Pontiac Solstice Winter Driving in Blizzard Conditions
You should have some type of winter survival kit and Plan in your Pontiac Solstice in case of winter time emergency.
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.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves Pontiac Solstice
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.
Blizzard Conditions:
Being stuck in snow can be a serious situation. You should have some type of survival kit in your Pontiac Solstice if you Live where blizzard conditions exist. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Stay with the
Pontiac Solstice unless there is help nearby.
To get help and keep everyone in the Pontiac Solstice safe:
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
Snow can trap Pontiac Solstice engine exhaust
under the Pontiac Solstice. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside.
Pontiac Solstice engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the Pontiac Solstice is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from
around the base of your
Pontiac Solstice, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window about
two inches on the side of the
Pontiac Solstice that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument panel.
Adjust the Pontiac Solstice Climate Control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
Pontiac Solstice and set the fan speed
to the highest setting.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your Pontiac Solstice. This can cause
deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome
you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it
is in your Pontiac Solstice. Clear away snow
from around the base of your
Pontiac Solstice, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust
Run the Pontiac Solstice engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
To save fuel, run the Pontiac Solstice engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the Pontiac Solstice and then shut the Pontiac Solstice engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat
this until help arrives but only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the Pontiac Solstice engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the Pontiac Solstice engine
runs faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the Pontiac Solstice battery charged to
restart the Pontiac Solstice and to signal for
help with the Pontiac Solstice headlamps. Do
this as little as possible to save fuel.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Driving My Pontiac Solstice in winter
DRIVING My Pontiac Solstice ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull erratically
to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
Pontiac Solstice and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow,
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the Pontiac Solstice tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of Pontiac Solstice control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace Pontiac Solstice tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep Pontiac Solstice tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your Pontiac Solstice and the Pontiac Solstice in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK Pontiac Solstice
If your Pontiac Solstice becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
Fast spinning Pontiac Solstice tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause Pontiac Solstice tire damage
or failure. A Pontiac Solstice tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your Pontiac Solstice’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55km/h) when you are stuck. And don’t
let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
Racing the Pontiac Solstice engine or spinning the Pontiac Solstice wheels too fast
may lead to Pontiac Solstice transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the Pontiac Solstice tires. Do not spin the Pontiac Solstice wheels above
35 mph (55km/h).
Pontiac Solstice Snow tires
Some areas of the country require the use of Pontiac Solstice snow tires
during winter. Standard Pontiac Solstice tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the Pontiac Solstice tire side wall.
If you need snow tires, select Pontiac Solstice tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment Pontiac Solstice tires. Use snow tires on Pontiac Solstice only
in sets of 4, failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your Pontiac Solstice.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your Pontiac Solstice and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120
km/h).
To avoid damage to your Pontiac Solstice or Pontiac Solstice tires, observe the following precautions:
Because of restricted chain clearance between Pontiac Solstice tires and other suspension components, it is important that only chains in good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious damage. Stop the Pontiac Solstice immediately if noise occurs that
could indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the chain before further use. Install chains on the front wheels as tightly as
possible and then retighten after driving about 1⁄2 mile (0.8 km). Do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h). Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps, especially with a loaded Pontiac Solstice. Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement. Observe the Pontiac Solstice tire chain manufacturer’s instructions
on the method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for use. Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the chain manufacturer
if different than the speed recommended by the Pontiac Solstice manufacture.
Pontiac Solstice, snow tires, winter driving
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull erratically
to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
Pontiac Solstice and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow,
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the Pontiac Solstice tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of Pontiac Solstice control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace Pontiac Solstice tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep Pontiac Solstice tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your Pontiac Solstice and the Pontiac Solstice in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK Pontiac Solstice
If your Pontiac Solstice becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
Fast spinning Pontiac Solstice tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause Pontiac Solstice tire damage
or failure. A Pontiac Solstice tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your Pontiac Solstice’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55km/h) when you are stuck. And don’t
let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
Racing the Pontiac Solstice engine or spinning the Pontiac Solstice wheels too fast
may lead to Pontiac Solstice transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the Pontiac Solstice tires. Do not spin the Pontiac Solstice wheels above
35 mph (55km/h).
Pontiac Solstice Snow tires
Some areas of the country require the use of Pontiac Solstice snow tires
during winter. Standard Pontiac Solstice tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the Pontiac Solstice tire side wall.
If you need snow tires, select Pontiac Solstice tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment Pontiac Solstice tires. Use snow tires on Pontiac Solstice only
in sets of 4, failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your Pontiac Solstice.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your Pontiac Solstice and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120
km/h).
To avoid damage to your Pontiac Solstice or Pontiac Solstice tires, observe the following precautions:
Because of restricted chain clearance between Pontiac Solstice tires and other suspension components, it is important that only chains in good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious damage. Stop the Pontiac Solstice immediately if noise occurs that
could indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the chain before further use. Install chains on the front wheels as tightly as
possible and then retighten after driving about 1⁄2 mile (0.8 km). Do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h). Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps, especially with a loaded Pontiac Solstice. Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement. Observe the Pontiac Solstice tire chain manufacturer’s instructions
on the method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for use. Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the chain manufacturer
if different than the speed recommended by the Pontiac Solstice manufacture.
Pontiac Solstice, snow tires, winter driving
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