2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE towing

Seats and Restraint Systems
....................... 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 8
Safety Belts
............................................ 12
Child Restraints
...................................... 27
Airbag System
........................................ 42
Restraint System Check
......................... 56
Features and Controls
................................ 59
Keys
....................................................... 60
Doors and Locks
.................................... 65
Windows
................................................ 70
Theft-Deterrent Systems
......................... 72
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
....... 76
Mirrors
.................................................... 93
OnStar
®System
..................................... 94Storage Areas
........................................ 98
Convertible Top
...................................... 99
Instrument Panel
....................................... 105
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 108
Climate Controls
................................... 122
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
.......................................... 127
Driver Information Center (DIC)
............ 145
Audio System(s)
................................... 157
Driving Your Vehicle
................................. 189
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 190
Towing
................................................. 231
2007 Pontiac Solstice Owner ManualM
1

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you have
a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 231.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have
the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when your engine is
started and may stay on for several seconds.
That is normal.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 190
Defensive Driving...................................... 190
Drunken Driving........................................ 191
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 194
Braking...................................................... 194
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 195
Braking in Emergencies............................. 197
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 198
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 200
Electronic Stability Control......................... 200
Steering.................................................... 203
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 206
Passing..................................................... 206
Loss of Control.......................................... 208
Driving at Night......................................... 209Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 211
City Driving............................................... 214
Freeway Driving........................................ 215
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 216
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 217
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 218
Winter Driving........................................... 220
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 224
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 225
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 226
Towing........................................................ 231
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 231
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 231
Towing a Trailer........................................ 231
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
189

By slowly spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle. If that does
not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it
may need to be towed out. If your vehicle does
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 231.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight
your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire
and Loading Information label and the
Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
226

4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended
to tow a trailer.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 1=400 lbs (181 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight @
150 lbs (68 kg) x 1 =150 lbs (68 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =250 lbs (113 kg) Example 1
228

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there
is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 368.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always put your vehicle
on a atbed truck.
Your vehicle was neither designed nor intended to
be towed with any of its wheels on the ground.
If your vehicle must be towed, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” earlier in this section.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow a trailer.
231

Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles
operated on a non-public roadway or highway,
nes, impound towing caused by a violation
of local, Municipal, State, Provincial, or Federal
law, and mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and
our participating dealers are proud to offer
Courtesy Transportation, a customer support
program for new vehicles.
For warranty repairs during the Bumper-to-Bumper
(U.S.) or Base Warranty Coverage period
(Canada), provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty, interim transportation may be available
under the Courtesy Transportation program.
Several courtesy transportation options are
available to assist in reducing your inconvenience
when warranty repairs are required.Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty and is available only
at participating dealers. A separate booklet entitled
“Warranty and Owner Assistance Information”
furnished with each new vehicle provides detailed
warranty coverage information.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service,
contact your dealer and request an appointment.
By scheduling a service appointment and
advising your service consultant of your
transportation needs, your dealer can help
minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the
service department immediately, keep driving it
until it can be scheduled for service, unless,
of course, the problem is safety-related. If it is,
please call your dealership, let them know this, and
ask for instructions.
If the dealer requests that you simply drop the
vehicle off for service, you are urged to do so as
early in the work day as possible to allow for
the same day repair.
371

If you need roadside assistance, call
GM Roadside Assistance. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 368for more
information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where
the towing service will be taking it. Get a card
from the tow truck operator or write down the
driver’s name, the service’s name, and the
phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before
it is towed away. Make sure this includes your
insurance information and registration if you
keep these items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need
from the other driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make,
model and model year, Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN), insurance company and policy
number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they will need. If they
ask for a police report, phone or go to the police
department headquarters the next day and you
can get a copy of the report for a nominal fee. In
some states/provinces with “no fault” insurance
laws, a report may not be necessary. This is
especially true if there are no injuries and both
vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for
your vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer
or a private collision repair facility to x the
damage, make sure you are comfortable with
them. Remember, you will have to feel
comfortable with their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work will
be performed on your vehicle. If you have a
question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
377