2006 PONTIAC TORRENT brake light

Passlock®
Your vehicle has the Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
This light will come
on for the theft-deterent
system and is located
on the instrument
panel cluster.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock®
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition
lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
until the light stops ashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from START
as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the security light comes
on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn
the engine off. However, your Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at
this time. You may also want to check the fuses.
See your dealer for service.
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38for
the trailer towing capabilities of your
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
2-15

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving with the automatic transaxle. 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.
LOW FOUR (L4):This position is also used for
normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower
fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose LOW FOUR (L4)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When going down a steep hill.
LOW TWO (L2):This position gives you more
power but lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D). You can use LOW TWO (L2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want
to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not drive in LOW TWO (L2) for more
than 25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or LOW FOUR
(L4) as much as possible. Do not shift into
LOW TWO (L2) unless you are going slower than
65 mph (105 km/h) or you can damage your engine.
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.
Transaxle Overheating
If the transaxle uid temperature rises above
284°F (140°C) or rises rapidly, the Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light will ash. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 3-31for
more information. When the transaxle overheats it will go
into a protection mode and will default shift into fth gear
if in the AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) position, or
second gear if in the LOW TWO (L2) 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 5-23.
2-21

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.
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.
2-22

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamp.................................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Map Lamps.................................................3-17
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Trip Odometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-26
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-26
Battery Warning Light....................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-28
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-29
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-30
Low Traction Light........................................3-30
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-32
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-35
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-36
Security Light...............................................3-36
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-36
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-37
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light...........................................3-37
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

RES+ (Resume):Press this symbol to resume a
set speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET−(Set):Press this symbol to set a speed and
to decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the on/off symbol to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET−symbol and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction Control
System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9. When road conditions allow,
the cruise control can be used again.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brakes. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. The cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster will also go out indicating cruise
is no longer engaged. To return to your previously set
speed, you do not need to go through the set process
again. Once at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can press the RES+ symbol briey.
This will take you back up to your previously chosen
speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ symbol. Hold it there until you
get up to the speed you want, and then release
the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ symbol briey and then release
it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-12

Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET−symbol until you reach
the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−symbol briey. Each time you do this, you
will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
However, if you use the accelerator to increase the
vehicle’s speed for approximately 60 seconds, cruise
control will disengage.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep your vehicle’s speed
down. Of course, applying the brakes ends cruise
control. Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble
and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end a cruise control session, step lightly on the
brake pedal.
Stepping on the brake will end the current cruise control
session only. Press the cruise on/off button to turn off
the system completely.
If the driver takes over the acceleration pedal for more
than sixty seconds, cruise control will shut off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the control with
this symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has the following positions:
AUTO (Off/Automatic Headlamps):Turn the control to
this position to put the headlamps in automatic mode.
Automatic mode will turn the exterior lamps on and
off depending upon how much light is available outside
of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this
position to turn on the parking lamps together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
53(Headlamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off and the
lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on,
the exterior lamp band is in the automatic position,
the transaxle is not in PARK (P),
the light sensor determines it is daytime, and
the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, the low-beam headlamps will be
on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps will not be on. The instrument panel
will not be lit up either.
3-14

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on, there is
a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
The brake light is located in the instrument panel cluster.This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake light will come on
when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. A chime
will also sound if the parking brake is not fully released
and the vehicle is moving. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
The brake light will also come on to indicate a low
brake uid level. SeeBrakes on page 5-32for more
information.
United States
Canada
3-28