2008 PONTIAC VIBE headlamp

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

Lights On Reminder
This light comes on
whenever the headlights
are on.
SeeHeadlamps on Reminder on page 3-15for more
information.
Taillamp Indicator Light
This light will come on
when your taillamps are on.
SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-14for 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 3-39for more
information.
Overdrive Off Light
The automatic transaxle
has overdrive. This light
comes on whenever
you turn off the overdrive.
SeeOverdrive Off on page 2-25for more information.
Canada Only
3-39

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light will come on
when your windshield
washer uid is low.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
This light will come on if
any door, the rear liftgate
or the rear liftglass are
not completely closed.
Canada Only
3-40

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect
your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower
in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or owing
water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through owing water could
cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warnings
and be very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
4-12

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
the headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
4-17

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-38
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-42
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs
..............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-43
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-46
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-48
Tires..............................................................5-49
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-50
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-52
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-55
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-61
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-63
Buying New Tires.........................................5-63
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Tire Chains..................................................5-68
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-69
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-70
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-71
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-73
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-79
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-81
Appearance Care............................................5-82
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-82
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-83
Leather.......................................................5-84
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces........................................5-84
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-85
Weatherstrips...............................................5-85
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-86
Finish Care..................................................5-86
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades............................................5-87Aluminum Wheels.........................................5-87
Tires...........................................................5-88
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-88
Finish Damage.............................................5-88
Underbody Maintenance................................5-88
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-88
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-89
Vehicle Identication......................................5-90
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-90
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-90
Electrical System...........................................
.5-90
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-90
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-91
Power Windows and Other
Power Options..........................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-92
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................5-93
Capacities and Specications..........................5-95
Maintenance Replacement Parts......................5-96
Engine Drive Belt Routing..............................5-97
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Notice:If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may
occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the cables do not touch
each other or other metal.
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash,
the headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment
to the low-beam headlamps may be necessary if
oncoming drivers ash their high-beam headlamps
at you (for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service. Jumper Cable Removal
5-42