PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual

Notice:Holding a cigarette
lighter in while it is heating does
not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can
occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown.
Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating.
It is not recommended to use the
cigarette lighter to plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment. Use the
accessory power outlet for phones
and other electrical equipment.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4-9orPower Outlet
115 Volt Alternating Current
on page 4-10.Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators
Warning lights and gages can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gages could
prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there
may be or is a problem with one
of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when
the engine is started to indicate
they are working.Gages can indicate when there may
be or is a problem with one of the
vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to
indicate a problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while
driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem,
check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
Instruments and Controls 4-11
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Instrument Panel Cluster
This feature is designed to show at a glance how the vehicle is running. It shows vehicle speed, how much fuel is
left in the fuel tank and many other things needed to drive safely and economically.United States Base Cluster shown, Canada similar
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Speedometer and
Odometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle
speed in both miles per hour (mph)
and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven.
If the vehicle needs a new odometer
installed, the new one must be
set to the mileage total of the old
odometer. If it cannot be reset, then
it must be set at zero and a label
put on the driver door to show
the old mileage reading when the
new odometer was installed.
See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Trip Odometer(s)
The trip odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven since the trip
odometer was last set to zero.
The button located above the
odometer allows switching between
the odometer and the trip odometer.
To set the trip odometer to zero,
press and hold the button.
Temperature Display
The outside air temperature is
displayed on the center of the
instrument panel, within the trip
odometer. The display shows
the outside air temperature in
Fahrenheit with a range from
−40°F to 122°F (−40°C to 50°C).
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine
speed in thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If the engine is operated
while the tachometer is in the
shaded warning area, the vehicle
could be damaged, and the
damages would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded
warning area.
Instruments and Controls 4-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Safety Belt Reminders
When the engine is started, a chime
will sound for several seconds to
remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver safety
belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will also ash
until the driver belt is buckled. If the
driver belt is already buckled, neither
the chime nor the light comes on.
The vehicle also has a safety belt
reminder light for the right front
passenger position next to the
passenger airbag status indicator.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-15.This light is located on the center of
the instrument panel, next to the
audio system.
When the key is turned to ON/RUN
or START, this light comes on
as a reminder for the right front
passenger to fasten their safety belt.
This light ashes until the right
front passenger safety belt is
buckled. The passenger safety belt
reminder light will not come on if
the right front passenger 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 stays on 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
seat position sensor, driver seat
belt buckle switch, right front
occupant sensing system and
indicator light, front passenger
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 1-21.
4-14 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

This light will come on briey when
the vehicle is started, then it should
go out indicating the system is ready.
{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.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has the passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-28
for important safety information.
The instrument panel has a
passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF for several
seconds as a system check.
Then, after several more seconds,
the status indicator will light
either ON or OFF if there is weight
on the seat, to let you know thestatus of the right front passenger
frontal and seat-mounted side
impact airbags (if equipped).
If the seat is unoccupied, the light
will not be visible after the system
check.
If the word ON is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator,
it means that the right front
passenger frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbags (if equipped)
are enabled (may inate).
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 1-28for
more on this, including important
safety information.
Instruments and Controls 4-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If, after several seconds, all status
indicator lights remain on, 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 4-14for more on
this, including important safety
information.
Service Airbag
Notication System
Message
If the Service Airbag Notication
System message appears on the
radio display, the vehicle may not
be able to provide the Automatic
Notication of Airbag Deployment
feature. SeeOnStar
®System on
page 4-25for information on this
feature. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briey when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show the light is
working. It should go out when the
engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
this light should come on when
the key is turned to START.If it does not come on, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes
on when the parking brake is
set. The light will stay on if the
parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking
brake is fully released, it means
there is a brake problem.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the
vehicle has been pulled off the
road and carefully stopped, have
the vehicle towed for service.
See Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light later in this section
andTowing Your Vehicle on
page 9-75.
United States
Canada
Instruments and Controls 4-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The ABS warning light comes on
briey when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN. 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.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. If the light comes
on while 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 driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, there are
still brakes, but no antilock brakes.If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, there are
no antilock brakes and there is
a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 4-17.
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light
Vehicles with this feature, have a
warning light that comes on briey
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN as a check to show it is
working.
If the warning light does not come
on, have it xed so it will be able to
warn if there is a problem.If the warning light stays on, or
comes on while driving, the Speed
Sensitive Power Steering may
not be working. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light
This light should come on briey as
the engine is started.
If there is a tire with low tire
pressure, the light will stay on or
come back on.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 9-48for more information. United States
Canada
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light
This warning light comes on briey
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN.
It also comes on when the Traction
Control System is turned off by
pressing the TRAC OFF button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21for more information.
If it stays on or comes on while
driving, there is a problem with the
Traction Control System (TCS),
contact your dealer/retailer.
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 comes on when the ignition
is turned to ON/RUN.
If the light comes on while driving,
the system is not working.
The TCS light comes on when the
VSC system warning light comes on,
even if the TRAC OFF button is
not pressed.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-22for more information on
Vehicle Stability Control System.SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21for more information.
Contact your dealer/retailer, if
the light does not come on or if it
stays on.
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. Pull off the road, stop
the vehicle, and turn off the engine
as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
United StatesCanada
Instruments and Controls 4-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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.
This light comes on when the ignition
is on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show it is working. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, when the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle. This system assists the
service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the 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 the vehicle
warranty.Notice:Modications made
to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead
to costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
United States
Canada
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual