2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE Owners Manual

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating and
ventilation of your vehicle. You may also be able to
control the cooling of your vehicle, if your vehicle
has air conditioning. For a combination setting, move
the control between two modes.
Temperature:Turn the left knob on the control panel
to adjust the temperature of the air in the vehicle.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the temperature.
#(Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, press the left knob on the control panel
to turn the air conditioning system on or off. An indicator
light on the button will come on to let you know the
air conditioning is activated. When the system is on,
this setting cools and dehumidies the air entering
your vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is turned
off. If air conditioning is selected with fan off, the
indicator light will ash three times and then turn off.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor turns off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
Air conditioning does not operate at temperature
below 40°F (4°C). In temperatures above 40°F (4°C),
the air conditioning cannot be turned off in defrost,
oor/defog, and recirculation modes because it helps
to remove moisture from the vehicle. It also helps
to keep the windows clear.
On hot days, open the windows to let the hot inside
air escape; then close them. This helps reduce the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also
helps the system to operate more efficiently. Climate Control System with Air Conditioning
shown, Climate Control System without
Air Conditioning similar
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For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select recirculation mode.
3. Select the air conditioning to on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
9(Fan):Turn the center knob on the control panel
to control the fan speed. Turn the knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed.
9(Off):Turn the center knob to this position to
turn the fan off.
?(Recirculation):Press the center knob on
the control panel to recirculate air inside the vehicle
and prevent outside air from coming in. It can be used
to prevent outside odors from entering your vehicle
and cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on
or off. An indicator light on the button will come on to
let you know the recirculation mode is activated.
Recirculation is available in the bi-level and vent modes.
If recirculation is selected in either oor/heat, oor/defog,
or defrost mode, the LED light will ash three times
indicating recirculation is not available in that mode.
The right knob on the control panel is used to direct the
airow inside your vehicle. Turn the knob to select one of
the following modes:
H(Vent):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct air to the instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):Turn the right knob on the control panel
to this mode to direct air to the instrument panel outlets,
and the remaining air to the oor outlets and the defroster
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
[(Floor):Turn the right knob on the control panel to
this mode to direct most of the air to the oor outlets. The
remaining air is directed to the side window and defroster
outlets. If there is little or no airow on the passenger
side, make sure that the carpet covering is tucked under
the oor outlets.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost from
your windshield and side windows. Use the defog mode
to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost
from the windshield more quickly. For best results, clear
all snow and ice from the windshield before defrosting.
Use a temperature setting that provides warm air.
The warmer the air the quicker the windows will clear.
To prevent fogging on the inside of the windows in modes
other than oor/defog and defrost, make sure the air
conditioning compressor, if the vehicle has one, is on
and recirculation mode is off.
/(Floor/Defog):Turn the right knob on the control
panel to this mode to direct the air to the windshield, the
side window outlets, and to the oor outlets. When you
select this mode, the system runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside temperature is near
freezing or below.
0(Defrost):Turn the right knob on the control panel
to this mode to direct most of the air to the windshield,
and the side window outlets. When you select this mode,
the system runs the air conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is near or below freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
An indicator light on the knob will come on to show that
the rear window defogger is activated. The rear window
defogger will turn off about fteen minutes after the knob
is pressed. If turned on again, the defogger will run for
about seven and one-half minutes before turning off.
If the vehicle speed is greater than 50 mph (80 km/h)
and the rear defogger is active, it will remain on as
long as the speed is greater than 50 mph (80 km/h).
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the
knob again or by turning off the engine.
=(Rear Defogger):Press the right knob on the
control panel to turn the rear window defogger on or off.
Do not operate rear defogger when convertible top
is down.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
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Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the
side of the instrument panel to direct the airow.
Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust
the direction and amount of airow inside the vehicle.
Move the louvers up or down or turn them clockwise
or counterclockwise to change the direction of the
airow.
Your vehicle has ow through ventilation that allows
outside air to be forced through the ventilation system
when the vehicle is moving. Outside air will enter
the vehicle when the air conditioning fan is running.
Flow through ventilation can be stopped in vent
and bi-level modes by pressing the recirculation button.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let you
know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know
how fast you are going, about how much fuel is left in the tank, and many other things you will need to drive safely
and economically.
United States Cluster shown, Canada and Turbo model similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The vehicle’s odometer works together with the
Driver Information Center (DIC), if your vehicle has
one. A Trip A and Trip B odometer can be set.
See “Trip Information” underDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-38.
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Open the driver’s door and the
mileage will be displayed briey.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed,
the new one will be set to the correct mileage total
of the old odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer
displays the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your
vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the tachometer in the
shaded warning area.
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Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime will come on for
several seconds to remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light
will also come on and
stay on for several
seconds, then it will
ash for several more.
This chime and light is repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is started, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt. This would only
occur if the passenger airbag is enabled. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-43for more information.
The passenger safety belt light, located on the
instrument panel, will come on and stay on for
several seconds and then ash for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System on page 1-36.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
The light should go out
and the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your
vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate without a
crash. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced right away
if the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when you start the engine. If the light does not come
on then, have it xed immediately. If there is a problem
with the airbag system, an airbag Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may also come on. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-40for more
information.
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