2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE ignition

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5):Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2).
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press the clutch pedal.
After the vehicle stops, shift into REVERSE (R). Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal. If it is hard to shift, let the shift lever return
to NEUTRAL and release the clutch pedal. Then press
the clutch pedal again and shift into REVERSE (R).
Do not attempt to shift into the fth gear position prior
to shifting into REVERSE (R). Your transmission
has a lock out feature which prevents a fth gear to
reverse gear shift.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
Also, use FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R), along with the
parking brake, for parking your vehicle.Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
2-25

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime will
sound and a warning message will be displayed in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the vehicle is
moving faster than 5 mph (8 kph). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-40.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-25for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever
is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-41for more
information.To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the
shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before leaving your manual transmission vehicle,
fully press the clutch pedal in, move the shift lever
in either FIRST (1) gear or REVERSE (R), and rmly
apply the parking brake. SeeManual Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
2-28

Notice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Notice:Lowering the convertible top when there
are objects in the storage area could damage
it or break the glass rear window. Always verify
that no objects are in the storage area before
lowering the convertible top.
Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or
dirty can cause stains, mildew, and damage to
the inside of your vehicle. Dry off the top before
lowering it.
Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in
cold weather (0°F/-18°C or lower), you may damage
top components. Do not lower the top in cold
weather.Notice:If you raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is in motion, you could damage
the top or the top mechanism. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always put
an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R), turn
the ignition off and engage the parking brake before
raising or lowering the convertible top.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the convertible top can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
convertible top and its mechanism. Keep
people away from your vehicle when you
are lowering or raising the top.
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Lowering the Manual Convertible Top
1. Empty the trunk of all contents.
2. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
Shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into FIRST (1)
or REVERSE (R).
3. Make sure the ignition is turned off.
4. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
5. Lift the trunk.
6. The convertible top front latch, located above
the inside rearview mirror, must be unlatched.
Pull the latch down and turn it counterclockwise
to unlatch it.
Leave the latch open and turned to prevent damage.
7. Pull rearward on the side edge (B) of the convertible
top and pull it off of the windshield frame.
8. Push the convertible top down into the trunk (D).
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9. After the top is stored, apply one even push,
as shown, on the convertible top to ensure that
the top is fully retracted and securely stored.
10. Close the trunk (D) by pressing down from the
rear center of it with a swift, rm motion.
Do not operate the rear defogger when the convertible
top is down.A clear Mylar
®protective lm has been installed at the
factory on the trunk lid surface under the convertible
top buttresses. This lm is designed to help prevent
paint damage to the trunk lid. Do not remove this
protective lm. It is intended to remain permanently
affixed to the trunk lid surface.
Raising the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake rmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
2. Make sure the ignition is turned off, and lower the
windows.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Lift the trunk.
2-39

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

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to increase speed.
1. Disengage the cruise control by applying the brake
pedal but do not turn it off. Accelerate to a higher
speed and reset the cruise control.
2. If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ button. Press it until you get up
to the speed you want, and then release the button.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ button briey and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET−part of the button until
you reach the lower speed desired, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push
the SET−part of the button briey. Each time
this is done, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down.
Of course, applying the brake turns off the cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do
not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end cruise control, step lightly on the brake pedal or the
clutch pedal if your vehicle has a manual transmission.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch pedal will only end
the current cruise control session. Press the cruise
control on/off button to turn the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
the cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-12