2008 PONTIAC VIBE light

(C) ON/RUN:This is the position the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in the ON/RUN position when the engine is
running. But even when the ignition is not running, you
can use ON/RUN to operate your electrical accessories,
including the ventilation fan and 115 volt power outlet,
and to display some warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
(D) START:This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC/ACCESSORY
and ON/RUN allow you to operate some of your
electrical accessories.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an
easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the key in
the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime will sound,
when you open the driver’s door. Always remember to
remove your key from the ignition and take it with you.
This will lock your ignition and transmission. Also, always
remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be
able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for
an extended period of time.
Starting the Engine
Move the transmission in the proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
The engine will not start in any other position -- this
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when
your vehicle is stopped.
2-20

LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than SECOND (2) without using your brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or
mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transmission
will not shift into low gear until the vehicle is going
slow enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Overdrive Off
Vehicles with an automatic transmission have an
O/D (overdrive off) button located on the left side
of the shift lever.
When you turn on your vehicle overdrive will
automatically come on until you turn it off.Press the O/D button to
turn overdrive off or on.
A light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on
when the overdrive is on.
SeeOverdrive Off Light on
page 3-39.
Drive your vehicle with the overdrive on for better fuel
economy and quieter driving.
2-25

Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
This chart shows when to shift to the next gear for the
best fuel economy.
Manual Transmission Recommended
Shift Speeds
Engine 1 to 2
or 2
to 12to3
or 3
to 23to4
or 4
to 34to5
or 5
to 45to6
or 6
to 5
1.8 L15 mph
24 km/h25 mph
40 km/h40 mph
64 km/h45 mph
72 km/h—
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-27

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime
use and pull it for nighttime use.
The mirror may have lights located on the bottom of
the mirror. Press the button next to each light to turn it
on or off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Move the lever to the right for nighttime
use and to the left for daytime use.
There may also be three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for
more information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-35for more
information on the services OnStar®provides.
2-33

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust
the mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or down
and side to side.
The mirror may have an automatic dimming feature that
darkens gradually to reduce the glare of headlamps from
behind. When the ignition key is inserted and turned
on, the inside rear view mirror always turns on in the
automatic function mode.An indicator light located on
the mirror will come on to show you that the function
is on. When the inside air temperature is low, it may take
a little longer for the mirror to darken in response to the
detection of headlights.
Press the AUTO button located in the lower center of
the mirror to turn automatic dimming on and the
((off)
button located next to the AUTO button to turn automatic
dimming off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it
is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
Outside Remote Control Mirrors
Your vehicle has outside power adjustable mirrors.
The controls are located
to the left of the steering
wheel on the instrument
panel.
To adjust either mirror, push the button labeled L (left) or
R (right). Use the arrows on the control pad to adjust the
direction of the mirror. Once both mirrors have been
adjusted, move the selector switch back to the center.
This prevents the mirrors from being moved once they
have been adjusted.
2-34

How OnStar Service Works
In order to provide you with OnStar services, your
vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of recording
and transmitting vehicle information. This information is
automatically sent to an OnStar Call Center at the time
of an OnStar button press, Emergency button press or
if your airbags or AACN system deploys. The vehicle
information usually includes your GPS location and, in
the event of a crash, additional information regarding the
accident that your vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the
direction from which your vehicle was hit). When you use
the Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling,
your vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS location so that
we can provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar service
also cannot work unless you are in a place where the
wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that area
has coverage, network capacity and reception when the
service is needed, and technology that is compatible
with the OnStar service. Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas,
or at all times.OnStar service that involves location information about
your vehicle cannot work unless GPS satellite signals
are unobstructed and available in that place as well.
Your vehicle must have a working electrical system
(including adequate battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service to you at any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to important parts of your
vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network congestion.
Your Responsibility
You may need to increase the volume of your radio to
hear the OnStar advisor. If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, this means that your system is not
functioning properly and should be checked by a dealer.
If the light appears clear (no light is appearing), your
OnStar subscription has expired. You can always press
the blue OnStar button to conrm that your OnStar
equipment is active.
2-38

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Interior Lamps Control...................................3-17
Entry Lighting...............................................3-17
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current........3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Trip Odometers............................................3-27
Tachometer................................................
.3-28
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-28
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-33
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-34
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-34
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light..............................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Lights On Reminder......................................3-39
Taillamp Indicator Light..................................3-39
Cruise Control Light......................................3-39
Overdrive Off Light........................................3-39
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-40
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-40
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-40
Fuel Gage...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-42Audio System(s).............................................3-42
Setting the Time...........................................3-43
Radio(s)......................................................3-44
Using an MP3..............................................3-58
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-63
Radio Reception...........................................3-63
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-64
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-64
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2