ECU PONTIAC VIBE 2008 Owner's Guide

Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and
live advisors to provide you with a wide range of
safety, security, information, and convenience services.
If your airbags deploy, the system is designed to make
an automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who
can request emergency services be sent to your location.
If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press the
OnStar button and they can contact Roadside Service
for you.
2-35

How to Remove and Replace the
Floor Mat
To remove the oor mat,
pull up on the rear of
the mat to disconnect it
from the locator hooks.
To reinstall the oor mat, line up the openings in the
oor mat over the locator hooks and push down
into place.
Luggage Carrier
{CAUTION:
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer or wider than the luggage
carrier — like paneling, plywood, a mattress and
so forth — the wind can catch it as you drive
along. This can cause you to lose control. What
you are carrying could be violently torn off, and
this could cause you or other drivers to have a
collision, and of course damage your vehicle.
You may be able to carry something like this
inside. But, never carry something longer or
wider than the luggage carrier on top of your
vehicle.
The luggage carrier has sliding crossrails and side rails
that are attached to the roof to secure cargo.
Use accessory racks that are compatible with your
luggage carrier. These are available through your
dealer/retailer.
2-40

To adjust the position of the crossrails, do the following:
1. Turn the knobs counterclockwise to loosen the
crossrails.
2. Slide the crossrails to the desired position for
loading the luggage.
Do not move the rear crossrail any closer than
eight inches from the antenna base in order to
avoid loss of radio reception.
3. After adjusting the crossrails, be sure to tighten all
the knobs by turning them clockwise.
Notice:Loading cargo on the luggage carrier that
weighs more than 150 lbs (68 kg) or hangs over the
rear or sides of the vehicle may damage your vehicle.
Load cargo so that it rests on the slats as far forward
as possible and against the side rails, making sure to
fasten it securely.Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-19.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you are driving,
check to make sure the luggage carrier and cargo
are still securely fastened.
Rear Storage Area
A storage area is located under the rear cargo area
oor panel.
Turn the knobs on the
oor panel to unlock the
storage area access cover.
Be sure to lock the access cover to close it securely.
2-41

Rear Cargo Accessory Track
System
Your vehicle has a track system located on the oor of
the rear cargo area. This system can be used to carry
accessories in your vehicle in many ways by using the
tie-down anchors provided in your vehicle or accessory
packages available from your dealer/retailer.
Make sure the cargo being carried in the rear cargo
area is secure. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-19.
Cargo Cover
To use the cargo cover, loosen the straps and attach
the side hooks of the cargo cover to the upper tie down
hooks located along both sides of the rear cargo
area. Pull straps to adjust.
{CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision
or sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it in the proper storage location. When you put
it back, always be sure that it is securely
reattached.
Cargo Tie Downs
The tire tie-down straps are designed to secure a at tire.
You can also use the straps and hooks to secure your
luggage.
There are eight tie-down hooks located in the rear of the
vehicle. The straps are located under the cargo area oor
panel. To use the straps, hook the ends to the lower
tie-down hooks in a criss-cross pattern across the cargo.
Pull on the straps at the buckle to tighten the straps as
needed.
2-42

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
F. Rear Window Defogger Button. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underClimate Control System on
page 3-20.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30. Front
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-28.
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button. SeeOutside
Remote Control Mirrors on page 2-34.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass
on page 2-10.
K. Tire Pressure Monitor Reset Button. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-57.
L. Coinholder. SeeCoinholder(s) on page 2-39.M. TRAC OFF Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6.
N. Content Theft-Deterrent Security Light. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16.
O. Storage Compartment. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage on page 2-39.
P. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Exterior Lamp
Stalk. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-7andExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
Q. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
R. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
S. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
T. Cruise Control Lever (Option). SeeCruise Control
on page 3-11.
U. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-19.
V. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-9.
W. Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19
orAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
X. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-23orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-26
.
3-5

{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped) if the system detects a
rear-facing child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.
We recommend that rear-facing child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is
or airbags are off.
If the word OFF is lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the passenger sensing system
has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped).
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-59for
more on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights remain
on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a problem
with the lights or the passenger sensing system. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
{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 airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-29for more on this, including important
safety information.
3-31

XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language Channels):These channels,
or any others, can be blocked at a customer’s request,
by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
Updating:The encryption code in the receiver is
being updated, and no action is required. This process
should take no longer than 30 seconds.
No Signal:The system is functioning correctly, but
the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™
signal. When the vehicle is moved into an open area,
the signal should return.
Loading XM:The audio system is acquiring and
processing audio and text data. No action is needed.
This message should disappear shortly.
CH Off Air:This channel is not currently in service.
Tune to another channel.
CH Unavail:This previously assigned channel is no
longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this station
was one of the presets, choose another station for
that preset button.
No Info:No artist, song title, category, or text
information is available at this time on this channel.
The system is working properly.No Info:No text or informational messages are
available at this time on this channel. The system is
working properly.
Not Found:There are no channels available for the
selected category. The system is working properly.
XM Locked:The XM™ receiver in your vehicle may
have previously been in another vehicle. For security
purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be swapped between
vehicles. If this message is received after having
your vehicle serviced, check with your dealer/retailer.
Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message
alternates with the XM™ Radio eight digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.
Unknown:If this message is received when tuned
to channel 0, there may be a receiver fault. Consult with
your dealer/retailer.
Chk XMRcvr:If this message does not clear within a
short period of time, the receiver may have a fault.
Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power
outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the item
from the accessory power outlet.
3-63

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

And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out. See “Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly. If you
have fold-down rear seats, you will nd
four anchors on the back wall of your
trunk. You can use these anchors to tie
down lighter loads. They are not strong
enough for heavy things, however, so put
them as far forward as you can in the
trunk or rear area.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
4-24

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. It can also depend on any special
equipment that you have on your vehicle, and the amount
of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-5
for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo youmay carry in it, and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And if you tow a trailer, you must add
the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle
will be carrying that weight, too. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-19for more information about your
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A)
should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
4-29