2009 PONTIAC VIBE brake

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

{CAUTION
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.Setting Cruise Control{CAUTION
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.
1. Press the ON-OFF button at the
end of the lever. The CRUISE
light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on. SeeCruise
Control Light on page 4-23.
2. Get to the desired speed.
3. Move the lever down to−SET
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.If the cruise control indicator light
ashes, press the ON-OFF button
once to deactivate the system, and
then press the button back on.
If the cruise control speed cannot be
set or the cruise control cancels
immediately after being activated,
there may be a problem with the
cruise control system. See your
dealer/retailer.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied after the
cruise control is set, the cruise
control is turned off.
If the vehicle speed is 25 mph
(40 km/h) or greater, push the lever
up to +RES (Resume/Accelerate)
to return to the previously set speed.
Instruments and Controls 4-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are three ways to increase
the vehicle speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get
to the higher speed. Move the
lever down to−SET. Release the
lever and the accelerator pedal.
Move the cruise lever up
to +RES. Hold it there until the
desired speed is reached,
and then release the lever.
To increase the vehicle speed in
very small amounts, move the
lever to +RES briey and then
release it. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce the
vehicle speed while using cruise
control:
Push and hold the lever to−SET
until the desired lower speed is
reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small
amounts, push the lever
down briey. Each time this
is done, the vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the
pedal, the vehicle slows down to
the cruise control speed set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
The cruise control performance will
vary depending upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills.When going up steep hills, you might
have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the vehicle speed down.
Applying the brake or downshifting
to 2 SECOND or L LOW turns
off the cruise control.
Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off
the cruise control:
Step on the brake pedal or push
the clutch pedal, if the vehicle
has a manual transmission.
Press the ON-OFF button.
Pull the cruise control lever
toward you.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
4-6 Instruments and Controls
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

Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. Fully functional DRL are
required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
The DRL system makes the
headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on with the
engine running.
The exterior lamps switch is off.
The parking brake is released.
When the exterior lamp switch
is turned to the headlamp position,
the DRL go off and the headlamps
come on. The other lamps that
come on with the headlamps also
come on.The headlamps automatically switch
from DRL to the regular headlamps
depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. See “Automatic
Headlamp System” following.
DRL also comes on if only the
parking lamps are being used.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside,
the automatic headlamp system
turns on the low-beam headlamps at
the normal brightness along with
other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps and
instrument panel lights. An indicator
light on the instrument panel comes
on when the headlamps are on.
SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on
page 4-12.If the vehicle is driven through a
parking garage, overcast weather, or
a tunnel, the automatic headlamp
system may turn on. There is
a delay before the lights turn on
when starting the car at night.
Do not cover the automatic light
sensor, located on the top left corner
of the instrument panel. If the
sensor is covered the headlamps
will stay on continuously.
Fog Lamps
#
(Fog Lamps):For vehicles with
fog lamps, move the band on the turn
signal/multifunction lever to
#to turn
them on. The fog lamps only come
on when the headlamps are on
low beam.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
5-2 Lighting
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

Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does
not need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow
these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting
to brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTowing a Trailer
on page 9-77for the trailer
towing capabilities of your
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply
the brake pedal.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand,
see your dealer/retailer.
8-2 Driving and Operating
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual