coolant temperature PONTIAC TORRENT 2008 User Guide

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If the air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If you are in a traffic
jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets your vehicle be
driven to a safe place in an emergency situation. If an
overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
there is a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage indicates an
overheat condition exists. Driving extended distances
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
5-26

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield or rear window washer uid
be sure to read the instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Windshield Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage the vehicle’s
windshield washer system and paint.
5-33

Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Interior.......................................................5-88
Leather......................................................5-91
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
Clock............................................................3-68
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................3-49
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-4
Convenience Net............................................2-48
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-23Cooling System..............................................5-27
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-41
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-43
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-16
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-16
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-15
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-7
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking.............................................2-12
DIC Compass.................................................3-49
Disc, MP3.............................................3-90, 3-95
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-17
3

Door
Ajar Light...................................................3-43
Delayed Locking..........................................2-12
Locks........................................................2-11
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-45
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-60
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-52
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-14
Before a Long Trip......................................4-16
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-17
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-15
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-22
Winter........................................................4-18
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System..................3-101E
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-99
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-99
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-36
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-26
Overheating................................................5-25
Reduced Power Light...................................3-41
Running While Parked..................................2-36
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
4

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-76
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-86
Fluid.............................................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-32
Windshield Washer......................................5-33
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-40
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-10
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-8
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-43
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-44Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-99
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Gate Ajar Light...............................................3-42
Glove Box.....................................................2-43
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-46
5

Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide........................................2-13
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-29
All-Wheel Drive Disabled..............................3-42
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-34
Brake System Warning.................................3-33
Change Engine Oil......................................3-40
Charging System.........................................3-32
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Door Ajar...................................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-35
Fog Lamp..................................................3-40
Gate Ajar...................................................3-42
Highbeam On.............................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-44
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-39
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-30
Reduced Engine Power................................3-41
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-28
Security.....................................................3-40
Service All-Wheel-Drive................................3-42
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-43
TCS Warning Light......................................3-34
Tire Pressure..............................................3-36
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-34Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-17
Lights............................................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-22
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-12
Door..........................................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-44
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-43
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
7