2009 PONTIAC VIBE air condition

Adjust the height so that the
shoulder portion of the belt is
centered on the shoulder. The belt
should be away from the face and
neck, but not falling off of the
shoulder. Improper shoulder belt
height adjustment could reduce the
effectiveness of the safety belt in a
crash.
Push down on the release button
and move the height adjuster to
the desired position. The adjuster
can be moved up by pushing on the
front of the height adjuster.After the adjuster is set to the
desired position, try to move it
down without pushing the button
to make sure it has locked into
position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for the front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety belts
during the early stages of a moderate
to severe frontal and near frontal
crash if the threshold conditions for
pretensioner activation are met.
And, if the vehicle has side impact
airbags, safety belt pretensioners
can help tighten the safety belts in a
side crash.If the passenger sensing system
detects that there is not a passenger
in the right front passenger position,
the safety belt pretensioner for that
position will not activate. See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 1-28.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
they will need to be replaced, and
probably other new parts for your
safety belt system. SeeReplacing
Safety Belt System Parts After a
Crash on page 1-20.
1-18 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be
visible in the instrument panel when
the vehicle is started.
The words ON and OFF will be
visible during the system check.
When the system check is complete,
either the word ON or the word
OFF will be visible depending onwhether the seat is occupied and/or
the weight of the occupant. If the
seat is unoccupied, the light will not
be visible after the system check.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-15.
The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags
and the roof-rail airbags are not
affected by the passenger sensing
system.
The passenger sensing system will
also turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped), and
safety belt pretensioner if it detects
that there is no occupant in that
position.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part of
the right front passenger seat.
The sensors are designed to detectthe presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the
right front passenger frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped) should
be enabled (may inate) or not.
According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer when
properly restrained in a child
restraint system or infant restraint
system secured in a rear seating
position.
We recommend that children be
secured in a rear seat, including: an
infant or a child riding in a
rear-facing child restraint; a child
riding in a forward-facing child seat;
an older child riding in a booster
seat; and children, who are
large enough, using safety belts.
A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.
1-28 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the LATCH
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Securing Child Restraints
(Right Front Seat)
This vehicle has airbags. A rear
seat is a safer place to secure
a forward-facing child restraint.
SeeWhere to Put the Restraint
on page 1-43.
In addition, your vehicle has a
passenger sensing system which
is designed to turn off the right front
passenger frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbag under certain
conditions. SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 1-28and
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 4-15for more information,
including important safety
information.A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or
killed if the right front passenger
airbag inates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to
the inating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
right front passenger airbag
inates and the passenger seat is
in a forward position.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the airbag is
off. If you secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger
seat as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child restraint
in a rear seat.
SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 1-28for additional
information.
1-50 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If, after several seconds, all status
indicator lights remain on, there
may be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the
right front passenger’s seat may
not have the protection of the
airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-14for more on
this, including important safety
information.
Service Airbag
Notication System
Message
If the Service Airbag Notication
System message appears on the
radio display, the vehicle may not
be able to provide the Automatic
Notication of Airbag Deployment
feature. SeeOnStar
®System on
page 4-25for information on this
feature. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briey when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running,
as a check to show the light is
working. It should go out when the
engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there could be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
4-16 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

OnStar service is provided subject
to the OnStar Terms and Conditions
included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.
Some services such as Remote Door
Unlock or Stolen Vehicle Location
Assistance may not be available until
the owner of the vehicle registers
with OnStar. After the rst prepaid
year, contact OnStar to select a
monthly or annual subscription
payment plan. If a payment plan is
not selected, the OnStar system
and all services, including airbag
notication and emergency services,
may be deactivated and no longer
available. For more information
visit www.onstar.com (U.S.) or
www.onstar.ca (Canada), or press
the OnStar button to speak with an
advisor.
Not all OnStar services are available
on all vehicles. To check if this
vehicle is able to provide the
services described below, or for a
full description of OnStar servicesand system limitations, see the
OnStar Owner’s Guide in the
glove box or visit www.onstar.com
(U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada),
contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) or TTY
1-877-248-2080, or press the
OnStar button to speak with an
OnStar advisor 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
OnStar Services Available
with the Safe & Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of
Airbag Deployment
Link to Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location
Assistance
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle
Alert
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with
30 trial minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor (U.S. Only)
OnStar Services Included with
Directions & Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions - Advisor
Delivered
RideAssist
Information and Convenience
Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows
eligible OnStar subscribers to make
and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is
fully integrated into the vehicle, and
can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Most vehicles
include 30 trial minutes good for
60 days. Hands-Free Calling can
also be linked to a Verizon Wireless
service plan in the U.S. or a Bell
Mobility service plan in Canada,
depending on eligibility.
4-26 Instruments and Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Care of CDs
The sound quality of the CD player
can be reduced because of:
The CD-R quality.
The method of recording
the CD-R.
The quality of the music that has
been recorded on the CD-R.
The way the CD-R has been
handled.
Store CD-R(s) in their original cases
or other protective cases and
away from dust and direct sunlight.
The CD player scans the bottom
surface of the disc. If the surface
of a CD is damaged, such as
cracked, broken, or scratched, the
CD may not play properly or at
all. Do not touch the bottom side of
a CD while handling it; this could
damage the surface. Pick up CDs
by grasping the outer edges or
the edge of the hole and the
outer edge.To clean a CD, use a soft lint free
cloth, or dampen a clean soft cloth
in a mild neutral detergent solution
mixed with water. Wipe the CD from
the center to the edge.
Care of The CD Player
Use a marking pen to identify CDs,
do not add labels.
Do not use CD lens cleaners; they
could damage the CD player.
Notice:If a label is added to a CD,
or more than one CD is inserted
into the slot at a time, or an
attempt is made to play scratched
or damaged CDs, the CD player
could be damaged. While using
the CD player, use only CDs in
good condition without any label,
load one CD at a time, and keep
the CD player and the loading slot
free of foreign materials, liquids,
and debris.
If an error displays, see “CD
Messages” later in this section.
Playing an MP3 CD-R Disc
Radios with the MP3 feature are
capable of playing an MP3 CD-R
disc. For more information on how to
play an MP3 CD-R disc, see Using
an MP3 later in this section.
CD Messages
If the CD ejects, it could be for
one of the following reasons:
The CD player is very hot.
When the temperature returns to
normal, the CD should play.
The road is very rough. When
the road becomes smoother,
the CD should play.
The CD is dirty, scratched, wet,
or upside down.
The air is very humid. If so, wait
about an hour and try again.
The format of the CD might not
be compatible. See Using an
MP3 later in this section.
6-8 Infotainment
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Temperature Control
Turn the right knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature inside
the vehicle.
Air Delivery Mode Control
Turn the left knob to select from the
following modes:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the
upper instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is directed to
the upper instrument panel outlets
and the oor outlets.
6(Floor):Air is directed to the
oor and side window outlets.
-(Defog):Air is directed between
the windshield, side windows,
instrument panel outlets and the
oor outlets.Use the defog mode to clear the
inside of the windshield of fog
or moisture and to warm the
passengers. The air conditioning
compressor runs automatically
in this setting without pressing A/C,
unless the outside temperature
is at or below 32°F (0°C).
1(Defrost):Air is directed to
the windshield, instrument panel
outlets and the side windows.
Use the defrost mode to remove
fog or frost from the outside of the
windshield more quickly. The air
conditioning compressor runs
automatically in this setting without
pressing A/C, unless the outside
temperature is at or below
32°F (0°C).
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Air Conditioning
For vehicles with this feature, there
will be the following controls:
A/C (Air Conditioning):Press to
turn the air conditioning system
on or off. An indicator light shows
that it is on.
MAX A/C (Maximum Air
Conditioning):Press the A/C and
recirculation buttons at the same
time to select MAX A/C.
On hot days, open the windows to
let hot inside air escape; then close
them. The vehicle will cool quicker
and the A/C system operates more
efficiently.
Because the A/C system removes
moisture from the air, it is normal
for a small amount of water to
drip under the vehicle while idling
or just after turning the engine off.
7-2 Climate Controls
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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.
Driving and Operating 8-23
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual