service indicator PONTIAC VIBE 2010 Owners Manual

Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle use the Index in the back
of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the
page number where it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do Not,”
“Do not do this” or “Do not let this
happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is
used to tell about things that could
hurt you or others if you were to
ignore the warning.
{CAUTION
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and
what to do to avoid or reduce the
hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that
can damage the vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is
something that could damage
your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would
not be covered by the vehicle’s
warranty, and it could be costly.
The notice tells what to do to help
avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on
the vehicle which use the same
words, CAUTION or Notice.
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead
of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
iv Introduction

In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage
may also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.
•Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag inflates,
you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not
get them, the airbag system will
not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system
will include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers
the need to replace other parts.
•The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and
Privacy on page 12-14 andEvent
Data Recorders on page 12-14 .
•Let only qualified technicians work
on the airbag systems. Improper
service can mean that an airbag
system will not work properly.
See your dealer/retailer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible
in the instrument panel when the
vehicle is started.
The words ON and OFF will be
visible during the system check.
When the system check is complete,
either the word ON or the word OFF will be visible depending on
whether the seat is occupied and/or
the weight of the occupant. If the
seat is unoccupied, the light will not
be visible after the system check.
See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-13 .
The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags and
the roof-rail airbags are not affected
by the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system will
also turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped), and
safety belt pretensioner if it detects
that there is no occupant in that
position.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part
of the right front passenger seat.
Seats and Restraints 2-29

If the airbag readiness light and the
OFF light in the passenger airbag
status indicator come on together,
it may mean there is a malfunction
in the passenger sensing system.
Secure the child in the child restraint
in a rear seat position in the vehicle
and check with your dealer/retailer.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-12 for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint with the ignition key in the ACC or
LOCK position while following the
directions provided by the child
restraint manufacturer and refer
toSecuring Child Restraints
(Rear Seat Position) on
page 2-51 orSecuring Child
Restraints (Right Front Seat
Position) on page 2-53 .5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then slightly
recline the vehicle seatback
and adjust the seat cushion, if
adjustable, to make sure that the
vehicle seatback is not pushing
the child restraint into the seat
cushion.
6. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle
head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint.
See Head Restraints on
page 2-2.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure
the child in the child restraint in
a rear seat position in the vehicle,
and check with your dealer/retailer.
2-32 Seats and Restraints

The passenger sensing system may
suppress the airbag deployment
when liquid soaks into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator
in the passenger airbag status
indicator and the airbag readiness
light will be lit. Have your
dealer/retailer check the system.
An object, person or child in the
rear seat contacting or pressing
the right front passenger seatback,
or objects stowed under the right
front passenger seat, may affect the
proper functioning of the passenger
sensing system.
When a safety belt extender is
used in the right front passenger
seat, make sure the passenger
airbag status indicator shows
ON. If the indicator shows OFF,
disconnect the extender’s latch fromthe buckle then reconnect the safety
belt. The passenger airbag status
indicator light should be ON and
then the safety belt extender can
be reconnected. If the safety belt
extender is used while the passenger
airbag status indicator light is OFF,
the right front passenger frontal and
seat-mounted side impact airbags (if
equipped) may not activate correctly.
{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are
parts of the airbag system in
several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing the vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, see
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 12-12 .
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
2-34 Seats and Restraints

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

Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has the passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 2-29
for important safety information.
The instrument panel has a
passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started,
the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF for
several seconds as a system check. Then, after several more seconds,
the status indicator will light either
ON or OFF if there is weight on the
seat, to let you know the status of
the right front passenger frontal and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
(if equipped). If the seat is
unoccupied, the light will not be
visible after the system check.
If the word ON is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the right front passenger
frontal and seat-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped) are enabled
(may inflate).
If the word OFF is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped). See
Passenger
Sensing System on page 2-29 for
more on this, including important
safety information. If, after several seconds, all status
indicator lights remain on, there
may be a problem with the lights
or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 4-12 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Instruments and Controls 4-13

Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned on,
but the engine is not running, as a
check to show the light is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started.
If the light stays on, or comes
on while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this
light is on could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It makes sure that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.
This light comes on when the
ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer.If the check engine light comes
on and stays on, when the engine
is running, this indicates that there is
an OBD II problem and service is
required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage to
the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:
If the vehicle is
continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the
emission controls might not
work as well, the vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good,
and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
United StatesCanada
4-14 Instruments and Controls

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

LOCK/OFF:This is the only position
from which you can remove the key.
This locks the steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transmission.
Push in the ignition switch as you
turn the key toward you.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch
to the LOCK/OFF position.
A warning tone will sound if the driver
door is opened with the key in the
ignition.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with your wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY. If this doesn’t
work, then the vehicle needs service.{CAUTION
On manual transmission vehicles,
turning the key to LOCK/OFF and
removing it will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of
ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision.
If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to ACC/
ACCESSORY. Do not push the
key in while the vehicle is moving.
ACC/ACCESSORY: This position
provides power to some of the
electrical accessories. It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition. To move
the key from ACC/ACCESSORY to
LOCK/OFF, push in the key and then
turn it to LOCK/OFF.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF and the key is in the
ignition. ON/RUN:
The ignition switch stays
in this position when the engine is
running. This position can be used
to operate the electrical accessories,
including the ventilation fan and
115 volt power outlet, as well as to
display some warning and indicator
lights. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
The battery could be drained
if you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
START: This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
Driving and Operating 8-17

Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher.
If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might notice an audible knocking
noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine
needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should
meet ASTM specification D 4814
in the United States or CAN/
CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada.
Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeFuel Additives
on page 8-40 for additional
information.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications.
See the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California emissions
standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control
system performance might be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
might fail a smog-check test.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 4-14. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of
fuel used, repairs might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Driving and Operating 8-39