2009 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

Traction Control
System (TCS)
Your vehicle has 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 drive 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/RUN, the system automatically
turns on. If the system has been
turned off, it will automatically turn on
at 35 mph (55 km/h). TCS cannot be
turned off above 35 mph (55 km/h).This light should come on briey
when the engine is started.
The traction control system warning
light ashes and an alarm will
sound intermittently when the
system is limiting wheel spin.
The
gswitch 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 freeingthe front wheels. To turn off traction
control, press and release
the
gswitch. The traction control
system warning light will come on.
To turn the traction control system
back on, press the
gswitch again
or increase vehicle speed and the
system will automatically turn back
on. The traction control system
warning light will go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 4-19Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light for
more information.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak
®, press
and hold the
gswitch while
the vehicle is stopped. The traction
control system warning light and
the VSC OFF light will come on.
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To turn the systems back on,
press the
gswitch again. If both
systems are turned off, they will not
turn back on automatically when
vehicle speed increases.
If the VSC OFF light ashes,
there is a problem in the traction
control system or StabiliTrak.
Adding non-GM accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance.
SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 9-3Accessories and
Modications for more information.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System
If your vehicle has this feature,
engine power is sent to all four
wheels all the time. This is like
four-wheel drive, but it is fully
automatic.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle has StabiliTrak. This
system helps provide integrated
control of systems such as the
Antilock 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 activates when your
vehicle speed reaches or exceeds
9 mph (15 km/h), and deactivates
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 problem.If the vehicle is going to skid during
driving, the traction control system
warning light ashes and an alarm
sounds intermittently. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak, press
and hold the
gswitch while the
vehicle is stopped.
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The traction control system warning
light and the VSC OFF light will come
on. To turn the systems back on,
press the
gswitch again. If both
systems are turned off, they will not
turn back on automatically when
vehicle speed increases.
If the VSC OFF light ashes,
there is a problem in the traction
control system or StabiliTrak.
Steering
If the engine stalls while you are
driving, the power steering assist
system will continue to operate until
you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist
because the electric power steering
system is not functioning, you can
steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel in
the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a
reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power
steering assist should return shortly
after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering
system does not require regular
maintenance. If you suspect steering
system problems, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the curve
is banked, and your speed. While in
a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
If you need to reduce speed, do it
before you enter the curve, while the
front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate gently
into the straightaway.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and nd a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from
nowhere, or a child darts out from
between parked cars and stops right
in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can
stop in time. But sometimes you
cannot; there is not room. That is the
time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very
well in emergencies like these.
First apply the brakes. SeeBraking
on page 8-19. It is better to remove
as much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If you are holding the steering wheel
at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear
safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is
only slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
Ease off the accelerator and then, if
there is nothing in the way, steer so
that your vehicle straddles the edge
of the pavement. Turn the steering
wheel 3 to 5 inches, 76 to 127 mm,
(about one-eighth turn) until the right
front tire contacts the pavement
edge. Then turn the steering wheel
to go straight down the roadway.
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Passing
Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane road can be dangerous.
To reduce the risk of danger
while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides,
and to crossroads for situations
that might affect a successful
pass. If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines that could
indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or
double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle
you want to pass. Doing so can
reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow
vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease
to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control
of the vehicle. Defensive drivers
avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.The three types of skids correspond
to your vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the steering
or cornering skid, too much speed
or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for
a second skid if it occurs.
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Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
you want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance
is longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.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 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.
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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.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
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.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under your vehicle’s
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road
is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-41.
Turn off cruise control, if
equipped.
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Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are
tires inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, nd
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
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