Pontiac 2009 Vibe User manual

Seats and Restraints ......... 1-1
Front Seats .................... 1-2
Rear Seats .................... 1-7
Safety Belts ................... 1-8
Airbag System .............. 1-21
Child Restraints ............. 1-36
Keys, Doors and
Windows ............................ 2-1
Keys ............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks ............ 2-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems ... 2-9
Windows ...................... 2-12
Mirrors ......................... 2-13
Sunroof ........................ 2-14
Storage .............................. 3-1
Storage ......................... 3-1
Instruments and
Controls ............................. 4-1
Instrument Panel
Overview .................... 4-2
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators ............ 4-11
OnStar
®
System ............ 4-25
Lighting ............................. 5-1
Lighting ......................... 5-1
Infotainment ...................... 6-1
Audio System(s) ............. 6-1
Climate Controls ............... 7-1
Climate Controls ............. 7-1
Driving and Operating ....... 8-1
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle ............... 8-2
Driving Your Vehicle ...... 8-17
Fuel ............................ 8-36
Vehicle Service
and Care ............................ 9-1
Service .......................... 9-2
Owner Checks ................ 9-5
Headlamp Aiming .......... 9-30
Bulb Replacement ......... 9-31
Electrical System ........... 9-35
Tires ........................... 9-41
Tire Changing ............... 9-61
Jump Starting ............... 9-71
Towing ........................ 9-75
Appearance Care .......... 9-83
Technical Data ................. 10-1
Vehicle Identification ...... 10-1
Capacities and
Specifications ............ 10-2
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts ..... 10-4
Service and
Maintenance ..................... 11-1
Service and
Maintenance .............. 11-1
Customer Information ...... 12-1
Customer Information ..... 12-1
Reporting Safety
Defects ................... 12-15
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy ............. 12-17
Index ....................................i-1
2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual M
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM
Emblem, PONTIAC, the PONTIAC
Emblem and the name VIBE
are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest
information at the time it was printed.
GM reserves the right to make
changes after that time without
further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited”
for Pontiac Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
This manual describes features
that may or may not be on
your specific vehicle.
Read this manual from beginning to
end to learn about the vehicle’s
features and controls. Pictures,
symbols, and words work together
to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès de
concessionnaire ou à l’adresse
suivante:
Helm Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
ii Preface
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25823089 B Second Printing
©
2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Index
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.
Cautions and Notices
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.
Preface iii
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

✍NOTES
iv Preface
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Seats and
Restraints
Front Seats
Manual Seats .....................1-2
Seat Height Adjuster ...........1-2
Reclining Seatbacks ...........1-3
Passenger Folding
Seatback ...........................1-4
Head Restraints ..................1-6
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation ...........1-7
Safety Belts
Safety Belts ........................1-8
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly ..........................1-11
Lap-Shoulder Belt .............1-16
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy .......................1-19
Safety Belt Extender .........1-19
Safety Belt Check .............1-20
Care of Safety Belts .........1-20
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts After a
Crash ..............................1-20
Airbag System
Airbag System ..................1-21
Where Are the Airbags? ....1-23
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? ............................1-24
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? ............................1-26
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? ........................1-26
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates? ..........1-26
Passenger Sensing
System ............................1-28
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ............................1-33
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ............................1-34
Airbag System Check .......1-35
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash .........1-35
Child Restraints
Older Children ..................1-36
Infants and Young
Children ..........................1-38
Child Restraint Systems ....1-41
Where to Put the
Restraint .........................1-43
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children
(LATCH) ..........................1-44
Replacing LATCH System
Parts After a Crash .........1-49
Securing Child Restraints
(Right Front Seat) ...........1-50
Securing Child Restraints
(Rear Seats) ...................1-53
Seats and Restraints 1-1
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Front Seats
Manual Seats
{CAUTION
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver’s seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
To move a manual seat forward or
rearward:
1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the bar.
Try to move the seat to be sure it is
locked in place.
Seat Height Adjuster
The driver seat height adjuster is
located on the outboard side of the
seat. To raise or lower the seat,
pull up or push down on the lever
repeatedly until the seat is at
the desired height.
1-2 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver’s seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION
If the seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatback to be sure it is locked.
{CAUTION
Sitting in a reclined position when
your vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even if you buckle up,
your safety belts cannot do their
job when you are reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job
because it will not be against your
body. Instead, it will be in front of
you. In a crash, you could go into
it, receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job
either. In a crash, the belt could go
up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your
pelvic bones. This could cause
serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear your
safety belt properly.
Seats and Restraints 1-3
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

On vehicles with manual reclining
seatbacks the lever used to operate
them is located on the outboard
side of the seat.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired
position, then release the lever to
lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully, without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Passenger Folding
Seatback
{CAUTION
If you fold the seatback forward to
carry longer objects, such as skis,
be sure any such cargo is not
near an airbag. In a crash, an
inflating airbag might force that
object toward a person. This
could cause severe injury or even
death. Secure objects away from
the area in which an airbag would
inflate. For more information, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 1-23 and Loading the
Vehicle on page 8-32.
1-4 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Things you put on this seatback
can strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
Remove or secure all items
before driving.
On vehicles with this feature, the
seatback folds down to allow
for more cargo space. When the
area is not being used for more
cargo space or as a temporary table,
put the seatback in the locked,
upright position. Only adjust the seat
when the vehicle is not moving.
To fold the seatback down:
1. Move the seat rearward.
2. Lower the head restraint to the
lowest position and make sure
the seatback is at the most
upright position and locked.
3. Pull up on one of the levers
located on either side of the back
of the passenger seatback.
4. Fold the seatback down.
To raise the seatback:
1. Pull up on one of the levers
located on either side of the back
of the passenger’s seatback.
2. Pull the seatback up and push it
back to lock it into place. Make
sure the safety belt is not twisted
or caught in the seatback.
3. Push and pull the top of the
seatback to be sure it is
locked into position.
4. Use the reclining front seatback
lever to adjust the seatback to a
comfortable position.
Seats and Restraints 1-5
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Head Restraints
The front seats have adjustable
head restraints. The rear seats have
adjustable headrests in all seating
positions.
{CAUTION
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal
injury in a crash. Do not drive until
the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant’s
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Pull the head restraint up to
raise it.
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of
the seatback, and push the
restraint down.
1-6 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Push down on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.
The head restraints are not
designed to be removed.
Always raise the rear center head
rest at least one position when there
is a passenger seated there.
Active Head Restraint System
The vehicle has an active head
restraint system in the front seating
positions. These automatically tilt
forward to reduce the risk of
neck injury if the vehicle is hit
from behind.
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
You can fold either side of the
seatback down. The rear right side
seatback can also be used as a
temporary table while the vehicle is
stopped.
{CAUTION
A rear seatback folded forward, or
any other object contacting or
pressing the front seatback may
affect the proper functioning of the
passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 1-28.
To fold either seatback down:
1. Move the front seat forward and
the seatback to the upright
position.
2. Move the headrests all the
way down.
3. Pull up on the lock release knob,
located on the top outboard side
of the seatback.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
4. Fold the seatback down.
Seats and Restraints 1-7
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

To raise the seatback:
1. Pull the seatback up and push it
back to lock it into place. The
safety belts should not be twisted
or caught in the seatback.
{CAUTION
A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash.
The person wearing the belt could
be seriously injured. After raising
the rear seatback, always check
to be sure that the safety belts
are properly routed and attached,
and are not twisted.
2. Push and pull the top of the
seatback to check that it is locked
into position.
{CAUTION
If the seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatback to be sure it is locked.
Safety Belts
This section of the manual describes
how to use safety belts properly.
It also describes some things not to
do with safety belts.
{CAUTION
Do not let anyone ride where
a safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
safety belts, the injuries can be
much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be
ejected from the vehicle. You
and your passenger(s) can be
seriously injured or killed. In the
same crash, you might not be, if
you are buckled up. Always fasten
your safety belt, and check that
your passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.
1-8 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that
is not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in
your vehicle is in a seat and using
a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 4-14 for additional information.
In most states and in all Canadian
provinces, the law requires
wearing safety belts. Here is why:
You never know if you will be in a
crash. If you do have a crash, you do
not know if it will be a serious one.
A few crashes are mild, and some
crashes can be so serious that even
buckled up, a person would not
survive. But most crashes are in
between. In many of them, people
who buckle up can survive and
sometimes walk away. Without
safety belts they could have been
badly hurt or killed.
After more than 40 years of safety
belts in vehicles, the facts are clear.
In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything,
you go as fast as it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose
it is just a seat on wheels.
Seats and Restraints 1-9
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Put someone on it.
Get it up to speed. Then stop the
vehicle. The rider does not stop.
The person keeps going until
stopped by something. In a real
vehicle, it could be the windshield...
or the instrument panel...
or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as
the vehicle does. You get more
time to stop. You stop over more
distance, and your strongest bones
take the forces. That is why
safety belts make such good sense.
1-10 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be — whether you are
wearing a safety belt or not. But
your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out, is
much greater if you are belted.
And you can unbuckle a safety
belt, even if you are upside down.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why
should I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they work with
safety belts — not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag is
provided, all occupants still have
to buckle up to get the most
protection. That is true not only in
frontal collisions, but especially in
side and other collisions.
Q: If I am a good driver, and I
never drive far from home,
why should I wear safety
belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver,
but if you are in a crash — even
one that is not your fault — you
and your passenger(s) can be
hurt. Being a good driver does not
protect you from things beyond
your control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km) of home. And
the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at
speeds of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly
This section is only for people of
adult size.
Be aware that there are special
things to know about safety
belts and children. And there are
different rules for smaller children
and infants. If a child will be riding in
the vehicle, see Older Children on
page 1-36 or Infants and Young
Children on page 1-38. Follow those
rules for everyone’s protection.
It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Occupants who are not buckled up
can be thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash. And they can strike
others in the vehicle who are
wearing safety belts.
Seats and Restraints 1-11
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

First, before you or your
passenger(s) wear a safety belt,
there is important information
you should know.
Sit up straight and always keep
your feet on the floor in front of you.
The lap part of the belt should be
worn low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash, this
applies force to the strong pelvic
bones and you would be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid
under it, the belt would apply force
on your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The
shoulder belt should go over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining forces.
The shoulder belt locks if there is a
sudden stop or crash.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is too loose.
It will not give as much
protection this way.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously hurt if your
shoulder belt is too loose. In a
crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase
injury. The shoulder belt should fit
snugly against your body.
1-12 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The lap belt is too loose. It will
not give nearly as much
protection this way.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously hurt if your
lap belt is too loose. In a crash,
you could slide under the lap belt
and apply force on your abdomen.
This could cause serious or even
fatal injuries. The lap belt should
be worn low and snug on the
hips, just touching the thighs.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is buckled in the wrong
buckle.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured if
your belt is buckled in the wrong
place like this. In a crash, the belt
would go up over your abdomen.
The belt forces would be there,
not on the pelvic bones. This
could cause serious internal
injuries. Always buckle your belt
into the buckle nearest you.
Seats and Restraints 1-13
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is over an armrest.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured if
your belt goes over an armrest
like this. The belt would be much
too high. In a crash, you can slide
under the belt. The belt force
would then be applied on the
abdomen, not on the pelvic
bones, and that could cause
serious or fatal injuries. Be sure
the belt goes under the armrests.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is worn under
the arm. It should be worn over
the shoulder at all times.
1-14 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured if you
wear the shoulder belt under your
arm. In a crash, your body would
move too far forward, which would
increase the chance of head and
neck injury. Also, the belt would
apply too much force to the ribs,
which are not as strong as
shoulder bones. You could also
severely injure internal organs like
your liver or spleen. The shoulder
belt should go over the shoulder
and across the chest.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is behind the body.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured by
not wearing the lap-shoulder belt
properly. In a crash, you would
not be restrained by the shoulder
belt. Your body could move too
far forward increasing the chance
of head and neck injury. You
might also slide under the lap
belt. The belt force would then be
applied right on the abdomen.
That could cause serious or fatal
injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across
the chest.
Seats and Restraints 1-15
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is twisted across
the body.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured by a
twisted belt. In a crash, you would
not have the full width of the belt
to spread impact forces. If a belt
is twisted, make it straight so it
can work properly, or ask your
dealer/retailer to fix it.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”
in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull
the belt across you. Do not let
it get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across
you very quickly. If this happens,
let the belt go back slightly to
unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all
the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be engaged.
If this happens, let the belt go
back all the way and start again.
1-16 Seats and Restraints
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual