2009 PONTIAC VIBE lock

When dinghy towing, be sure to
follow the posted legal speed limit.
1. Put the shift lever in Neutral.
2. Turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY to avoid
locking the steering wheel.
Make sure the audio system
is turned off and that nothing is
plugged into the power outlets.
3. Release the parking brake.
After dinghy towing, let the engine
idle for more than three minutes
before driving the vehicle.Do not tow your vehicle from
the rear. Your vehicle could be badly
damaged and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty.
Dolly Towing
(All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not
be towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed
on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off of the ground.
Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles Only)
To tow your front-wheel-drive
vehicle using a dolly, follow
these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or Neutral for a manual
transmission.
3. Set the parking brake.
9-76 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Hitches
It is important to have the correct
hitch equipment. Crosswinds,
large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why
you will need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
Do not let the steel in a hitch
contact the aluminum on your
bumper because it can corrode.
Use something like paint or plastic
tape to separate the steel and
aluminum. The same steel to
aluminum problem can happen
with fasteners too.
Will you have to make any holes
in the body of your vehicle when
you install a trailer hitch? If you
do, then be sure to seal the holes
later when you remove the hitch.
If you do not seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into your vehicle.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the
Index. Dirt and water can too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains
between your vehicle and your
trailer. Cross the safety chains
under the tongue of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop
to the road if it becomes separated
from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided
by the hitch manufacturer or by
the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Leave
sufficient slack in the chain for turns.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own
brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
you will be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly. If you have
antilock brakes, do not tap into your
vehicle’s brake system. If you do,
both systems will not work well,
or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the open
road. Acquaint yourself with the feel
of handling and braking with the
added weight of the trailer. And
always keep in mind that the vehicle
you are driving is now a good deal
longer and not nearly as responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer
hitch, platform and attachments,
safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you check
your electrical connection at the
same time.
During your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
9-80 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the tires and make sure the
tires are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47.
At Least Twice a Year
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination. Clean
the windshield and wiper blades,
if contaminated. Replace wiper
blades that are worn or damaged.
SeeWindshield Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 9-25and
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-86for
more information.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips
will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean
cloth. During very cold, damp
weather more frequent application
may be required. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-18.
Fluid Level Check
Check the power steering pump,
rear axle, transfer case, and
automatic or manual transmission
uid levels and add as needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 9-14orManual
Transmission Fluid on page 9-16.
Check for leaks. A uid loss in these
systems could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and
repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with
the lubricant specied in Part D.
Seat Operation Check
Make sure the head restraints stay
in position and all seat latches
lock. Check that the recliner holds
by pushing and pulling the seatback
while it is reclined.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assembly,
secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, hood and body
door hinges, rear compartment, and
any folding seat hardware. Part D
tells you what to use. More frequent
lubrication might be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
Service and Maintenance 11-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-12.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.3. For automatic transmission
vehicles, try to start the engine in
each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever
in Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start
the engine. The vehicle should
start only when the clutch
pedal is pushed down all the
way to the oor. If the vehicle
starts when the clutch pedal
is not pushed all the way down,
contact your dealer/retailer
for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-12.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN, but do
not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out
of P (Park) with normal effort.
If the shift lever moves out
of P (Park), contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
11-14 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Ignition Transmission Lock
Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
For automatic transmission
vehicles, the ignition should turn
to LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
For manual transmission vehicles,
the ignition should turn to LOCK/
OFF only if you push the ignition
key in farther, while turning it
toward LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s
holding ability: With the engine
running and transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the P (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain
water to ush any corrosive
materials from the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly
any areas where mud and other
debris can collect.
Service and Maintenance 11-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the
American Petroleum Institute Certied for Gasoline Engines starburst
symbol. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine,
see
Engine Oil on page 9-9 .
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-18 .
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System Delco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield Washer Solvent Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Manual Transmission GM Goodwrench
®Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346190, in Canada 10953477 — 1 quart) or
SAE 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil.
Automatic Transmission Use only T-IV Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. U.S. 88900925,
in Canada 22689186).
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Manual Transmission Shift Linkage Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
11-18 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Calling for Assistance
When calling Roadside Assistance,
have the following information ready:
Your name, home address, and
home telephone number
Telephone number of your
location
Location of the vehicle
Model, year, color, and license
plate number of the vehicle
Odometer reading, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), and
delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
Coverage
Services are provided up to
5 years/100,000 miles (160 000 km),
whichever comes rst.
In the U.S., anyone driving the
vehicle is covered. In Canada, a
person driving the vehicle without
permission from the owner is not
covered.Roadside Assistance is not a part of
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Pontiac and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
make any changes or discontinue
the Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notication.
Pontiac and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to an owner
or driver if they decide the claims are
made too often, or the same type of
claim is made many times.
Services Provided

Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel
for the vehicle to get to the
nearest service station.
Lock-Out Service:Service is
provided to unlock the vehicle if
you are locked out. A remote
unlock may be available if you
have OnStar
®. For security
reasons, the driver must present
identication before this service
is given.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway:Tow to the
nearest Pontiac dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Service is
provided to change a at tire with
the spare tire. The spare tire,
if equipped, must be in good
condition and properly inated.
It is the owner’s responsibility for
the repair or replacement of the
tire if it is not covered by the
warranty.
Battery Jump Start:Service is
provided to jump start a dead
battery.
12-6 Customer Information
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance:If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses
may be reimbursed during the
5 years/100,000 miles
(160 000 km) Powertrain warranty
period. Items considered are
hotel, meals, and rental car.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance

Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
Legal nes.
Mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains,
or other traction devices.
Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specic to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles

Fuel delivery:Reimbursement is
approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
Lock-Out Service:Vehicle
registration is required.
Trip Routing Service:Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or the
most scenic route. There is a
limit of six requests per year.
Additional travel information is
also available. Allow three weeks
for delivery.
Trip Interruption Benets
and Assistance:Must be over
250 kilometres from where your
trip was started to qualify.
General Motors of Canada Limited
requires pre-authorization,
original detailed receipts, and a
copy of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance advisor
will help you make arrangements
and explain how to receive
payment.
Alternative Service:
If assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give you
permission to get local emergency
road service. You will receive
payment, up to $100, after
sending the original receipt to
Roadside Assistance. Mechanical
failures may be covered, however
any cost for parts and labor for
repairs not covered by the
warranty are the owner
responsibility.
Customer Information 12-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual