2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE light

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down — may be the wrong thing to do.
Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to your steering.Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That
could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease
off the brake pedal. This will help you retain
steering control. If you do have ABS, it is different.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 195.
In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
197

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System
(TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that the rear wheels are
spinning too much or are beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the
rear brakes and reduces engine power by
closing the throttle and managing engine spark to
limit wheel spin.
This light will ash
when your traction
control system is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.If your vehicle is in cruise control when TCS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 111.
When this light is on
solid and either the
SERVICE TRACTION
or TRACTION OFF
message is displayed,
the system will not
limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 148for more information.
The Traction Control System is automatically
enabled whenever you start your vehicle. To limit
wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave the system enabled.
You can turn TCS off if you ever need to.
198

It is recommended to leave the system on for
normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to
“rock” your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also
be necessary to turn off the system when driving
in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 224.
To turn the system off
or on, press and release
this button located on
the instrument panel.
The DIC will display the appropriate message as
described previously when you press the button.Traction Control Operation
Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing
engine power to the wheels (engine speed
management) and by applying brakes to each
individual wheel (brake-traction control) as
necessary.
The traction control system is enabled
automatically when you start your vehicle, and it
will activate and ash the ESC/TCS light and
display the LOW TRACTION message if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction while driving. For more information
on the LOW TRACTION message, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 145.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to
spin excessively while the ESC/TCS, ABS and
Brake warning lights and the SERVICE ESC
and/or SERVICE TRACTION messages are
displayed, you could damage the differential.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin
the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and
this message are displayed.
199

Notice:When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction. If you attempt to shift
with the rear wheels spinning with a loss of
traction, it is possible to cause damage to the
transmission. Do not attempt to shift when the
rear wheels do not have traction. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered.
See your warranty book for additional
information.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/
downshifts of the transmission. When this
happens, you may notice a reduction in
acceleration, or may hear a noise or vibration.
This is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system
activates, the ESC/TCS light will ash and the
cruise control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions allow you to use cruise control
again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 115.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 235for more information.Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have a limited-slip rear
differential which provides maximum power and
performance. It is designed to give you additional
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It
works like a standard axle most of the time, but
when one of the rear wheels has no traction
and the other does, this feature will allow
the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
During a sudden shift, such as shifting from
FIRST (1) to SECOND (2) gear at low engine
speeds or suddenly applying the clutch, you may
feel or hear a clunking or rattling noise. This is
normal.
Electronic Stability Control
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system which combines
antilock brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic
checks to ensure there are no problems. You may
hear or feel the system working.
200

This is normal and does not mean there is
a problem with your vehicle. The system
should initialize before the vehicle reaches
20 mph (32 km/h).
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the
ESC/TCS light will be on solid, and the ESC OFF
or SERVICE ESC message will be displayed.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 145andElectronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine Only)
on page 136.
This light will ash on
the instrument panel
cluster when the
ESC system is both
on and activated.
You may also feel or hear the system working;
this is normal.When the light is on solid and either the
SERVICE ESC or ESC OFF message is displayed,
the system will not assist the driver in maintaining
directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 148.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
automatically enabled whenever you start
your vehicle. To assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the system
on. But, you can turn ESC off if you ever need to.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the system
begins to assist the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle, the ESC/TCS light will ash
and the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to use cruise
again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 115.
201

The ESC/TCS button
is located on the
instrument panel.
The traction control system can be turned off
or back on by pressing the ESC/TCS button.
To disable both traction control and ESC, press
and hold the button briey.
When the ESC system is turned off, the
TRACTION OFF and ESC OFF messages will
appear, and the ESC/TCS light will be on solid
to warn the driver that both traction control
and ESC are disabled.
It is recommended to leave the system on for
normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to
“rock” your vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also
be necessary to turn off the system when driving
in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle isStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 224.
Also, see “Competitive Driving Mode” later in
this section.
ESC may also turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. The ESC
OFF and SERVICE ESC messages and the
ESC/TCS light will be on solid to warn the driver
that ESC is disabled and requires service. If
the problem does not clear after restarting the
vehicle, you should see your dealer for service.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 148for
more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 235for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console
two times within a ve second time period.
COMPETITIVE MODE will be displayed in the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 148for
more information. Competitive Driving Mode allows
the driver to have full control of the rear wheels
while the ESC system helps maintain directional
control of the vehicle by selective brake application.
202

The ESC/TCS light will be on and the traction
control system will not be operating. Adjust your
driving accordingly. This electronic stability control
mode is recommended only for use during closed
track events and competitive driving venues.
When you press the ESC button again, or restart
the vehicle, the ESC and TCS will be turned
back on.
Notice:When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it
is possible to lose traction. If you attempt to
shift with the rear wheels spinning with a loss
of traction, it is possible to cause damage
to the transmission. Do not attempt to shift
when the rear wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is
not covered. See your warranty book for
additional information.Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
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.
203

Off-Road Recovery
You may nd that your right wheels have dropped
off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you are driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off
the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge
of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel
up to one-quarter turn until the right front tire
contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then
goes back into the right lane again. A simple
maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move,
since the passing vehicle occupies the same
lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief
surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly
put the passing driver face to face with the worst
of all traffic accidents — the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If you
have any doubt whatsoever about making
a successful pass, wait for a better time.
206