Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-12
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Airbag System
.........................................1-56
Restraint System Check
............................1-71
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-11
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-20
Mirrors
....................................................2-37
OnStar
®System
......................................2-39
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-48
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-26
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-45
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-67Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-27
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-44
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-46
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-51
Tires
......................................................5-52
Appearance Care
.....................................5-88
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-99
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-105
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Pontiac Torrent Owner ManualM
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an
easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the
key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime
will sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always
remember to remove your key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock your ignition and transmission.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be
able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for an
extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to these accessories will continue to operate for
up to 10 minutes or until the driver’s door is opened.
All these features will work when the key is in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY.
Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position – this is a
safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage.
2-22
Available Services included with Directions
& Connections Plan
All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered or OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped)
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar
subscribers to make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into
the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Hands-Free Calling may also
be linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S.
or a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending
on eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, or speak with an
OnStar advisor by pressing the OnStar button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic reports, and
stock quotes. By pressing the phone button and giving
a few simple voice commands, you can browse
through the various topics. See the OnStar Owner’s
Guide for more information (Only available in the
continental U.S.).
OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-110for
more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button for
a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” to
activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
2-41
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-41
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-41
Service All-Wheel Drive Light.........................3-42
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light........................3-42
Gate Ajar Light.............................................3-42
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-43
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-43
Fuel Gage...................................................3-43
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-45
DIC Compass..............................................3-49
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-52
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-60Audio System(s).............................................3-67
Setting the Time...........................................3-68
Radio(s)......................................................3-71
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD or Six-Disc
CD Player)...............................................3-90
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and
DVD Player).............................................3-95
XM Radio Messages...................................3-100
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-101
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-101
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-110
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-110
Radio Reception.........................................3-111
Multi-Band Antenna.....................................3-112
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-24.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-27.
D. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9.
E. Driver Information Center Controls. SeeDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-45.
F. Hazard Warning Flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-6.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.
H. Rear Window Wiper/Washer Buttons. SeeRear
Window Wiper/Washer on page 3-11. Fog Lamps
Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
I. Power Mirror Control. SeeOutside Power Mirrors on
page 2-38.
J. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-16.K. Cruise Controls. SeeCruise Control on page 3-11.
L. Tilt Wheel. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-110.
O. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-67.
P. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on
page 2-33.
Q. Traction Control System (TCS) Button. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
R. Power Window Switches. SeePower Windows on
page 2-16.
S. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20. Heated Seat Buttons
(If Equipped). SeeHeated Seats on page 1-4.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
3-5
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper and rear wash buttons are located on
the instrument panel above the audio system.
Z(Rear Wiper):Press this button to turn the rear
wiper on and off. When the wiper is on it will run
continuously at a preset speed.
Y(Wash):Press this button to spray washer uid on
the rear window. The window wiper will also come on.
Release the button when enough uid has been sprayed
on the window. The rear wiper will run a few more cycles
after it is released. If the rear wiper function was already
on, prior to pressing the wash button, it will stay on until
the wiper button is pressed again.
The rear window washer uses the same uid that is in
the windshield washer reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-33.
Cruise Control
Cruise control lets you maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
3-11
FEATURE SETTNGS (Settings):
PRESS
VTO EXIT
This feature allows you to exit the feature
settings menu.
Press the vehicle information button until FEATURE
SETTNGS (Settings): PRESS
VTO EXIT appears in
the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to exit
the menu.
If you do not exit, pressing the vehicle information
button again will return you to the beginning of the
vehicle information menu.
Exiting the Feature Settings Menu
The feature settings menu will be exited when any of
the following occurs:
The vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P).
The vehicle is no longer in ON/RUN.
The trip/fuel DIC button is pressed.
The end of the feature settings menu is reached
and exited.
A 40 second time period has elapsed with no
selection made.
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read the
pages following to familiarize yourself with its features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
3-67
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound equipment
can be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with the
operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other
systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle’s
systems may interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be played
even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-22for more
information.
Setting the Time
Without Date Display
AM/FM Base Radio with a
Single CD Player
This type of radio has aH(clock) button for setting the
time. Set the time by following these steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press the
Hbutton until the hour begins ashing
on the display. Press the
Hbutton a second time
and the minutes begin ashing on the display.
3. While either the hour or the minutes are ashing, turn
the
f(tune) knob, located on the upper right side of
the radio, clockwise or counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the time. Instead of using the
fknob,
you can also press the SEEK arrows,
\FWD
(forward), or
sREV (reverse) buttons to adjust
the time.
4. Press the
Hbutton again until the clock display
stops ashing to set the currently displayed time;
otherwise, the ashing stops after ve seconds and
the current time displayed is automatically set.
3-68