stop start PONTIAC VIBE 2009 User Guide

You must fully apply the regular
brake rst and move the shift lever to
the right before you can shift from
P (Park) when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the
shift lever to the right and move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park on page 8-14.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 8-31.N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the vehicle when
it is already moving, use N (Neutral)
only. Also, use N (Neutral) when the
vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph
(56 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h)
or more, push the accelerator
all the way down.
Notice:If the vehicle seems to
start up rather slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and you
continue to drive the vehicle that
way, you could damage the
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive
in L2 (Low) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and
D (Drive) for higher speeds
until then.
2 (Second):This position reduces
vehicle speed more than D (Drive)
without using the brakes. You
can use 2 (Second) on hills.
Driving and Operating 8-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

You must fully apply the regular
brake rst and move the shift lever to
the right before shifting from P (Park)
while the ignition key is in ON/RUN.
If you cannot shift out of P (Park),
ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way into
P (Park) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting
Out of Park on page 8-14.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 8-31.N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with
the wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle
is being towed.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy from the vehicle.
If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h)
or more, push the accelerator
all the way down.
Driving and Operating 8-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Manual Transmission
Operation
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and
shift into 1 (First). Then, slowly let
up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 20 mph
(32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift
into 1 (First), put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch.
Press the clutch pedal back down.
Then shift into 1 (First).
2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth):
Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth)
and 5 (Fifth) the same way you
do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up
on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to NEUTRAL.
Neutral:Use this position when
you start or idle the engine.
R (Reverse):To back up, press
down on the clutch pedal and shift
into R (Reverse). Let up on the
clutch pedal slowly while pressing
the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
Also, use R (Reverse) along with
the parking brake for parking
your vehicle.
Driving and Operating 8-11
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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

Traction Control
System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control
system that limits wheel spin. This
is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of
the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front
brakes and reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal. Leave the
system on during ordinary driving so
that it can operate when needed.
When the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN, the system automatically
turns on. If the system has been
turned off, it will automatically turn on
at 35 mph (55 km/h). TCS cannot be
turned off above 35 mph (55 km/h).This light should come on briey
when the engine is started.
The traction control system warning
light ashes and an alarm will
sound intermittently when the
system is limiting wheel spin.
The
gswitch is located to the left
of the steering wheel below the
instrument panel cluster.
When getting the vehicle out of mud
or newly fallen snow, turn off the
traction control system. The system
that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeingthe front wheels. To turn off traction
control, press and release
the
gswitch. The traction control
system warning light will come on.
To turn the traction control system
back on, press the
gswitch again
or increase vehicle speed and the
system will automatically turn back
on. The traction control system
warning light will go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 4-19Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light for
more information.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak
®, press
and hold the
gswitch while
the vehicle is stopped. The traction
control system warning light and
the VSC OFF light will come on.
Driving and Operating 8-21
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

To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm the
vehicle and then shut the engine off
and close the window most of the
way to save heat. Repeat this until
help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold.
Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with
the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out on page 8-31.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin
at high speed, they can explode,
and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 9-60.
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right
to clear the area around the front
wheels. Turn off any traction or
stability system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator pedal
while shifting, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get the
vehicle out after a few tries, it might
need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 9-75.
Driving and Operating 8-31
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Fuel can spray out on you if you
open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly
burned. This spray can happen if
the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Do not to spill fuel. Do not top off
or overll the tank and wait a few
seconds to remove the nozzle. Clean
fuel from painted surfaces as soon
as possible. SeeExterior Cleaning
on page 9-86.When replacing the fuel cap, turn
it clockwise until it clicks. Make
sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate
into the atmosphere. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-20.
{CAUTION
If a re starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.Notice:If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer/retailer can get one for
you. If you get the wrong type, it
may not t properly. This may
cause the malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage the
fuel tank and emissions system.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-20.
Driving and Operating 8-39
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is signicantly
under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on
a signicantly under-inated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-ination
also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is
not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under-ination
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system
is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will ash
for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement oralternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 9-50for
additional information.
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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-49
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The 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) warns 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.When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the low tire pressure
warning light, located on the
instrument panel cluster, comes on.
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 the 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 the vehicle, shows
the size of the vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct
ination pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 8-32, for an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location on
your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47.
The 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 9-53andTires
on page 9-41.
9-50 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual