2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE automatic transmission

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{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. 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.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever 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).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you have
moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing the
button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into PARK (P).
2-25

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than LOCK.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a discharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has a discharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-35for more information.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer or a professional towing service.
2-26

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-25andParking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission) on page 2-27.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Move the lever to the right for
nighttime use and to the left for daytime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If the vehicle has this mirror, while sitting in a comfortable
driving position, adjust the mirror so you can see clearly
behind the vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center and move
it up and down or side to side. The day/night control,
located at the bottom of the mirror, allows adjustment to
lessen glare from the lamps behind you. Flip the lever
right for nighttime use; ip the lever left for daytime use.
There are three OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom of
the mirror face. For more information about OnStar®and
the services it provides, seeOnStar®System on
page 2-30.
2-29

The parts of the manual convertible top that are used
when lowering and raising it are:
A. Front Edge
B. Side Edge
C. Rear Buttresses
D. Trunk
Notice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Notice:Lowering the convertible top when there are
objects in the storage area could damage it or break
the glass rear window. Always verify that no objects
are in the storage area before lowering the
convertible top.Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or dirty
can cause stains, mildew, and damage to the inside
of your vehicle. Dry off the top before lowering it.
Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in cold
weather (0°F/-18°C or lower), you may damage top
components. Do not lower the top in cold weather.
Notice:If you raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is in motion, you could damage the
top or the top mechanism. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R), turn the ignition off and
engage the parking brake before raising or lowering
the convertible top.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the convertible top can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
convertible top and its mechanism. Keep
people away from your vehicle when you are
lowering or raising the top.
2-34

Lowering the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking
brake. Shift an automatic transmission into
PARK (P). Shift a manual transmission into
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
2. Make sure the ignition is turned off.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Lift the trunk.
5. The convertible top front latch, located above the
inside rearview mirror, must be unlatched. Pull the
latch down and turn it counterclockwise to unlatch it.
Leave the latch open and rotated to prevent damage.6. Pull rearward on the side edge (B) of the convertible
top and pull it off of the windshield frame.
7. Push the convertible top down into the trunk (D).
8. After the top is stored, apply one even push, as
shown, on the convertible top to ensure that the
top is fully retracted and securely stored.
9. Close the trunk (D) by pressing down on it with a
swift, rm motion.
2-35

Raising the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake rmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
2. Make sure the ignition is turned off, and lower the
windows.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Lift the trunk.
5. Pull the convertible top forward by rmly gripping the
side edge (B) and applying a brisk upward and
forward motion to get the top in the pull-up position.6. Close the trunk (D) by pushing it down with a swift,
rm motion.
7. At the rear edge of the convertible top, press down
on the two buttresses (C) to latch them into the top
of the trunk.
8. Pull the front edge (A) of the convertible top forward
from the outside of the vehicle, or push the front
edge (A) of the convertible top forward from the
inside of the vehicle.
9. Turn the top front latch handle clockwise to latch
the convertible top.
2-36

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-17.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-20.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-21.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-69.
G. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-15.
H. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-25.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-14.
K. Drive Information Center (DIC) Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-36.L. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
M. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield Washer on
page 3-10.
N. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-17.
O. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). Accessory Power
Outlet (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-16andAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-15.
P. Shift Lever. SeeManual Transmission Operation on
page 2-23. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-20(if equipped with automatic transmission).
Q. Parking Brake Lever. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-24.
R. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-45.
S. Cupholder. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-33.
T. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-9.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-33.
3-5

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):This position turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):This position
automatically turns on the Daytime Running Lamps
during daytime, and the headlamps, parking lamps, and
taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):This position is an Off/On switch for the
Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada, this applies
to vehicles with an automatic transmission set to
PARK (P) and manual transmission vehicles with the
parking brake engaged.
When operating in AUTO, a momentary turn of the
switch to off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp
System. An AUTO LIGHTS OFF message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC), if equipped, and
a chime will sound. Rotating the switch to off/on
again will turn the Automatic Headlamp System back
on. An AUTO LIGHTS ON message will display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
The Automatic Headlamp System is always turned on at
the beginning of an ignition cycle for vehicles with
manual transmission. When the parking brake is
engaged, the automatic headlamps will turn off. For
vehicles with an automatic transmission, when the shift
lever is shifted out of PARK (P), the Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on. Shifting the lever back to
PARK (P) will turn off the automatic headlamp system
for vehicles with an automatic transmission.
3-13