ignition PONTIAC VIBE 2009 User Guide

{CAUTION
In freezing weather, do not use
your washer until the windshield
is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the
windshield, blocking your vision.
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in auxiliary electrical
equipment.
The vehicle has an accessory
power outlet on the center oor
console below the shift lever.
To use the outlet, the ignition
must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Pull down the
small cover to access the outlet.Notice:Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended
periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical
equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum amperage
rating.
This circuit is protected by a fuse
and has a maximum current level.
Do not use equipment exceeding
the maximum amperage rating.
Certain power accessory plugs may
not be compatible to the power
accessory outlet and could result
in a blown vehicle or adapter
fuse. See your dealer/retailer for
additional information on the power
accessory plugs.Notice:Adding any electrical
equipment to the vehicle can
damage it or keep other
components from working as
they should. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage
rating of 20 amperes. Check
with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included
with the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the
power outlet can cause damage
not covered by the warranty.
Do not hang any type of
accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the
power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.
Instruments and Controls 4-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Power Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current
Electrical equipment with a
maximum limit of 115 VAC can be
plugged into this power outlet. If the
equipment used requires more than
the limit, a protection circuit will
cut the power supply. The power
automatically restarts when
equipment that operates within
the limit is plugged in.
The power outlet is located below
the shift lever.
Before using the outlet, turn on
the ignition and press the button
located on the instrument panel
below the climate control system.An indicator light in the button
comes on. After using the outlet,
press the button again to turn it off.
The power outlet is not designed for
the following electrical equipment
and they may not work properly:
Equipment with high initial peak
wattage: cathode-ray tube type
televisions, compressor-driven
refrigerators, or electric
power tools.
Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply:
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets, touch sensor
lamps, etc.
Ashtray(s)
For vehicles with a removable
ashtray, it is located in the front
cupholder in the center console
storage area.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other
ammable items are put in
the ashtray, hot cigarettes or
other smoking materials could
ignite them and possibly damage
the vehicle. Never put ammable
items in the ashtray.
For vehicles with a lighter, push
the lighter down and it will pop up
when it is ready to be used.
The ignition switch must be in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position to use the lighter.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If, after several seconds, all status
indicator lights remain on, 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 4-14for more on
this, including important safety
information.
Service Airbag
Notication System
Message
If the Service Airbag Notication
System message appears on the
radio display, the vehicle may not
be able to provide the Automatic
Notication of Airbag Deployment
feature. SeeOnStar
®System on
page 4-25for information on this
feature. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briey when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show the light is
working. It should go out when the
engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
this light should come on when
the key is turned to START.If it does not come on, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes
on when the parking brake is
set. The light will stay on if the
parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking
brake is fully released, it means
there is a brake problem.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the
vehicle has been pulled off the
road and carefully stopped, have
the vehicle towed for service.
See Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light later in this section
andTowing Your Vehicle on
page 9-75.
United States
Canada
Instruments and Controls 4-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The ABS warning light comes on
briey when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. If the light comes
on while driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off.
Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light
still stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, there are
still brakes, but no antilock brakes.If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, there are
no antilock brakes and there is
a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 4-17.
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light
Vehicles with this feature, have a
warning light that comes on briey
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN as a check to show it is
working.
If the warning light does not come
on, have it xed so it will be able to
warn if there is a problem.If the warning light stays on, or
comes on while driving, the Speed
Sensitive Power Steering may
not be working. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light
This light should come on briey as
the engine is started.
If there is a tire with low tire
pressure, the light will stay on or
come back on.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 9-48for more information. United States
Canada
4-18 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light
This warning light comes on briey
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN.
It also comes on when the Traction
Control System is turned off by
pressing the TRAC OFF button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21for more information.
If it stays on or comes on while
driving, there is a problem with the
Traction Control System (TCS),
contact your dealer/retailer.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light warns that there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS) or the Vehicle
Stability Control (VSC) system.
The light comes on when the ignition
is turned to ON/RUN.
If the light comes on while driving,
the system is not working.
The TCS light comes on when the
VSC system warning light comes on,
even if the TRAC OFF button is
not pressed.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-22for more information on
Vehicle Stability Control System.SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21for more information.
Contact your dealer/retailer, if
the light does not come on or if it
stays on.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, the engine
is too hot. Pull off the road, stop
the vehicle, and turn off the engine
as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
United StatesCanada
Instruments and Controls 4-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It makes sure
that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle,
helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light comes on when the ignition
is on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show it is working. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, when the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle. This system assists the
service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and
the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.Notice:Modications made
to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead
to costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
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Canada
4-20 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Service All-Wheel Drive
Light
This light will come on briey when
the ignition is turned on, and the
engine is not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started. It should go out when the
engine is started. If it stays on, or
comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the system.
Have it checked by your dealer/
retailer.
The four-wheel-drive indicator will
light up when the All-Wheel drive
is active.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 4-7for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
This light comes on if any door,
the rear liftgate, or the rear liftglass
are not completely closed.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows about how
much fuel is in the fuel tank.
An arrow on the fuel gage indicates
that the fuel ller door is on the driver
side of the vehicle. The fuel gage
works only when the ignition switch is
turned to ON/RUN. When the gage
rst indicates E or empty, there is still
about 2 gallons ( 7.6 L) of fuel left,
but more needs to be added right
away. When the vehicle is low on fuel
the low fuel warning light, located
below the empty mark, comes on.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Five things that do not indicate a
problem with the fuel gage:
At the gas station, the fuel pump
shuts off before the gage reads
F or full.
It takes a little more or less fuel
to ll up than the gage indicated.
For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half
full, but it actually took more
or less than half the tank’s
capacity to ll it.
It takes the gage several minutes
to read F or full after lling the
vehicle with fuel.
The gage moves a little when
you turn, stop or speed up.
The gage does not go back to
E or empty when you turn off
the ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, on the fuel gage, comes
on when the fuel tank is low on
fuel. To turn if off, add fuel to the
fuel tank.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative
technologies and live advisors to
provide a wide range of safety,
security, information, and
convenience services. If the 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 the keys are
locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR to have a signal
sent to unlock the doors. OnStar
Hands-Free Calling, including
30 trial minutes good for 60 days, is
available on most vehicles. Press the
OnStar button to have an OnStar
advisor contact Roadside Service. United States
Canada
Instruments and Controls 4-25
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Automatic Headlamp
System.............................5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-2
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-3
Entry Lighting.....................5-3
Reading Lamps..................5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The lever on the left side of the
steering column operates the
exterior lamps.
P/;(Exterior Lamps):Turn the
outside band of the lever to operate
the lamps. For vehicles sold in the
U.S.,
Pappears on the instrument
panel cluster when the exterior
lamps are on. For vehicles rst
sold in Canada,
;appears in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeLights
On Reminder on page 4-23.The exterior lamp switch has three
positions:
((Off):Turns off all lamps, except
the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on
the parking lamps together with the
following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):Turns on the
headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
A tone sounds when the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF, the driver
door is opened and the key
is removed from the ignition while
the lamps are on.
Lighting 5-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual