ECU PONTIAC VIBE 2003 User Guide

1-46
In order to use the system, you need either a
forward
-facing child restraint that has attaching
points (B) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or a
rear
-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B),
as shown here.
With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the
vehicle's safety belts to secure a child restraint.

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CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint isn't attached to
its anchorage points, the restraint won't be able
to protect a child sitting there. In a crash, the
child could be seriously injured or killed. Make
sure that a LATCH
-type child restraint is
properly installed using the anchorage points, or
use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the
restraint. See ªSecuring a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Positionº in the Index for information
on how to secure a child restraint in your vehicle
using the vehicle's safety belts.
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want to
use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back
of the seat cushion.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Attach the anchor points on the child restraint to the
anchors in the vehicle. The child restraint
instructions will show you how.
4. If the child restraint is forward
-facing, attach the top
strap to the top strap anchor. See ªTop Strapº in the
Index. Tighten the top strap according to the child
restraint instructions.
5. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top
strap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect the
anchor points.

1-48 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position
If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, see ªLower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH)º in the Index.You'll be using the lap
-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the child
restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and
as the instructions say.
1. Put the restraint on the seat.
2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle's safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child's face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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5. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor while you push down on the child
restraint. If you're using a forward
-facing child
restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee
to push down on the child restraint as you tighten
the belt.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

1-51 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position
Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never
put a rear
-facing child restraint in this seat. Here's why:
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger's air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear
-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure
a rear
-facing child restraint in the rear seat.
Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward
-facing child restraint in the right front seat.
You'll be using the lap
-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the child
restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and
as the instructions say.
1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a forward
-facing child restraint.
See ªSeatsº in the Index.
2. Put the restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle's safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child's face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor while you push down on the child
restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee
to push down on the child restraint as you tighten
the belt.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

2-8 Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks
that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors
on your vehicle from the inside.
The security locks are
located on the inside of
the rear door trim.
To use of these locks, do the following:
1. Slide the lever down.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing to the other rear door lock.
The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use.To open a rear door with the security lock, do the
following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Then open the door from the outside.
If you don't cancel the security lock feature, adults and
older children who ride in the rear won't be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel the locks.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open the door
from the outside.
2. Slide the lever up.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear door locks will now work normally.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your key, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.

2-49 Cupholders
There are two fixed cupholders located in the console
area between the two front seats. There are also two
cupholders that fold out of the rear of the console
storage unit.
Console Storage Area
A storage area is located in the console between the
seats which can hold CDs, cassettes or a cell phone.
There is also an accessory power outlet located in the
storage area.
To access the upper tray of the storage area, raise the
console box lid without touching the lock release lever.
To access the lower storage area, pull up the lock release
lever while raising the lid.
Rear Cargo Storage Area
A storage area is located under the rear cargo area
floor panel.
Turn the two lock knobs on
the floor panel to unlock the
storage area access cover.
Be sure to lock the access cover to close it securely.

2-50 Rear Cargo Accessory Track System
Your vehicle has a track system located on the floor of
the rear cargo area. This system can be used to carry
accessories in your vehicle in many ways by using the
tie
-down anchors provided in your vehicle or accessory
packages available from your dealer.
Cargo Cover
To use the cargo cover, attach the side hooks of the
cargo cover to the upper tie down hooks located along
both sides of the rear cargo area.
CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store it
outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure it is securely reattached.

2-51 Tie-Down Hooks and Tire Tie-Down Belts
The tire tie-down belts are designed to secure the flat
tire. You can also use the belts and hooks to secure
your luggage.
There are eight tie
-down hooks located in the rear of
the vehicle. The belts are located under the cargo area
floor panel. To use the belts, hook the ends to the
lower tie
-down hooks in a criss-cross pattern across
the cargo. Pull on the belts at the buckle to tighten the
belt as needed.
Luggage Carrier
CAUTION:
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer or wider than the luggage
carrier
-- like paneling, plywood, a mattress, and
so forth
-- the wind can catch it as you drive
along. This can cause you to lose control. What
you are carrying could be violently torn off, and
this could cause you or other drivers to have a
collision, and of course damage your vehicle. You
may be able to carry something like this inside.
But, never carry something longer or wider than
the luggage carrier on top of your vehicle.
The luggage carrier has sliding crossrails and side rails
that are attached to the roof to secure cargo.
Use GM accessory racks that are compatible with your
luggage carrier for transporting sports equipment. These
are available through your GM dealer.