2007 PONTIAC VIBE change wheel

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, 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 400.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag
modules, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the 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 400.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 136
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 138
Other Warning Devices............................. 138
Horn.......................................................... 138
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 139
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 139
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 140
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 140
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 141
Windshield Wipers..................................... 141
Windshield Washer.................................... 142
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...................... 142
Cruise Control........................................... 143
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 146
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 146
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 147
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 147
Fog Lamps................................................ 148
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 148
Interior Lamps Control............................... 149
Entry Lighting............................................ 149
Reading Lamps......................................... 150
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 150Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current.................................................. 151
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 151
Climate Controls......................................... 152
Climate Control System............................. 152
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 155
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 156
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 158
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 159
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 160
Trip Odometers......................................... 160
Tachometer............................................... 161
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 161
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 162
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 163
Charging System Light.............................. 165
Brake System Warning Light..................... 166
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 167
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light.............. 167
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 168
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light......................... 168
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering column allows you to adjust the
steering column before you drive. You can also
raise it to the highest level to give your legs more
room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located
underneath, on the left
side of the steering
wheel column.
To tilt the column, move the lever downward.
Adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable position,
then move the lever upward to lock the column
in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The turn signal/multifunction lever is located on
the left side of the steering column.
This lever operates the following:
Exterior Lamps. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 146.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 140.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 140.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on
page 141.
Fog Lamps. SeeFog Lamps on page 148.
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Cruise Control
If your vehicle has
cruise control, the lever
is located on the
right side of the steering
wheel.
Cruise control, lets you maintain a speed of
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. This can really help
on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at both rear wheels.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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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.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
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Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
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