2009 PONTIAC VIBE suspension

Tire Chains
{CAUTION
If the vehicle has P215/45R18
size tires, do not use tire chains.
There is not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to
the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged
by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
crash.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions.
To help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and
do not spin the wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that
will t, install them on the front
tires.Notice:If the vehicle has a tire
size other than P215/45R18 size
tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must.
Use only SAE Class “S” type
chains that are the proper size for
the tires. Install them on the front
tires and tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting the vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
9-60 Vehicle Service and Care
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Service and
Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
Introduction.......................11-1
Maintenance
Requirements..................11-2
Your Vehicle and the
Environment....................11-2
How This Section is
Organized.......................11-2
Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services......11-3
Using the Maintenance
Schedule.........................11-3
Scheduled Maintenance. . . .11-4
Part B: Owner Checks
and Services.................11-12
At Each Fuel Fill.............11-12
At Least Once a Month. . .11-13
At Least Twice a Year. . . .11-13
At Least Once a Year.....11-13
Part C: Periodic
Maintenance
Inspections
....................11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection
.......11-16
Exhaust System
Inspection......................11-16
Fuel System Inspection. . .11-16
Engine Cooling System
Inspection......................11-17
Throttle System
Inspection......................11-17
Brake System
Inspection......................11-17
Part D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants. . . .11-18
Part E: Maintenance
Record..........................11-20
Service and
Maintenance
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at
the proper level and change as
recommended.
Have you purchased the GM
Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements the vehicle warranties.
See the Warranty and Owner
Assistance booklet or your
dealer/retailer for details.
Service and Maintenance 11-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Part C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections
and services which should be
performed at least twice a year,
for instance, each spring and fall.
You should let your dealer/retailer
do these jobs. Make sure any
necessary repairs are completed
at once.
Proper procedures to perform these
services can be found in a service
manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 12-16.
Steering, Suspension
and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts
or signs of wear. Inspect power
steering cables for proper hook-up,
binding, cracks, chang, etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage,
tears, or leakage. Replace seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System
Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust
system. Inspect the body near the
exhaust system. Look for broken,
damaged, missing, or out-of-position
parts as well as open seams, holes,
loose connections, or other
conditions which could cause a heat
build-up in the oor pan or could
let exhaust fumes into the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 8-16.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for
damage or leaks.
11-16 Service and Maintenance
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA
(or Transport Canada) in a
situation like this, please notify
General Motors.
Call 1-800-762-2737, or write:
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre,
CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on engines,
transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and service
of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle.The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model
Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, specify
year and model name of the vehicle.
12-16 Customer Information
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

I
Ignition Positions................... 8-2
Immobilizer........................... 2-9
Immobilizer Operation............. 2-9
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-38
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-47
Inspection
Brake System.................11-17
Engine Cooling System....11-17
Exhaust System..............11-16
Fuel System...................11-16
Part C - Periodic
Maintenance...............11-16
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal....................11-16
Throttle System..............11-17
Instrument Panel
Brightness......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-12
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-71
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........9-42
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........4-20
Lamps
Dome ............................... 5-3
Reading............................ 5-4
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-16
LATCH System
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-49
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-44
License Plate Lamps............9-34
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide............... 2-8
Light
Airbag Readiness.............4-14
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............4-18
Brake System Warning......4-17
Charging System..............4-16Light (cont.)
Cruise Control..................4-23
Door Ajar.........................4-24
Fog Lamp ........................4-23
Highbeam On...................4-24
Lights On Reminder..........4-23
Low Fuel Warning.............4-25
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light...............4-18
Low Washer Fluid
Warning.......................4-23
Oil Pressure.....................4-22
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-14
Security...........................4-22
Service All-Wheel-Drive......4-24
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...............4-18
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........4-19
Taillamp Indicator..............4-23
TCS Warning Light...........4-19
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning..............4-19
Lighting
Entry................................ 5-3
INDEX i-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Lights
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass..................... 4-7
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-7
Loading Your Vehicle............8-32
Locks
Door ................................. 2-6
Power Door ....................... 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-7
Loss of Control....................8-25
Low Fuel Warning Light........4-25
Low Washer Fluid Warning
Light...............................4-23
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children......................1-44
Luggage Carrier.................... 3-2
M
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.............11-12
At Least Once a Month . . . 11-13
At Least Once a Year......11-13
At Least Twice a Year.....11-13
Brake System
Inspection...................11-17
Engine Cooling System
Inspection...................11-17Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Exhaust System
Inspection...................11-16
Fuel System Inspection....11-16
How This Section is
Organized....................11-2
Introduction......................11-1
Maintenance Replacement
Parts...........................10-4
Maintenance
Requirements...............11-2
Part A - Scheduled
Maintenance Services....11-3
PartB-Owner Checks
and Services...............11-12
Part C - Periodic
Maintenance
Inspections.................11-16
PartD-Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants . . . 11-18
PartE-Maintenance
Record.......................11-20
Scheduled Maintenance.....11-4
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot
and Seal Inspection.....11-16Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Throttle System
Inspection...................11-17
Using..............................11-3
Your Vehicle and the
Environment.................11-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp....4-20
Manual Seats........................ 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid...............................9-16
Operation........................8-11
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror.....2-13
Outside Power Mirrors.......2-14
MP3 .................................... 6-9
MyGMLink.com....................12-3
N
Navigation System,
Privacy..........................12-18
New Vehicle Break-In............. 8-2
Notices and Cautions............... iii
Notication
Service Airbag Message....4-16
i-6 INDEX
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Spare Tire
Compact.........................9-70
Installing..........................9-64
Removing........................9-63
Storing............................9-68
Specications, Capacities......10-2
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...................4-18
Speedometer.......................4-13
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.....4-19
Stabilitrak®System...............8-22
Starting the Engine................ 8-4
Steering..............................8-23
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot and
Seal Inspection...............11-16
Steering Wheel Controls,
Audio..............................6-13
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel...... 4-4
Storage Areas
Cargo Management
System.......................... 3-6
Center Console
Storage Area.................. 3-2
Cupholders........................ 3-1
Driver Storage
Compartment.................. 3-3
Glove Box......................... 3-1Storage Areas (cont.)
Luggage Carrier................. 3-2
Overhead Console.............. 3-2
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow..............................8-31
Sun Visors..........................2-13
Sunroof..............................2-14
T
Tachometer.........................4-13
Taillamp Indicator Light.........4-23
Taillamps............................9-33
TCS Warning Light...............4-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems......... 2-9
Content Theft-Deterrent.....2-10
Immobilizer........................ 2-9
Immobilizer Operation......... 2-9
Throttle System Inspection . . . 11-17
Tilt Wheel............................. 4-4
Time, Setting......................... 6-2
Tires..................................9-41
Buying New Tires.............9-54
Chains............................9-60
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-62
Compact Spare Tire..........9-70
Different Size...................9-56Tires (cont.)
If a Tire Goes Flat............9-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.....9-47
Inspection and Rotation.....9-53
Installing the Spare Tire.....9-64
Pressure Monitor
Operation.....................9-50
Pressure Monitor System . . . 9-48
Removing the Flat Tire......9-64
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-63
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-68
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions....................9-44
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading.......................9-56
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................9-58
Wheel Replacement..........9-59
When It Is Time for
New Tires....................9-54
Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........9-75
Towing a Trailer................9-77
Your Vehicle
.....................9-75
INDEX i-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual