warning light PONTIAC VIBE 2008 Owner's Manual

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple of reective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of
sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to
help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-49.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip, and need to be
very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can
be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
4-15

When to Check and What to Use
The reservoir is located
at the back of the engine
compartment, on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the uid level in your
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper uid.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-12
andPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-19.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check to make sure that the uid level is at or above
the MIN mark. If the level is below the MIN mark,
see the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
Your vehicle was factory-lled with a coolant developed
to last for ve years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst. When coolant is added or
changed, use DEX-COOL
®coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-23

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
If your vehicle has the low windshield washer uid
level warning light, it will come on when the uid
level is too low. SeeLow Washer Fluid Warning
Light on page 3-40.Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir
location.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage the vehicle’s
windshield washer system and paint.
5-34

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder
use the same reservoir.
It is lled with DOT-3
brake uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the uid
level goes back up. The other reason is that uid is
leaking out of the brake hydraulic system or the hydraulic
clutch system. If it is, have that system xed immediately,
since a leak means that the brakes will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added
when the linings are worn, there will be too much uid
when new brake linings are installed. Add or remove
brake uid, as necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine. The uid will burn if the
engine is hot enough. You or others could be
burned, and your vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work is done on the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-32.
5-35

Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Industry
and Science Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates
on a radio frequency and complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates
on a radio frequency and complies with RSS-210
of Industry and Science Canada. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is designed
to warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition
exists. TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire
and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel
assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure
in the vehicle’s tires and transmits the tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected,
the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure
warning light located
on the instrument
panel cluster.
5-58

This light also comes on for a few seconds and then
goes off when you turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
This indicates the TPMS is functioning properly.
If the low-tire pressure warning light comes on while
driving your vehicle, the system may have detected a
low-tire condition. You need to stop as soon as possible
and check the tires.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early
indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your
vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct ination pressure for
your vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-19, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label and its location
on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-55.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61andTires on page 5-49.TPMS Malfunction Light
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of
the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When
the system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute and then stays
on for the remainder of the ignition cycle. The low tire
warning light comes on at each ignition cycle until
the problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that
can cause the malfunction light to come on are:
One of the road tires has been replaced with the
spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DIC
message should go off once you re-install the
road tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The initialization (reset) procedure was not
performed correctly after replacing or rotating tires
or wheels. See “TPMS Reset” later in this section.
One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off when the TPMS
sensors are installed and the sensor matching
process is performed successfully. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
5-59

Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those recommended for your
vehicle could prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-63.
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If tire chains are installed on the vehicle.
If there is a lot of snow or ice around the wheels
or wheel housings.
If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals
is installed.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or
signal a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer
for service if the TPMS malfunction light comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Reset
In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to work
properly you need to reset (initialize) the tire pressure
monitoring system. Any time you repair or replace a tire
or wheel, or rotate the tires the tire pressure monitor
system needs to be reset.
Do not reset (initialize) the system without rst correcting
the cause of the low-tire condition. If the system is reset
when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system will
not function properly and might not alert you when a
tire is low.
When initializing the system, the present tire ination
pressure is stored as standard. The tire pressure warning
system determines decreased air pressure by comparing
the present and the standard tire ination pressures.
When you change the set tire ination pressure, it is
necessary to initialize the tire pressure warning system.
To reset (initialize) the system:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the
parking brake. Turn the engine off.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
3. Adjust the tire pressure of all the installed tires
to the specied cold tire ination pressure level.
4. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
5-60

5. Press and hold the tire
pressure warning reset
switch until the tire
pressure warning light
ashes slowly on/off
three times.
Wait for a few minutes with the ignition in ON/RUN,
and then turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF.
If the low-tire pressure warning light does not
ash three times while you press and hold the
reset button, the reset has failed. Repeat the
reset process. If the reset cannot be performed,
see your dealer/retailer for service.
If you press the tire pressure reset switch while
the vehicle is moving, the reset is not performed.
If you press the tire pressure reset switch accidentally
and initialization is performed, adjust the tire pressure
to the specied level and initialize the system again.Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs
of wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for
New Tires on page 5-63for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeePart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achieve
a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. This
will ensure that your vehicle continues to perform
most like it did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate the tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-63and
Wheel Replacement on page 5-67for more
information.
5-61

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-65
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-90
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning..............................................3-20
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-30
Readiness Light..........................................3-29
Airbag System................................................1-50
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-55
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-65
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-57
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-59
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-64
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-57
Antenna, Fixed Mast........................................3-64
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-64
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-33Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-87
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-86
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83
Finish Care.................................................5-86
Finish Damage............................................5-88
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-84
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-82
Leather......................................................5-84
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-88
Tires..........................................................
5-88
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-89
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-87
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-19
Audio System.................................................3-42
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-64
Radio Reception..........................................3-63
Setting the Time..........................................3-43
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-64
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
1

Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
B
Battery..........................................................5-38
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
System Inspection.......................................6-18
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Panic Assist................................................. 4-7
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-43
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-45
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-46
Buying New Tires...........................................5-63
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-95
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-32, 4-15, 4-27
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-85
Cargo Cover..................................................2-42
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-42
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-58
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-45
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
Charging System Light....................................3-32
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-88
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
2