PONTIAC VIBE 2006 Owners Manual

Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by your
GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must live
with the repair. Depending on your policy limits, your
insurance company may initially value the repair using
aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
Remember if your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine
GM parts, even if your insurance coverage does not pay
the full cost.
If another party’s insurance company is paying for the
repairs, you are not obligated to accept a repair
valuation based on that insurance company’s collision
policy repair limits, as you have no contractual limits with
that company. In such cases, you can have control of
the repair and parts choices as long as cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
7-13

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-762-2737, or write:
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair
service procedures, adjustments, and specications for
GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-14

Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-15

✍NOTES
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-64
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-90
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-18
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-29
Readiness Light..........................................3-28
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-49
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-64
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-57
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-59
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-64
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-57
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-55
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-45
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-12
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-78
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-78Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-33
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-86
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-84
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-87
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-85
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-81
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-82
Finish Care.................................................5-85
Finish Damage............................................5-87
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-84
Leather......................................................5-83
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-87
Tires..........................................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-84
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-86
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-42
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-78
Care of Your CDs........................................3-78
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-78
Radio with CD....................................3-43, 3-54
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-66
Setting the Time..........................................3-43
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-77
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-78
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-18
B
Battery..........................................................5-40
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Panic Assist................................................4-11
Parking......................................................2-24
System Inspection.......................................6-18
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brakes..........................................................5-37
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-14
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-46Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-46
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-96
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-9, 2-28, 4-26, 4-40
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-84
Your CD Player...........................................3-78
Your CDs ...................................................3-78
Cargo Cover..................................................2-36
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-37
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-34
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-48
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-35
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-87
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-31
Infants and Young Children...........................1-28
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-26
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-45
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-86
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-85
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-82
Finish Care.................................................5-85
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-81
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-84
Leather......................................................5-83
Tires..........................................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-84
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-86
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-25
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-34
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-81
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-12
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-17
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-39
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-34
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-13
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-14
3

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Ajar Light...................................................3-40
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-14
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-31
Winter........................................................4-26
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-90
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-94
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-90
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-92
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-90
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-17
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Cooling System Inspection............................6-18
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-28
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-16
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-25
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
4

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage...............................................5-87
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-78
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-78
Floor Mats.....................................................2-34
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Manual Transaxle........................................5-24
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-6
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7Fuel (cont.)
Gage.........................................................3-41
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-41
System Inspection.......................................6-18
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-94
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-92
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-90
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-34
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
5

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-90
Headlamps
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-14
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-46
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-46
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-46
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Heater...........................................................3-18
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-40
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-25
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-15
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-28
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-58
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-18
Engine Cooling System................................6-18
Exhaust System..........................................6-17
Fuel System...............................................6-18
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-17
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-17
Throttle System...........................................6-18
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Storage Area..............................................2-34
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-25
Interior Lamps Control.....................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-41
6