2009 PONTIAC TORRENT winter tires

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can
be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.TheTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-7
improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads,
but slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. When driving through deep snow, turn off
the traction control system to help maintain vehicle
motion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
4-17

Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this could affect
the way your vehicle performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics, stability, and resistance
to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as anti-lock brakes, rollover airbags,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle may
not provide an acceptable level of performance and
safety if tires not recommended for those wheels
are selected. You may increase the chance that you
will crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly installed by a GM
certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-64andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
which grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
5-66

Audio System.................................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-118
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual..............................3-98
Setting the Clock.........................................3-65
Audio System(s).............................................3-67
Audio Systems
Radio Reception........................................3-119
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-118
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...........................................2-24, 2-27
B
Battery..........................................................5-35
Electric Power Management..........................3-16
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................6-16
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-98
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brake Fluid....................................................5-32
Brakes..........................................................5-32
Antilock....................................................... 4-5
Parking......................................................2-31
System Warning Light..................................3-30Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-14
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-43
Headlamps.................................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-44
License Plate Lamps....................................5-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-45
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
Calibration.....................................................3-47
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 5-4
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-97
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................2-35
Liftgate......................................................2-12
Winter Driving.............................................4-17
2

V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Loading......................................................4-20
Running While Parked..................................2-36
Service Soon Light......................................3-40
Symbols......................................................... iii
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-17
Vehicle Data Recording,
Radio Frequency (RFID)...............................7-19
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-90
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-90
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-57
Vehicle, Remote Start....................................... 2-7
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-23
Visors...........................................................2-16
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-24
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iiiWheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-68
Different Size..............................................5-66
Replacement...............................................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires..........................5-63
Where to Put the Child Restraint.......................1-40
Windows.......................................................2-14
Power ........................................................2-15
Windshield
Washer........................................................ 3-9
Washer Fluid..............................................5-31
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-47
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................5-87
Wiper Fuses...............................................5-91
Wipers......................................................... 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-17
Wipers
Rear Washer..............................................3-10
X
XM Radio Messages.......................................3-97
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14