2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE oil reset

OIL LIFE
Press the information button until OIL LIFE is displayed.
The engine oil life system shows an estimate of the
oil’s remaining useful life. It will show 100% when the
system is reset after an oil change. It will alert you
to change your oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the
oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in
the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine
Oil on page 5-13andPart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 6-4.
Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. See “How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System” underEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16
and “OIL–LIFE RESET” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-40.
COOLANT
Press the information button until COOLANT is
displayed. This mode shows the temperature of the
engine coolant in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
or degrees Celsius (°C).
DIC Warnings and Messages
These warning messages will appear in the DIC display
if there is a problem detected in one of your vehicle’s
systems. With most messages, a warning chime
will sound when the message is displayed.
The messages will clear from the display when the
condition no longer exists. You can also acknowledge
and clear some messages from the display by pressing
and holding either the reset or information buttons.
The message will come back on the next time the
vehicle is turned off and back on if the condition still
exists. Your vehicle may have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message will display if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message will display if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
3-38

BRAKE FLUID
This message will display if the ignition is on to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as
possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message will display when the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still must
reset the engine oil life system separately. See
“OIL-LIFE RESET” underDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-40,Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16, and
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on page 6-4
for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message will display if the gas cap has not been
fully tightened. You should recheck your gas cap to
ensure that it is on properly. A few driving trips with the
cap properly installed should turn the message off.
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message will display when the cruise control
system is active. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for
more information.
DOOR AJAR
This message will display if one or more of the vehicle’s
doors are not closed properly. When this message
appears, you should make sure that the door(s)
are closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED
This message will display if the starting of the engine is
disabled. Have your vehicle serviced immediately by
your GM dealer.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW
This message will display if the remote keyless entry
transmitter battery is low. You should replace the battery
in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-4.
3-39

Personalization Menu Modes
UNITS
This feature allows you to select the units of
measurement in which the DIC will display the vehicle
information. When UNITS appears on the display, press
the reset button to scroll through the available settings:
ENGLISH (default in United States):All information
will be displayed in English units. For example, distance
will be shown in miles (mi) and fuel economy in miles
per gallon (mpg).
METRIC (default in Canada):All information will be
displayed in metric units. For example, distance will be
shown in kilometers (km) and fuel economy in liters
per 100 kilometers (L/100 km).
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the
next feature.
OIL-LIFE RESET
When this feature is displayed, you can reset the engine
oil life system. To reset the system, seeEngine Oil
Life System on page 5-16. See “OIL LIFE” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-36for more
information.
LOCK HORN
If your vehicle has remote keyless entry, this feature,
which allows the vehicle’s horn to chirp every time the
lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is
pressed, can be enabled or disabled. When LOCK HORN
appears on the display, press the reset button to scroll
through the available settings:
OFF (default):The horn will not chirp on the rst press
of the remote keyless entry transmitter lock button.
The horn will still chirp on the second press.
ON:The horn will chirp on the rst press of the lock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the next
feature.
3-41

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles
Without a Driver Information Center)
If your vehicle does not have a Driver Information
Center (DIC), change the engine oil and lter at the
intervals specied in the maintenance schedule. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center, it has
the Engine Oil Life System. SeeEngine Oil Life System
on page 5-16for information on when to change your
engine oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles
With Driver Information Center)
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC), it
has the Engine Oil Life System, a computer system
that lets you know when to change the engine oil and
lter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be
indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to
work properly, you must reset the system every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message will come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-38.
Change the oil as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you
are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained
service people who will perform this work using genuine
GM parts and reset the system. It is also important to
check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
5-16

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last
oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE OIL SOON message being turned on,
reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset
as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to RUN, with the engine off.
2. Press the information and reset buttons on the DIC
at the same time to enter the personalization menu.
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-40.3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes until the
DIC display shows OIL-LIFE RESET.
4. Press and hold the reset button until the DIC
display shows ACKNOWLEDGED. This will tell you
the system has been reset.
5. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the reset procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
5-17

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
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, you
will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. An engine coolant temperature warning
light will come on in the instrument panel to indicate that
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles (km)
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 5-13.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
5-25

Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
*If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
it also has the GM Oil Life System, a computer system
that lets you know when to change the oil and lter. This
is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will come on. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-38.Change
your oil as soon as possible within the next two times
you stop for fuel. See Engine Oil on page 5-13.It
is possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an
oil change is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and lter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset. It is
also important to check your oil regularly and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil Life System
on page 5-16 for information on resetting the system.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-20.
6-5