2009 PONTIAC VIBE ABS

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning Flashers. . . .4-3
Horn...................................4-3
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-4
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-7
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-7
Flash-to-Pass......................4-7
Windshield Wipers..............4-7
Windshield Washer.............4-8
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer.............................4-8
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)............................4-9
Power Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current..........4-10
Ashtray(s).........................4-10
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-11
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-12
Speedometer and
Odometer........................4-13
Trip Odometer(s)...............4-13
Tachometer.......................4-13
Safety Belt Reminders......4-14
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Service Airbag Notication
System Message.............4-16
Charging System Light......4-16
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-17
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-18
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light
..................4-18
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light..................4-18
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light.......4-19
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light................................4-19
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage..........4-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-20
Security Light....................4-22
Oil Pressure Light.............4-22
Fog Lamp Light................4-23
Lights On Reminder..........4-23
Taillamp Indicator Light.....4-23
Cruise Control Light..........4-23
Low Washer Fluid
Warning Light..................4-23
Service All-Wheel Drive
Light................................4-24
Highbeam On Light...........4-24
Door Ajar Light.................4-24
Fuel Gage........................4-24
Low Fuel Warning Light. . . .4-25
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-25
Instruments and Controls 4-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
this light should come on when
the key is turned to START.If it does not come on, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes
on when the parking brake is
set. The light will stay on if the
parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking
brake is fully released, it means
there is a brake problem.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the
vehicle has been pulled off the
road and carefully stopped, have
the vehicle towed for service.
See Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light later in this section
andTowing Your Vehicle on
page 9-75.
United States
Canada
Instruments and Controls 4-17
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The ABS warning light comes on
briey when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. If the light comes
on while driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off.
Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light
still stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, there are
still brakes, but no antilock brakes.If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, there are
no antilock brakes and there is
a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 4-17.
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light
Vehicles with this feature, have a
warning light that comes on briey
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN as a check to show it is
working.
If the warning light does not come
on, have it xed so it will be able to
warn if there is a problem.If the warning light stays on, or
comes on while driving, the Speed
Sensitive Power Steering may
not be working. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light
This light should come on briey as
the engine is started.
If there is a tire with low tire
pressure, the light will stay on or
come back on.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 9-48for more information. United States
Canada
4-18 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-4
Starting the Engine.............8-4
Engine Coolant Heater.......8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation (Four Speed). . . .8-6
Automatic Transmission
Operation (Five Speed).....8-8
Manual Transmission
Operation........................8-11
Parking Brake...................8-12
Shifting Into Park..............8-13
Shifting Out of Park..........8-14
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission). . . .8-15
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-16
Engine Exhaust.................8-16
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-17
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-17
Drunk Driving....................8-18
Control of a Vehicle..........8-18
Braking.............................8-19
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-20
Traction Control
System (TCS).................8-21
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
System............................8-22
StabiliTrak®System..........8-22
Steering............................8-23
Off-Road Recovery............8-24
Passing.............................8-25
Loss of Control.................8-25
Driving at Night.................8-26
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-27
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-28
Highway Hypnosis.............8-28
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .8-28
Winter Driving...................8-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow. . .8-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-31
Loading the Vehicle..........8-32
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-36
Gasoline Octane...............8-36
Gasoline Specications.....8-36
California Fuel..................8-36
Additives...........................8-37
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-37
Filling the Tank.................8-38
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-40
Driving and Operating 8-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or alwaysdecrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking. United States
Canada
8-20 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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.
8-26 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they
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.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going
downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in
your own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the road,
creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when
freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in even less traction. Avoid driving on
wet ice or in freezing rain until roads
can be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8-20improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
a slippery roads, but apply the
brakes sooner than when on
dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can occur
on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid
sudden steering maneuvers and
braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Driving and Operating 8-29
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
5. Push the new bulb straight in
until it clicks to secure.
6. Push the bulb socket in and turn
it clockwise to secure.
7. Reinstall the cover.
License Plate Lamp
To replace the license plate
lamp bulb:
1. Press the tabs in to disengage
them and remove the license
plate lamp assembly.2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise to remove it
from the license plate assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of
the bulb socket.
4. Push the new bulb straight in the
bulb socket until it clicks.
5. Push the bulb socket straight into
the license plate assembly and
turn it clockwise to secure it.
6. Reinstall the license plate
assembly into its original location
making sure the tabs reengage.
9-34 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual