2009 PONTIAC VIBE check engine

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

ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday-Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover),
visit Helm, Inc. on the World Wide
Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change
without notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for
delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers:
All listed prices are quoted in
U.S. funds. Canadian residents
are to make checks payable in
U.S. funds.Vehicle Data
Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of
sophisticated computers that record
information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven.
For example, your vehicle uses
computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission
performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment
and deploy airbags in a crash and, if
so equipped, to provide antilock
braking to help the driver control
the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer
technician service your vehicle.
Some modules may also store data
about how you operate the vehicle,
such as rate of fuel consumption or
average speed. These modules
may also retain the owner’s personal
preferences, such as radio pre-sets,
seat positions, and temperature
settings.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose
of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an airbag deployment
or hitting a road obstacle, data that
will assist in understanding how
a vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and
safety systems for a short period
of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed
to record such data as:
How various systems in your
vehicle were operating
Whether or not the driver and
passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened
How far, if at all, the driver was
pressing the accelerator and/or
brake pedal
How fast the vehicle was
traveling
Customer Information 12-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets........ 4-9
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-34
Additives, Fuel.....................8-37
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-35
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-12
Air Conditioning..................... 7-1
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Readiness Light................4-14
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-35
Airbag System.....................1-21
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-34
Check.............................1-35
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-26Airbag System (cont.)
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-28
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-33
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-26
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-26
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-24
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-23
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD)
System...........................8-22
All-Wheel-Drive Service
Light...............................4-24
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-14
Antenna, XM™ Satellite
Radio Antenna System......6-14
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-20
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-18Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-90
Exterior Cleaning..............9-86
Finish Damage.................9-89
Interior Cleaning...............9-83
Sheet Metal Damage........9-89
Underbody Maintenance....9-90
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................12-8
Ashtray(s)...........................4-10
Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-13
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-14
Radio Reception...............6-14
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System............6-14
Audio System(s).................... 6-3
Automatic Headlamp System . . . 5-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-14
Operation....................8-6, 8-8
INDEX i-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

B
Battery...............................9-30
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brake
System Inspection...........11-17
Brake Fluid.........................9-27
Brakes...............................9-27
System Warning Light.......4-17
Braking...............................8-19
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-31
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamp Aiming..............9-30
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
License Plate Lamps.........9-34
Replacement Bulbs...........9-35
Taillamps.........................9-33
Buying New Tires.................9-54
C
California Fuel.....................8-36
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning........................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... iiCapacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon Monoxide.........8-16, 8-29
Care, Safety Belts................1-20
Cargo Cover......................... 3-4
Cargo Management System.... 3-6
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-6
Cautions and Notices............... iii
CD, MP3 .............................. 6-9
Center Console Storage Area . . . 3-2
Chains, Tire........................9-60
Charging System Light..........4-16
Check
Engine Lamp...................4-20
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-90
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-41
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children..................1-44
Older Children..................1-36
Securing..................1-50, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-43
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-86
Interior............................9-83
Underbody Maintenance....9-90Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment.................. 7-4
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-3
Clock, Setting........................ 6-2
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-17
Collision Damage Repair.....12-11
Compact Spare Tire.............9-70
Content Theft-Deterrent.........2-10
Control of a Vehicle..............8-18
Coolant
Engine............................
9-18
Engine
Temperature Gage.........4-19
Cooling System...................9-18
Cruise Control....................... 4-4
Cruise Control Light..............4-23
Cupholders........................... 3-1
Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.....12-4, 12-10
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................12-4
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................12-1
i-2 INDEX
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

Lights
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass..................... 4-7
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-7
Loading Your Vehicle............8-32
Locks
Door ................................. 2-6
Power Door ....................... 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-7
Loss of Control....................8-25
Low Fuel Warning Light........4-25
Low Washer Fluid Warning
Light...............................4-23
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children......................1-44
Luggage Carrier.................... 3-2
M
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.............11-12
At Least Once a Month . . . 11-13
At Least Once a Year......11-13
At Least Twice a Year.....11-13
Brake System
Inspection...................11-17
Engine Cooling System
Inspection...................11-17Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Exhaust System
Inspection...................11-16
Fuel System Inspection....11-16
How This Section is
Organized....................11-2
Introduction......................11-1
Maintenance Replacement
Parts...........................10-4
Maintenance
Requirements...............11-2
Part A - Scheduled
Maintenance Services....11-3
PartB-Owner Checks
and Services...............11-12
Part C - Periodic
Maintenance
Inspections.................11-16
PartD-Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants . . . 11-18
PartE-Maintenance
Record.......................11-20
Scheduled Maintenance.....11-4
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection.....11-16Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Throttle System
Inspection...................11-17
Using..............................11-3
Your Vehicle and the
Environment.................11-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp....4-20
Manual Seats........................ 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid...............................9-16
Operation........................8-11
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror.....2-13
Outside Power Mirrors.......2-14
MP3 .................................... 6-9
MyGMLink.com....................12-3
N
Navigation System,
Privacy..........................12-18
New Vehicle Break-In............. 8-2
Notices and Cautions............... iii
Notication
Service Airbag Message....4-16
i-6 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

O
Odometer...........................4-13
Odometers, Trip...................4-13
Off-Road Recovery...............8-24
Oil
Engine.............................. 9-9
Pressure Light..................4-22
Older Children, Restraints......1-36
Online Owner Center............12-3
OnStar, Privacy..................12-18
OnStar
®System, see
OnStar®Manual...............4-25
Outlet Adjustment.................. 7-3
Outlets
Accessory Power................ 4-9
Outside
Power Mirrors..................2-14
Overhead Console................. 3-2
Owner Checks, Service.......... 9-5
Owners, Canadian.................... ii
P
Paint, Damage.....................9-89
Park
Shifting Into.....................8-13
Shifting Out of..................8-14
Park Brake..........................8-12Parking
Over Things That Burn......8-16
Parking Your Vehicle............8-15
Part A - Scheduled
Maintenance Services........11-3
Part B - Owner Checks
and Services..................11-12
Part C - Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.....................11-16
PartD-Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants......11-18
PartE-Maintenance
Record..........................11-20
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter............................ 7-4
Passenger Sensing System . . . 1-28
Passing..............................8-25
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California...... 9-3
Power
Door Locks........................ 2-7
Electrical System..............9-36
Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current........................4-10
Retained Accessory............ 8-4
Steering Fluid...................9-24
Windows.........................2-12Pressure Cap......................9-22
Privacy.............................12-17
Event Data Recorders.....12-17
Navigation System..........12-18
OnStar..........................12-18
Radio Frequency
Identication................12-18
R
Radio Frequency Identication
(RFID), Privacy...............12-18
Radio(s)............................... 6-3
Radios
Reception........................6-14
Setting the Clock................ 6-2
Reading Lamps..................... 5-4
Rear Door Security Locks....... 2-7
Rear Seat Operation.............. 1-7
Rear Windshield Washer/
Wiper............................... 4-8
Rearview Mirrors..................2-13
Reclining Seatbacks............... 1-3
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . 9-75
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System............................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System, Operation.............. 2-4
INDEX i-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire.....9-64
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools........................9-63
Replacement Bulbs..............9-35
Replacement Parts,
Maintenance....................10-4
Replacing LATCH System
Parts After a Crash...........1-49
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government.....12-15
General Motors...............12-16
United States
Government................12-15
Restraint System Check
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash........1-35
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts After a
Crash..........................1-20
Retained Accessory Power...... 8-4
Roadside
Assistance Program..........12-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ........................8-31
Routing, Engine Drive Belt....10-5
Running the Vehicle While
Parked............................8-17S
Safety Belt Reminders..........4-14
Safety Belts.......................... 1-8
Care of ...........................1-20
Check.............................1-20
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly.......................1-11
Lap-Shoulder Belt.............1-16
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-20
Safety Belt Extender.........1-19
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy....................1-19
Scheduled Maintenance........11-4
Seatback, Folding Passenger . . . 1-4
Seats
Head Restraints................. 1-6
Height Adjuster.................. 1-2
Passenger Folding
Seatback....................... 1-4
Rear Seat Operation........... 1-7
Reclining Seatbacks............ 1-3
Securing Child
Restraints................1-50, 1-53
Security Light......................4-22Service................................ 9-2
Accessories and
Modications.................. 9-3
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle..... 9-4
All-Wheel-Drive Light.........4-24
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.... 9-3
California Proposition
65 Warning.................... 9-3
Doing Your Own Work........ 9-4
Engine Soon Lamp...........4-20
Owner Checks................... 9-5
Publications Ordering
Information.................12-16
Service Airbag Notication
System Message..............4-16
Service, Scheduling
Appointments...................12-8
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-33
Setting the Clock................... 6-2
Sheet Metal Damage............9-89
Shifting Into Park.................8-13
Shifting Out of Park..............8-14
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change..................... 4-7
i-8 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual