2008 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push and hold the lever to−SET until you reach the
lower speed desired, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the lever
down briey. Each time this is done, the vehicle will
go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
slows down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed.When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down. Of course,
applying the brake or downshifting to SECOND (2) or
LOW (L) turns off the cruise control. Many drivers nd this
to be too much trouble and do not use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the
clutch pedal, if you have a manual transaxle.
Press the ON-OFF button again.
Pull the cruise control lever toward you.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, the
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
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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 3-39andTaillamp Indicator Light
on page 3-39for additional information.
3(Headlamps):Turning the switch to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
3-14

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.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in
Canada.
The DRL system will make the headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on with the engine running.
The exterior lamps switch is off.
The parking brake is released.When the DRL are on, only the headlamps will be on at
a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps will not be on. The instrument panel will
not be lit up either.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the headlamp
position, the DRL will go off and the headlamps will
come on. The other lamps that come on with the
headlamps will also come on.
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
See “Automatic Headlamp System” following.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch off, the regular
lamps will go off and the headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL provided it is not dark
outside. DRL also comes on if only the parking
lamps are being used.
3-15

Automatic Headlamp System
Your vehicle has an automatic light sensor on the top
left corner of the instrument panel, so be sure it is
not covered or the headlamps will be on continuously.
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic headlamp
system will turn on the low-beam headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and instrument
panel lights. This is indicated by the headlamp symbol
on your instrument panel cluster. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 3-26.
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.
3-16

Interior Lamps Control
The interior lights control is located on the overhead
light. To change the interior lights setting, slide the
switch to one of the following positions:
OFF:This position turns the light off.
ON:This position keeps the light on all the time.
Door:This position turns the light on when any door, the
liftgate or the liftglass is opened. The light goes off when
all the side doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed.
Entry Lighting
While the interior lights control is in the door position, the
light will come on when any side door, the liftgate or the
liftglass is opened. After all the doors, liftgate and liftglass
are closed, and the key is out of the ignition, in LOCK or
ACC, the light will remain on for about 15 seconds and
then go out except under the following conditions:
The ignition is turned to ACC or ON after all the
doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed.
All the doors and liftgate are locked when the liftglass
is closed and the light is still on.When any door is unlocked with the key or remote
keyless entry system transmitter, the light comes on
for 15 seconds, even if the door is not opened.
Reading Lamps
If your vehicle has a sunroof, there will be a reading
lamp near the sunroof switch. Press the button to turn
the lamp on and press it again to turn it off.
If your vehicle does not have a sunroof, the vehicle’s
inside rearview mirror may have reading lamps. If your
vehicle has reading lamps, there are two buttons located
on the bottom of the mirror. Press the buttons to turn the
lamps on and press them again to turn the lamps off.
3-17

Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With the accessory power outlet, you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment.
Your vehicle has an outlet under the climate controls.
To use the outlet, the ignition must be in ON or
ACC. Pull down the small cover to access the outlet.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
This circuit is protected by a fuse and has a maximum
current level. Do not use equipment exceeding the
maximum amperage rating.
Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible
to the power accessory outlet and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem
see your dealer for additional information on the power
accessory plugs.Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not hang
any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the
plug because the power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current
With this power outlet, you can plug in auxiliary electrical
equipment with a maximum limit of 115 VAC. If you try
to use equipment that requires more than the limit, a
protection circuit will cut the power supply. The power
will automatically restart when equipment that operates
within the limit is plugged in.
3-18

The power outlet is located near the center of the
instrument panel. Before using the outlet, turn on
the ignition and press the button next to the outlet.
An indicator light in the button will come on. After
using the outlet, press the button again to turn it off.
The power outlet is not designed for the following
electrical equipment and they may not work properly:
Equipment with high initial peak wattage:
cathode-ray tube type televisions, compressor-driven
refrigerators, electric power tools.
Other equipment requiring an extremely stable power
supply: microcomputer-controlled electric blankets,
touch sensor lamps, etc.
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
To use the lighter, if your vehicle has one, push the
lighter in all the way and let go. When it is ready, it will
pop back out by itself. If the engine is not running,
the key must be in ACC to use the lighter.
It is not recommended to use the cigarette lighter to
plug in auxiliary electrical equipment. Use the accessory
power outlet for phones and other electrical equipment.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-18or
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current on page 3-18.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold
a cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray that sits in
your front cupholder in the center console storage area.
3-19

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the center knob away from OFF to turn
the system on. Turn the knob toward HI to increase
fan speed.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the highest
setting, the passenger compartment air lter may need
to be replaced. For more information, seePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-23andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the upper instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is directed to the upper instrument
panel outlets, and to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):Air is directed to the oor outlets and to the
outboard outlets (for the side windows).
?(Recirculation):Press this button, located in the
center of the instrument panel to the left of the audio
system, to turn the recirculation mode on or off. This
mode recirculates the air inside the vehicle. It can be
used to prevent outside air and odors from entering your
vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle
more quickly. When the button is pressed, an indicator
light in the button comes on. 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.
3-20