steering PONTIAC VIBE 2009 User Guide

Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster ashes in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to ash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the
lane change is completed.
The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a
lane change the arrow ashes
rapidly or does not come on,
a signal bulb may be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 9-36.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
The headlamps must be on for this
feature to work.
Push the turn signal lever away
from you to turn the high beams on.
This instrument panel cluster light
3comes on while the high beam
headlamps are on.
Pull the lever towards you to return
to low beams.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature is used to signal to the
vehicle ahead that you want to pass.
With the lever in the low-beam
position, pull the lever toward you to
momentarily switch to high-beams.
If the headlamps are on when the
lever is released, the high-beams will
return to low-beam.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is located on the right side of
the steering column.
Move the lever to one of the
following positions:
z(Mist):Move the lever to mist,
for a single wiping cycle and then
release. The wipers stop after
one wipe.
((Off):Move the lever to this
position to turn the wipers off.
Instruments and Controls 4-7
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
4-18 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Automatic Headlamp
System.............................5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-2
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-3
Entry Lighting.....................5-3
Reading Lamps..................5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The lever on the left side of the
steering column operates the
exterior lamps.
P/;(Exterior Lamps):Turn the
outside band of the lever to operate
the lamps. For vehicles sold in the
U.S.,
Pappears on the instrument
panel cluster when the exterior
lamps are on. For vehicles rst
sold in Canada,
;appears in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeLights
On Reminder on page 4-23.The exterior lamp switch has three
positions:
((Off):Turns off all lamps, except
the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on
the parking lamps together with the
following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):Turns on the
headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
A tone sounds when the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF, the driver
door is opened and the key
is removed from the ignition while
the lamps are on.
Lighting 5-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Infotainment
Audio System(s)
Audio System(s).................6-1
Setting the Clock................6-2
Radio(s).............................6-3
Using an MP3....................6-9
XM Radio Messages.........6-12
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls..........................6-13
Radio Reception...............6-14
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-14
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..............6-14
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle
has and read the following pages to
become familiar with its features.
{CAUTION
Taking your eyes off the road for
extended periods could cause
a crash resulting in injury or
death to you or others. Do not
give extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.
This system provides access to
many audio and non audio listings.To minimize taking your eyes off the
road while driving, do the following
while the vehicle is parked:
Become familiar with the
operation and controls of
the audio system.
Set up the tone, speaker
adjustments, and preset radio
stations.
For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 8-17.
Infotainment 6-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

XM Locked:The XM™ receiver in
your vehicle may have previously
been in another vehicle. For security
purposes, XM™ receivers cannot
be swapped between vehicles. If this
message is received after having
your vehicle serviced, check
with your dealer/retailer.
Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0,
this message alternates with
the XM™ Radio eight digit radio
ID label. This label is needed
to activate the service.
Unknown:If this message is
received when tuned to channel 0,
there may be a receiver fault.
Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Chk XMRcvr:If this message does
not clear within a short period of
time, the receiver may have a fault.
Consult with your dealer/retailer.Audio Steering Wheel
Controls
For vehicles with audio steering
wheel controls some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering
wheel. They include the following:
−
q+ (Volume):Press to
decrease or increase the volume.
ª«(Next/Previous):Press to
select the next or previous radio
station, CD track, or MP3 folder.
Pressªor«to go to the next
or previous preset station.
Press and holdªor«until a
beep is heard to go to the next
or previous radio station.
Only stations with a strong
signal will be selected.
Pressªor«to go to the next
or previous CD track.
Press and holdªor«until a
beep is heard to go to the next or
previous MP3 folder.
MODE:Press to turn the audio
system on or to select between AM,
FM, XM, CD, or AUX.
Press and hold to turn the audio
system off.
Infotainment 6-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-4
Starting the Engine.............8-4
Engine Coolant Heater.......8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation (Four Speed). . . .8-6
Automatic Transmission
Operation (Five Speed).....8-8
Manual Transmission
Operation........................8-11
Parking Brake...................8-12
Shifting Into Park..............8-13
Shifting Out of Park..........8-14
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission). . . .8-15
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-16
Engine Exhaust.................8-16
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-17
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-17
Drunk Driving....................8-18
Control of a Vehicle..........8-18
Braking.............................8-19
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-20
Traction Control
System (TCS).................8-21
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System............................8-22
StabiliTrak®System..........8-22
Steering............................8-23
Off-Road Recovery............8-24
Passing.............................8-25
Loss of Control.................8-25
Driving at Night.................8-26
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-27
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-28
Highway Hypnosis.............8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .8-28
Winter Driving...................8-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow. . .8-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-31
Loading the Vehicle..........8-32
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-36
Gasoline Octane...............8-36
Gasoline Specications.....8-36
California Fuel..................8-36
Additives...........................8-37
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-37
Filling the Tank.................8-38
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-40
Driving and Operating 8-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

LOCK/OFF:This is the only position
from which you can remove the key.
This locks the steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission.
Push in the ignition switch as you
turn the key toward you.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch
to the LOCK/OFF position.
A warning tone will sound if the driver
door is opened with the key in the
ignition.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with your wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY. If this doesn’t
work, then the vehicle needs service.{CAUTION
On manual transmission vehicles,
turning the key to LOCK/OFF and
removing it 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.
ACC/ACCESSORY:This position
provides power to some of the
electrical accessories. 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.
A warning tone will sound when
the driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF and the key is in the
ignition.ON/RUN:The ignition switch stays
in this position when the engine is
running. This position can be used to
operate the electrical accessories,
including the ventilation fan and
115 volt power outlet, as well as to
display some warning and indicator
lights. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
The battery could be drained
if you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
START:This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
Driving and Operating 8-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Drunk Driving
{CAUTION
Drinking and then driving is
very dangerous. Your reexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by
even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious — or even
fatal — collision if you drive after
drinking. Do not drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been
drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if
you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that
anyone needs to drive a vehicle:
judgment, muscular coordination,
vision, and attentiveness.Police records show that
almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these deaths
are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years,
more than 17,000 annual motor
vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol,
with about 250,000 people injured.
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 injuriesto 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 9-3.
8-18 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
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 a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or alwaysdecrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking. United States
Canada
8-20 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Traction Control
System (TCS)
Your vehicle has 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 drive 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/RUN, the system automatically
turns on. If the system has been
turned off, it will automatically turn on
at 35 mph (55 km/h). TCS cannot be
turned off above 35 mph (55 km/h).This light should come on briey
when the engine is started.
The traction control system warning
light ashes and an alarm will
sound intermittently when the
system is limiting wheel spin.
The
gswitch 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 freeingthe front wheels. To turn off traction
control, press and release
the
gswitch. The traction control
system warning light will come on.
To turn the traction control system
back on, press the
gswitch again
or increase vehicle speed and the
system will automatically turn back
on. The traction control system
warning light will go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 4-19Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light for
more information.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak
®, press
and hold the
gswitch while
the vehicle is stopped. The traction
control system warning light and
the VSC OFF light will come on.
Driving and Operating 8-21
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual