2009 PONTIAC VIBE heating

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More distance in front is needed to
pass when towing a trailer. And,
because the tow vehicle and trailer
are longer, you will need to go
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause
the trailer to come in contact with
the vehicle. The vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal.
Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle
may need a different turn signal
asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer/retailer. The arrows
on the instrument panel ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other
drivers you are about to turn, change
lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows
on the instrument panel will ash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your
signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be
sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbeforeyou start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you do not shift
down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get
hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down
and reduce your speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of the engine and the
transmission overheating.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-81
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
To park your rig on a hill:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but
do not shift into P (Park) for an
automatic transmission or into
gear for a manual transmission,
yet. When parking uphill, turn
your wheels away from the curb.
When parking downhill, turn your
wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then apply your parking
brake and shift into P (Park)
for an automatic transmission
or R (Reverse) for a manual
transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave
After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and
hold the pedal down while you:
start your engine
shift the transmission
into gear
release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you are pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule
for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid (do not overll), engine oil, drive
belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help
nd them quickly. If you are trailering,
it is a good idea to review this
information before starting your trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system could
temporarily overheat during severe
operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 9-22.
9-82 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Customer Assistance Information
(cont.)
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program.......................12-5
Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors........12-16
Reporting Safety Defects
to the Canadian
Government................12-15
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government................12-15
Roadside Assistance
Program.......................12-5
Service Publications
Ordering Information.....12-16
D
Daytime Running Lamp.......... 5-2
Defensive Driving.................8-17
Disc, MP3............................ 6-9
Doing Your Own
Service Work..................... 9-4
Dome Lamps ........................ 5-3Door
Ajar Light........................4-24
Locks............................... 2-6
Power Door Locks.............. 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-7
Driver Storage Compartment.... 3-3
Driving
At Night..........................8-26
Before a Long Trip............8-28
Defensive........................8-17
Drunken..........................8-18
Highway Hypnosis............8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads....8-28
In Rain and on Wet
Roads.........................8-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ....................8-31
Winter.............................8-29E
EDR .................................12-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment............9-35
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................9-36Electrical System (cont.)
Headlamp Wiring..............9-35
Instrument Panel
Fuse Block...................9-36
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.....9-36
Windshield Wiper Fuses....9-36
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...............9-12
Check and Service Engine
Soon Lamp..................4-20
Coolant...........................9-18
Coolant Heater................... 8-5
Coolant
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System
Inspection...................11-17
Drive Belt Routing.............10-5
Engine Compartment
Overview....................... 9-6
Exhaust...........................8-16
Oil ................................... 9-9
Overheating.....................9-22
Starting............................. 8-4
Entry Lighting........................ 5-3
Event Data Recorders.........12-17
Extender, Safety Belt............1-19
Exterior Lamps...................... 5-1
INDEX i-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual