brake light PONTIAC VIBE 2010 Owners Manual

Keys, Doors and
Windows............................ 1-1
Keys and Locks .............. 1-2
Doors ............................ 1-6
Vehicle Security .............. 1-7
Exterior Mirrors .............1-10
Interior Mirrors ..............1-11
Windows ...................... 1-11
Roof ............................ 1-13
Seats and Restraints......... 2-1
Head Restraints .............. 2-2
Front Seats .................... 2-3
Rear Seats .................... 2-7
Safety Belts ................... 2-8
Airbag System ..............2-23
Child Restraints .............2-37
Storage.............................. 3-1
Storage Compartments .... 3-1
Additional Storage Features ..................... 3-2
Roof Rack System .......... 3-5
Instruments and
Controls............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview .................... 4-2
Controls ......................... 4-4
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators ............. 4-8
Vehicle Personalization . . . 4-21
OnStar System .............4-23
Lighting............................. 5-1
Exterior Lighting .............. 5-1
Interior Lighting ............... 5-4
Lighting Features ............ 5-5
Infotainment System......... 6-1
Introduction .................... 6-1
Radio ............................ 6-4
Audio Players ................. 6-9
Climate Controls............... 7-1
Climate Control Systems ... 7-1
Air Vents ....................... 7-4
Maintenance ................... 7-4
Driving and Operating....... 8-1
Driving Information .......... 8-2
Starting and Operating . . . 8-16
Engine Exhaust .............8-23
Automatic Transmission .............8-24
Manual Transmission .....8-29
Drive Systems ..............8-31
Brakes ......................... 8-32
Ride Control Systems ....8-33
Cruise Control ...............8-36
Fuel ............................ 8-38
Towing ........................ 8-43
Conversions and Add-Ons ................... 8-50
Vehicle Care...................... 9-1
General Information ......... 9-2
Vehicle Checks ............... 9-4
Headlamp Aiming ..........9-32
Bulb Replacement .........9-33
Electrical System ...........9-37
2010 Pontiac Vibe Owner ManualM

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Introduction v

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel OverviewInstrument Panel Overview.....4-2
ControlsSteering Wheel Adjustment.....4-4
Steering Wheel Controls .........4-4
Horn ...................................
.4-5
Windshield Wiper/Washer .......4-5
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . .4-6
Power Outlets (Accessory Power Outlets) ....................
.4-6
Power Outlets (115 Volt Alternating Current) .............
.4-7
Cigarette Lighter ..................
.4-8
Ashtrays .............................
.4-8
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators ..........................
.4-8
Instrument Cluster ................
.4-9
Speedometer .....................
.4-10
Odometer ..........................
.4-10
Trip Odometer ....................
.4-10
Tachometer .......................
.4-10
Fuel Gage .........................
.4-10
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage .............4-11
Safety Belt Reminders ..........4-11
Airbag Readiness Light .........4-12
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ..........................
.4-13
Charging System Light .........4-14
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .................
.4-14
Brake System Warning Light ...............................
.4-17
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light ...........4-17
Service All-Wheel Drive Light ...............................
.4-18Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS) Warning
Light ...............................
.4-18
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light . . . .4-18
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light ...........4-19
Tire Pressure Light .............
.4-19
Engine Oil Pressure Light .....4-19
Low Fuel Warning Light ........4-20
Security Light .....................
.4-20
High-Beam on Light .............4-20
Fog Lamp Light ..................
.4-20
Lamps on Reminder .............4-20
Taillamp Indicator Light .........4-21
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light ...............................
.4-21
Cruise Control Light .............4-21
Door Ajar Light ...................
.4-21
Vehicle PersonalizationVehicle Personalization .........4-21
OnStar SystemOnStar®System.................
.4-23
Instruments and Controls 4-1

Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
this light should come on when the
key is turned to START. If it does not
come on, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes
on when the parking brake is
set. The light will stay on if the
parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking
brake is fully released, it means
there is a brake problem.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light
on can lead to a crash. If the light
is still on after the vehicle has been
pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed
for service.
See Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light later in this section
and Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light on page 4-17 .
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The ABS warning light comes on
briefly when the ignition key is turned
to ON/RUN. This is normal. If the
light does not come on then, have it
fixed 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.
United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
Instruments and Controls 4-17

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 .
Service All-Wheel Drive
Light
This light will come on briefly when
the ignition is turned on, and the
engine is not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started. It should go out when the
engine is started. If it stays on, or
comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the system.
Have it checked by your dealer/
retailer.
The four-wheel-drive indicator will
light up when the All-Wheel drive is
active.
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS) Warning
Light
Vehicles with this feature, have a
warning light that comes on briefly
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 fixed 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.
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.
See StabiliTrak System on
page 8-35 for more information on
Vehicle Stability Control System.
4-18 Instruments and Controls

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.
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.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional DRL are required
on all vehicles first sold in Canada. The DRL system makes the
headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following
conditions are met:
•The ignition is on with the engine
running.
•The exterior lamps switch is off.
•The parking brake is released.
When the exterior lamp switch is
turned to the headlamp position, the
DRL go off and the headlamps come
on. The other lamps that come on
with the headlamps also come on.
The headlamps automatically switch
from DRL to the regular headlamps
depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. See Automatic
Headlamp System on page 5-3 .
DRL also comes on if only the
parking lamps are being used.
5-2 Lighting

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-17.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding
to push the brake pedal is
perception time. Actually doing
it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But
that is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long as
two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle
moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft). That could be a lot of
distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between the
vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy;
tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some
people drive in spurts — heavy
acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping
pace with traffic. This is a mistake.
The brakes might not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster with a lot of
heavy braking. Keeping pace with
the traffic and allowing realistic
following distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the brakes.
If the brakes are pumped, the pedal
could get harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will still be some
power brake assist but it will be used
when the brake is applied. Once the
power assist is used up, it can take
longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See
Accessories and
Modications on page 9-3 .
Steering
If the engine stalls while driving, the
power steering assist system will
continue to operate until you are able
to stop the vehicle. If power steering
assist is lost because the electric
power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
8-4 Driving and Operating

An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety
belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
Ease off the accelerator and then, if
there is nothing in the way, steer so
that the vehicle straddles the edge
of the pavement. Turn the steering
wheel 8 to 13 cm, 3 to 5 inches,
(about one-eighth turn) until the rightfront tire contacts the pavement
edge. Then turn the steering wheel
to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of
the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable care
suited to existing conditions, and by
not overdriving those conditions.
But skids are always possible.
8-6 Driving and Operating

The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the steering
or cornering skid, too much speed or
steering in a curve causes tires to
slip and lose cornering force. And in
the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, the vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
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
the 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 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
flowing 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.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing 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 flowing water.
Driving and Operating 8-7

Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
helps prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 4-17. 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
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and
let antilock work. The antilock pump
or motor might be heard operating,
and the brake pedal might be
felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help more
than even the very best braking.
United States
Canada
8-32 Driving and Operating