2010 PONTIAC VIBE traction control

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

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

The main components of the
instrument panel are the following:
A.Power Mirrors on page 1-10 .
B. Air Vents on page 7-4.
C. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 5-3.
D. Instrument Cluster on page 4-9 .
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 4-5.
F. Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-13 .
Passenger Sensing System
on page 2-29. Security Light
on page 4-20.
G. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 5-3.
H. AM-FM Radio on page 6-4 .
I. Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 8-33.
J. Anti-Theft Alarm System on
page 1-7. K.
Front Storage on page 3-2 .
L. Hood on page 9-5.
M. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 4-4.
N. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 4-4.
O. Horn on page 4-5.
P. Cruise Control on page 8-36
(If Equipped).
Q. Ignition Positions on page 8-16 .
R. Tire Pressure Reset Button (Out of View). See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 9-52 .
S. Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating On/Off Button.
See Power Outlets (Accessory
Power Outlets) on page 4-6 or
Power Outlets (115 Volt
Alternating Current) on page 4-7 .T. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)
or Accessory Power Outlet.
Cigarette Lighter on page 4-8 or
Power Outlets (Accessory Power
Outlets) on page 4-6 orPower
Outlets (115 Volt Alternating
Current) on page 4-7.
U. Shift Lever. Automatic
Transmission (Four Speed
Automatic) on page 8-24 or
Automatic Transmission (Five
Speed Automatic) on page 8-27
or Manual Transmission on
page 8-29.
V. Power Outlets (Accessory Power
Outlets) on page 4-6 orPower
Outlets (115 Volt Alternating
Current) on page 4-7 .
W. Climate
Control Systems on
page 7-1.
X. Load Rails and Hooks on
page 3-4.
Y. Glove Box on page 3-1 .
Instruments and Controls 4-3

If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, there are no antilock
brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 4-17 .
Service All-Wheel Drive
Light
This light will come on briefly when
the ignition is turned on, and the
engine is not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started. It should go out when the
engine is started. If it stays on, or
comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the system.
Have it checked by your dealer/
retailer.
The four-wheel-drive indicator will
light up when the All-Wheel drive is
active.
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS) Warning
Light
Vehicles with this feature, have a
warning light that comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN as a check to show it
is working.
If the warning light does not come
on, have it fixed so it will be able to
warn if there is a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or
comes on while driving, the Speed
Sensitive Power Steering may not be
working. See your dealer/retailer for
service.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
This light warns that there is a
problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS) or the Vehicle
Stability Control (VSC) system.
The light comes on when the ignition
is turned to ON/RUN.
If the light comes on while driving,
the system is not working.
The TCS light comes on when the
VSC system warning light comes on,
even if the TRAC OFF button is not
pressed.
See StabiliTrak System on
page 8-35 for more information on
Vehicle Stability Control System.
4-18 Instruments and Controls

SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-33 for more information.
Contact your dealer/retailer, if
the light does not come on or if it
stays on.
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light
This warning light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned to
ON/RUN.
It also comes on when the Traction
Control System is turned off by
pressing the TRAC OFF button.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-33 for more information. If it stays on or comes on while
driving, there is a problem with the
Traction Control System (TCS),
contact your dealer/retailer.
Tire Pressure Light
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started.
If there is a tire with low tire
pressure, the light will stay on
or come back on.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 9-52 for more
information.
Engine Oil Pressure
Light
{CAUTION
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance can damage
the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this
manual for changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started. If it
does not come on have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
Instruments and Controls 4-19

Driving and
Operating
Driving InformationDriving for Better FuelEconomy ...........................
.8-2
Defensive Driving .................
.8-2
Drunk Driving ......................
.8-3
Control of a Vehicle ..............
.8-3
Braking ...............................
.8-4
Steering ..............................
.8-4
Off-Road Recovery ...............
.8-6
Loss of Control ....................
.8-6
Driving on Wet Roads ............8-7
Highway Hypnosis ................
.8-8
Hill and Mountain Roads ........8-8
Winter Driving ......................
.8-9
If the Vehicle is Stuck ..........8-11
Vehicle Load Limits .............
.8-12
Starting and OperatingNew Vehicle Break-In ...........8-16
Ignition Positions ................
.8-16
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ....................
.8-18Starting the Engine
.............
.8-18
Engine Heater ....................
.8-19
Shifting Into Park ................
.8-20
Shifting Out of Park .............8-22
Parking .............................
.8-22
Parking Over Things That Burn ........................
.8-23
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust..................
.8-23
Running the Vehicle While Parked ............................
.8-24
Automatic TransmissionAutomatic Transmission
(Four Speed Automatic) ......8-24
Automatic Transmission (Five Speed Automatic) .......8-27
Manual Mode .....................
.8-28
Manual TransmissionManual Transmission ...........8-29
Drive SystemsAll-Wheel Drive..................
.8-31
BrakesAntilock Brake
System (ABS) ..................
.8-32
Parking Brake ....................
.8-33
Ride Control SystemsTraction Control
System (TCS) ..................
.8-33
StabiliTrak System ..............
.8-35
Cruise ControlCruise Control ....................
.8-36
FuelFuel..................................
.8-38
Recommended Fuel .............8-39
Gasoline Specifications .........8-39
California Fuel Requirements ...................
.8-39
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . .8-40
Fuel Additives ....................
.8-40
Filling the Tank ..................
.8-41
Filling a Portable Fuel Container .........................
.8-43
TowingGeneral Towing Information . . .8-43
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips .....................
.8-44
Trailer Towing ....................
.8-48
Towing Equipment ..............
.8-49
Conversions and Add-OnsAdd-On Electrical
Equipment .......................
.8-50
Driving and Operating 8-1

Driving Information
Driving for Better
Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
•Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
•Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
•Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
•When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
•Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
•Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
•Combine several trips into a
single trip.
•Replace the vehicle’s tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire’s sidewall
near the size.
•Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
your safety belt, seeSafety Belts on
page 2-8.
{CAUTION
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
•Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
•Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
8-2 Driving and Operating

If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel in
the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a
reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power
steering assist should return shortly
after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering
system does not require regular
maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, such as
abnormally high steering effort for a
prolonged period of time, contact
your dealer/retailer for service
repairs.Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the curve
is banked, and vehicle speed. While
in a curve, speed is the one factor
that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve,
while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and
then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering
can be more effective than braking.
For example, you come over a hill
and find a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from
nowhere, or a child darts out from
between parked cars and stops right
in front of you. These problems can
be avoided by braking — if you can
stop in time. But sometimes you
cannot stop in time because there
is no room. That is the time for
evasive action — steering around
the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First
apply the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 8-4. It is better to remove as
much speed as possible from a
collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
Driving and Operating 8-5