2010 PONTIAC VIBE engine

Keys, Doors and
Windows............................ 1-1
Keys and Locks .............. 1-2
Doors ............................ 1-6
Vehicle Security .............. 1-7
Exterior Mirrors .............1-10
Interior Mirrors ..............1-11
Windows ...................... 1-11
Roof ............................ 1-13
Seats and Restraints......... 2-1
Head Restraints .............. 2-2
Front Seats .................... 2-3
Rear Seats .................... 2-7
Safety Belts ................... 2-8
Airbag System ..............2-23
Child Restraints .............2-37
Storage.............................. 3-1
Storage Compartments .... 3-1
Additional Storage Features ..................... 3-2
Roof Rack System .......... 3-5
Instruments and
Controls............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview .................... 4-2
Controls ......................... 4-4
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators ............. 4-8
Vehicle Personalization . . . 4-21
OnStar System .............4-23
Lighting............................. 5-1
Exterior Lighting .............. 5-1
Interior Lighting ............... 5-4
Lighting Features ............ 5-5
Infotainment System......... 6-1
Introduction .................... 6-1
Radio ............................ 6-4
Audio Players ................. 6-9
Climate Controls............... 7-1
Climate Control Systems ... 7-1
Air Vents ....................... 7-4
Maintenance ................... 7-4
Driving and Operating....... 8-1
Driving Information .......... 8-2
Starting and Operating . . . 8-16
Engine Exhaust .............8-23
Automatic Transmission .............8-24
Manual Transmission .....8-29
Drive Systems ..............8-31
Brakes ......................... 8-32
Ride Control Systems ....8-33
Cruise Control ...............8-36
Fuel ............................ 8-38
Towing ........................ 8-43
Conversions and Add-Ons ................... 8-50
Vehicle Care...................... 9-1
General Information ......... 9-2
Vehicle Checks ............... 9-4
Headlamp Aiming ..........9-32
Bulb Replacement .........9-33
Electrical System ...........9-37
2010 Pontiac Vibe Owner ManualM

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Introduction v

Power Door Locks
On vehicles with this feature, the
power door lock switch is located on
the armrest of the driver and front
passenger door.
Q:Press to lock all the doors.
K:Press to unlock all the doors.
Safety Locks
Rear door security locks prevent
passengers from opening the
rear doors from the inside.
Open the rear doors to access the
security locks.
To set these locks, slide the lever
down on each door and close it.
The doors can only be opened from
outside with the door unlocked.
To return the doors to normal
operation, slide the lever up.
Doors
Liftgate
{CAUTION
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:
•Close all of the windows.
•Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
(Continued)
1-6 Keys, Doors and Windows

CAUTION (Continued)
•Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
•If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 8-23 .
Unlock and open the liftgate by
inserting the key, turning it
counterclockwise and raise it
by hand. Close the liftgate by using the
handle to pull it down.
Lock the liftgate by inserting the
key and turning it clockwise to the
first position.
See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 1-3
for more information.
Vehicle Security
Vehicle theft is big business,
especially in some cities. This
vehicle has theft-deterrent features,
however, they do not make it
impossible to steal.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
This vehicle may have a
theft-deterrent system that activates
an alarm if attempts are made to
damage or break into the vehicle.
The alarm sounds and the lights
flash.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-7

The security light is in the center of
the instrument panel.
Arming the System
To arm the system:
1. Close all the doors and theliftgate.
2. Lock the doors and liftgate with the key or Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The security light comes on
solid. The system is armed after
30 seconds and the security
light will flash.
Unlocking the vehicle from the
inside activates the system.
To avoid setting off the alarm make
sure all passengers are out of
the vehicle and the windows are
closed before arming the system.
Disarming the System
To disarm the alarm do one of the
following:
•Unlock the doors with the key.
•Unlock the doors and liftgate with
the RKE transmitter.
•Start the engine.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system by closing and locking the doors and liftgate
with the RKE transmitter.
Wait until the security light is
flashing.
3. Unlock the driver door from the inside. The system should
activate the alarm.
4. Stop the alarm as described in the disarming procedure.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors. Check that the
system is activated when
the battery terminal is
disconnected and then
reconnected.
If the system does not work
properly, have it checked by your
dealer/retailer.
1-8 Keys, Doors and Windows

How the System Alarm is
Activated
The system activates the alarm if:
•A locked door or the liftgate
is unlocked or opened without the
RKE transmitter.
•A locked door is unlocked or
opened without the key.
•The liftgate is unlocked or
opened with the key.
•The battery is reconnected.
•The side windows are tapped or
broken.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement
(US, Can) on page 12-16 for
information regarding Part 15 of
the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and
RSS-210/211 of Industry and
Science Canada.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from
the ignition.
The security light is in the center of
the instrument panel. It comes
on if there is a problem with arming
or disarming the theft-deterrent
system. The security light flashes when the
system is armed.
Only the correct key starts the
vehicle.
If the engine does not start, there
could be a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. Check
the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 9-38 .
If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
first key may be faulty. See your
dealer/retailer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have
a new key made.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-9

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel OverviewInstrument Panel Overview.....4-2
ControlsSteering Wheel Adjustment.....4-4
Steering Wheel Controls .........4-4
Horn ...................................
.4-5
Windshield Wiper/Washer .......4-5
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . .4-6
Power Outlets (Accessory Power Outlets) ....................
.4-6
Power Outlets (115 Volt Alternating Current) .............
.4-7
Cigarette Lighter ..................
.4-8
Ashtrays .............................
.4-8
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators ..........................
.4-8
Instrument Cluster ................
.4-9
Speedometer .....................
.4-10
Odometer ..........................
.4-10
Trip Odometer ....................
.4-10
Tachometer .......................
.4-10
Fuel Gage .........................
.4-10
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage .............4-11
Safety Belt Reminders ..........4-11
Airbag Readiness Light .........4-12
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ..........................
.4-13
Charging System Light .........4-14
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .................
.4-14
Brake System Warning Light ...............................
.4-17
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light ...........4-17
Service All-Wheel Drive Light ...............................
.4-18Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS) Warning
Light ...............................
.4-18
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light . . . .4-18
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light ...........4-19
Tire Pressure Light .............
.4-19
Engine Oil Pressure Light .....4-19
Low Fuel Warning Light ........4-20
Security Light .....................
.4-20
High-Beam on Light .............4-20
Fog Lamp Light ..................
.4-20
Lamps on Reminder .............4-20
Taillamp Indicator Light .........4-21
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light ...............................
.4-21
Cruise Control Light .............4-21
Door Ajar Light ...................
.4-21
Vehicle PersonalizationVehicle Personalization .........4-21
OnStar SystemOnStar®System.................
.4-23
Instruments and Controls 4-1

Cigarette Lighter
For vehicles with a lighter, push
the lighter down and it will pop up
when it is ready to be used. The
ignition switch must be in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position to use the lighter.
Notice:Holding a cigarette
lighter in while it is heating does
not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can
occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown.
Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating.
It is not recommended to use the
cigarette lighter to plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment. Use the
accessory power outlet for phones and other electrical equipment. See
Power Outlets (Accessory Power
Outlets) on page 4-6
orPower
Outlets (115 Volt Alternating
Current) on page 4-7 .
Ashtrays
For vehicles with a removable
ashtray, it is located in the front
cupholder in the center console
storage area.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other
ammable items are put in the
ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage the
vehicle. Never put ammable
items in the ashtray.
Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators
Warning lights come on when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Some warning lights come
on briefly when the engine is started
to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there
could be a problem with a vehicle
function. Often gages and warning
lights work together to indicate
a problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while driving,
or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the
section that explains what to do.
Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting
to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous.
4-8 Instruments and Controls