2008 PONTIAC VIBE warning light

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

This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
ABS, it is different. SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-4.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. Leave the system on during ordinary driving so
that it can operate when needed. When the ignition
is turned to ON, the system automatically turns on.
This light should come on
briey when you start the
engine.If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, there is
a problem with your traction control system.
The TRAC OFF button is
located to the left of the
steering wheel below
the instrument panel
cluster.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or newly fallen snow,
turn off the traction control system. The system that
controls engine performance interferes with the process
of freeing the front wheels. To turn off traction control,
press the TRAC OFF button. The traction control system
warning light will come on. The vehicle stability control
system (StabiliTrak
®) is always activated, even when the
traction control system is turned off. To turn the traction
control system back on, press the TRAC OFF button
again. The traction control system warning light will go off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-34for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for more information.
4-6

StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have this feature. The StabiliTrak®
system helps provide integrated control of the systems
such as anti-lock brake system, traction control and
engine control. This system automatically controls the
brakes and engine to help prevent the vehicle from
skidding when cornering on a slippery road surface
or turning the steering wheel abruptly.
This system will activate when your vehicle speed
reaches or exceeds 9 mph (15 km/h), and will
deactivate when the vehicle speed reduces to
below 9 mph (15 km/h).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This means that the system is in
the self-check mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the traction
control system warning light will blink and an alarm
will sound intermittently. Adjust your driving accordingly.
This light warns that there
is a problem somewhere
in the traction control
system or StabiliTrak
®.
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a panic brake assist system that
monitors the intention of the driver while braking. If the
system senses that the driver has applied hard/fast
pressure to the brake pedal, the system will generate
additional pressure, making it easier for the driver to
maintain brake application. When this happens the brake
pedal will feel easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let the system work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise but this
is normal. The brakes will return to normal operation after
the brake pedal has been released.
The brake assist system becomes operational after
the vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess
of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). It stops operating
when the vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 3 mph (5 km/h).
4-7

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

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple of reective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of
sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to
help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-49.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip, and need to be
very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can
be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
4-15

When to Check and What to Use
The reservoir is located
at the back of the engine
compartment, on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the uid level in your
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper uid.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-12
andPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-19.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check to make sure that the uid level is at or above
the MIN mark. If the level is below the MIN mark,
see the instructions on the reservoir cap.
Engine Coolant
Your vehicle was factory-lled with a coolant developed
to last for ve years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst. When coolant is added or
changed, use DEX-COOL
®coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-23

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
If your vehicle has the low windshield washer uid
level warning light, it will come on when the uid
level is too low. SeeLow Washer Fluid Warning
Light on page 3-40.Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir
location.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding
water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage the vehicle’s
windshield washer system and paint.
5-34

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder
use the same reservoir.
It is lled with DOT-3
brake uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the uid
level goes back up. The other reason is that uid is
leaking out of the brake hydraulic system or the hydraulic
clutch system. If it is, have that system xed immediately,
since a leak means that the brakes will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added
when the linings are worn, there will be too much uid
when new brake linings are installed. Add or remove
brake uid, as necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine. The uid will burn if the
engine is hot enough. You or others could be
burned, and your vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work is done on the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-32.
5-35