2009 PONTIAC VIBE steering

After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies
that were used during any crash
may have been stressed or
damaged. See your dealer/retailer
to have the safety belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at
the time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in
a crash, or if the airbag readiness
light stays on after you start
the vehicle or while you are driving.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-14.Airbag System
This vehicle has the following
airbags:
A frontal airbag for the driver.
A frontal airbag for the right front
passenger.
The vehicle may have the following
airbags:
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the right front
passenger.
A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver.
A roof-rail airbag for the
right front passenger and the
passenger seated directly behind
the right front passenger.All of the airbags in the vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG embossed
in the trim or on an attached
label near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the middle
part of the steering wheel for
the driver and on the instrument
panel for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG
will appear on the side of the
seatback closest to the door.
With roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear along the
headliner or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today’s airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force
of an inating bag, all airbags
must inate very quickly to do
their job.
Seats and Restraints 1-21
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 4-14
for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
middle of the steering wheel.
The right front passenger frontal
airbag is in the instrument panel on
the passenger’s side.If the vehicle has seat-mounted side
impact airbags for the driver and
right front passenger, they are in the
side of the seatbacks closest to
the door.
Driver Side shown, Passenger
Side similar
Seats and Restraints 1-23
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

If the vehicle has roof-rail airbags for
the driver, right front passenger, and
second row outboard passengers,
they are in the ceiling above the side
windows.
{CAUTION
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inate properly or
it might force the object into that
person causing severe injury or
even death. The path of an
inating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Do not use seat accessories
that block the ination path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
inate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver or right
front passenger head and chest.
However, they are only designed
to inate if the impact exceeds apredetermined deployment
threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe a
crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inate and help restrain
the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on
how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact,
and how quickly your vehicle
slows down.
Frontal airbags may inate at
different crash speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary
object, the airbags could inate at
a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that
deforms, the airbags could inate
at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits an object that
does not deform.
1-24 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

What Makes an Airbag
Inate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inator. Gas from the inator lls
the airbag causing the bag to break
out of the cover and deploy. The
inator, the airbag, and related
hardware are all part of the airbag
module.
Frontal airbag modules are located
inside the steering wheel and
instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
there are airbag modules in the side
of the front seatbacks closest to
the door. For vehicles with roof-rail
airbags, there are airbag modules
in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant
seating positions.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants
can contact the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Frontal
airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the
occupant’s upper body, stopping
the occupant more gradually.
Seat-mounted side impact and
roof-rail airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over
the occupant’s upper body.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily because
the occupant’s motion is not toward
those airbags. SeeWhen Should an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-24for
more information.Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inate, they quickly deate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inated for some time after
they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbag modules, seeWhat Makes
an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-26.
1-26 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to
or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle’s frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar
garnish trim, front sensors, or
airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system.In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position,
which includes sensors that are
part of the passenger’s seat.
The passenger sensing system
may not operate properly if the
original seat trim is replaced with
non-GM covers, upholstery or
trim, or with GM covers,
upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle. Any object, such
as an aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the
seat fabric, could also interfere
with the operation of the
passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system from
properly turning off the passenger
airbag(s). SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-28.If you have any questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in
this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on
page 12-1.Q:Because I have a disability,
I have to get my vehicle
modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on
page 12-1.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and
the service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module and airbag wiring.
1-34 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Outside Power Mirror(s)
The controls are located to
the left of the steering wheel
on the instrument panel.The vehicle must be in ON/RUN
or ACC/ACCESSORY to adjust
the mirrors.
1. Adjust either mirror by pushing
the selector switch to the L (left)
or R (right).
2. Use the arrows on the control
pad to adjust the direction of
the mirror.
3. Move the selector switch back to
the center. This locks the mirrors
in place.
Manually fold the mirrors inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, push the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward,
to return to its original position.
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof,
the controls are on the overhead
console. The ignition must be
in ON/RUN or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) for the sunroof
to work.
TILT:Slide the sunshade back.
Press to tilt the sunroof. Press again
to stop movement at any time.
DOWN:Press to lower the sunroof.
SLIDE:Press to open the sunroof.
It express opens and stops
before the fully open position.
Press again to fully open. Press
the switch at any time to stop the
sunroof from moving. If the sunshade
is closed it opens with the sunroof.
2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Loading cargo on the roof rack will
make the center of the vehicle gravity
higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden
starts, sharp turns, sudden braking
or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it
may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover due to failure to
operate the vehicle correctly.
If driving for a long distance, on
rough roads, or at high speeds, stop
the vehicle now and then during
the trip to make sure the cargo
remains in its place.
Driver Storage
Compartment
The driver storage compartment is
located near the left side of the
steering column on the bottom of
the instrument panel. Pull up on the
lever to open the cover.
Floor Mats
The driver side oor mat is held in
place by two locator hooks.
The oor mat must be properly
placed on the oor so that it does
not block the movement of the
accelerator pedal.
How to Remove and Replace
the Floor Mat
To remove the oor mat, pull up on
the rear of the mat to disconnect
it from the locator hooks.To reinstall the oor mat, line up
the openings in the oor mat
over the locator hooks and push
down into place.
Hooks
There are hooks for hanging items
in the cabin, luggage compartment,
and in the cargo management
system, if the vehicle has one.
On the front passenger side,
press the hook to open and
use it. There is a weight limit of
44 lb (20 kg).
The luggage compartment hooks
should only be used to hang
items under 7 lb (3 kg).
For vehicles with a cargo
management system, open the
deck lid to hang items under
5 lb (2.3 kg).
Storage 3-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

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