Seats and Restraints......... 1-1
Front Seats
.................... 1-2
Rear Seats
.................... 1-7
Safety Belts
................... 1-8
Airbag System
..............1-21
Child Restraints
.............1-36
Keys, Doors and
Windows............................ 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems
... 2-9
Windows
......................2-12
Mirrors
.........................2-13
Sunroof
........................2-14
Storage.............................. 3-1
Storage
......................... 3-1
Instruments and
Controls............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 4-2
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............4-11
OnStar
®System
............4-25
Lighting............................. 5-1
Lighting
......................... 5-1
Infotainment...................... 6-1
Audio System(s)
............. 6-1
Climate Controls............... 7-1
Climate Controls
............. 7-1
Driving and Operating....... 8-1
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
............... 8-2
Driving Your Vehicle
......8-17
Fuel
............................8-36
Vehicle Service
and Care............................ 9-1
Service
.......................... 9-2
Owner Checks
................ 9-5
Headlamp Aiming
..........9-30
Bulb Replacement
.........9-31
Electrical System
...........9-35
Tires
...........................9-41
Tire Changing
...............9-61Jump Starting
...............9-71
Towing
........................9-75
Appearance Care
..........9-83
Technical Data.................10-1
Vehicle Identi cation
......10-1
Capacities and
Speci cations
............10-2
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
.....10-4
Service and
Maintenance.....................11-1
Service and
Maintenance
..............11-1
Customer Information......12-1
Customer Information
.....12-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
...................12-15
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
.............12-17
Index....................................i-1
2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner ManualM
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely
to be seriously injured if they do not
wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion
should be worn as low as possible,
below the rounding, throughout
the pregnancy.The best way to protect the fetus is
to protect the mother. When a safety
belt is worn properly, it is more likely
that the fetus will not be hurt in a
crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making safety
belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long
enough, your dealer/retailer will order
you an extender. When you go in to
order it, take the heaviest coat you
will wear, so the extender will be
long enough for you. To help avoid
personal injury, do not let someone
else use it, and use it only for the
seat it is made to t. The extender
has been designed for adults. Never
use it for securing child seats.
To wear it, just attach it to the regular
safety belt. For more information, see
the instruction sheet that comes with
the extender.When a safety belt extender is
installed in the right front passenger
safety belt, make sure the passenger
airbag status indicator displays ON.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-15.Ifthe
indicator shows OFF, disconnect
the extender’s latch from the buckle
then reconnect the safety belt.
The passenger airbag status
indicator light should be ON and
then the safety belt extender can
be reconnected. If the safety belt
extender is used while the passenger
airbag status indicator light is OFF,
the right front passenger frontal and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
(if equipped) may not activate
correctly.
Always disconnect the extender
from the safety belt after you use
it so that the airbag will work
properly the next time someone
uses that seat.
Seats and Restraints 1-19
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint with
the ignition key in the ACC or
LOCK position while following the
directions provided by the child
restraint manufacturer and
refer toSecuring Child Restraints
(Right Front Seat) on page 1-50
orSecuring Child Restraints
(Rear Seats) on page 1-53.5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then slightly
recline the vehicle seatback
and adjust the seat cushion, if
adjustable, to make sure that the
vehicle seatback is not pushing
the child restraint into the seat
cushion.
6. Also make sure the child restraint
is not trapped under the vehicle
head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint.
SeeHead Restraints on
page 1-6.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure
the child in the child restraint in
a rear seat position in the vehicle,
and check with your dealer/retailer.
If the Off Indicator is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult-size is sitting in
the right front passenger seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat.
Seats and Restraints 1-31
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Keys, Doors and
Windows
Keys
Keys...................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System...................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation. . . .2-4
Doors and Locks
Door Locks.........................2-6
Power Door Locks..............2-7
Rear Door Security Locks. . . .2-7
Liftgate...............................2-8
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Theft-Deterrent Systems.....2-9
Immobilizer.........................2-9
Immobilizer Operation.........2-9
Content Theft-Deterrent.....2-10
Windows
Windows...........................2-12
Power Windows................2-12
Sun Visors........................2-13
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror. . . .2-13
Outside Power Mirror(s). . . .2-14
Sunroof
Sunroof.............................2-14
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Keys
{CAUTION
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons, children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.The key is used for the ignition,
doors, and all other locks.
The key number is on the tag
attached to the key ring. Keep this
tag and give it to your dealer/retailer
if a new key needs to be made.
If the vehicle has an Immobilizer
theft deterrent system, the key has
a transponder in the key that
matches a decoder in the vehicle.
SeeImmobilizer Operation on
page 2-9for additional information.Do not do any of the following to
keys with a transponder:
Cover the key.
Hit the key hard against other
objects.
Expose it to high temperatures
for a long time.
Put the key in water.
Use the key with electromagnetic
materials.
Any new Immobilizer key must be
programmed before it will start
the vehicle. See your dealer/retailer.
If you make your own duplicate
key, you will not be able to cancel
the system or start the vehicle.
In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-5
for more information.
Notice:If you ever lock your
keys in the vehicle, you may have
to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
2-2 Keys, Doors and Windows
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
If this vehicle has the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) system,
it operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry Canada.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.If there is a decrease in the
RKE operating range, try this:Check the distance.
The transmitter may be
too far from the vehicle.
Stand closer during rainy or
snowy weather.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a
few steps to the left or right,
hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check the transmitter’s battery.
See “Battery Replacement”
later in this section.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer/retailer or a quali ed
technician for service.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter functions work up to
30 feet (9 m) away from the vehicle.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all of the
doors and liftgate.
The hazard warning ashers ash
once to con rm that the doors
have locked.
W(Unlock):Press once to unlock
the driver door. If
Wis pressed
again within three seconds,
all remaining doors unlock. The
hazard warning ashers ash twice
to con rm that the door has
unlocked.
HOLD
p(Panic):Press to arm
the alarm. The lights ash and the
horn sounds. The alarm turns
off when the ignition is shifted to
ON/RUN or HOLD
pis pressed
again. The ignition must be in
LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY
for the alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters
to the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased
and programmed through your
dealer/retailer. When the
replacement transmitter is
programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work once
the new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to four
transmitters programmed to it.
2-4 Keys, Doors and Windows
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual
Battery Replacement
The battery in the transmitter is
weak and should be changed if it
does not work at the normal range
in any location.
Notice:When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could
damage the transmitter.To replace the battery, use a at,
thin non-metal object or
tape-wrapped metal object.
1. Separate the transmitter.
2. Remove the module.3. Open the module cover.
4. Remove the old battery.
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual