PONTIAC VIBE 2003 Owners Manual

2-37 Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
The headlamps must be on for this feature to work. For
high beams, push the turn signal lever away from you.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel
cluster also will be on.
It will go off when you switch to the low beams. To
switch back to low beams, pull the lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
With the lever in the low-beam position, pull the lever
toward you to momentarily switch to high beams (to
signal that you are going to pass). If you have the
headlamps on when you release the lever, they will
return to the low beams.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
controls the windshield wipers and washer.
The available positions are the following:
OFF: The wipers are off.
INT (Intermittent): Move the lever to INT to choose a
delayed wiping cycle. In light rain or snow, you might
want to use this position rather than continuous wiping.
You can change the time between wipes by turning the
INT TIME band. Turn the band forward or rearward for
longer or shorter delay interval. This position works the
same for the rear wiper.

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LO (Low): Move the lever to LO for steady wiping at
low speed.
HI (High): Move the lever to HI for steady wiping at
high speed.
MIST: For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go.
The wipers will stop after one wipe.
REAR: To turn on the rear window wiper, twist the end
of the lever upward. The wiper does not work with the
rear liftglass open.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you to spray washer fluid on the
windshield. The spray will continue until you release the
lever. The wipers will run a few times. See ªWindshield
Washer Fluidº in the Index.
To squirt washer fluid on the rear window, twist the knob
upward and downward as far as it will go. The knob
automatically returns from these positions after you
release it. You can twist the lever downward to create a
large flow of water on the rear window, then twist the
lever back up to wipe the window. This feature is helpful
to quickly clear the rear liftglass when very dirty.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.

2-39 Cruise Control (Option)
The cruise control lever is located on the right side of
the steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.

2-40
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the ON-OFF button at the end of the cruise
control lever. The CRUISE light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on. See ªCruise Lightº in the
Index for more information.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Move the lever down to SET/COAST and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set at a desired speed and
then you apply the brake. This will shut off cruise
control. But you won't need to reset it.
Unless you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) you can
push the lever up to RES/ACC (Resume/Accelerate).
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If your preset speed cancels out when it shouldn't, there
may be a problem with your vehicle's cruise control.
See your dealer.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Move the lever down to SET/COAST. Release the
lever and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at
the higher speed.

Move the cruise lever up to RES/ACC. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the lever.

To increase your speed in very small amounts, move
the lever to RES/ACC briefly and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

2-41
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push and hold the lever to SET/COAST until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the lever
down briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake or downshifting to SECOND (2) or
LOW (L) takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers
find this to be too much trouble and don't use cruise
control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transaxle.

Press the CRUISE ON
-OFF button again.

Pull the cruise control lever toward you.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-42
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
(Exterior Lamps): Turn the outside part of the
lever with the symbol on it, to operate the lamps.The exterior lamp switch has three positions:
OFF: Turning the switch to this position turns off all
lamps, except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
 (Parking Lamps): Turning the switch to this
position turns on the parking lamps together with the
following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamp

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the switch to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Turn the switch to OFF to turn off the lamps.
(Fog Lamps): You can also use the control lever to
turn on the fog lamps.

2-43 Automatic Light Control (ALC)
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor
on the top left corner of the instrument panel, so be
sure it is not covered or the headlamps will be on
continuously.
When it is dark enough outside, your ALC will turn on
your low
-beam headlamps at the normal brightness
along with other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps and instrument panel lights.
The parking brake must be released for ALC to work.
This is indicated by the headlamp symbol on your
instrument panel cluster.
If you are driving through a parking garage, overcast
weather, or a tunnel, the ALC may turn on your
low
-beam headlamps at a normal brightness along with
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will be dimmer,
and the instrument panel cluster lights may dim. There
will be a 10 to 15 second delay before the lights will
turn on when starting the car at night.
Lamps On Reminder
If you turn the ignition to LOCK or ACC and leave
the lamps on, you'll hear a tone when you open the
driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come
on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

The ignition is on with the engine running,

the exterior lamps switch is off and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on
at a reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the headlamp
position, your DRL will go off and your headlamps will
come on. The other lamps that come on with your
headlamps will also come on.

2-44
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular
headlamps. See ªAutomatic Light Controlº earlier in
this section.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch off, the regular
lamps will go off and your headlamps will change to the
reduced brightness of DRL provided it is not dark
outside. DRL also comes on if only the parking lamps
are being used.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Turn the ignition back on.
The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Interior Lamps
Interior/Instrument Panel Brightness Dial
The interior/instrument
panel brightness dial is
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
The brightness of the instrument panel lights will not
decrease when the headlamps are on. It is recommended
that the brightness level is kept at the maximum setting
for all daytime driving to insure proper visibility.

2-45
The interior light has the following positions:
OFF: This position turns the light off.
ON: This position keeps the light on all the time.
DOOR: This position turns the light on when any of the
side doors, the liftgate or the liftglass is opened. The
light goes off when all the side doors, the liftgate and the
liftglass are closed.Illuminated Entry System (If Equipped)
When the interior/instrument panel brightness dial is in
the DOOR position, the light will come on when any
side door, the liftgate or the liftglass is opened. After
any side door, the liftgate or the liftglass is closed, the
light will remain on for about 15 seconds and then go
out except under the following conditions:

All of the side doors, the liftgate and the liftglass
are closed when the ignition is in the ACC or ON
positions.

The ignition is turned to ACC or ON after all the
side doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed.

All the side doors and liftgate are locked when the
liftglass is closed and the light is still on.
When any side door is unlocked with the key or remote
keyless entry system transmitter, the light comes on for
15 seconds, even if the door is not opened.
To prevent the battery from draining, the lights will
automatically turn off when the key is removed and the
door is left opened with the dial in the DOOR position
for 20 minutes or more.

2-46 Reading Lamp (If Equipped)
If you have a sunroof, you will have a reading lamp near
the sunroof switch. Press the button to turn the lamp on
and press it again to turn it off.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with
Reading Lamps
The inside rearview mirror is attached to your vehicle's
front windshield glass. If you do not have a sunroof,
your vehicle's inside rearview mirror may be equipped
with reading lamps. If your vehicle is equipped with
this mirror, there are two buttons located on the bottom
of the mirror. Press the buttons to turn the lamps on
and press them again to turn the lamps off. Be sure to
turn off the reading lamps to avoid draining your
vehicle's battery.