Pontiac 2010 Vibe User manual

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 Manual M

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

Introduction
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 Vehicle
Owners
Canadian Owners
(Propriétaires Canadiens)
A French language copy of
this manual can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l’adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20784572 A First Printing
©
2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Introduction iii

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

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

✍NOTES
vi Introduction

Keys, Doors and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys ...................................1-2
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System .....................1-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation .......1-3
Door Locks ..........................1-5
Power Door Locks .................1-6
Safety Locks ........................1-6
Doors
Liftgate ................................1-6
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security ....................1-7
Anti-Theft Alarm System .........1-7
Immobilizer ...........................1-9
Immobilizer Operation ............1-9
Exterior Mirrors
Power Mirrors .....................1-10
Folding Mirrors ....................1-10
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror ........1-11
Windows
Windows ............................1-11
Power Windows ..................1-12
Sun Visors .........................1-12
Roof
Sunroof ..............................1-13
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-1

Keys and Locks
Keys
{CAUTION
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons, children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
The key is used for the ignition,
doors, and all other locks.
The key number is on the tag
attached to the key ring. Keep this
tag and give it to your dealer/retailer
if a new key needs to be made.
If the vehicle has an Immobilizer
theft deterrent system, the key has
a transponder in the key that
matches a decoder in the vehicle.
See Immobilizer Operation on
page 1-9 for additional information.
Do not do any of the following to
keys with a transponder:
•Cover the key.
•Hit the key hard against other
objects.
•Expose it to high temperatures
for a long time.
•Put the key in water.
•Use the key with electromagnetic
materials.
Any new Immobilizer key must be
programmed before it will start
the vehicle. See your dealer/retailer.
In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6
for more information.
Notice: If you ever lock your
keys in the vehicle, you may have
to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
1-2 Keys, Doors and Windows

Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
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.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter functions work up
to 30 feet (9 m) away from the
vehicle.
Q(Lock): Press to lock all the
doors and liftgate.
The hazard warning flashers flash
once to confirm that the doors
have locked.
W(Unlock): Press once to unlock
the driver door. If Wis pressed
again within three seconds, all
remaining doors unlock. The hazard
warning flashers flash twice to
confirm that the door has unlocked.
HOLD p(Panic): Press to activate
the alarm. The lights flash and
the horn sounds. The alarm turns
off when the ignition is turned
to ON/RUN or HOLD pis pressed
again. The ignition must be in
LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY
for the alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer/
retailer. When the replacement
transmitter is programmed to this
vehicle, all remaining transmitters
must also be reprogrammed. Any
lost or stolen transmitters will no
longer work once the new transmitter
is programmed. Each vehicle can
have up to four transmitters
programmed to it.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-3

Battery Replacement
The battery in the transmitter is
weak and should be changed if it
does not work at the normal range in
any location.
Notice: When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage
the transmitter.
To replace the battery, use
a flat, thin non-metal object or
tape-wrapped metal object.
1. Separate the transmitter.
2. Remove the module.
3. Open the module cover.
4. Remove the old battery. 5. Insert the new battery,
positive (+) side facing up.
Replace with a CR2025 or
equivalent battery.
6. Snap the module back together
and replace it in the transmitter.
7. Snap the front and back of the
transmitter together.
1-4 Keys, Doors and Windows

Door Locks
{CAUTION
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
•Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door
is locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
•Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
•Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your
doors can help prevent this
from happening.
To lock and unlock your vehicle
from the outside, use your key or the
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter,
if equipped. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 1-3 for more information.
Open the driver door, on vehicles
with power door locks, by turning the
key in the lock toward the rear of
the vehicle.
Turn the key back toward the center
and toward the rear again, within
three seconds, to unlock all of the
doors. Use the key in the passenger
door to also unlock all of the doors.
Lock a door by turning the key
toward the front of the vehicle.
If you have power door locks,
all the doors will lock.
To manually lock or unlock the door
from the inside, move the lever
on the door forward or rearward.
The driver and front passenger door
open from the inside while locked.
With manual locks, the key must
be used to lock and unlock the
liftgate.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-5

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 the
liftgate.
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

If any of the following conditions
occur, contact your dealer/retailer.
•The security light stays on.
•The security light does not start
flashing when the key is
removed from the ignition.
•The security light flashes
inconsistently.
See your dealer/retailer to have a
new key with a transponder made.
In an emergency, contact
Roadside Assistance Program.
See Roadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Power Mirrors
The controls are located to
the left of the steering wheel
on the instrument panel. The
vehicle must be in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY to adjust the
mirrors.
1. Adjust either mirror by pushing
the selector switch to the
L (left) or R (right).
2. Use the arrows on the control
pad to adjust the direction of
the mirror.
3. Move the selector switch back to
the center. This locks the mirrors
in place.
Folding Mirrors
Manually fold the mirrors inward to
prevent damage when going through
an automatic car wash. To fold, push
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push
the mirror outward, to return to its
original position.
1-10 Keys, Doors and Windows

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. See OnStar
®
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

Power Windows
{CAUTION
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the keys is dangerous for many
reasons, children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function and they
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a
vehicle with children.
When there are children in the
rear seat use the window lockout
button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.
On vehicles with this feature, the
power windows only work when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN or
in Retained Accessory Power
(RAP). See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 8-18.
Switches on the driver door control
the driver and passenger windows.
Each passenger door has a
switch to control that window.
Press or pull the front of a switch to
lower or raise a window.
AUTO (Express-Down): Press all
the way down and release to lower
the driver window automatically. Pull
up at any time to stop the window
from lowering.
o(Lock-Out): Press the lock-out
button, located on the driver door,
to disable the passenger power
windows and again to enable them.
Only the driver window can be
operated when the lock-out feature
is used.
Sun Visors
Pull the visor toward you or move it
to the side to help reduce glare.
To use the mirror, slide the attached
cover.
1-12 Keys, Doors and Windows

Roof
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
controls are on the overhead
console. The ignition must be in
ON/RUN or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) for the sunroof
to work.
TILT: Slide the sunshade back.
Press to tilt the sunroof. Press again
to stop movement at any time.
DOWN: Press to lower the sunroof.
SLIDE: Press to open the sunroof. It
express opens and stops before the
fully open position. Press again to
fully open. Press the switch at any
time to stop the sunroof from moving.
If the sunshade is closed it opens
with the sunroof.
CLOSE: Press to express close
the sunroof. Press again to
stop movement at any time.
The sunshade must be closed
by hand.
Anti-Pinch Feature
If there is an obstruction when
the sunroof is closing, it stops and
partly opens again. Remove the
obstruction and press the button
again to close the sunroof.
Keys, Doors and Windows 1-13

✍NOTES
1-14 Keys, Doors and Windows