2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE hood release

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-23
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
Rear Axle.......................................................5-40
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-41
Bulb Replacement
..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-42
Headlamps..................................................5-42
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps......5-43
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
(Base Level).............................................5-43
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
(Removable Hardtop).................................5-44
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-44
License Plate Lamp......................................5-45
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-46
Tires..............................................................5-47
Winter Tires.................................................5-48
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-49
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-50
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-53
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Locate the interior
hood release lever. It is
located below the
instrument panel on
the driver’s side of the
vehicle.2. Pull down on the rear
edge of the lever to
release the hood latch.
3. Go to the side of the vehicle and pull up on the
rear edge of the hood, near the windshield to
open the hood.
Notice:Closing the hood with the doors open may
damage the hood and/or doors. Always close the
doors before closing the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Then, pull the hood down and close it rmly.
5-11

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-45.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
To replace the low/high-beam/Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) headlamp bulb:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull it
from the headlamp assembly.
3. Holding the base of the socket, pull the old bulb
from the bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight into the bulb socket until
it connects.
5. Push the bulb socket into the headlamp assembly
and turn it clockwise to lock it into place.
5-42

Front Turn Signal, Parking and
Fog Lamps
A. Front Turn Signal/
Parking Lamp
B. Fog Lamp (If Equipped)
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
2. Locate the bulb assembly under the front bumper.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull
out the bulb assembly.
4. Disconnect the bulb socket from the wiring harness.
5. Pull the old bulb straight out of the bulb socket.6. Push the new bulb straight into the bulb socket until
it connects.
7. Reconnect the bulb socket to the wiring harness.
8. Push the bulb socket straight into the bulb assembly
and turn it clockwise to lock it into place.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps (Base Level)
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-8.
2. From inside the vehicle, remove the two screws
from the taillamp assembly.
3. Remove the taillamp assembly.
5-43

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect drum brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings, and clamps; replace with genuine parts
as needed. To help ensure proper operation, a
pressure test of the cooling system and pressure cap
and cleaning the outside of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser is recommended at least
once a year.
(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking, or
contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper blades, if
contaminated. Replace wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement on
page 5-46 and Windshield and Wiper Blades on
page 5-95 for more information.(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and safety
belt assemblies are working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keep a safety belt system
from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or
frayed safety belts replaced. Also see Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 1-48.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors,
hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment, glove box door, and console
door. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal better, and not stick or
squeak.
(g)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(h)If driving regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
6-7

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. U.S. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678) meeting
GM Specication 9986115.
Rear Axle
(Limited-Slip
Differential)SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678) meeting GM
Specication 9986115. With a
complete drain and rell add
4 ounces (118 ml) of Limited-Slip
Axle Lubricant Additive
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052358, in
Canada 992694) where required.
SeeRear Axle on page 5-40.
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in
Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 3634770, in Canada 10953518)
or Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
6-13

Headlamps............................................3-12, 5-42
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-42
Daytime Running Lamp................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-7
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Fog Lamps.....5-43
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-7
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heater...........................................................3-16
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-2
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-33
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-15
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-16
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-5
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-23
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-25
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-53
Inator Kit, Tire.......................................5-71, 5-80
Installing the Roof Panel..................................2-36Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-14
Cluster.......................................................3-20
Overview..................................................... 3-4
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-49
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-29
Lamps
Mirror Reading............................................3-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-18
LATCH System for Child Restraints...................1-31
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-5
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-45
6