2005 PONTIAC VIBE belt

In many crashes severe enough to inate an airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once. After an
airbag inates, you will need some new parts for
your 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.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after
a crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders on page 7-9.
Let only qualied technicians work on your airbag
system. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer for service.Notice:If you damage the covering for the frontal
airbags, the airbag covering on the driver’s and right
front passenger’s seatback or the airbag covering
on the ceiling near the side windows, the airbags
may not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s airbag, or the airbag
modules, the seatback, and the ceiling covering
for the side impact airbags (if equipped). Do not
open or break the airbag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water – such as
water up to the carpeting or higher – or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the airbag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens,
and then you start your vehicle, the damage could make
the frontal and side impact airbags inate and safety
belt pretensioners activate, even if there is no
crash. You would have to replace the airbags, all the
sensors and related parts, parts of the safety belt system
and parts of the driver and right front passenger’s
seatbacks. If your vehicle is ever in a ood, or if it is
exposed to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid
needless repair costs by turning off the vehicle
immediately and disconnecting the battery cables.
Do not let anyone start the vehicle under any
circumstances. See your dealer for service.
1-55

Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. A
passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument
panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to
ON. The words ON and OFF will be visible in the
passenger airbag status indicator during the system
check. When the system check is complete, either the
word ON or the word OFF will be visible. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.
The passenger sensing
system will turn off the
right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped)
under certain conditions.The passenger sensing system will also turn off the
right front passenger’s safety belt pretensioner if
it detects that there is no occupant in that position.
The driver’s airbag and the roof-mounted side impact
airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors
that are part of the right front passenger’s seat assembly
and safety belt assembly. The sensors are designed
to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant
and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) and
safety belt pretensioner should be enabled (may inate)
or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors recommends that child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a
rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing
child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a
rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is
because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the
airbag deploys.
1-56

If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure
that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child
restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly
recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat
cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is
not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head restraint.
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.
An object, person or child in the rear seat contacting or
pressing the right front passenger’s seatback, or
objects stowed under the right front passenger’s seat,
may affect the proper functioning of the passenger
sensing system.
When you use a safety belt extender in the right front
passenger’s seat, make sure the passenger airbag
status indicator shows “ON”. If the indicator shows
“OFF”, disconnect the extender’s latch from the buckle
then reconnect the safety belt. Make sure the indicator
light shows “ON”, then reconnect the safety belt
extender. If you use the safety belt extender while the
indicator light shows “OFF”, the right front passenger’sfrontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) may not activate correctly. SeeAirbag
System on page 1-46for important safety information
about your airbags.
The passenger sensing system is designed to enable
(may inate) the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) and safety belt pretensioner anytime the
system senses that a person of adult size is sitting
properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When the
passenger sensing system has allowed the airbags and
pretensioner to be enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the airbags and
pretensioners are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped), depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety
belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for
that person.
1-58

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the vehicle that
could keep the airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet
metal or height, they may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 7-2.Do not perform any of the following changes
without consulting your dealer. Such changes can
interfere with the proper operation of the airbag
system, passenger sensing system and/or safety
belt pretensioners.
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies
Modication of the suspension system
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo
bar, etc), snowplow, winches or any other
equipment to the front end
Repairs made on or near the front fenders,
front end structure or console
Installation of electronic devises such as a
mobile two-way radio, cassette tape player
or compact disc player
Modication of the suspension system
Modication of the front end structure or the side
structure of the passenger compartment
Repairs made on or near the console of the
front seat
1-61

Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my advanced airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module (located under the driver’s seat), or
the instrument panel can affect the operation of the
advanced airbag system. If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step
Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-2.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-62

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system
may not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if
worn during a more severe crash, then you need
new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
or LATCH system was not being used at the time of
the collision.
If the frontal airbags inate, you will also need to
replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety
belt retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new
retractor assembly will be there to help protect you in
a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver and
front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even
if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver
and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies
contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your
safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has
been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays
on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-29.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
1-63

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked,
the handle will not open it. You increase
the chance of being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash if the doors are not
locked. So, wear safety belts properly and
lock the doors whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors
can help prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter, if equipped. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
If your vehicle has power door locks, open the driver’s
door by turning the key in the lock toward the rear
of the vehicle. Turning the key back toward the center,
then toward the rear again will unlock all of the
doors. Using the key in the passenger’s door will also
unlock all of the doors.
Lock a door by turning the key toward the front of the
vehicle. If you have power door locks, all the doors
will lock.
2-7

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps................................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Interior Lamps Control...................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-18
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current........3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Trip Odometers............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-33
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-33
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-34
Stabilitrak
®Indicator Light...............................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage...................3-35
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-35
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Lights On Reminder......................................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1