check engine light PONTIAC VIBE 2009 User Guide

Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or alwaysdecrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking. United States
Canada
8-20 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

To turn the systems back on,
press the
gswitch again. If both
systems are turned off, they will not
turn back on automatically when
vehicle speed increases.
If the VSC OFF light ashes,
there is a problem in the traction
control system or StabiliTrak.
Adding non-GM accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance.
SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 9-3Accessories and
Modications for more information.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If your vehicle has this feature,
engine power is sent to all four
wheels all the time. This is like
four-wheel drive, but it is fully
automatic.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has StabiliTrak. This
system helps provide integrated
control of systems such as the
Antilock Brake System, traction
control and engine control. This
system automatically controls the
brakes and engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding when
cornering on a slippery road surface
or turning the steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when your
vehicle speed reaches or exceeds
9 mph (15 km/h), and deactivates
when the vehicle speed reduces to
below 9 mph (15 km/h).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just
after the vehicle begins to move.
This means that the system is in
the self-check mode, but does not
indicate a problem.If the vehicle is going to skid during
driving, the traction control system
warning light ashes and an alarm
sounds intermittently. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak, press
and hold the
gswitch while the
vehicle is stopped.
8-22 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but would not
get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you
or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.Notice:If you use extra
inhibitors and/or additives in
your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18for
more information.
Gives freezing protection down to
−34°F (−38°C).
Gives boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Lets the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL can cause premature
engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the enginecoolant may require changing
sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL (silicate-free)
coolant in your vehicle.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface. When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at LOW,
or a little higher. When the engine
is warm, the level should be up to
FULL, or a little higher. If it is not,
there could be a leak at the pressure
cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere else in the cooling
system.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6Engine Compartment
Overview for the location of the
coolant recovery tank.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Open the hoods and locate the
batteries. Find the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
{CAUTION
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a ashlight if you need more light.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has ller caps, be sure the right
amount of uid is there. If it is
low, add water to take care of
that rst. If you don’t, explosive
gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.5. Check that the jumper cables
do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a short
that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And
do not connect the negative (−)
cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this
can cause sparks.
9-72 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Check restraint system. Make
sure the safety belt reminder
light and safety belt assemblies
are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keep
a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also see
Airbag System Check on
page 1-35.
❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap
gasket, and lines for damage
or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace
parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transmission
uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.35,000 Miles (56 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
40,000 Miles (64 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
45,000 Miles (72 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
❑Inspect passenger compartment
air lter.
50,000 Miles (80 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-6 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
55,000 Miles (88 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
60,000 Miles (96 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-12
for more information.
❑Check restraint system. Make
sure the safety belt reminder
light and safety belt assemblies
are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keep
a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also seeAirbag
System Check on page 1-35.❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst). Visually
inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage.
Replace belt if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect for tappet noise and
engine vibration. Adjust valve
clearance to factory specications
if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket,
and lines for damage or leaks
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). Replace parts as
needed.An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transmission uid
every 30,000 miles (48 000 km)
only if your vehicle is used to tow
a trailer.
Service and Maintenance 11-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
85,000 Miles (136 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
90,000 Miles (144 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Replace engine air cleaner lter
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-12
for more information.
❑Check restraint system. Make
sure the safety belt reminder
light and safety belt assemblies
are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you
see anything that might keepa safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed
safety belts replaced. Also
seeAirbag System Check on
page 1-35.
❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or 12 months since last
inspection).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap
gasket, and lines for damage
or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace
parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transmission
uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
Service and Maintenance 11-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets........ 4-9
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-34
Additives, Fuel.....................8-37
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-35
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-12
Air Conditioning..................... 7-1
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Readiness Light................4-14
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-35
Airbag System.....................1-21
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-34
Check.............................1-35
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-26Airbag System (cont.)
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-28
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-33
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-26
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-26
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-24
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-23
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD)
System...........................8-22
All-Wheel-Drive Service
Light...............................4-24
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-14
Antenna, XM™ Satellite
Radio Antenna System......6-14
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-20
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-18Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-90
Exterior Cleaning..............9-86
Finish Damage.................9-89
Interior Cleaning...............9-83
Sheet Metal Damage........9-89
Underbody Maintenance....9-90
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................12-8
Ashtray(s)...........................4-10
Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-13
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-14
Radio Reception...............6-14
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System............6-14
Audio System(s).................... 6-3
Automatic Headlamp System . . . 5-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-14
Operation....................8-6, 8-8
INDEX i-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

B
Battery...............................9-30
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brake
System Inspection...........11-17
Brake Fluid.........................9-27
Brakes...............................9-27
System Warning Light.......4-17
Braking...............................8-19
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-31
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamp Aiming..............9-30
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
License Plate Lamps.........9-34
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Taillamps.........................9-33
Buying New Tires.................9-54
C
California Fuel.....................8-36
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning........................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... iiCapacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon Monoxide.........8-16, 8-29
Care, Safety Belts................1-20
Cargo Cover......................... 3-4
Cargo Management System.... 3-6
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-6
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 .............................. 6-9
Center Console Storage Area . . . 3-2
Chains, Tire........................9-60
Charging System Light..........4-16
Check
Engine Lamp...................4-20
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-90
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-41
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children..................1-44
Older Children..................1-36
Securing..................1-50, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-43
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-86
Interior............................9-83
Underbody Maintenance....9-90Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment.................. 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-3
Clock, Setting........................ 6-2
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-17
Collision Damage Repair.....12-11
Compact Spare Tire.............9-70
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-10
Control of a Vehicle..............8-18
Coolant
Engine............................
9-18
Engine
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System...................9-18
Cruise Control....................... 4-4
Cruise Control Light..............4-23
Cupholders........................... 3-1
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.....12-4, 12-10
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................12-4
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
i-2 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Customer Assistance Information
(cont.)
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program.......................12-5
Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors........12-16
Reporting Safety Defects
to the Canadian
Government................12-15
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government................12-15
Roadside Assistance
Program.......................12-5
Service Publications
Ordering Information.....12-16
D
Daytime Running Lamp.......... 5-2
Defensive Driving.................8-17
Disc, MP3............................ 6-9
Doing Your Own
Service Work..................... 9-4
Dome Lamps ........................ 5-3Door
Ajar Light........................4-24
Locks............................... 2-6
Power Door Locks.............. 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-7
Driver Storage Compartment.... 3-3
Driving
At Night..........................8-26
Before a Long Trip............8-28
Defensive........................8-17
Drunken..........................8-18
Highway Hypnosis............8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads....8-28
In Rain and on Wet
Roads.........................8-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ....................8-31
Winter.............................8-29E
EDR .................................12-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment............9-35
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................9-36Electrical System (cont.)
Headlamp Wiring..............9-35
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block...................9-36
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.....9-36
Windshield Wiper Fuses....9-36
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...............9-12
Check and Service Engine
Soon Lamp..................4-20
Coolant...........................9-18
Coolant Heater................... 8-5
Coolant
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System
Inspection...................11-17
Drive Belt Routing.............10-5
Engine Compartment
Overview....................... 9-6
Exhaust...........................8-16
Oil ................................... 9-9
Overheating.....................9-22
Starting............................. 8-4
Entry Lighting........................ 5-3
Event Data Recorders.........12-17
Extender, Safety Belt............1-19
Exterior Lamps...................... 5-1
INDEX i-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual