brake PONTIAC VIBE 2003 User Guide

2-31 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-32
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2. Carefully pry the
shift
-lock override
small, round cover
from the floor
-shift
console, located to
the right of the
shift lever.
3. Insert the end of a flat
-tipped tool into the circular
slot and press down firmly.
4. While maintaining brake application, move the shift
lever into the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.

2-33
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to OFF, remove the key and release
the clutch.
If you are towing a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-35
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
To sound the horn, press anywhere on the horn pad on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering column allows you to adjust the steering
column before you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located
underneath the steering
wheel column.
To tilt the column, move the lever downward. Adjust the
steering wheel to a comfortable position, then move the
lever upward to lock the column in place.

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.

2-43 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.

2-59
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets
B. Instrument Panel Cluster
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
D. Audio System
E. Rear Window Defogger Button
F. Front Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
G. Comfort Control System
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Dial
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button
K. Coinholder
L. Content Theft
-Deterrent Security Light
M. Storage CompartmentN. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
O. Hood Release
P. Tilt Lever
Q. Horn
R. Cruise Control Lever (Option)
S. Ignition Switch
T. Windshield Wiper Lever
U. Cigarette Lighter
V. Shift Lever
W. Power Outlet
X. Parking Brake
Y. Center Console Storage Area
Z. Glove Box

2-65 Charging System Indicator Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out when
the engine starts.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose generator drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the charging
system light on, be certain to turn off all your
accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on when you turn the key to
START. If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.