2008 PONTIAC TORRENT climate control

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 Identication
.................................5-98
Electrical System
......................................5-99
Capacities and Specications
...................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

Manual Lumbar
If your vehicle has this
feature, the knob is
located on the front of the
driver seat lower cushion
on the inboard side.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the lumbar support.
Heated Seats
If your vehicle has heated
seats, the switches are
located on the instrument
panel near the climate
controls.
The ignition must be on for the heated seats to operate.
Press the switch, nearest to the seat, once to turn
the heated seat on to the high setting. Both indicator
lights will be lit. Press the switch a second time to turn
the heated seat to the low setting. One indicator
light will be lit. Press the switch a third time to turn the
heated seat off.
If your vehicle has remote vehicle start and is started
using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the heated
seats may automatically turn on if it is cold outside. See
“Remote Vehicle Start” underRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-5. When the key is
inserted into the ignition and the ignition is turned to
RUN, the heated seat feature will turn off. To turn
the heated seats back on, press the desired button.
1-4

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have the remote start feature. This
feature allows you to start the engine from outside
the vehicle. See “REMOTE START” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-60for instructions on how
to enable and disable this feature.
During a remote start, the climate control system will
turn on at the fan, temperature, and mode settings the
vehicle was set to when the vehicle was last turned
off. The rear window defogger will also turn on.
If your vehicle has heated seats, they may turn on
during colder outside temperatures and will shut
off when the key is turned to ON/RUN. You may not
notice an increase in seat surface temperature until the
seat is occupied for a short period of time.
Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require
a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
/(Remote Vehicle Start):This button will be on the
RKE transmitter if you have remote start.Your RKE transmitter, with the remote start button,
provides an increased range of operation. However, the
range may be less while the vehicle is running. As a
result, you may need to be closer to your vehicle to turn
it off, than you were to turn it on.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not use the remote
start feature. The vehicle may run out of fuel.
To start the engine using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter, that has a remote vehicle
start button, at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,
then immediately press and hold the remote
vehicle start button. Hold the remote start button
until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps ash, or
for at least four seconds if the vehicle’s lights are
not visible. The vehicle’s doors will be locked.
Pressing the remote start button again after the
vehicle has started will turn off the ignition.
When the vehicle’s engine starts, the parking lamps
will turn on and remain on while the engine is
running.
2-8

To open a rear door while the security lock is on, do the
following:
1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless entry
transmitter, the front door power lock switch, or
the rear door manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the slot next to the rear door
security lock label and turn it to the vertical
position.
3. Repeat the steps for the other lock.
Lockout Protection
If you press the power door lock switch when the key is
in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will
lock and only the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure
to remove the key from the ignition when locking your
vehicle.
If the keyless entry transmitter is used to lock the doors
and the key is in the ignition, a chime will sound
three times. All passenger doors will lock, but the
driver’s door will remain unlocked.
Liftgate
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can come into your vehicle. You cannot see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death. If you must drive with the liftgate
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftgate or liftglass:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your climate control system
to its highest speed and select the control
setting that will force outside air into your
vehicle. See “Climate Control System” in
the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-36.
To unlock the liftgate, press the unlock button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter twice or use the
power door lock switch.
2-13

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-18.
2-36

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamp.................................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Map Lamps.................................................3-17
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-18
Electric Power Management...........................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-28
Trip Odometer..............................................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-28
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-34
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-39
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-40
Security Light...............................................3-40
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-41
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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

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.
3-18