2008 PONTIAC TORRENT light

Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamp is located over the rear compartment,
and is controlled by the dome lamp. SeeDome Lamp on
page 3-17.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of
charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up
or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert
will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not
be spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high electrical loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-52.
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Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray and
cigarette lighter. The ashtray can be placed into the
front console cupholders.
To use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.
When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 15 amperes.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system. If your vehicle has the
remote start feature, the climate control system functions
as part of the remote start feature. SeeRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5.
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Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
In any setting other than off, the fan runs continuously
with the ignition on. To turn off the air completely,
turn the fan to 0 and select the recirculation button.
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
Use the right knob to select from the following modes:
There is one position between each mode to nely
adjust airow position.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode splits the air between the
instrument panel outlets and the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the windshield
and side windows.
The right knob may also be used to select the defrost
and defog modes that are described in this section.You can also select modes by using the following
buttons:
;(Outside Air):Press this button to turn the
outside air mode on. When this mode is on, outside air
will circulate throughout the vehicle. When the button
is pressed, an indicator light in the button comes on to
show that it is activated. The outside air mode can
be used with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode.
@(Recirculation):Press this button to recirculate
cabin air through the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering the vehicle or to help
heat or cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly. An
indicator light will come on in this mode. Operation in this
mode during periods of high humidity and cool outside
temperatures may result in increased window fogging. If
window fogging is experienced, select the defrost mode.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor, defrost,
or defogging modes. If you try to select recirculation in
one of those modes, the indicator light ashes several
times and turns off.
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#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. When this button is
pressed, an indicator light on the button comes on to
show that the air conditioning is activated. The air
conditioning can be selected in any mode as long as
the fan switch is on.
The air conditioning compressor does not operate when
outside temperatures fall below 38°F (3°C). The
indicator light ashes several times and turns off when
outside conditions affect air conditioning operation.
This is normal.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.For quick cool down on hot days, select the following
settings together:
1. Vent mode.
2. Outside air.
3. Air conditioning.
4. The coolest temperature.
5. The highest fan speed.
6. Once the vehicle’s interior temperature is below the
outside temperature, select recirculation mode for
enhanced cooling.
Using these settings together for long periods of time may
cause the air inside of the vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after the air inside of
the vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
((Heated Seats):If your vehicle has heated seats,
seeHeated Seats on page 1-4.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog or frost on the inside of windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or
moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more
quickly. When either of these modes are selected, the
system runs the air conditioning compressor and cancels
the recirculation mode to dry the air. For best results,
clear all snow and ice from the windshield before
defrosting.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode directs half of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets, and half to the
oor outlets.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets, with some
air directed to the oor outlets.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger only works when the ignition
is in ON/RUN.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light on the button comes
on to show that the rear window defogger is activated.
The rear window defroster stays on for about 10 minutes
if the vehicle remains at slower vehicle speeds or until
the button is pressed, or unless the ignition is turned
to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF. If turned on again,
the defogger only runs for about ve minutes before
turning off again. At higher vehicle speeds, the defogger
may stay on continuously. The defogger can always
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the ignition.
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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This section describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As the
details show on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briey when you start the engine just to let you
know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know
when there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells
you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer.
The digital odometer will read 999,999 if someone
tries to turn it back.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be.
If not, then it is set at zero and a label must be put
on the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading
when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your trip odometer is located in the Driver Information
Center and shows how far your vehicle has been driven
since the trip odometer was last reset. For more
information seeDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-45.
Tachometer
The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the solid red area, your vehicle could
be damaged. The damages would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not operate the engine in
the solid red area.
Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime will come on
for several seconds to remind people to fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already
buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
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This chime and light is repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s belt
is already buckled, neither the chime nor the light will
come on.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is started, a chime will
sound for several seconds to remind the front passenger
to buckle their safety belt. This would only occur if the
passenger airbag is enabled. SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 1-64for more information. The
passenger safety belt light, located on the instrument
panel, will come on and stay on for several seconds and
then ash for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
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, seeAirbag System
on page 1-56.
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