PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: PONTIAC, Model Year: 2009, Model line: VIBE, Model: PONTIAC VIBE 2009Pages: 318, PDF Size: 1.53 MB
Page 201 of 318

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time
the vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive
with worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
speci cations inCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle moving,
the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. The vehicle was designed
and tested with top-quality brake
parts. When parts of the braking
system are replaced — for example,
when the brake linings wear down
and new ones are installed — be
sure to get new approved
replacement parts. If this is not done,
the brakes might not work properly.
For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for
the vehicle, the balance between
the front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-29
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
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Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance
free battery. When it is time for a
new battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement
number shown on the original
battery’s label. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 9-6for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
on page 9-71for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery. This helps keep the battery
from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger. This helps maintain the
charge of the battery over an
extended period of time.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at
the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may
be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be
necessary if oncoming drivers ash
their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be
re-aimed, it is recommended
that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
9-30 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Page 203 of 318

Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-35.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps
A. High-beam Headlamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp/Parking Lamp
C. Low-beam Headlamp
High-beam and Low-beam
Headlamps
To replace the High-beam or
Low-beam Headlamp:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull it out
of the headlamp assembly.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-31
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
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3. Unplug the connector while
pressing down on the release tab.
4. Pull the old bulb straight out.
5. Push the new bulb straight
in until it clicks.
6. Push the bulb socket into the
headlamp assembly and turn
it clockwise to secure it in
its original location.
Front Turn Signal Lamp and
Parking Lamp
To replace the Front Turn Signal
Lamp or Parking Lamp:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5.
2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull
it out of the lamp assembly.3. Pull the old bulb straight out of
the bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight in
until it clicks.
5. Push the bulb socket into
the lamp assembly and turn
clockwise to secure it in
its original location.
9-32 Vehicle Service and Care
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Taillamps
A. Turn Signal Lamp
B. Stoplamp/Sidemarker
Lamp/Taillamp
C. Back-up LampTo replace one of these lamps:
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Remove the storage
compartment cover in the rear
cargo area of the vehicle to
access the bulbs.
3. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull it out.Passenger Side
Driver Side
Vehicle Service and Care 9-33
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4. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
5. Push the new bulb straight in
until it clicks to secure.
6. Push the bulb socket in and turn
it clockwise to secure.
7. Reinstall the cover.
License Plate Lamp
To replace the license plate
lamp bulb:
1. Press the tabs in to disengage
them and remove the license
plate lamp assembly.2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the license plate assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of
the bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight in the
bulb socket until it clicks.
5. Push the bulb socket straight into
the license plate assembly and
turn it clockwise to secure it.
6. Reinstall the license plate
assembly into its original location
making sure the tabs reengage.
9-34 Vehicle Service and Care
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Replacement Bulbs
Exterior LampBulb
Number
High-beam
Headlamps9005
Low-beam
Headlamps9006
Sidemarker
Lamp/Stoplamp/
Taillamp7443
For replacement bulbs not listed
here, contact your dealer/retailer.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless you
check with your dealer/retailer
rst. Some electrical equipment
can damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle’s warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle battery, even if the vehicle
is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-33.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected
by a circuit breaker. An electrical
overload will cause the lamps to
go on and off, or in some cases to
remain off. If this happens, have your
headlamp wiring checked right away.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-35
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Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is
protected by a circuit breaker and
a fuse. If the motor overheats due
to heavy snow or ice, the wiper will
stop until the motor cools. If the
overload is caused by some
electrical problem, and not snow
or ice, be sure to get it xed.
Power Windows and
Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse block
protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker
opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is xed or
goes away.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle
are protected from short circuits
by a combination of fuses, circuit
breakers and fusible thermal
links. This greatly reduces the
chance of res caused by
electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band
inside the fuse. If the band is broken
or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage
can be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
you can.
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The fuse block is located under
the instrument panel on the driver
side of the vehicle.
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FusesUsage
1 Parking Lamps,
License Plate
Lamps, Taillamp,
Multiport Fuel
Injection System/
Sequential Multiport
Fuel Injection
System, Instrument
Panel Lights
2 Switch IlluminationFuses Usage
3 Power Windows
4 Power Windows
5 Power Windows
6 Sunroof
7 Cigarette Lighter,
Accessory Power
Outlet
Fuses
Usage
8 Outside Rearview
Mirrors, Audio
System, Main Body
Engine Control
Unit (ECU), Clock,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock
9 Empty
10 Empty
11 Airbag System,
Multiport Fuel
Injection System/
Sequential Multiport
Fuel Injection
System, Front
Passenger Occupant
Classi cation
System
12 Gages and Meters
13 Air Conditioning
System, Rear
Window Defogger
14 Windshield Wipers
15 Rear Window Wipers
16 Windshield Washer
Vehicle Service and Care 9-37
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Fuses Usage
17Main Body ECU,
Electric Power
Steering, Electric
Cooling Fans,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock,
Antilock Braking
System (ABS),
Multiport Fuel
Injection
System/Sequential
Multiport Fuel
Injection System,
Tire Pressure
Monitoring
System (TPMS),
Vehicle Stability
Control System
18Back-up Lamps,
Charging System,
Rear Window
Defogger
19Onboard Diagnosis
SystemFuses Usage
20Stoplamps, Center
High-Mounted
Stoplamps (CHMSL),
ABS, Vehicle
Stability Control
System, Multiport
Fuel Injection
System/Sequential
Multiport Fuel
Injection System,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock
21Power Door Lock
System
22Outside Rearview
Mirrors, Audio
System, Main Body
ECU, Clock, Brake
Transmission Shift
Interlock, Cigarette
LighterFuses Usage
23All-Wheel Drive
System
24 Front Foglamps
25Ignition, Outside
Rearview Mirrors,
Audio System, Main
Body ECU, Clock,
Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock,
Cigarette Lighter
26Rear Window
Defogger, Heated
Mirrors, Multiport
Fuel Injection
System/Sequential
Multiport Fuel
Injection System
27 Power Windows
9-38 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual