ABS PONTIAC VIBE 2009 User Guide

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
To park your rig on a hill:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but
do not shift into P (Park) for an
automatic transmission or into
gear for a manual transmission,
yet. When parking uphill, turn
your wheels away from the curb.
When parking downhill, turn your
wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then apply your parking
brake and shift into P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or R (Reverse) for a manual
transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and
hold the pedal down while you:
start your engine
shift the transmission
into gear
release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you are pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule
for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (do not overll), engine oil, drive
belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
nd them quickly. If you are trailering,
it is a good idea to review this
information before starting your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system could
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
9-82 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps.
Avoid laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. Using too much
soap will leave a residue that
leaves streaks and attracts dirt.
For liquid cleaners, about
20 drops per gallon (3.78 L)
of water is a good guide.
Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery while cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior
may result from the use of many
organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a
soft brush attachment frequently
to remove dust and loose dirt.
A canister vacuum with a beater bar
in the nozzle may only be used on
oor carpet and carpeted oor mats.
For soils, always try to remove them
rst with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning, gently remove as
much of the soil as possible using
one of the following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper towel.
Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be
removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.To clean, use the following
instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white
cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess
moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled
area until the cleaning cloth
remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with
plain water.
9-84 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets........ 4-9
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-34
Additives, Fuel.....................8-37
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-35
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-12
Air Conditioning..................... 7-1
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Readiness Light................4-14
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-35
Airbag System.....................1-21
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-34
Check.............................1-35
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-26Airbag System (cont.)
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-28
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-33
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-26
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-26
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-24
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-23
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD)
System...........................8-22
All-Wheel-Drive Service
Light...............................4-24
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-14
Antenna, XM™ Satellite
Radio Antenna System......6-14
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-20
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-18Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-90
Exterior Cleaning..............9-86
Finish Damage.................9-89
Interior Cleaning...............9-83
Sheet Metal Damage........9-89
Underbody Maintenance....9-90
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................12-8
Ashtray(s)...........................4-10
Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-13
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-14
Radio Reception...............6-14
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System............6-14
Audio System(s).................... 6-3
Automatic Headlamp System . . . 5-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-14
Operation....................8-6, 8-8
INDEX i-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

I
Ignition Positions................... 8-2
Immobilizer........................... 2-9
Immobilizer Operation............. 2-9
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-38
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-47
Inspection
Brake System.................11-17
Engine Cooling System....11-17
Exhaust System..............11-16
Fuel System...................11-16
Part C - Periodic
Maintenance...............11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal....................11-16
Throttle System..............11-17
Instrument Panel
Brightness......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-12
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-71
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........9-42
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........4-20
Lamps
Dome ............................... 5-3
Reading............................ 5-4
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-16
LATCH System
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-49
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-44
License Plate Lamps............9-34
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide............... 2-8
Light
Airbag Readiness.............4-14
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............4-18
Brake System Warning......4-17
Charging System..............4-16Light (cont.)
Cruise Control..................4-23
Door Ajar.........................4-24
Fog Lamp ........................4-23
Highbeam On...................4-24
Lights On Reminder..........4-23
Low Fuel Warning.............4-25
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light...............4-18
Low Washer Fluid
Warning.......................4-23
Oil Pressure.....................4-22
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-14
Security...........................4-22
Service All-Wheel-Drive......4-24
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...............4-18
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........4-19
Taillamp Indicator..............4-23
TCS Warning Light...........4-19
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning..............4-19
Lighting
Entry................................ 5-3
INDEX i-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual