2008 PONTIAC TORRENT All wheel drive

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct
the condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
Some messages may not require immediate action,
but you can press the set/reset button to acknowledge
that you received the messages and to clear them
from the display. Pressing any of the DIC buttons
also acknowledge and clear any messages.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared. You should
take any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages will only
make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system,
this message displays along with the All-Wheel Drive
Disabled light when the rear drive system is overheating.
This message turns off when the rear drive system cools
down. If the warning message stays on for a while, you
need to reset the warning message. To reset the warning
message, turn the ignition off and then back on again.
If the message stays on, see your dealer/retailer right
away. SeeAll-Wheel Drive (AWD) System on page 4-8
andAll-Wheel Drive Disabled Light on page 3-42for
more information.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the charging system
detects that the battery is being drained. You may notice
that the vehicle attempts to reduce the drain for you by
turning off accessories, such as interior fans, rear
defogger, and heated seats. Turn off all accessories.
If the vehicle is not running, start and run the engine for
at least 10 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. If the
engine is running and the condition persists, see your
dealer/retailer. SeeElectric Power Management on
page 3-18for more information.
3-52

OIL PRSSURE (Pressure) LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure
Light on page 3-39.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. Have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible when this message is displayed.
PASSENGER DOOR FRONT/
REAR OPEN
This message displays when one or more of the
passenger doors are not closed properly. Close the
doors completely.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
See “LEARN REMOTE KEY” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-45for more information.
SERVICE A/C (Air Conditioning)
SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
detected in the air conditioning system. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-29for more information.
SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system,
this message displays along with the service all-wheel
drive light if a problem occurs with this system. See
Service All-Wheel Drive Light on page 3-42. If this
message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn
off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the
message on the DIC display. If the message is still
displayed or appears again when you begin driving, the
AWD system needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
3-56

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-4
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-15
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-16
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-17
Winter Driving..............................................4-18
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-22
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-22
Towing..........................................................4-27
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-27
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-27
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-32
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a Panic Brake Assist feature designed
to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature
uses the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) hydraulic
brake control module to supplement the power
brake system under conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the brake pedal in
an attempt to quickly stop or slow down the vehicle. The
ESC hydraulic brake control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the vehicle until the Antilock
Brake System (ABS) activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal
and the driver should continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation dictates. The Panic Brake
Assist feature will automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake pedal pressure
is quickly decreased.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one
or more of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the
brakes and reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
This light ashes while the
traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. This light may also come on after extended
heavy braking indicating the brakes have become too
hot to limit wheel spin.
4-6

The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system on. But you can turn the traction control
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-22.
The traction control system
can be turned off by
pressing the traction
control button, located next
to the gear shift lever.
When the traction control system is turned off, the
traction control warning light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on and TRACTION CONTROL OFF
briey displays.The traction control system can be activated again by
pressing the traction control button. While the traction
control system is activated, the traction control system
warning light on the instrument panel cluster comes
on and TRACTION CONTROL ON briey displays.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the
button, the traction control off light appears on the
instrument panel cluster. The system will not turn off
until there is no longer a current need to limit wheel spin.
Turn the system back on by pressing the button
again. If the light does not come on, traction control
might not be working and your vehicle should be
serviced by a dealer/retailer.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has this feature. The StabiliTrak®system
is an advanced computer controlled system that
helps the driver maintain directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle’s brakes and reducing engine power. The
StabiliTrak
®system comes on automatically whenever
you start your vehicle.
4-7

The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control system and
StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument panel
cluster will be on after rst driving the vehicle and
exceeding 30 mph 48 (km/h) for 30 seconds. The
StabiliTrak
®system is off until the light has turned off.
This could take up to 15 minutes. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-52for more information.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light on the instrument panel cluster will ash when the
system is operating. You may also feel or hear the
system working. This is normal. This light may
also come on after extended heavy braking indicating
the brakes have become too hot to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak
®can be turned off using the traction control
button. To disable StabiliTrak®, press and hold the
traction control button for ve seconds. StabiliTrak®can
be activated again by pressing the traction control button.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be displayed
and the traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light on the instrument panel cluster will come on if there
is a problem with the system. When this light and the
SERVICE STABILITRAK message are on, the system is
not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. Torque is also applied to
the rear wheels during launches. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
This light is located on the
instrument panel cluster.
This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
message in the DIC will come on and stay on to indicate
there may be a problem with the drive system and
service is required.
SeeService All-Wheel Drive Light on page 3-42and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-52for
more information.
4-8

This light will come on
along with the ALL
WHEEL DRIVE OFF
message when the rear
drive system is
overheating.
This light will turn off when the rear drive system cools
down. If this light stays on, it must be reset. To reset
the light, turn the ignition off and then back on again.
If the light stays on, see your dealer/retailer for service.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-52for
more information.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
(3.4L V6 Engine)
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the power
steering assist system will continue to operate until you
are able to stop your vehicle. If you lose power
steering assist because the electric power steering
system is not functioning, you can steer, but it will take
more effort.If you turn the steering wheel in either direction several
times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in the
stopped position for an extended amount of time, you
may notice a reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering system does not require
regular maintenance. If you suspect steering system
problems, such as abnormally high steering effort for a
prolonged period of time, contact your dealer/retailer
for service repairs.
Hydraulic Power Steering
(3.6L V6 Engine)
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the power steering system is not functioning,
you can steer, but it will take much more effort.
4-9

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-16.
Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with
5-speed Transmission)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its
wheels on the ground. If you have a two-wheel-drive
vehicle, it can be towed with two of its wheels on
the ground. See “Dolly Towing” following. If you have an
all-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. It can be towed with the
car carrier equipment.
Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with
6-speed Transmission)
If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be dinghy
towed from the front. These vehicles may also be
towed by putting the front wheels on a dolly. See “Dolly
Towing” later in this section.
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be dinghy
towed from the front. You can also tow these vehicles
by placing them on a platform trailer with all four wheels
off of the ground. These vehicles cannot be towed
using a dolly.
For vehicles being dinghy towed, the vehicle should be
run at the beginning of each day and at each RV
fuel stop for about ve minutes. This will ensure proper
lubrication of transmission components. Re-connect
the vehicle’s battery to start the vehicle.
4-28