stop start PONTIAC VIBE 2005 Owner's Manual

You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even
several seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark.
When you are faced with severe glare, as from a
driver who does not lower the high beams, or a
vehicle with misaimed headlamps, slow down a little.
Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your
vehicle clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made
much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of
the glass can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass
makes lights dazzle and ash more than clean glass
would, making the pupils of your eyes contract
repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should
be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your
eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as well
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread
left, you will get even less traction. It is always wise to
go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while
you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when
your reexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.
4-18

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and
even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank lled
with washer uid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow down before you
hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
4-19

When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles
that rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They will be
ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-23

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not.
It’s important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of the engine and the transaxle overheating.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle or into gear for
a manual transaxle, yet. When parking uphill, turn
your wheels away from the curb. When parking
downhill, turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and shift into PARK (P) for an automatic
transaxle or REVERSE (R) for a manual transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-45

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re trailering,
it’s a good idea to review this information before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-30.
4-46

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-23
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-26
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-27
Engine Coolant.............................................5-28
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-30
Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Cooling System............................................5-32Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-49
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-53
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-56
Tires..............................................................5-57
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-64
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-65
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-69
Buying New Tires.........................................5-70
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse block is located underneath
the instrument panel on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Fuses Usage
TAILFront Parking Lamps, Taillamps,
License Plate Lamps, Instrument
Panel Lights, Engine Control System
OBD On-Board Diagnostic System
WIPER Windshield Wipers
Fuses Usage
AM2Charging System, Air Bag System,
Starter System, Engine Control
STOPStop Lamps, CHMSL, Engine Control
System, Anti-lock Brakes, Cruise
Control
DOOR Power Door Locks, Liftglass Lock
AM1Cigarette Lighter, Gauge, ECU-IG,
Wiper, Rear Wiper, Washer Fuses
ECU-IGCruise Control, Anti-Lock Brakes,
Theft Deterrent System, Automatic
Transaxle Control System, Electric
Cooling Fan
RR WIPERRear Window Wiper, Rear Window
Defogger
A/C Air Conditioning
INV Power Outlets
P/POINT Power Outlets
ECU-B Daytime Running Lamps
5-97

Fuses Usage
RDI FAN Electric Cooling Fan
ABS NO. 1Anti-lock Brake System
(With Stability Control System)
FOG Front Fog Lamps
EFI2Multiport Fuel Injection System/
Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection
System, Emission Control System
EFI3Multiport Fuel Injection System/
Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection
System, Emission Control System
HEAD MAINRight Headlamp, Left Headlamp
Fuses
ALT-S Charging System
EFI Electronic Fuel Injection System
HAZARDTurn Signal Lamps, Emergency
Flasher
HORN Horn
DOMEInterior Lights, Gauges and Meters,
Audio System, Remote Keyless Entry
System, Navigation System
(If Equipped)Fuses Usage
MAIN Starter System, AM2 Fuse
AMP Audio System
MAYDAY OnStar
®System
ALTABS NO.1, ABS NO.2, RDI FAN,
FOG, Heater, AM1, POWER, DOOR,
ECU-B, TAIL, STOP, P/POINT, INV,
OBD Fuses, Charging System
HEAD RHRight-hand Headlamp, Headlamp
High Beam Indicator Lamp
HEAD LH Left-hand Headlamp
Relays Usage
M/G M/G
HEAD Headlamps
DIMMER Headlamp Dimmer
FAN NO. 2 Cooling Fan System
FAN NO. 1 Cooling Fan System
EFI Electronic Fuel Injection System
FOG Fog Lamps
5-99

Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-35
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-60
Setting the Time.............................................3-42
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-93
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-20
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Installing....................................................5-78
Removing...................................................5-76
Storing.......................................................5-84
Specications, Capacities...............................5-100
Speedometer..................................................3-27
Stabilitrak
®System.........................................4-10
Stabilitrak®Indicator Light.................................3-34
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-19
Steering........................................................4-11
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection.......................6-17Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-7
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-37
Coinholder(s)..............................................2-37
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-37
Glove Box..................................................2-37
Instrument Panel Storage Area......................2-37
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System..............2-39
Rear Storage Area.......................................2-38
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-30
Sun Visors.....................................................2-14
Sunroof.........................................................2-40
T
Tachometer....................................................3-27
Taillamp Indicator Light....................................3-39
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-53
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-34
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-15
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-18
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
12