2008 PONTIAC VIBE belt

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt
system parts. If you see anything that might keep a
safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-28for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-85.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-29for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, see
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-57.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
1-66

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system
may not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in
a crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system (if equipped) parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary.
But the belt assemblies that were used during any
crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your
dealer/retailer to have your safety belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
If your vehicle has the LATCH system and it was
being used during a crash, you may need new
LATCH system parts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not being
used at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your
vehicle has been in a crash, if your airbag readiness
light stays on after you start your vehicle, or while you
are driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-29.
1-67

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle
will not open it. You increase the chance of
being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors are not locked. So, wear safety
belts properly and lock the doors whenever
you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter, if equipped. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-4for more
information.
If your vehicle has power door locks, open the driver’s
door by turning the key in the lock toward the rear of the
vehicle. Turning the key back toward the center, then
toward the rear again will unlock all of the doors. Using
the key in the passenger’s door will also unlock all of
the doors.
Lock a door by turning the key toward the front of the
vehicle. If you have power door locks, all the doors
will lock.
2-7

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

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
F. Rear Window Defogger Button. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underClimate Control System on
page 3-20.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30. Front
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-28.
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button. SeeOutside
Remote Control Mirrors on page 2-34.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass
on page 2-10.
K. Tire Pressure Monitor Reset Button. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-57.
L. Coinholder. SeeCoinholder(s) on page 2-39.M. TRAC OFF Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6.
N. Content Theft-Deterrent Security Light. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16.
O. Storage Compartment. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage on page 2-39.
P. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Exterior Lamp
Stalk. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-7andExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
Q. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
R. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
S. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
T. Cruise Control Lever (Option). SeeCruise Control
on page 3-11.
U. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-19.
V. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-9.
W. Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19
orAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
X. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-23orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-26
.
3-5

Tachometer
The tachometer
shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not operate the engine
with the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
Temperature Display
The outside air temperature is displayed on the center
of the instrument panel, within the speedometer.
The display will show the outside air temperature
in Fahrenheit with a range from−22°F to 122°F
(−30°C to 50°C).
Safety Belt Reminders
When the engine is started, a chime will come on for
several seconds to remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also ash until the driver’s
belt is buckled. If the
driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Your vehicle also has a safety belt reminder light for the
right front passenger position.
This light is located on the
center of the instrument
panel, above the audio
system.
3-28

When the key is turned to ON or START, this light will
come on as a reminder for the right front passenger to
fasten their safety belt. This light will ash until the right
front passenger’s safety belt is buckled. The passenger’s
safety belt reminder light will not come on if the right front
passenger’s belt is already buckled or if a sensor does
not detect the weight of a passenger in that seat.
If something is placed on the right front passenger
seat, the sensors in the seat may detect that object and
cause the right front passenger safety belt reminder
light to come on. If this happens, remove the object.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel
cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, seat-mounted side impact and roof-mounted
airbag sensors, driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat
belt buckle switch, right front occupant sensing system
and indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inators,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag System
on page 1-50.This light will come on
briey when you start
your vehicle, then it
should go out and the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on or keeps
ashing after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system and safety belt pretension
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate without a
crash. To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle serviced right away if the
airbag readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
3-29

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
The indicator next to the
passenger airbag status
indicator lights is the
passenger safety belt
reminder light.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-28for more
information on that indicator.
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF for several seconds
as a system check.
Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF if there is weight on the
seat or if the safety belt is buckled, to let you know
the status of the right front passenger’s frontal
and seat-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped).If the word ON is lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right front passenger’s frontal
and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped)
are enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have
a rear-facing child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not turned
off the passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped).
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s airbag inates. This is because the
back of the rear-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inating airbag. Do not use a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat if the airbag is turned on.
3-30