reducing engine power.
The StabiliTrak
®system comes on automatically
whenever you start your vehicle.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control
system and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will be on after rst driving
the vehicle and exceeding 30 mph 48 (km/h) for
30 seconds. The StabiliTrak
®system is off until the
light has turned off. This could take up to
15 minutes. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 200for more information.
298

The traction control system and StabiliTrak®
warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
ash when the system is operating. You may also
feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
StabiliTrak
®can be turned off using the traction
control button. To disable StabiliTrak®, press and
hold the traction control button for ve seconds.
StabiliTrak
®can be activated again by pressing the
traction control button.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be
displayed and the traction control system
and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on if there is a problem with
the system. When this light and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels
begin to slip, the rear wheels will automatically
begin to drive the vehicle as required. Torque is
also applied to the rear wheels during launches.
There may be a slight engagement noise during
hard use but this is normal.
This light is located on
the instrument panel
cluster.
This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
message in the DIC will come on and stay on
to indicate there may be a problem with the drive
system and service is required.
SeeService All-Wheel Drive Light on page 191
andDIC Warnings and Messages on page 200for
more information.
299

This light will come on
along with the ALL
WHEEL DRIVE OFF
message when the rear
drive system is
overheating.
This light will turn off when the rear drive system
cools down. If this light stays on, it must be
reset. To reset the light, turn the ignition off and
then back again. If the light stays on, see
your dealer for service.
See “All Wheel Drive Off” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 200for more information.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the
power steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the
electric power steering system is not functioning,
you can steer, but it will take more effort.If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, such as abnormally
high steering effort for a prolonged period of time,
contact your dealer for service repairs.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
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Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
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