battery PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owner's Manual

Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run
down, you may want to use another
vehicle and some jumper cables
to start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
They contain acid that can
burn you.
They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that would not
be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle
by pushing or pulling it will
not work, and it could damage
your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables can reach,
but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are, it
could cause a ground connection
you do not want. You would not
be able to start your vehicle, and
the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or
a manual transmission in
NEUTRAL before setting
the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave the radio
or other accessories on during
the jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off
the radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
Vehicle Service and Care 9-71
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Open the hoods and locate the
batteries. Find the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
{CAUTION
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a ashlight if you need more light.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has ller caps, be sure the right
amount of uid is there. If it is
low, add water to take care of
that rst. If you don’t, explosive
gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, ush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.5. Check that the jumper cables
do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a short
that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And
do not connect the negative (−)
cable to the negative (−) terminal
on the dead battery because this
can cause sparks.
9-72 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

6. Connect the red positive (+)
cable to the positive (+) terminal
of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
7. Do not let the other end
touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle has one.8. To access the remote negative
on the 1.8L engine, the cover
will need to be removed.
To remove the engine cover
raise the rear of the engine cover
to remove the rear clips and
the front of the engine cover
to remove the two front clipsNow connect the black
negative (−) cable to the negative
terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
The other end of the negative (−)
cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to
a remote negative (−) terminal on
the vehicle with the dead battery.1.8 L4 Engine2.4L L4 Engine
Vehicle Service and Care 9-73
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

9. Connect the other end of the
negative (−) cable at least
18 inches (45 cm) away from the
dead battery, but not near engine
parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there,
and the chance of sparks getting
back to the battery is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the
good battery and run the
engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had
the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
Notice:If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always
connect and remove the jumper
cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do not
touch each other or other metal.A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal
Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables
from both vehicles, do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle that had
the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the vehicle with the
good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+)
cable from the other vehicle. Jumper Cable Removal
9-74 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Calling for Assistance
When calling Roadside Assistance,
have the following information ready:
Your name, home address, and
home telephone number
Telephone number of your
location
Location of the vehicle
Model, year, color, and license
plate number of the vehicle
Odometer reading, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), and
delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
Coverage
Services are provided up to
5 years/100,000 miles (160 000 km),
whichever comes rst.
In the U.S., anyone driving the
vehicle is covered. In Canada, a
person driving the vehicle without
permission from the owner is not
covered.Roadside Assistance is not a part of
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Pontiac and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
make any changes or discontinue
the Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notication.
Pontiac and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to an owner
or driver if they decide the claims are
made too often, or the same type of
claim is made many times.
Services Provided

Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel
for the vehicle to get to the
nearest service station.
Lock-Out Service:Service is
provided to unlock the vehicle if
you are locked out. A remote
unlock may be available if you
have OnStar
®. For security
reasons, the driver must present
identication before this service
is given.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway:Tow to the
nearest Pontiac dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Service is
provided to change a at tire with
the spare tire. The spare tire,
if equipped, must be in good
condition and properly inated.
It is the owner’s responsibility for
the repair or replacement of the
tire if it is not covered by the
warranty.
Battery Jump Start:Service is
provided to jump start a dead
battery.
12-6 Customer Information
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

B
Battery...............................9-30
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brake
System Inspection...........11-17
Brake Fluid.........................9-27
Brakes...............................9-27
System Warning Light.......4-17
Braking...............................8-19
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-31
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamp Aiming..............9-30
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
License Plate Lamps.........9-34
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Taillamps.........................9-33
Buying New Tires.................9-54
C
California Fuel.....................8-36
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning........................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... iiCapacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon Monoxide.........8-16, 8-29
Care, Safety Belts................1-20
Cargo Cover......................... 3-4
Cargo Management System.... 3-6
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-6
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 .............................. 6-9
Center Console Storage Area . . . 3-2
Chains, Tire........................9-60
Charging System Light..........4-16
Check
Engine Lamp...................4-20
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-90
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-41
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children..................1-44
Older Children..................1-36
Securing..................1-50, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-43
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-86
Interior............................9-83
Underbody Maintenance....9-90Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment.................. 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-3
Clock, Setting........................ 6-2
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-17
Collision Damage Repair.....12-11
Compact Spare Tire.............9-70
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-10
Control of a Vehicle..............8-18
Coolant
Engine............................
9-18
Engine
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System...................9-18
Cruise Control....................... 4-4
Cruise Control Light..............4-23
Cupholders........................... 3-1
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.....12-4, 12-10
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................12-4
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
i-2 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual