2010 PONTIAC VIBE service

Wheels and Tires..........9-43
Jump Starting ...............9-69
Towing ........................ 9-73
Appearance Care ..........9-75
Service and
Maintenance..................... 10-1
General Information .......10-1
Scheduled Maintenance ..............10-3
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Parts ...................... 10-15
Maintenance Records . . . 10-18
Technical Data.................11-1
Vehicle Identification ......11-1
Vehicle Data .................11-2
Customer Information......12-1
Customer Information .....12-1
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 12-13
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy .............12-14
Index................................... i-1

Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle use the Index in the back
of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the
page number where it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do Not,”
“Do not do this” or “Do not let this
happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is
used to tell about things that could
hurt you or others if you were to
ignore the warning.
{CAUTION
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and
what to do to avoid or reduce the
hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that
can damage the vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is
something that could damage
your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would
not be covered by the vehicle’s
warranty, and it could be costly.
The notice tells what to do to help
avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on
the vehicle which use the same
words, CAUTION or Notice.
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead
of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
iv Introduction

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

Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust the inside rearview mirror
to see clearly behind the vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to
move it up, down, and side to
side. The day/night lever lets you
adjust the mirror to avoid glare from
headlamps behind your vehicle.
Move the lever to the right for
nighttime use and back to the
center for daytime use.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
additional control buttons located at
the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer/retailer for more information
on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar. SeeOnStar
®System on
page 4-23 for more information on
the services OnStar provides.
Windows
{CAUTION
Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by
the extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
Manual Windows
Turn the crank on the door to open
and close a manual window.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-11

In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage
may also occur from the right front
passenger airbag.
•Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag inflates,
you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not
get them, the airbag system will
not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system
will include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers
the need to replace other parts.
•The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and
Privacy on page 12-14 andEvent
Data Recorders on page 12-14 .
•Let only qualified technicians work
on the airbag systems. Improper
service can mean that an airbag
system will not work properly.
See your dealer/retailer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible
in the instrument panel when the
vehicle is started.
The words ON and OFF will be
visible during the system check.
When the system check is complete,
either the word ON or the word OFF will be visible depending on
whether the seat is occupied and/or
the weight of the occupant. If the
seat is unoccupied, the light will not
be visible after the system check.
See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-13 .
The passenger sensing system will
turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags and
the roof-rail airbags are not affected
by the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system will
also turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped), and
safety belt pretensioner if it detects
that there is no occupant in that
position.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part
of the right front passenger seat.
Seats and Restraints 2-29

If the airbag readiness light and the
OFF light in the passenger airbag
status indicator come on together,
it may mean there is a malfunction
in the passenger sensing system.
Secure the child in the child restraint
in a rear seat position in the vehicle
and check with your dealer/retailer.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 4-12 for more information,
including important safety
information.
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
(Rear Seat Position) on
page 2-51 orSecuring Child
Restraints (Right Front Seat
Position) on page 2-53 .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.
See Head Restraints on
page 2-2.
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.
2-32 Seats and Restraints

The passenger sensing system may
suppress the airbag deployment
when liquid soaks into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator
in the passenger airbag status
indicator and the airbag readiness
light will be lit. Have your
dealer/retailer check the system.
An object, person or child in the
rear seat contacting or pressing
the right front passenger seatback,
or objects stowed under the right
front passenger seat, may affect the
proper functioning of the passenger
sensing system.
When a safety belt extender is
used in the right front passenger
seat, make sure the passenger
airbag status indicator shows
ON. If the indicator shows OFF,
disconnect the extender’s latch fromthe 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.
{CAUTION
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are
parts of the airbag system in
several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about
servicing the vehicle and the airbag
system. To purchase a service
manual, see
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 12-12 .
{CAUTION
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
2-34 Seats and Restraints

Adding Equipment to the
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, side impact
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 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). See
Passenger
Sensing System on page 2-29 .
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. See
Customer
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. See Customer
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.
Seats and Restraints 2-35