2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE mirror

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS),
remember: It helps to avoid only the acceleration skid.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
If you do not have TCS, or if the system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
the ESC might activate. SeeElectronic Stability
Control (ESC) on page 4-9.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
If you have your vehicle has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) with the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
remember: ABS helps avoid only the braking skid.
If you do not have ESC with ABS, then in a braking skid,
where the wheels are no longer rolling, release enough
pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again.
This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-15

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warnings
and be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
4-16

Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on at or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
Keep your vehicle serviced and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
Going down steep or long hills, shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
4-18

Fuses Usage
1 Empty (LE5); Cooling Fan (LNF)
2 Rear Window Defogger
3 Empty
4 Body Control Module 3
5 Crank
6 Body Control Module 2
7 Body Control Module
Fuses Usage
8 Cooling Fan 2 (LE5); Empty (LNF)
9 Empty
10 Trunk
11 Trunk
12 Empty
13 Fuel Pump
14 Rear Defogger Relay
15 Air Conditioning Clutch Relay
16 Empty
17 Empty
18 Trunk Release Relay
19 Fuel Pump Relay
20 Empty
21 Mirrors
22 Air Conditioning
23 Empty
24Cooling Fan 2 Relay (LE5);
Empty (LNF)
5-98

Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-2
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-35
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-18
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-18
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-23
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-25
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-58
Inator Kit, Tire...............................................5-76
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-21
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-41
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-53
Lamps
Mirror Reading............................................3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-18
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-31
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-5
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-49
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-24
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-28
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
Charging System.........................................3-27
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-30
Highbeam On.............................................3-35
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-30
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-37
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-32
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-25
6

Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-40
Mirror Reading Lamps.....................................3-15
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-31
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
MP3 .............................................................3-63
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-19
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-14
O
Odometer......................................................3-22
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-14
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-34
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-19Older Children, Restraints................................1-22
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-32
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-20
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-16
Outside
Manual Mirror.............................................2-31
Power Mirrors.............................................2-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-92
Park Brake....................................................2-25
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-28
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-29
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-28
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-25
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-43
8

Passing.........................................................4-14
PASS-Key®III+..............................................2-15
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-15
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California....... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System.........................................5-95
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-35
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-20
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-12
Privacy..........................................................7-17
Event Data Recorders..................................7-18
Navigation System.......................................7-19
OnStar.......................................................7-19
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-19
R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy......7-19
Radios..........................................................3-49
Radio(s)........................................................3-53
Radios
Reception...................................................3-69
Setting the Time..........................................3-50
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-68Rear Axle......................................................5-45
Limited-Slip.................................................. 4-9
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-31
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-29
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-35
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-4
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-49
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-16
General Motors...........................................7-16
United States Government............................7-15
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-50
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-51
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-20
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-24
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-15
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-30
9