2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE light

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL/FADE (Balance/Fade):To adjust balance or
fade, press the
fknob until the speaker control labels
display. Continue pressing to highlight the desired
label, or press the pushbutton positioned under
the desired label. Turn the
fknob clockwise or
counterclockwise to adjust the highlighted setting.
The highlighted setting can be adjusted by pressing
either SEEK arrow,
\FWD, orsREV button
until the desired levels are obtained.
To quickly adjust balance or fade to the middle position,
press the pushbutton positioned under the BAL or
FADE label for more than two seconds. A beep sounds
and the level adjusts to the middle position.
To quickly adjust all speaker and tone controls to
the middle position, press the
fknob for more than
two seconds until a beep sounds.
Finding a Category (CAT) Station
CAT (Category):The CAT button is used to nd
XM™ stations while the radio is in the XM™ mode.
To nd XM™ channels within a desired category,
perform the following:
1. Press the BAND button until the XM™ frequency
is displayed. Press the CAT button to display
the category labels on the radio display.
Continue pressing the CAT button until the desired
category name displays.
2. Press either of the two buttons below the desired
category label to immediately tune to the rst
XM™ station associated with that category.
3. Turn the tune knob, press the buttons below
the right or left arrows displayed, or press the
SEEK arrows to go to the previous or to the
next XM™ station within the selected category.
4. To exit the category search mode, press the
FAV button or BAND button to display your
favorites again.
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Playing a CD (Single CD Player)
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player pulls it in and the CD should begin playing.
Playing a CD(s) (Six-Disc CD Player)
LOAD^:Press this button to load CDs into the
CD player. This CD player holds up to six CDs.
To insert one CD, do the following:
1. Press and release the
^button.
2. Wait for the message to insert the disc.
3. Load a CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot,
label side up. The player pulls the CD in.
To insert multiple CDs, do the following:
1. Press and hold the
^button for two seconds.
A beep sounds and Load All Discs displays.
2. Follow the displayed instruction on when to insert
the discs. The CD player takes up to six CDs.
3. Press the
^button again to cancel loading
more CDs.
If the ignition or radio is turned off, with a CD in the
player, it stays in the player. When the ignition or radio
is turned on, the CD starts playing where it stopped,
if it was the last selected audio source.When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol displays on
the CD. As each new track starts to play, the track
number displays.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and
the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.
Care of Your CDs
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be reduced due
to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality of
the music that has been recorded, and the way the CD-R
has been handled. Handle them carefully. Store CD-R(s)
in their original cases or other protective cases and
away from direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans
the bottom surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is
damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the
CD does not play properly or not at all. Do not touch the
bottom side of a CD while handling it; this could damage
the surface. Pick up CDs by grasping the outer edges
or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
If the surface of a CD is soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth
or dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent
solution mixed with water, and clean it. Make sure the
wiping process starts from the center to the edge.
If there is no apparent damage, try a known good CD.
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AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for
FM, especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other.
For better radio reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the day, and then reduce
these levels during the night. Static can also occur
when things like storms and power lines interfere with
radio reception. When this happens, try reducing
the treble on your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals only
reach about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings
or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In
addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or through tunnels could cause loss
of the XM™ signal for a period of time. The radio
may display NO XM SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car
washes without being damaged. If the mast should
ever become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand.
If the mast is badly bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to its base. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
Your vehicle may have the XM™ Satellite Radio
antenna that is located on the trunk of your vehicle.
Keep this antenna clear of snow and ice build up
for clear radio reception.
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For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance
of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your
vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-9.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
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If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the
pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
and the 2.0L turbocharged engine, it also has a hydraulic
brake boost feature which supplements the power brake
system to maintain consistent brake performance under
conditions of low brake booster vacuum. Low brake
booster vacuum conditions can include initial start up
after the vehicle has been parked for several hours,
very frequent brake stops, or high altitude driving. When
hydraulic brake boost is active, you might feel minor
brake pulsation or movement but this is normal. If brake
pedal feel changes or the brake pedal feels hard to push,
you might not be receiving the intended brake boost
and the SVC BRAKE SYSTEM DIC message may be
displayed.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
it also the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will come
on briey when you
start your vehicle.
When you start the engine, or when you begin to
drive away, ABS will check itself. You might hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is
going on, and you might even notice that the brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You
slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is
what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
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ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might
feel a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with
Antilock Brake System (ABS), you can steer and brake
at the same time. However, if you do not have ESC
with ABS, your rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal
hard and hold it down — might be the wrong thing to do.
Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to your steering. Momentum will
carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the
wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into
the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel
the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help
you retain steering control. If you do have ABS, it is
different. SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
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Brake Assist
If your vehicle has ESC with ABS, it also has a brake
assist feature that responds to emergency braking by
generating additional pressure and engaging the ABS.
When this happens, the brake pedal will feel easier to
push. Just hold the brake pedal down rmly and let the
system work for you. You might feel the brakes vibrate
or notice some noise, but this is normal. The brakes will
return to normal operation after the brake pedal is
released.
Brake assist cannot compensate for unsafe driving
practices and braking effectiveness, itself, depends
on the condition of the road, tires, and brakes and
vehicle mass.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power by closing the throttle and managing engine
spark to limit wheel spin.
If your vehicle has TCS, there is a ESC/TCS button
located on the instrument panel.
This light will ash when
your traction control system
is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
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SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-29
for more information.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
When this light is on solid
and either the SERVICE
TRACTION or TRACTION
OFF message is displayed,
the system will not limit
wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-40for more information.
The Traction Control System is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system enabled. You can turn TCS off if you
ever need to.It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn
the system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud,
ice or snow, and you want to “rock” your vehicle
to attempt to free it. It may also be necessary to turn off
the system when driving in extreme off-road conditions
where high wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-23.
To turn the system off or
on, press and release the
ESC/TCS button located
on the instrument panel.
The DIC will display the appropriate message as
described previously when you press the button.
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