warning light PONTIAC VIBE 2008 User Guide

The ABS warning light comes on briey when you
turn the ignition key to ON. This is normal. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light should come
on briey as you start
the engine.
It will then come on only when a low tire pressure
condition exists.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-57for
more information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This light should come on
briey when you start the
engine.
If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, there is
a problem with your Traction Control System (TCS).
The TCS warning light comes on briey when the
ignition is turned to ON. It will come on again when
you press the TRAC OFF button to turn off the TCS.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
for more information.
In the following cases, contact your dealer:
The indicator light does not come on when the
ignition is turned to ON.
The indicator light remains on after the ignition is
turned ON.
The indicator light comes on with the normal driving
mode while driving.
3-34

StabiliTrak®Indicator Light
This light warns that
there is a problem with
the Traction Control
System (TCS) or the
Vehicle Stability Control
(VSC) system.
The light will come on when the ignition is turned to ON
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the system does
not work. However, as conventional braking operates
when applied, there is no problem to continue driving.
In the following cases, contact your dealer:
The warning light does not come on after the
ignition is turned to ON.
The warning light remains on after the ignition is
turned to ON.
The warning light comes on while driving.
The TCS light will come on when the VSC system
warning light comes on, even if the TRAC OFF button
is not pressed.SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-7for more
information on Vehicle Stability Control System.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6for
more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, the engine is too
hot. It means that the engine has overheated. Pull off the
road, stop your vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
United StatesCanada
3-35

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
when your windshield
washer uid is low.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
This light will come on if
any door, the rear liftgate
or the rear liftglass are
not completely closed.
Canada Only
3-40

Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your fuel
tank. An arrow on the fuel gage indicates that the fuel
ller door is on the driver side of your vehicle. The fuel
gage works only when the ignition switch is ON. When
the gage rst indicates E or empty, you still have a little
fuel left, about 1 or 2 gallons (3.8 L or 7.6 L), but you
need to get more right away. When your vehicle is low on
fuel the low fuel warning light, located below the empty
mark, will also come on to remind you to add fuel.Here are ve things some owners ask about. None of
these show a problem with the fuel gage:
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads F or full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took
more or less than half the tank’s capacity to ll it.
It takes the gage several minutes to read F or full
after lling the vehicle with fuel.
The gage moves a little when you turn, stop or
speed up.
The gage does not go back to E or empty when you
turn off the ignition. United States
Canada
3-41

Low Fuel Warning Light
This light is located on the
fuel gage and comes on
when the fuel tank is
low on fuel.
To turn it off, add fuel to the fuel tank. SeeFuel on
page 5-5for more information.
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
3-42

For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance
of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
4-3

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster if you do
alot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot
of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the
pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS, this warning light on the
instrument panel will come on briey when you start
your vehicle.
When you start the engine, or when you 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 or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, the antilock brake
system warning light will stay on. SeeAntilock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-33. United States
Canada
4-4

This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
ABS, it is different. SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-4.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have 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 front 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, the system automatically turns on.
This light should come on
briey when you start the
engine.If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, there is
a problem with your traction control system.
The TRAC OFF button 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 freeing the front wheels. To turn off traction control,
press the TRAC OFF button. The traction control system
warning light will come on. The vehicle stability control
system (StabiliTrak
®) is always activated, even when the
traction control system is turned off. To turn the traction
control system back on, press the TRAC OFF button
again. The traction control system warning light will go off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-34for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for more information.
4-6

StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have this feature. The StabiliTrak®
system helps provide integrated control of the systems
such as anti-lock 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 will activate when your vehicle speed
reaches or exceeds 9 mph (15 km/h), and will
deactivate 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 malfunction.
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the traction
control system warning light will blink and an alarm
will sound intermittently. Adjust your driving accordingly.
This light warns that there
is a problem somewhere
in the traction control
system or StabiliTrak
®.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a panic brake assist system that
monitors the intention of the driver while braking. If the
system senses that the driver has applied hard/fast
pressure to the brake pedal, the system will generate
additional pressure, making it easier for the driver to
maintain brake application. When this happens the brake
pedal will feel easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let the system work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise but this
is normal. The brakes will return to normal operation after
the brake pedal has been released.
The brake assist system becomes operational after
the vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess
of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). It stops operating
when the vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 3 mph (5 km/h).
4-7

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect
your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower
in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or owing
water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warnings
and be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
4-12