2008 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

Playing an MP3
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player pulls it in, and READING DISC displays.
The CD should begin playing and the CD symbol
displays. If you want to insert a CD with the ignition
off, rst press the eject button or the RCL button.
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the
player it stays in the player. When the ignition or radio
is turned on, the CD starts to play where it stopped,
if it was the last selected audio source.
\1 (Forward):Press and hold this pushbutton to
advance quickly within a track. Press and hold this
pushbutton for less than two seconds to advance at
10 times the normal playing speed. Press and hold it
for more than two seconds to advance at 20 times the
normal playing speed. Release this pushbutton to play
the track. FWD and the elapsed time of the track displays.
RDM 2 (Random):To repeat the tracks in the current
folder or playlist, press and release this pushbutton.
FOLDER RANDOM displays. Once all of the tracks
in the current folder or playlist have been played,
the system moves on to the next folder or playlist
and plays all of the tracks in random order.To repeat the tracks on the CD, press and hold this
pushbutton for two seconds. A beep sounds and DISC
RANDOM displays. This feature does not work with
playlists.
While in random, pressing and releasing either SEEK
arrow goes to the next or previous random track.
Press and release this pushbutton again to turn off
random play. NO RANDOM displays.
#3 (Next Folder):Press this pushbutton to go to the
rst track in the next folder or playlist. If the disc contains
playlists, it goes through the playlist, then the folders.
Pressing this button while in folder random mode takes
you to the next folder and randomizes the tracks in that
folder. This function does not work on a CD that does not
contain folders or playlists.
4
s(Reverse):Press and hold this pushbutton
to reverse quickly within a track. Press and hold this
pushbutton for less than two seconds to reverse at
10 times the normal playing speed. Press and hold it for
more than two seconds to reverse at 20 times the normal
playing speed. Release this pushbutton to play the track.
REV and the elapsed time of the track appears on the
display. If this pushbutton is pressed for more than
20 seconds, the radio stops reversing and begins to play.
3-61

6!(Previous Folder):Press this pushbutton to go to
the rst track in the previous folder or playlist. If the disc
contains playlists, it goes through the playlist, then the
folders. Pressing this pushbutton while in folder random
mode takes you to the previous folder and randomizes
the tracks in that folder. This function does not work on
a CD that does not contain folders or playlists.
wSEEKx:Press the up arrow to go to the start
of the next track. Press the down arrow to go to the start
of the previous track. Pressing either arrow for more
than two seconds searches the previous or next tracks
at two tracks per second. When the desired track
number displays, release the arrow to stop searching
and to play the track.
TUNE:Turn this knob to fast track reverse or advance
through tracks in all folders or playlists. The track number
and le name appears on the display for each track. Turn
this knob while in random to fast track reverse or advance
the tracks in sequential order.
RCL (Recall):Push this button to switch between track
mode, folder, or playlist mode, and time of day mode.
The display shows only 13 characters, but there can
be up to three pages of text. If there are more than
13 characters in the song, folder, or playlist name
pushing this button within two seconds takes you to the
next page of text. If there are no other pages to be shown,
pushing this button within two seconds takes you to the
next display mode.Track mode displays the current track number and the
ID3 tag song name.
Folder/playlist mode displays the current folder or playlist
number and the folder/playlist name.
Time of day mode displays the time of day and the
ID3 tag song name.
To change the default on the display, push this button
until you see the desired display, then hold this button
for two seconds. The radio produces one beep and the
selected display is now the default.
INFO (Information):INFO displays whenever a current
track has ID3 tag information. Press this button to
display the artist name and album contained in the tag.
INFO disappears from the display when the information
in the ID3 tag has nished.
BAND:Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing. The inactive CD remains inside the radio
for future listening.
CD AUX (Auxiliary):Press this button to play a CD
when listening to the radio. The CD symbol displays
when a CD is loaded.
Z(Eject):Press this button to eject a CD. Eject
may be activated with either the ignition or radio off.
CDs can be loaded with the radio and ignition off if this
button is pressed rst.
3-62

XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language Channels):These channels,
or any others, can be blocked at a customer’s request,
by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
Updating:The encryption code in the receiver is
being updated, and no action is required. This process
should take no longer than 30 seconds.
No Signal:The system is functioning correctly, but
the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™
signal. When the vehicle is moved into an open area,
the signal should return.
Loading XM:The audio system is acquiring and
processing audio and text data. No action is needed.
This message should disappear shortly.
CH Off Air:This channel is not currently in service.
Tune to another channel.
CH Unavail:This previously assigned channel is no
longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this station
was one of the presets, choose another station for
that preset button.
No Info:No artist, song title, category, or text
information is available at this time on this channel.
The system is working properly.No Info:No text or informational messages are
available at this time on this channel. The system is
working properly.
Not Found:There are no channels available for the
selected category. The system is working properly.
XM Locked:The XM™ receiver in your vehicle may
have previously been in another vehicle. For security
purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be swapped between
vehicles. If this message is received after having
your vehicle serviced, check with your dealer/retailer.
Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message
alternates with the XM™ Radio eight digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.
Unknown:If this message is received when tuned
to channel 0, there may be a receiver fault. Consult with
your dealer/retailer.
Chk XMRcvr:If this message does not clear within a
short period of time, the receiver may have a fault.
Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power
outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the item
from the accessory power outlet.
3-63

AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause station
frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations boost the power levels
during the day, and then reduce these levels during the
night. Static can also occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio reception. When this
happens, try reducing the treble on your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals only
reach about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings
or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In
addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or through tunnels could cause loss
of the XM signal for a period of time. The radio may
display NO XM SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly
bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the antenna base located on the roof of
the vehicle. If tightening is required, tighten by hand.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof
of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and
ice build up for clear radio reception.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the
XM™ system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
Loading items onto the roof of your vehicle can interfere
with the performance of the XM™ system. Make sure
the XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is not obstructed.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
Panic Brake Assist.........................................4-7
Steering........................................................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-10
Passing.......................................................4-10
Loss of Control.............................................4-10
Driving at Night............................................4-12Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-12
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-13
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-13
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-14
Winter Driving..............................................4-15
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-18
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-19
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-19
Towing..........................................................4-25
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-25
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-25
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-27
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The rst step in driving defensively
is to wear your safety belt — SeeSafety Belts: They
Are for Everyone on page 1-10.
{CAUTION:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do and be ready. In addition:
Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions
resulting in injury or possible death. These
simple defensive driving techniques could
save your life.
Drunk Driving
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who
has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you
are with a group, designate a driver who will
not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking
and driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annual
motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with
the use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured.
4-2

For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance
of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32.
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.
4-3

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster if you do
alot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot
of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the
pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS, this warning light on the
instrument panel will come on briey when you start
your vehicle.
When you start the engine, or when you begin to
drive away, ABS will check itself. You might hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is
going on, and you might even notice that the brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, the antilock brake
system warning light will stay on. SeeAntilock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-33. United States
Canada
4-4