PONTIAC VIBE 2003 Owners Manual

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1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem are registered
trademarks and the name VIBE is a trademark of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name ªGeneral Motors
of Canada Limitedº for Pontiac Division whenever it
appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will
be there if you ever need it when you're on the road.
If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
Canadian Owners
Canadian Owners: You can obtain a French copy of
this manual from your dealer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Litho in U.S.A.
Copyright General Motors Corporation 01/07/02
Part Number 22683297 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Y ou will also find a circle

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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

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These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

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1-1
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you'll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1
-2 Seats and Seat Controls
1
-9 Safety Belts: They're for Everyone
1
-13 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts
-- and the Answers
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-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
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-14 Driver Position
1
-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
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-22 Right Front Passenger Position
1
-22 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)1
-31 Safety Belt Pretensioners
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-32 Rear Seat Passengers
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-35 Children
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-39 Restraint Systems for Children
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-54 Older Children
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-57 Safety Belt Extender
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-57 Checking Your Restraint Systems
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-58 Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash

1-2
Seats and Seat Controls
This part tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them,
and also about reclining front seatbacks, head restraints
and rear folding seatbacks.
Manual Front 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
don't want to. Adjust the driver's seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
Lift the bar located under the front seat to unlock it.
Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the
seat is locked into place.
Don't put anything under the front seats. Items under
the seats could keep the seats from locking into place
properly.

1-3 Driver's Seat Height Adjuster
Turn the knob located on
the outboard side of the
driver's seat cushion to
adjust the height of the
driver's seat. It is easier to
use the adjuster when the
seat is unoccupied. Make
sure the ignition is off and
the vehicle is in PARK (P)
before adjusting the seat.
Reclining Front Seatbacks
To adjust the seatback, lift the lever located on the
outboard side of the seat. Release the lever to lock the
seatback where you want it. Push on the seat to make
sure it's locked into position. Pull up on the lever
without pushing on the seatback, and the seat will go to
its original upright position.

1-4
But don't have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.
CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can't do their job when
you're reclined like this.
The shoulder belt can't do its job because it
won't 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 can't 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.