park assist PONTIAC VIBE 2010 Owners Manual

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, such as
abnormally high steering effort for a
prolonged period of time, 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 vehicle speed. While
in a curve, speed is the one factor
that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve,
while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and
then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering
can be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and find a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from
nowhere, or a child darts out from
between parked cars and stops right
in front of you. These problems can
be avoided by braking — if you can
stop in time. But sometimes you
cannot stop in time because there
is no room. That is the time for
evasive action — steering around
the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First
apply the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 8-4. It is better to remove as
much speed as possible from a
collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
Driving and Operating 8-5

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 fluid
reservoir filled.
•Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-43 .
•Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
•Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
•Keep interior temperature cool.
•Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
•Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
•Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
•Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
•Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
8-8 Driving and Operating

Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for less than a minute after
the engine is turned off.
•Power Windows, if equipped
•Sunroof, if equipped
The power windows and sunroof will
continue to work for less than a
minute or until either front door is
opened. The radio will work when
the key is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not
start in any other position. To restart
when you are already moving, use
N (Neutral) only. Notice:
Shifting into P (Park)
with the vehicle moving could
damage the transmission. Shift
into P (Park) only when the vehicle
is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
NEUTRAL and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
to the floor and start the engine.
The vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine starts, let go of
the key. The idle speed will go
down as the engine gets warm.
Vehicles equipped with
the 1.8L engine have a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for
a about 30 seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does
not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after
25 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the
ignition switch to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
Vehicles equipped with
the 2.4L engine should not
be cranked for more than
30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and
wiring systems.
8-18 Driving and Operating

P
ParkShifting Into ..................... 8-20
Shifting Out of ..................8-22
Parking ............................... 8-22
Brake .............................. 8-33
Over Things That Burn ......8-23
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator .......................... 4-13
Passenger Compartment Air Filter ................................ 7-4
Passenger Sensing System . . . 2-29
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California ...... 9-3
Power Door Locks ........................ 1-6
Mirrors ............................ 1-10
Protection, Battery .............. 5-5
Retained Accessory (RAP) ...........8-18
Steering Fluid ................... 9-24
Windows ......................... 1-12
Power Steering Fluid ............9-24
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts ............................... 2-20Privacy
Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) .....12-16
Program Courtesy Transportation .....12-8
Proposition 65 Warning, California .......................... 9-2
R
Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) .........12-16
Statement ...................... 12-16
Radios AM-FM Radio .................... 6-4
Reception .......................... 6-8
Satellite ............................ 6-6
Reading Lamps ..................... 5-5
Rear Seats ........................... 2-7
Rear Window Washer/Wiper .... 4-6
Rearview Mirrors ..................1-11
Reclining Seatbacks ............... 2-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ...................... 10-15
Recommended Fuel .............8-39
Records Maintenance ................... 10-18
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . 9-73 Reimbursement Program, GM
Mobility ........................... 12-5
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System ............................. 1-3
Replacement Bulbs ..............9-37
Replacement Parts Airbags ........................... 2-36
Replacement Parts, Maintenance ................... 10-17
Replacing Airbag System ......2-36
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash ...........2-51
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash ............2-22
Reporting Safety Defects General Motors ...............12-14
U.S. Government ............12-13
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) .................... 8-18
Roadside Assistance Program .......................... 12-6
Roof Sunroof ........................... 1-13
Roof Rack ............................ 3-5
Rotation, Tires ..................... 9-55
Routing, Engine Drive Belt ....11-4
Running the Vehicle While Parked ............................ 8-24
INDEX i-7