towing PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owner's Manual

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

❑Change automatic transmission
uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 km) if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more
of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle
under any of these conditions, the
fluid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18
for the proper uid to use.
65,000 Miles 104 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
70,000 Miles (112 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
75,000 Miles (120 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
❑Inspect passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive
belts (or 12 months since last
inspection).An Emission
Control Service.
80,000 Miles (128 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
11-8 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

115,000 Miles (184 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53for
proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter
if you are driving in dusty
conditions. Replace lter if
necessary.
120,000 Miles (192 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter
(or every 3 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 9-53
for proper rotation pattern
and additional information.
(See footnote +.)❑Replace engine air cleaner lter
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 9-12
for more information.
❑Replace passenger compartment
air lter.
❑Inspect engine accessory
drive belts (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst). Visually
inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage.
Replace belt if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect for tappet noise and
engine vibration. Adjust valve
clearance to factory specications
if necessary (or every 48 months,
whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap
gasket, and lines for damage
or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace
parts as needed.An Emission
Control Service. (See footnote †.)❑Change manual transmission
uid every 30,000 miles
(48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transmission
uid every 60,000 miles
(96 000 km) if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under
any of these conditions, the fluid
does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-18
for the proper uid to use.
Service and Maintenance 11-11
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance:If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses
may be reimbursed during the
5 years/100,000 miles
(160 000 km) Powertrain warranty
period. Items considered are
hotel, meals, and rental car.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance

Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
Legal nes.
Mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains,
or other traction devices.
Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specic to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles

Fuel delivery:Reimbursement is
approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
Lock-Out Service:Vehicle
registration is required.
Trip Routing Service:Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. There is a
limit of six requests per year.
Additional travel information is
also available. Allow three weeks
for delivery.
Trip Interruption Benets
and Assistance:Must be over
250 kilometres from where your
trip was started to qualify.
General Motors of Canada Limited
requires pre-authorization,
original detailed receipts, and a
copy of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help you make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.
Alternative Service:
If assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give you
permission to get local emergency
road service. You will receive
payment, up to $100, after
sending the original receipt to
Roadside Assistance. Mechanical
failures may be covered, however
any cost for parts and labor for
repairs not covered by the
warranty are the owner
responsibility.
Customer Information 12-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If a Crash Occurs
Here is what to do if you are
involved in a crash.
Check to make sure that you are
all right. If you are uninjured,
make sure that no one else in
your vehicle, or the other vehicle,
is injured.
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help.
Do not leave the scene of a crash
until all matters have been taken
care of. Move your vehicle only if
its position puts you in danger or
you are instructed to move it by a
police officer.
Give only the necessary and
requested information to police
and other parties involved in the
crash. Do not discuss your
personal condition, mental frame
of mind, or anything unrelated to
the crash. This will help guard
against post-crash legal action.
If you need roadside assistance,
call GM Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-5for more
information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven,
know where the towing service
will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write
down the driver’s name,
the service’s name, and the
phone number.
Remove any valuables from your
vehicle before it is towed away.
Make sure this includes your
insurance information and
registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
Gather the important information
you will need from the other
driver. Things like name, address,
phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle licenseplate, vehicle make, model and
model year, Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN), insurance
company and policy number, and
a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance
company from the scene of the
crash. They will walk you through
the information they will need.
If they ask for a police report,
phone or go to the police
department headquarters the next
day and you can get a copy of the
report for a nominal fee. In some
states/provinces with “no fault”
insurance laws, a report may not
be necessary. This is especially
true if there are no injuries and
both vehicles are driveable.
Customer Information 12-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

O
Odometer...........................4-13
Odometers, Trip...................4-13
Off-Road Recovery...............8-24
Oil
Engine.............................. 9-9
Pressure Light..................4-22
Older Children, Restraints......1-36
Online Owner Center............12-3
OnStar, Privacy..................12-18
OnStar
®System, see
OnStar®Manual...............4-25
Outlet Adjustment.................. 7-3
Outlets
Accessory Power................ 4-9
Outside
Power Mirrors..................2-14
Overhead Console................. 3-2
Owner Checks, Service.......... 9-5
Owners, Canadian.................... ii
P
Paint, Damage.....................9-89
Park
Shifting Into.....................8-13
Shifting Out of..................8-14
Park Brake..........................8-12Parking
Over Things That Burn......8-16
Parking Your Vehicle............8-15
Part A - Scheduled
Maintenance Services........11-3
Part B - Owner Checks
and Services..................11-12
Part C - Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.....................11-16
PartD-Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants......11-18
PartE-Maintenance
Record..........................11-20
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter............................ 7-4
Passenger Sensing System . . . 1-28
Passing..............................8-25
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California...... 9-3
Power
Door Locks........................ 2-7
Electrical System..............9-36
Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current........................4-10
Retained Accessory............ 8-4
Steering Fluid...................9-24
Windows.........................2-12Pressure Cap......................9-22
Privacy.............................12-17
Event Data Recorders.....12-17
Navigation System..........12-18
OnStar..........................12-18
Radio Frequency
Identication................12-18
R
Radio Frequency Identication
(RFID), Privacy...............12-18
Radio(s)............................... 6-3
Radios
Reception........................6-14
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
Reading Lamps..................... 5-4
Rear Door Security Locks....... 2-7
Rear Seat Operation.............. 1-7
Rear Windshield Washer/
Wiper............................... 4-8
Rearview Mirrors..................2-13
Reclining Seatbacks............... 1-3
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . 9-75
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System............................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System, Operation.............. 2-4
INDEX i-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Spare Tire
Compact.........................9-70
Installing..........................9-64
Removing........................9-63
Storing............................9-68
Specications, Capacities......10-2
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...................4-18
Speedometer.......................4-13
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.....4-19
Stabilitrak®System...............8-22
Starting the Engine................ 8-4
Steering..............................8-23
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot and
Seal Inspection...............11-16
Steering Wheel Controls,
Audio..............................6-13
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel...... 4-4
Storage Areas
Cargo Management
System.......................... 3-6
Center Console
Storage Area.................. 3-2
Cupholders........................ 3-1
Driver Storage
Compartment.................. 3-3
Glove Box......................... 3-1Storage Areas (cont.)
Luggage Carrier................. 3-2
Overhead Console.............. 3-2
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow..............................8-31
Sun Visors..........................2-13
Sunroof..............................2-14
T
Tachometer.........................4-13
Taillamp Indicator Light.........4-23
Taillamps............................9-33
TCS Warning Light...............4-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems......... 2-9
Content Theft-Deterrent.....2-10
Immobilizer........................ 2-9
Immobilizer Operation......... 2-9
Throttle System Inspection . . . 11-17
Tilt Wheel............................. 4-4
Time, Setting......................... 6-2
Tires..................................9-41
Buying New Tires.............9-54
Chains............................9-60
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-62
Compact Spare Tire..........9-70
Different Size...................9-56Tires (cont.)
If a Tire Goes Flat............9-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.....9-47
Inspection and Rotation.....9-53
Installing the Spare Tire.....9-64
Pressure Monitor
Operation.....................9-50
Pressure Monitor System . . . 9-48
Removing the Flat Tire......9-64
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-63
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-68
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions....................9-44
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading.......................9-56
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................9-58
Wheel Replacement..........9-59
When It Is Time for
New Tires....................9-54
Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........9-75
Towing a Trailer................9-77
Your Vehicle
.....................9-75
INDEX i-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual