towing PONTIAC VIBE 2007 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems
....................... 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 8
Rear Seats
............................................. 16
Safety Belts
............................................ 18
Child Restraints
...................................... 37
Airbag System
........................................ 63
Restraint System Check
......................... 82
Features and Controls
................................ 85
Keys
....................................................... 87
Doors and Locks
.................................... 92
Windows
................................................ 98
Theft-Deterrent Systems
....................... 100
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
..... 102
Mirrors
.................................................. 121
OnStar
®System
................................... 123
Storage Areas
...................................... 127
Sunroof
................................................ 131Instrument Panel
....................................... 133
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 136
Climate Controls
................................... 152
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
.......................................... 158
Audio System(s)
................................... 177
Driving Your Vehicle
................................. 221
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 222
Towing
................................................. 259
Service and Appearance Care
.................. 269
Service
................................................. 272
Fuel
...................................................... 274
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 280
Bulb Replacement
................................ 315
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
... 321
2007 Pontiac Vibe Owner ManualM
1

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something
may be wrong with the airbag system. If
this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 162for
more on this, including important safety
information.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers or
seat backpacks, can affect how well the passenger
sensing system operates. You may want to
consider not using seat covers, seat backpacks, or
other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has
the passenger sensing system. SeeAdding
Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 81for more information about modications
that can affect how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
79

Reactivating the System
Once the system is set, it will automatically reset
the alarm after the alarm stops. The alarm will
activate again under the same conditions as
described earlier.
Disarming the System
The alarm can be disarmed by doing one of the
following:
Turn the ignition key from LOCK to ON.
Unlock any of the doors with the key or with
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
If the liftgate or liftglass is opened with the
key, the system will still be activated.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do
not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 261for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
102

Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 115. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 261.
Make sure that the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine.
108

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the
ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake
pedal down.Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in
as you move the lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 261.
114

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 261.To shift into PARK (P), do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake by pulling up on the
parking brake lever.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in the button on the shift lever and pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
115

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift
lever into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed into REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition key to LOCK,
remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 261.
Evaporation Pump
Your vehicle is equipped with a vacuum pump for
the vehicle’s fuel evaporation system. This
pump performs a fuel evaporation leakage test
approximately ve hours after the engine is turned
off. You may hear a sound coming from
underneath the rear cargo compartment for
several minutes.
The noise is normal and does not signify a
malfunction. See your dealer with any questions.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
118

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 119.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 248.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set your parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 115.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 261.
120

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this light
should come on when you turn the key to START.
If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 167andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 259.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
United StatesCanada
166

This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount
of cargo being hauled as soon as it is
possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission
system malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 277.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
171