2007 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

In the following cases, contact your dealer:
The warning light does not come on after the
ignition is turned to ON.
The warning light remains on after the ignition
is turned to ON.
The warning light comes on while driving.
The TCS light will come on when the VSC system
warning light comes on, even if the TRAC OFF
button is not pressed.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 231for more
information on Vehicle Stability Control System.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 230
for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area,
the engine is too hot. It means that the engine has
overheated. Pull off the road, stop your vehicle,
and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 297.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a computer which monitors
operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK ENGINE light comes on
to indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service
technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your 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
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or replacement tires that do not
match your vehicle’s original tires can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 272.
This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired.
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This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
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
possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, 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 “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also 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. SeeFilling the Tank on page 277.
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.
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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.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 274. 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, misring, 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, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x 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 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,
your dealer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
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Oil Pressure Light
If there is a problem
with the oil, this light
may stay on after
you start the engine or
come on while you
are driving.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This indicates that there is not enough oil pressure
to keep the engine properly lubricated and cool.
The engine could be low on oil, or have some
other oil related problem. Have it xed 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 comes on as a test to
show you it is working, but the light goes out
when you turn the ignition to START. If it
does not come on with the ignition on,
you could have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it xed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a
stop, the light could blink on and off. Have
it checked at your dealer.
If you make a hard stop, the light could come
on for a moment. Have it checked at your
dealer.
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Lights On Reminder
This light comes on
whenever the headlights
are on.
SeeHeadlamps on Reminder on page 146for
more information.
Taillamp Indicator Light
This light will come on
when your taillamps
are on.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 146for more
information.
Cruise Control Light
The CRUISE light
comes on whenever you
press the ON-OFF
button to set your cruise
control.
SeeCruise Control Light on page 174for more
information.
Overdrive Off Light
The automatic transaxle
has overdrive. This light
comes on whenever
you turn off the
overdrive.
SeeOverdrive Off on page 111for more
information.
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Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 140.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
when your windshield
washer uid is low.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 305for
more information.
Door Ajar Light
This light will come on if
any door, the rear
liftgate or the rear
liftglass are not
completely closed.
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Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in
your fuel tank. An arrow on the fuel gage indicates
that the fuel ller door is on the driver side of
your vehicle. The fuel gage works only when the
ignition switch is ON. When the gage rst 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, located below the
empty mark, will also come on to remind you
to add fuel.Here are ve things some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with the 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 ll 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 ll it.
It takes the gage several minutes to read F or
full after lling the vehicle with fuel.
The gage moves a little when you turn, stop
or speed up.
The gage does not go back to E or empty
when you turn off the ignition.
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