traction control PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning Flashers. . . .4-3
Horn...................................4-3
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-4
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-7
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-7
Flash-to-Pass......................4-7
Windshield Wipers..............4-7
Windshield Washer.............4-8
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer.............................4-8
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)............................4-9
Power Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current..........4-10
Ashtray(s).........................4-10
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-11
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-12
Speedometer and
Odometer........................4-13
Trip Odometer(s)...............4-13
Tachometer.......................4-13
Safety Belt Reminders......4-14
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Service Airbag Notication
System Message.............4-16
Charging System Light......4-16
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-17
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-18
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light
..................4-18
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light..................4-18
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light.......4-19
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light................................4-19
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........4-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-20
Security Light....................4-22
Oil Pressure Light.............4-22
Fog Lamp Light................4-23
Lights On Reminder..........4-23
Taillamp Indicator Light.....4-23
Cruise Control Light..........4-23
Low Washer Fluid
Warning Light..................4-23
Service All-Wheel Drive
Light................................4-24
Highbeam On Light...........4-24
Door Ajar Light.................4-24
Fuel Gage........................4-24
Low Fuel Warning Light. . . .4-25
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-25
Instruments and Controls 4-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The main components of the
instrument panel are the following:
A.Outside Power Mirror(s) on
page 2-14.
B.Outlet Adjustment on page 7-3.
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 4-4.
D.Instrument Panel Cluster on
page 4-12.
E.Windshield Wipers on page 4-7.
F. Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.Passenger Sensing
System on page 1-28.
Security Light. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-10.
G.Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 4-3.
H.Audio System(s) on page 6-1.
I.Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21.
J.Content Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-10.
K.Driver Storage Compartment
on page 3-3.
L.Hood Release on page 9-5.M.Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 6-13.
N.Tilt Wheel on page 4-4.
O.Horn on page 4-3.
P.Cruise Control on page 4-4
(If Equipped).
Q.Ignition Positions on page 8-2.
R. Tire Pressure Reset Button
(Out of View). SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 9-50.
S.Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current on page 4-10On/Off
Button.
T. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)
or Accessory Power Outlet.
Ashtray(s) on page 4-10
orAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4-9.
U. Shift Lever.Automatic
Transmission Operation
(Four Speed) on page 8-6or
Automatic Transmission
Operation (Five Speed)
on page 8-8orManual
Transmission Operation
on page 8-11.V.Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current on page 4-10.
W.Climate Control System on
page 7-1.
X.Hooks on page 3-3
.
Y.Glove Box on page 3-1.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|
(Hazard Warning Flasher):
Press this button located on
the instrument panel, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps ash
on and off. This warns others that
you are having trouble.
Press
|again to turn the
ashers off.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols
on the steering wheel pad to
sound the horn.
Instruments and Controls 4-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.Setting Cruise Control{CAUTION
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.
1. Press the ON-OFF button at the
end of the lever. The CRUISE
light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on. SeeCruise
Control Light on page 4-23.
2. Get to the desired speed.
3. Move the lever down to−SET
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.If the cruise control indicator light
ashes, press the ON-OFF button
once to deactivate the system, and
then press the button back on.
If the cruise control speed cannot be
set or the cruise control cancels
immediately after being activated,
there may be a problem with the
cruise control system. See your
dealer/retailer.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied after the
cruise control is set, the cruise
control is turned off.
If the vehicle speed is 25 mph
(40 km/h) or greater, push the lever
up to +RES (Resume/Accelerate)
to return to the previously set speed.
Instruments and Controls 4-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light
This warning light comes on briey
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN.
It also comes on when the Traction
Control System is turned off by
pressing the TRAC OFF button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21for more information.
If it stays on or comes on while
driving, there is a problem with the
Traction Control System (TCS),
contact your dealer/retailer.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light warns that there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS) or the Vehicle
Stability Control (VSC) system.
The light comes on when the ignition
is turned to ON/RUN.
If the light comes on while driving,
the system is not working.
The TCS light comes on when the
VSC system warning light comes on,
even if the TRAC OFF button is
not pressed.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-22for more information on
Vehicle Stability Control System.SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-21for more information.
Contact your dealer/retailer, if
the light does not come on or if it
stays on.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage pointer
moves into the red area, the engine
is too hot. Pull off the road, stop
the vehicle, and turn off the engine
as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
United StatesCanada
Instruments and Controls 4-19
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

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

To turn the systems back on,
press the
gswitch again. If both
systems are turned off, they will not
turn back on automatically when
vehicle speed increases.
If the VSC OFF light ashes,
there is a problem in the traction
control system or StabiliTrak.
Adding non-GM accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance.
SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 9-3Accessories and
Modications for more information.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If your vehicle has this feature,
engine power is sent to all four
wheels all the time. This is like
four-wheel drive, but it is fully
automatic.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has StabiliTrak. This
system helps provide integrated
control of systems such as the
Antilock Brake System, traction
control and engine control. This
system automatically controls the
brakes and engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding when
cornering on a slippery road surface
or turning the steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when your
vehicle speed reaches or exceeds
9 mph (15 km/h), and deactivates
when the vehicle speed reduces to
below 9 mph (15 km/h).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just
after the vehicle begins to move.
This means that the system is in
the self-check mode, but does not
indicate a problem.If the vehicle is going to skid during
driving, the traction control system
warning light ashes and an alarm
sounds intermittently. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak, press
and hold the
gswitch while the
vehicle is stopped.
8-22 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The traction control system warning
light and the VSC OFF light will come
on. To turn the systems back on,
press the
gswitch again. If both
systems are turned off, they will not
turn back on automatically when
vehicle speed increases.
If the VSC OFF light ashes,
there is a problem in the traction
control system or StabiliTrak.
Steering
If the engine stalls while you are
driving, the power steering assist
system will continue to operate until
you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist
because the electric power steering
system is not functioning, you can
steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel in
the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a
reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power
steering assist should return shortly
after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering
system does not require regular
maintenance. If you suspect steering
system problems, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the curve
is banked, and your speed. While in
a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
If you need to reduce speed, do it
before you enter the curve, while the
front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate gently
into the straightaway.
Driving and Operating 8-23
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
you want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance
is longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous
than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs,
with night vision problems, or
by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as
in the daytime. But, as we get older,
these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at
least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
8-26 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in
a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
owing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to
drive through owing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-41.
Turn off cruise control, if
equipped.
Driving and Operating 8-27
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual