2009 PONTIAC TORRENT warning light

FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and the Low Fuel Warning
Light in the instrument panel cluster comes on when
your vehicle is low on fuel. Rell the fuel tank as soon
as possible. SeeFuel Gage on page 3-41,Low Fuel
Warning Light on page 3-41, andFilling the Tank on
page 5-8for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays on some vehicles when the
hood is not closed properly. Close the hood completely.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
LIFTGATE OPEN
This message displays when the liftgate is not closed
completely. Close the liftgate completely. SeeLiftgate
on page 2-12.
OIL PRSSURE (Pressure) LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle until
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure
Light (US-Canada) on page 3-36.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible when this message is displayed.
PASSENGER DOOR FRONT/
REAR OPEN
This message displays when one or more of the
passenger doors are not closed properly. Close the
doors completely.
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REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
See “LEARN REMOTE KEY” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-42for more information.
SERVICE A/C (Air Conditioning)
SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem
detected in the air conditioning system. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-28for more information.
SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
system, this message displays along with the service
all-wheel drive light if a problem occurs with this system.
SeeService All-Wheel Drive Light on page 3-39. If this
message appears, stop as soon as possible and turn
off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for themessage on the DIC display. If the message is still
displayed or appears again when you begin driving, the
AWD system needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging systems. Driving with
this problem could drain the vehicle’s battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical
system checked by your dealer/retailer immediately.
Connecting a battery charger to your vehicle while the
ignition is in any position other than LOCK/OFF may
cause this message to appear. If you need to charge
your vehicle, make sure that the key is in LOCK/OFF
or out of the ignition during charging.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster when
this message appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-30. Have the brake system
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
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SERVICE POWER STEERING
On some vehicles, this message displays when a
problem is detected with the power steering system.
When this message is displayed, you may notice
that the effort required to steer the vehicle increases
or feels heavier, but you will still be able to steer
the vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the StabiliTrak®System. A warning
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-32. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6
for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull
off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns
back on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the StabiliTrak
®System inspected by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with
the theft-deterrent system. A fault has been detected in
the system which means that the system is disabled
and it is not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually
restarts; however, you may want to take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer before turning off the engine.
SeePASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation
on page 2-18for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also ashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 3-33. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-59for more information. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
3-54

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is not functioning properly. A warning
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-32andTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-7for more information. Have the TCS serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions related
malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
This message may display and a warning light on the
instrument panel cluster may be on after rst driving the
vehicle and exceeding 30 mph (48 km/h) for 30 seconds.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-32. The StabiliTrak
®System is not functional
until the light has turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-6for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays any time the StabiliTrak®
System turns off. When this message has been
displayed, StabiliTrak®is no longer available to assist
you with directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
Any of the following conditions may cause the
StabiliTrak
®System to turn off:
The StabiliTrak®System is turned off by
pressing and holding the traction control button.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
The battery is low.
There is a StabiliTrak®System failure. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
3-55

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-30.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
the vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force
applied.Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping
pace with the traffic and allowing realistic following
distances eliminates a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes
are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down.
If the engine stops, there will still be some power brake
assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once
the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
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Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-31.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get
a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. The antilock pump or
motor might be heard operating and the brake pedal
might be felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than
even the very best braking.
4-5

Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to
assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system under conditions
where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down
the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control
module increases brake pressure at each corner of
the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal
and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates The Brake Assist feature
will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is
released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has the StabiliTrak system, an advanced
computer controlled system that helps the driver
maintain directional control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions. This is accomplished by selectively
applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes and reducing
power. The Stabilitrak system comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) and
the StabiliTrak/Traction Control System (TCS) warning
light will come on the instrument panel cluster after rst
driving the vehicle and exceeding 30 mph 48 (km/h)
for 30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system is off until the
light has turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49for more
information.
The StabiliTrak/TCS
warning light on the
instrument panel cluster
will ash when the system
is operating.
4-6

The system may be heard or felt while it is working.
This is normal. This light may also come on after
extended heavy braking, indicating the brakes have
become too hot to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak can be turned
off using the StabiliTrak/
TCS control button.
To disable StabiliTrak, press and hold the traction
control button until the StabiliTrak/TCS warning light
comes on the instrument panel. StabiliTrak can be
activated again by pressing the StabiliTrak/TCS button.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be
displayed and the StabiliTrak/TCS warning light on
the instrument panel cluster will come on if there is
a problem with the system. When this light and
the SERVICE STABILITRAK message are on, the
system is not operational. Adjust your driving
accordingly.Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one
or more of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the
brakes and reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
This light ashes while the
traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working,
but this is normal. This light may also come on
after extended heavy braking indicating the brakes
have become too hot to limit wheel spin.
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle is
started. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery
road conditions, the system should always be left on.
But TCS can be turned off if needed. The system should
be turned off if the vehicle ever gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-20.
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