2009 PONTIAC VIBE steering

Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA
(or Transport Canada) in a
situation like this, please notify
General Motors.
Call 1-800-762-2737, or write:
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on engines,
transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and service
of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle.The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model
Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, specify
year and model name of the vehicle.
12-16 Customer Information
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

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner............9-12
Finish Damage....................9-89
Fixed Mast Antenna.............6-14
Flashers, Hazard Warning....... 4-3
Flash-to-Pass........................ 4-7
Flat Tire..............................9-61
Flat Tire, Changing...............9-62
Flat Tire, Storing..................9-68
Floor Mats............................ 3-3
Fluid
Automatic Transmission.....9-14
Power Steering.................9-24
Windshield Washer...........9-24
Fog Lamp
Fog .................................. 5-2
Fog Lamp Light...................4-23
Folding Seatback, Passenger . . . 1-4
Fuel...................................8-36
Additives.........................8-37
California Fuel..................8-36
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container.....................8-40
Filling the Tank.................8-38
Fuels in Foreign
Countries.....................8-37
Gage ..............................4-24Fuel (cont.)
Gasoline Octane...............8-36
Gasoline Specications......8-36
Low Warning Light............4-25
System Inspection...........11-16
Fuses
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-39
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................9-36
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...........................9-36
Windshield Wiper..............9-36
G
Gage
Engine Coolant
Temperature.................4-19
Fuel................................4-24
Speedometer...................4-13
Tachometer......................4-13
Gasoline
Octane............................8-36
Specications...................8-36
Glove Box............................ 3-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program..........................12-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers........ 4-3
Head Restraints..................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming ............................9-30
Headlamp Wiring.................9-35
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.............9-31
Daytime Running Lamp....... 5-2
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass..................... 4-7
Halogen Bulbs..................9-31
Headlamps and Parking
Lamps .........................9-31
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-7
Heater................................. 7-1
Engine Coolant.................. 8-5
Height Adjuster, Seat.............. 1-2
Highbeam On Light..............4-24
Highway Hypnosis................8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads.......8-28
Hood
Release............................ 9-5
Hooks.................................. 3-3
Horn .................................... 4-3
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-11
Hydraulic Clutch...................9-17
i-4 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

I
Ignition Positions................... 8-2
Immobilizer........................... 2-9
Immobilizer Operation............. 2-9
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-38
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-47
Inspection
Brake System.................11-17
Engine Cooling System....11-17
Exhaust System..............11-16
Fuel System...................11-16
Part C - Periodic
Maintenance...............11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal....................11-16
Throttle System..............11-17
Instrument Panel
Brightness......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-12
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-71
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........9-42
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........4-20
Lamps
Dome ............................... 5-3
Reading............................ 5-4
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-16
LATCH System
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-49
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-44
License Plate Lamps............9-34
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide............... 2-8
Light
Airbag Readiness.............4-14
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............4-18
Brake System Warning......4-17
Charging System..............4-16Light (cont.)
Cruise Control..................4-23
Door Ajar.........................4-24
Fog Lamp ........................4-23
Highbeam On...................4-24
Lights On Reminder..........4-23
Low Fuel Warning.............4-25
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light...............4-18
Low Washer Fluid
Warning.......................4-23
Oil Pressure.....................4-22
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-14
Security...........................4-22
Service All-Wheel-Drive......4-24
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...............4-18
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........4-19
Taillamp Indicator..............4-23
TCS Warning Light...........4-19
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning..............4-19
Lighting
Entry................................ 5-3
INDEX i-5
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

Spare Tire
Compact.........................9-70
Installing..........................9-64
Removing........................9-63
Storing............................9-68
Specications, Capacities......10-2
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...................4-18
Speedometer.......................4-13
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.....4-19
Stabilitrak®System...............8-22
Starting the Engine................ 8-4
Steering..............................8-23
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot and
Seal Inspection...............11-16
Steering Wheel Controls,
Audio..............................6-13
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel...... 4-4
Storage Areas
Cargo Management
System.......................... 3-6
Center Console
Storage Area.................. 3-2
Cupholders........................ 3-1
Driver Storage
Compartment.................. 3-3
Glove Box......................... 3-1Storage Areas (cont.)
Luggage Carrier................. 3-2
Overhead Console.............. 3-2
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow..............................8-31
Sun Visors..........................2-13
Sunroof..............................2-14
T
Tachometer.........................4-13
Taillamp Indicator Light.........4-23
Taillamps............................9-33
TCS Warning Light...............4-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems......... 2-9
Content Theft-Deterrent.....2-10
Immobilizer........................ 2-9
Immobilizer Operation......... 2-9
Throttle System Inspection . . . 11-17
Tilt Wheel............................. 4-4
Time, Setting......................... 6-2
Tires..................................9-41
Buying New Tires.............9-54
Chains............................9-60
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-62
Compact Spare Tire..........9-70
Different Size...................9-56Tires (cont.)
If a Tire Goes Flat............9-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.....9-47
Inspection and Rotation.....9-53
Installing the Spare Tire.....9-64
Pressure Monitor
Operation.....................9-50
Pressure Monitor System . . . 9-48
Removing the Flat Tire......9-64
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-63
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-68
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions....................9-44
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading.......................9-56
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................9-58
Wheel Replacement..........9-59
When It Is Time for
New Tires....................9-54
Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........9-75
Towing a Trailer................9-77
Your Vehicle
.....................9-75
INDEX i-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual