2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE warning light

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

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set the 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 4-29.
{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.
Antilock Brake System
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this
light will come on
briey when you
start the engine.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but
you do not have antilock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, you do not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-40for
all brake related DIC messages.
3-28

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/
Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light
This light is located
in the center of the
instrument panel cluster.
For vehicles that have the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system or the Traction Control System
(TCS), this warning light should come on briey when
the engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
This light, along with the appropriate Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages, indicates when the ESC
system and the TCS are working or are disabled.If this light is on and not ashing, the TCS and potentially
the ESC system have been disabled. Check your DIC
messaging to determine which feature(s) is no longer
functioning and whether it is because of the driver turning
off the feature(s), or the system may not be working
properly and your vehicle requires service. If the TCS is
disabled, wheel spin will not be limited. If the ESC system
is disabled, the system will not aid in maintaining vehicle
directional control. In either case, adjust your driving
accordingly.
If the light is on and ashing, the TCS or the ESC
system is actively working. Check the DIC messaging
for details to determine which system is working.
If the LOW TRACTION message appears, the system
is limiting wheel spin. If the ESC ACTIVE message
appears, the system is aiding in maintaining vehicle
directional control.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-9
andTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
for more information.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-40for
more information on the messages associated with
this light.
3-29

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off the
engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant temperature
warning light on could cause your vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
Your vehicle could be damaged, and it might not
be covered by your warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on briey when starting your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant level in
your vehicle is low. If the light is on you may have a
serious overheating problem.
Notice:Driving with the low coolant warning light
on could cause your vehicle to overheat. See “Engine
Overheating” underEngine Coolant on page 5-24.
Your vehicle could be damaged and the damages
might not be covered by your warranty.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for more information.
Your vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.
3-30

Tire Pressure Light
Your vehicle has a
tire pressure light.
This light comes on briey when the engine is
started and provides information about tire pressures
and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is Solid
This indicates that one or more of your tires are
signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), may accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-40for more
information. Stop and check your tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinated, inate to the proper
pressure. SeeTires on page 5-51for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then is Solid
This indicates that there may be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light will ash
for about a minute and then stay on solid for the
remainder of the ignition cycle. This sequence will repeat
with every ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System on page 5-59for more information.
3-31

Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, below the
fuel gage, will come
on briey when the
engine is started.
This light also comes on when the fuel tank is low
on fuel. When you add fuel the light should go off.
If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The DIC display gives you the status of many of your
vehicle’s systems. The DIC is also used to display
driver personalization menu modes and warning/status
messages. All messages will appear in the DIC
display, located at the bottom of the instrument
panel cluster.The DIC buttons are
located on the left side
of the steering wheel.
INFO (Information):Press this button to scroll through
the vehicle information mode displays.
r(Reset):Press this button to reset some vehicle
information mode displays, select a personalization
menu mode setting, or acknowledge a warning
message.
Press and hold the information and reset buttons at
the same time for one second, then release the buttons
to enter the personalization menu. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-44for more information.
3-37

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message clears when the vehicle’s condition is no
longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it
from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons.
If the condition is still present, the warning message
comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned off
and back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27for
more information. Have the brake system serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed.
When this message is acknowledged and cleared from
the display, the engine oil life system must still be
reset separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 5-19andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it
is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the message off.
CHECK TIRE PRESS (Pressure)
This message displays when the pressure in one or
more of the vehicle’s tires needs to be checked. If a tire
pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon
as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to
those shown on the Tire Loading Information label.
SeeTires on page 5-51,Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-24, andInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
The DIC also shows the tire pressure values. See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-38. If the tire
pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning light
comes on. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-31.
3-40