2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE warning

Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-37
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-38
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-40
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-44
Audio System(s).............................................3-49
Setting the Time...........................................3-50
Radio(s)......................................................3-53Using an MP3..............................................3-63
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-67
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-68
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-69
Radio Reception...........................................3-69
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-70
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-70
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-17.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-20.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped).
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 3-21.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-69.
G. Instrument Panel Brightness Control.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-15.
H. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-25.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers Button.
SeeHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeFog Lamps on page 3-14.
K. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Button (If Equipped).
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-9
orTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.L. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-37.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield Washer
on page 3-10.
O. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-17.
P. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). Accessory Power
Outlet (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-16andAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-16.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-24. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-22(If equipped with
automatic transmission).
R. Parking Brake Lever. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-25.
S. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-49.
T. Cupholder. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-35.
U. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-9.
V. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-35.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police
and others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
towards the center of
the instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
While the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not in
the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the
steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to
the highest level to give your legs more room when
you enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
3-6

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):This position turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):This position
automatically turns on the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) during daytime, and the headlamps, parking
lamps, and taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):This position is an Off/On switch for the
Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada, this applies to
vehicles with an automatic transmission set to PARK (P)
and manual transmission vehicles with the parking brake
engaged.
When operating in AUTO, a brief turn of the switch to
off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp System.
An AUTO LIGHTS OFF message will display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime will sound.
Turning the switch to off/on again will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System back on. An AUTO LIGHTS ON
message will display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
The Automatic Headlamp System is always turned on at
the beginning of an ignition cycle for vehicles with manual
transmission. When the parking brake is engaged, the
automatic headlamps will turn off.
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, when the
shift lever is shifted out of PARK (P), the Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on. Shifting the lever back to
PARK (P) will turn off the automatic headlamp system.
Headlamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off and
the lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This lets
you know that the headlamps are still on.
3-13

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.
3-20

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.
3-22

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.
3-24

Charging System Light
This light will come
on briey when you
turn on the ignition,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-40
for more information. This light could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-27