4-32 PONTIAC VIBE 2004 Owners Manual

To adjust the position of the crossrails, do the following:
1. Turn the eight knobs counterclockwise to loosen
the crossrails.
2. Slide the crossrails to the desired position for
loading the luggage.
3. After adjusting the crossrails, be sure to tighten all
the knobs by turning the knobs clockwise.
Notice:Loading cargo that weighs more than
75 lbs. (34 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle. When you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear or the sides of your
vehicle. When loading cargo, be sure it rests on the
crossrails and does not scratch or damage the
vehicle.
Put the cargo against the side rails and fasten it
securely to the luggage carrier. Put the main weight
as far forward as you can and move the rear
crossrail as far forward as possible to keep the load
from shifting.
Don't exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see
Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-32.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you're driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage
carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
2-39

Rear Storage Area
A storage area is located under the rear cargo area
¯oor panel.
Turn the two lock knobs on
the ¯oor panel to unlock
the storage area
access cover.
Be sure to lock the access cover to close it securely.
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.
Make sure the cargo being carried in the rear cargo
area is secure. See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
2-40

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
City Driving..................................................4-19Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-22
Winter Driving..............................................4-24
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow...................................................4-28
Towing..........................................................4-30
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-30
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-30
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-34
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Dolly Towing
If your vehicle is a front-wheel drive vehicle it can be
towed using a dolly. To tow your vehicle using a dolly,
follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P) for automatic transaxles
and in neutral for manual transaxles.
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if
any of its wheels will be on the ground.
Loading Your Vehicle
4-32

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 you
may 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. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32for 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±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.Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are in¯ated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You'll ®nd these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label located in the glovebox.
See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32. Then be
sure you do not go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
4-36

A. Tire Size
B. Department of Transportation (DOT)
C. Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN)
D. Tire Ply Material
E. Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
F. Maximum Cold In¯ation Load Limit
Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of letters and
numbers used to de®ne a particular tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type and service
description. See the ªTire Sizeº illustration later in this
section for more detail.
Department of Transportation (DOT):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT code are the Tire Identi®cation
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and
plant code, tire size, and date the tire was manufactured.
The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire.
Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of plies
in the sidewall and under the tread.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on
three performance factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-72.
Maximum Cold In¯ation Load Limit:Maximum load
that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. For information on
recommended tire pressure see
In¯ation Ð Tire
Pressure on page 5-67andLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-32.
5-63

Tire Terminology and De®nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories, for example, automatic
transmission, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, radio and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires that hold the
tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles
substantially less than 90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold In¯ation Pressure:The amount of air pressure in
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa), before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-67.Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identi®cation
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, see
Loading
Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa's to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
5-65

Load Index:An assigned number ranging from 1 to
279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of
a tire.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at
the maximum permissible in¯ation pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of
curb weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;
and production options weight.
Maximum Permissible In¯ation Pressure:The
maximum cold in¯ation pressure to which a tire may
be in¯ated.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of occupants a
vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg). See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of a asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that faces outward
when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand and or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended In¯ation Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer's recommended tire in¯ation pressure
shown on the tire placard. See
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure
on page 5-67andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Radial Ply tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at substantially
90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire
can operate.
Traction:The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Treadwear Indicators:Narrow bands, sometimes
called ªwear bars,º that show across the tread of a tire
when only 2/32 inch of tread remains. See
When It
Is Time for New Tires on page 5-70.
5-66

Tread Width:The width of the tire's tread.
UTQGS:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a tire
information system that provides consumers with
ratings for a tire's traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire. See
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-72.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:Is the number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 pounds (68 kg)
plus the rated cargo load. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on an
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight,
occupant weight and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard:A label permanently attached to a
vehicle showing original equipment tire size and
the recommended cold in¯ation pressure. See
Loading
Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure
The tire and loading information label, shows the correct
in¯ation pressures for your tires when they're cold.
ªColdº means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Notice:
Don't let anyone tell you that underin¯ation
or overin¯ation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underin¯ation), you can get
the following:
·Too much ¯exing
·Too much heat
·Tire overloading
·Bad wear
·Bad handling
·Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overin¯ation), you
can get the following:
·Unusual wear
·Bad handling
·Rough ride
·Needless damage from road hazards
5-67

Buying New Tires
To ®nd out what kind and size of tires you need, look
at the tire and loading information label. For more
information about this label and where to ®nd it, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Make sure the replacements are the same size,
load capacity, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Be sure to use the same size and type tires on
all wheels. It's all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, it was developed
for use on your vehicle. See ªCompact Spare
Tireº in the index.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim ¯anges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
5-71