2009 PONTIAC VIBE light

If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint with
the ignition key in the ACC or
LOCK position while following the
directions provided by the child
restraint manufacturer and
refer toSecuring Child Restraints
(Right Front Seat) on page 1-50
orSecuring Child Restraints
(Rear Seats) on page 1-53.5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then slightly
recline the vehicle seatback
and adjust the seat cushion, if
adjustable, to make sure that the
vehicle seatback is not pushing
the child restraint into the seat
cushion.
6. Also make sure the child restraint
is not trapped under the vehicle
head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint.
SeeHead Restraints on
page 1-6.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure
the child in the child restraint in
a rear seat position in the vehicle,
and check with your dealer/retailer.
If the Off Indicator is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting in
the right front passenger seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If this happens, use the following
steps to allow the system to detect
that person and enable the right
front passenger frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped):
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully
upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in
the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the
person remain in this position for
two to three minutes after the
on indicator is lit.Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger
in position on the seat during vehicle
maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system
maintain the passenger airbag
status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child
Restraints” in the Index for additional
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion, or
aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, seat
backpacks, and seat massagers
can affect how well the passenger
sensing system operates. We
recommend that you not use
seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment except when approved
by GM for your specic vehicle.
SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-34for more information
about modications that can affect
how the system operates.The passenger sensing system may
suppress the airbag deployment
when liquid soaks into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator
in the passenger airbag status
indicator and the airbag readiness
light will be lit. Have your
dealer/retailer check the system.
An object, person or child in the
rear seat contacting or pressing the
right front passenger seatback,
or objects stowed under the right
front passenger seat, may affect the
proper functioning of the passenger
sensing system.
When a safety belt extender is used
in the right front passenger seat,
make sure the passenger airbag
status indicator shows ON. If the
indicator shows OFF, disconnect the
extender’s latch from the buckle then
reconnect the safety belt.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The passenger airbag status
indicator light should be ON and then
the safety belt extender can be
reconnected. If the safety belt
extender is used while the passenger
airbag status indicator light is OFF,
the right front passenger frontal and
seat-mounted side impact airbags (if
equipped) may not activate correctly.
{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should
be serviced. There are parts of the
airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer/
retailer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual,
seeService Publications Ordering
Information on page 12-16.
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the battery
is disconnected, an airbag can still
inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close
to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag system.
Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the
person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance
or replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 4-14for 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,
seeWhat Makes an Airbag
Inflate? on page 1-26. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
{CAUTION
A crash can damage the
airbag systems in your vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not work properly and may not
protect you and your passenger(s)
in a crash, resulting in serious
injury or even death. To help
make sure your airbag systems
are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any
necessary replacements made
as soon as possible.If an airbag inates, you will need
to replace airbag system parts.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started
or comes on when you are driving,
the airbag system may not work
properly. Have the vehicle serviced
right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-14for more
information.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If the child restraint has the LATCH
system, seeLower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH) on
page 1-44for how to install the child
restraint using LATCH. If a child
restraint is secured in the seating
position using a safety belt and it
uses a top tether, seeLower Anchors
and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 1-44for top tether anchor
locations.
Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored,
or if the instructions that come with
the child restraint say that the
top strap must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether
be attached.You will be using the lap-shoulder
belt to secure the child restraint in
this position. Follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint.
1. Move the seat as far back as it
will go before securing the
forward-facing child restraint.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal
and seat-mounted side impact
airbag, the off indicator on
the passenger airbag status
indicator should light and stay lit
when you start the vehicle.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-15.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run
the lap and shoulder portions
of the vehicle’s safety belt
through or around the restraint.
The child restraint instructions
will show you how.4. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter functions work up to
30 feet (9 m) away from the vehicle.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all of the
doors and liftgate.
The hazard warning ashers ash
once to conrm that the doors
have locked.
W(Unlock):Press once to unlock
the driver door. If
Wis pressed
again within three seconds,
all remaining doors unlock. The
hazard warning ashers ash twice
to conrm that the door has
unlocked.
HOLD
p(Panic):Press to arm
the alarm. The lights ash and the
horn sounds. The alarm turns
off when the ignition is shifted to
ON/RUN or HOLD
pis pressed
again. The ignition must be in
LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY
for the alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters
to the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased
and programmed through your
dealer/retailer. When the
replacement transmitter is
programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work once
the new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to four
transmitters programmed to it.
2-4 Keys, Doors and Windows
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Theft-Deterrent
Systems
Vehicle theft is big business,
especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features, however, they do not
make it impossible to steal.
Immobilizer
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modications to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from
the ignition.
The security light, located on the
center of the instrument panel,
comes on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the
theft-deterrent system.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

The security light ashes when the
system is armed.
When the key is inserted in the
ignition the transponder in the key
head transmits an electronic code
to the vehicle and automatically
cancels the system. Only the correct
key starts the vehicle.
If the engine does not start, there
could be a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. Check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 9-36.
If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
rst key may be faulty. See your
dealer/retailer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have
a new key made.If any of the following conditions
occur, contact your dealer/retailer.
The security light stays on.
The security light does not start
ashing when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The security light ashes
inconsistently.
See your dealer/retailer to have a
new key with a transponder made.
Bring the key and key number
with you.
In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance Program. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-5.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Content Theft-Deterrent
This vehicle may have a
theft-deterrent system that activates
an alarm if attempts are made to
damage or break into the vehicle.
The alarm sounds and the lights
ash.
The security light is located on the
center of the instrument panel.
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2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual