2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE service

If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6for more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s
name, the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information you will need from
the other driver. Things like name, address, phone
number, driver’s license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, model and model year, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), insurance company
and policy number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from the
scene of the crash. They will walk you through
the information they will need. If they ask for
a police report, phone or go to the police
department headquarters the next day and you can
get a copy of the report for a nominal fee. In
some states/provinces with “no fault” insurance
laws, a report may not be necessary. This is
especially true if there are no injuries and both
vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for your
vehicle. Whether you select a dealer/retailer or a
private collision repair facility to x the damage,
make sure you are comfortable with them.
Remember, you will have to feel comfortable with
their work for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair
Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by your
GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must live
with the repair. Depending on your policy limits, your
insurance company may initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
7-12

Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-762-2737, or write:
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains
instructions to assist in the diagnosis and service of
your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
7-14

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provideantilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your dealer/
retailer technician service your vehicle. Some modules
may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or
near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment
or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in
understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The
EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle
is designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety
belts were buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was traveling
7-15

This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important:EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is
recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions
and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age,
and crash location) is recorded. However, other parties,
such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR
data with the type of personally identifying data routinely
acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other
parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR.
GM will not access this data or share it with others
except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in
response to an official request of police or similar
government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or, as required by
law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used
for GM research needs or may be made available to
others for research purposes, where a need is shown
and the data is not tied to a specic vehicle or
vehicle owner.OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions for information on data collection and
use. See alsoOnStar
®System on page 2-30in this
manual for more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-14
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-47
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-21
Air Conditioning..............................................3-16
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-24
Readiness Light..........................................3-23
Airbag System................................................1-36
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-47
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-40
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-42
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-46
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-40
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-40
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-39
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-38
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-81
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-81
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-26Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Convertible Top...........................................5-95
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-97
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-90
Leather......................................................
5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-97
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-8
Ashtray.........................................................3-15
Audio System.................................................3-46
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-79
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-81
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-81
Radio Reception..........................................3-80
Setting the Clock.........................................3-47
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-78
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-81
1

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-29
Infants and Young Children...........................1-25
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-31
Older Children.............................................1-22
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-32
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-81
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-15
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-96
Convertible Top...........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Interior.......................................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Climate Control System...................................3-16
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-19
Clock, Setting.................................................3-47
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-23
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10Compressor Kit
Storing.......................................................5-89
Compressor Kit, Tire Sealant....................5-71, 5-80
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-12
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convertible Top..............................................2-37
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-25
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-28
Low Warning Light.......................................3-28
Cooling System..............................................5-23
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-9
Cupholders....................................................2-33
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-13
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-13
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-14
3

D
Daytime Running Lamp...................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-7
Disc, MP3......................................................3-60
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-7
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-7
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Manual Door Locks....................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-6
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-2
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-34
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-35
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-41
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-37
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-13
Before a Long Trip......................................4-15
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-16
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-14
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-20
Winter........................................................4-17
Driving for Better Fuel Economy......................... 4-2
E
EDR .............................................................7-15
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-98
Floor Console Fuse Block.............................5-99
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-99
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-99
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-99
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-101
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-14
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-14
Electronic Stability Control................................. 4-6
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light...........3-27
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-29
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-28
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-27
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-19
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-17
4

Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-23
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning............3-26
Brake System Warning.................................3-25
Charging System.........................................3-25
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-28
Highbeam On.............................................3-33
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-28
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-34
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-24
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-22
Security.....................................................3-32
Tire Pressure..............................................3-29
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-33
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-14
Lights............................................................3-12
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-7
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-7
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-10
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-20
Locks
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-7
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-7
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Manual Door................................................ 2-6
Power Door .................................................. 2-6Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-28
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.............1-31
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp...............................3-29
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-22
Manual Windows............................................2-11
7