service PONTIAC VIBE 2008 User Guide

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
cannot turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these work, then your vehicle
needs service.
(A) LOCK/OFF:This is the only position from which
you can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission. Push in the ignition
switch as you turn the key toward you.If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition switch
cannot be turned to LOCK/OFF unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK/OFF will lock the steering column
and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to turn
the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the key only to ACC/ACCESSORY. Do not push
the key in while the vehicle is moving.
(B) ACC/ACCESSORY:This position operates some of
your electrical accessories, such as the radio, but not the
ventilation fan. It unlocks the steering wheel and ignition.
To move the key from ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
push in the key and then turn it to LOCK/OFF.
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{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime
use and pull it for nighttime use.
The mirror may have lights located on the bottom of
the mirror. Press the button next to each light to turn it
on or off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Move the lever to the right for nighttime
use and to the left for daytime use.
There may also be three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for
more information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-35for more
information on the services OnStar®provides.
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Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and
live advisors to provide you with a wide range of
safety, security, information, and convenience services.
If your 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 you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press the
OnStar button and they can contact Roadside Service
for you.
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OnStar service is provided to you subject to the
OnStar Terms and Conditions. You may cancel your
OnStar service at any time by contacting OnStar.
A complete OnStar Owner’s Guide and the OnStar
Terms and Conditions are included in the vehicle’s
OnStar Subscriber glove box literature. For more
information, visit onstar.com or onstar.ca, contact
OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or
TTY 1-877-248-2080, or press the OnStar button
to speak with an OnStar advisor 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Not all OnStar features are available on all vehicles.
To check if your vehicle is equipped to provide the
services described below, or for a full description of
OnStar services and system limitations, see the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in your glove box or visit onstar.com.
OnStar Services
For new vehicles equipped with OnStar, the
Safe & Sound Plan, or the Directions & Connections
Plan is included for one year from the date of purchase.
You can extend this plan beyond the rst year, or
upgrade to the Directions & Connections Plan. For more
information, press the OnStar button to speak with an
advisor. Some OnStar services (such as Remote Door
Unlock or Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance) may not
be available until you register with OnStar.
Available Services with Safe & Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Airbag Deployment
Advanced Automatic Crash Notication (AACN)
(If equipped)
Link to Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics
GM Goodwrench®On Demand Diagnostics
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with
30 complimentary minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor (U.S. Only)
Available Services included with
Directions & Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered or OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped)
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
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OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar
subscribers to make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into
the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Hands-Free Calling may also
be linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the
U.S. or a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada,
depending on eligibility. To nd out more, refer to
the OnStar Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box,
visit www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, or speak
with an OnStar advisor by pressing the OnStar button
or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar Hands-Free
Calling that uses your minutes to access location-based
weather, local traffic reports, and stock quotes. By
pressing the phone button and giving a few simple voice
commands, you can browse through the various topics.
See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more information.
(Only available in the continental U.S.)
OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Talk/Mute button
that can be used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free
Calling.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button
for a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” in
order to activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling feature.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to
dial numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for
more information.
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How OnStar Service Works
In order to provide you with OnStar services, your
vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of recording
and transmitting vehicle information. This information is
automatically sent to an OnStar Call Center at the time
of an OnStar button press, Emergency button press or
if your airbags or AACN system deploys. The vehicle
information usually includes your GPS location and, in
the event of a crash, additional information regarding the
accident that your vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the
direction from which your vehicle was hit). When you use
the Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling,
your vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS location so that
we can provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar service
also cannot work unless you are in a place where the
wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that area
has coverage, network capacity and reception when the
service is needed, and technology that is compatible
with the OnStar service. Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas,
or at all times.OnStar service that involves location information about
your vehicle cannot work unless GPS satellite signals
are unobstructed and available in that place as well.
Your vehicle must have a working electrical system
(including adequate battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service to you at any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to important parts of your
vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network congestion.
Your Responsibility
You may need to increase the volume of your radio to
hear the OnStar advisor. If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, this means that your system is not
functioning properly and should be checked by a dealer.
If the light appears clear (no light is appearing), your
OnStar subscription has expired. You can always press
the blue OnStar button to conrm that your OnStar
equipment is active.
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When the key is turned to ON or START, this light will
come on as a reminder for the right front passenger to
fasten their safety belt. This light will ash until the right
front passenger’s safety belt is buckled. The passenger’s
safety belt reminder light will not come on if the right front
passenger’s belt is already buckled or if a sensor does
not detect the weight of a passenger in that seat.
If something is placed on the right front passenger
seat, the sensors in the seat may detect that object and
cause the right front passenger safety belt reminder
light to come on. If this happens, remove the object.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel
cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, seat-mounted side impact and roof-mounted
airbag sensors, driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat
belt buckle switch, right front occupant sensing system
and indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inators,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag System
on page 1-50.This light will come on
briey when you start
your vehicle, then it
should go out and the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on or keeps
ashing after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system and safety belt pretension
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate without a
crash. To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle serviced right away if the
airbag readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped) if the system detects a
rear-facing child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.
We recommend that rear-facing child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is
or airbags are off.
If the word OFF is lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the passenger sensing system
has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped).
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-59for
more on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights remain
on, or if there are no lights at all, 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 3-29for more on this, including important
safety information.
3-31

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake does not release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push or the pedal may go closer to the oor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeAntilock Brake System
Warning Light on page 3-33andTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-25.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System Warning
Light
With the Antilock Brake System (ABS), this light comes
on when the engine is started and can stay on for
several seconds. This is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK. If the light
comes on while you are 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 you are driving, your vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, you
still have brakes, but you do not have antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you
do not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-32. United States
Canada
3-33

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.
The check engine light comes on to indicate that there
is an OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls might
not work as well, your 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 your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or replacement tires that do not match
your vehicle’s original tires can affect your vehicle’s
emission controls and can cause this light to come
on. Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by your warranty. This
could also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light comes on, as a check to show it is working,
when the ignition is turned to ON/RUN but the engine
is not running. If the light does not come on, have
it repaired. This light also comes on during a malfunction
in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required. United States
Canada
3-36