PONTIAC VIBE 2008 Owners Manual

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins’ give additional 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.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
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Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
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Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
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7-15

Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was traveling
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Important:EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only
if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is recorded
by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash
location) is recorded. However, other parties, such as
law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the
type of personally identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.
7-16

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment
is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR
is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,
other parties, such as law enforcement, that have
the special equipment, can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the EDR.
GM will not access this data or share it with others
except: with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if
the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee;
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office; as part of GM’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or, as required by law.
Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for
GM research needs or may be made available to others
for research purposes, where a need is shown and the
data is not tied to a specic vehicle or vehicle owner.
OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions for information on data collection and
use. See alsoOnStar
®System on page 2-35in
this manual for more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other GM
system containing personal information.
7-17

✍NOTES
7-18

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-65
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-90
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning..............................................3-20
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-30
Readiness Light..........................................3-29
Airbag System................................................1-50
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-55
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-65
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
Antenna, Fixed Mast........................................3-64
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-64
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-33Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-87
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-86
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83
Finish Care.................................................5-86
Finish Damage............................................5-88
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-84
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-82
Leather......................................................5-84
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-88
Tires..........................................................
5-88
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-89
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-87
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-19
Audio System.................................................3-42
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-64
Radio Reception..........................................3-63
Setting the Time..........................................3-43
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-64
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
1

Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
B
Battery..........................................................5-38
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
System Inspection.......................................6-18
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Panic Assist................................................. 4-7
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-43
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-45
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-46
Buying New Tires...........................................5-63
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-95
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-32, 4-15, 4-27
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-85
Cargo Cover..................................................2-42
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-42
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-58
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-45
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
Charging System Light....................................3-32
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-88
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
2

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-46
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-87
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-86
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83
Finish Care.................................................5-86
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-84
Interior.......................................................5-82
Leather......................................................5-84
Tires..........................................................5-88
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-87
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-23
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Clock............................................................3-43
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-22
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-39
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11Compact Spare Tire........................................5-81
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-16
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-22
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-39
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-39
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
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.........................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering
Information..............................................7-15
3

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Disc, MP3......................................................3-58
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Ajar Light...................................................3-40
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-12
Before a Long Trip......................................4-13
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-14
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-12
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-19
Winter........................................................4-15
E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-90
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-93
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-92
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Cooling System Inspection............................6-18
Drive Belt Routing.......................................5-97
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Running While Parked..................................2-32
Starting......................................................2-20
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
4

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-88
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-64
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-79
Floor Mats.....................................................2-39
Fluid.....................................................5-19, 5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-6
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-41Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-42
System Inspection.......................................6-18
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-93
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-92
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-91
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-35
Fuel..........................................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-39
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
5

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-42
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-91
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-43
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-15
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-43
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-15
Heater...........................................................3-20
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-40
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-14
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Immobilizer....................................................2-14
Immobilizer Operation......................................2-15
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-30
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-55
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..............................................2-39
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-26
Interior Lamps
Control.......................................................3-17
6