2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE check engine

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-25.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the ignition should
turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever is in
PARK (P). The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
With a manual transmission, the ignition key should
come out only in LOCK/OFF.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. It
should only lock when turned to the right. Contact your
dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-10

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

Audio System(s).............................................3-53
Automatic Door Lock......................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock...................................... 2-8
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-40
Run-Down Protection...................................3-15
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-37
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps.....5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-46
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-46
Headlamps.................................................5-47
License Plate Lamps....................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-68
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-101
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-9, 2-29, 4-19, 4-29
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-88
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-63
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-36
Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-32
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-92
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-29
Infants and Young Children...........................1-25
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-31
Older Children.............................................1-22
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-32
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-91
Convertible Top...........................................5-90
2

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Disc, MP3......................................................3-63
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Manual Door Locks....................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-2
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-37
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-38
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-44
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-40
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
Before a Long Trip......................................4-17
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-18
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-18
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-16
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-24
Winter........................................................4-19
E
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-95
Floor Console Fuse Block.............................5-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-95
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-97
Electronic Stability Control................................. 4-9
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light...........3-29
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-32
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-30
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-19
Overheating................................................5-27
Reduced Power Light...................................3-35
Running While Parked..................................2-30
Starting......................................................2-20
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-15
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-21
4

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

Light (cont.)
Reduced Engine Power................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-23
Security.....................................................3-35
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-36
Tire Pressure..............................................3-31
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-36
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-15
Lights............................................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Limited-Slip Rear Axle....................................... 4-9
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-24
Locks
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Manual Door................................................ 2-7
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-30
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-37M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-14
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-24
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Manual Windows............................................2-11
7

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