2007 PONTIAC VIBE steering

Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
O(Exterior Lamps):Turn the outside part of the
lever with the symbol on it, to operate the lamps.
For vehicles sold in the U. S., this symbol will
appear on the instrument panel cluster when your
exterior lamps are on.
The exterior lamp switch has three positions:
OFF:Turning the switch to this position turns off
all lamps, except the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
O(Parking Lamps):Turning the switch to this
position turns on the parking lamps together
with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
A symbol will appear on the instrument panel
cluster when your parking lamps are on.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 174and
Taillamp Indicator Light on page 174for additional
information.
3(Headlamps):Turning the switch to this
position turns on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you turn the ignition to LOCK or ACC and leave
the lamps on, you will hear a tone when you
open the driver’s door.
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If you are driving through a parking garage,
overcast weather, or a tunnel, the automatic
headlamp system may turn on the low-beam
headlamps at a normal brightness along with the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will be
dimmer, and the instrument panel cluster
lights may dim. There will be a delay before the
lights will turn on when starting the car at night.
Fog Lamps
-(Fog Lamps):Turn the band on the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the fog lamp symbol to
turn the fog lamps on. They will come on only
when the headlamps are on low beam.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The instrument panel
brightness control is
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
Turn the wheel on the
left of the control
up or down to increase
or decrease brightness.
Turn the wheel all the way up for the maximum
setting. It is recommended that the brightness level
be kept at the maximum setting for all daytime
driving to ensure proper visibility.
The brightness of the instrument panel lights will
decrease when the headlamps are on.
148

Low Fuel Warning Light
This light is located on
the fuel gage and
comes on when the fuel
tank is low on fuel.
To turn it off, add fuel to the fuel tank. SeeFuel
on page 274for more information.
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 222. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’saudio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
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Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. Here are some ways in which you can
help avoid distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD
player, CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way
radio, make sure that it can be added by
checking with your dealer. Also, check federal
rules covering mobile radio and telephone
units. If sound equipment can be added, it is
very important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment can interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems
can interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added.
Setting the Time
The radio might have a button marked with an
H or HR to represent hours and an M or MIN to
represent minutes.
Press and hold the hour button until the correct
hour displays. AM appears for morning hours.
Press and hold the minute button until the correct
minute displays. The time can be set with the
ignition on or off.
To synchronize the time with an FM station
broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS)
information, press and hold the hour and minute
buttons at the same time until UPDATED displays.
If the time is not available from the station, NO
UPDATE displays.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. After tuning
to an RDS broadcast station, it could take a
few minutes for the time to update.
178

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 222
Defensive Driving...................................... 222
Drunken Driving........................................ 223
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 226
Braking...................................................... 226
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 227
Braking in Emergencies............................. 229
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 230
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 231
Panic Brake Assist.................................... 231
Steering.................................................... 232
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 234
Passing..................................................... 235
Loss of Control.......................................... 237
Driving at Night......................................... 238Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 239
City Driving............................................... 242
Freeway Driving........................................ 243
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 244
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 245
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 246
Winter Driving........................................... 248
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 252
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 253
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 253
Towing........................................................ 259
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 259
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 259
Towing a Trailer........................................ 261
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
221

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 272.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 166.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.Average reaction time is about three-fourths of
a second. But that is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
226

If your vehicle has the vehicle stability control
system, it includes a brake assist system which
provides more powerful braking during a sudden,
hard brake application. See “Vehicle Stability
Control System” underTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 230.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold
it down — may be the wrong thing to do. Your
wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle
cannot respond to your steering. Momentum will
carry it in whatever direction it was headed when
the wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the
road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or
into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease
off the brake pedal. This will help you retain
steering control. If you do have ABS, it is different.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 227.
In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
229

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only
if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system works the front brakes and
reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal. Leave the system on during ordinary
driving so that it can operate when needed. When
the ignition is turned to ON, the system
automatically turns on.
This light should come
on briey when you
start the engine.
If it stays on or comes on while you are driving,
there is a problem with your traction control
system.The TRAC OFF button
is located to the left of
the steering wheel
below the instrument
panel cluster.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or newly
fallen snow, turn off the traction control system.
The system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing the
front wheels. To turn off traction control, press the
TRAC OFF button. The traction control system
warning light will come on. The vehicle stability
control system (StabiliTrak
®) is always activated,
even when the traction control system is turned
off. To turn the traction control system back
on, press the TRAC OFF button again. The
traction control system warning light will go off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 168for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 272for more information.
230