2003 PONTIAC VIBE light

2-70
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. See
ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. It will take a few
driving trips to turn the light off.

2-71
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
ªFuelº in the Index. Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start
-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the CHECK
ENGINE light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on
-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.

2-72 Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine or come on when
you are driving.
This indicates that there is not enough oil pressure to
keep your engine properly lubricated and cool.
The engine could be low on oil, or have some other oil
related problem. Have it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come on in three other
situations.

When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to START. If it doesn't come on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the
light may blink on and off. This is normal.

If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.

2-73 Cruise Light
The CRUISE light appears
whenever use the ON
-OFF
button to set your cruise
control. See ªCruise
Controlº in the Index.
Overdrive Off Light
Your automatic transaxle
has overdrive. The light will
come on whenever you turn
off the overdrive. See
ªOverdriveº in the Index.
Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light (Canada Only)
This light will come on
when your windshield
washer fluid is low.
Door Ajar Warning Light
This light will come on
if any door is not
completely closed.

2-74 Fuel Gage
United States
Canada
Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your
tank. The fuel gage works only when the ignition switch
is ON. When the gage first indicates E or empty, you
still have a little fuel left about 1 or 2 gallons (3.8 L or
7.6 L), but you need to get more right away. When your
vehicle is low on fuel the low fuel warning light will
also come on to remind you to add fuel.

2-75
Here are five things some owners ask about. None of
these show a problem with your fuel gage.

At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads F or full.

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took
more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill it.

It takes the gage several minutes to read F or full
after filling the vehicle with fuel.

The gage moves a little when you turn, stop or
speed up.

The gage doesn't go back to E or empty when you
turn off the ignition.Low Fuel Warning Light
This light comes on when
the fuel tank is low on fuel.
To turn it off, add fuel to the tank. See ªFuelº in
the Index.

3-3
Temperature Knob
Turn the knob to change the temperature of the air
flowing from the system. Turn the knob clockwise to
increase the temperature. Turn the knob
counterclockwise to decrease the temperature.
(Recirculate): Press this button, located in the
center of the instrument panel to the left of the audio
system, to recirculate inside air through the comfort
control system. An indicator light in the button will
come on to let you know the feature is in use. Press the
button again to turn off recirculate and to circulate
outside air through the system. The indicator light will
go off. Recirculate is automatically turned off when the
climate control system mode knob is turned to defog or
defrost or is between modes.
Air Conditioning
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press the A/C button, located
in the center of the instrument panel to the left of the
audio system, to change your comfort control system to
air conditioning. An indicator light will come on when
the air conditioning is on. Air conditioning can also
control the humidity in your vehicle. The incoming air is
cooled and dehumidified.
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
For normal cooling, press the A/C button and make sure
to use outside air. For faster cooling, also press the
recirculate button. Then move the mode knob to vent
and turn the temperature control knob counterclockwise.
Turn the fan knob to HI.
On days when it is raining or the humidity is high,
follow these dehumidifying steps instead of the cooling
directions. It will help clean windows that are cloudy
with moisture.
1. Press the A/C button.
2. Turn the mode knob to defrost. Recirculate will be off.
3. Turn the fan knob to HI and adjust the temperature
knob to a comfortable setting.

3-4 Heating
For the quickest results, press the recirculate button
and move the mode knob to the floor setting. Turn the
temperature knob clockwise for warmer air and turn the
fan knob toward HI. You should switch to outside air
once in a while to avoid stale air and fogging windows.
To prevent cold air from blowing in and to increase
air flow to the floor area, you may close the outer
instrument panel vents.
You may want to use bi
-level mode on cool but sunny
days. This setting directs outside air toward your body
and warmer air toward your feet. Using outside air, turn
the mode knob to bi
-level. Turn the temperature knob
counterclockwise and the fan knob toward HI.
Defogging and Defrosting
When the mode knob is turned to either the defog or
defrost mode, outside air will be selected automatically.
Outside air will clear the windshield more quickly.
Turn the temperature knob clockwise and the fan knob
toward HI. When the windshield is clear, turn down
the fan speed.
If you wish to return to the recirculate mode, the
recirculate button can be set when the mode knob is
set on full defog or full defrost. The indicator light will
come on.

Recirculate cannot be set partway between floor and
defog, and

recirculate cannot be set partway between defog
and defrost.
When the mode knob is turned to another position,
outside air will be selected automatically. To defog the
windshield and side windows, use outside air and turn
the mode knob to defog.