key PONTIAC VIBE 2003 User Guide

2-11 Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about three years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.
NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery, do the following:
1. Insert a small coin or similar object to separate the
bottom half from the top half of the transmitter.
2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new one.
Make sure the positive side of the battery faces
upward. For battery replacement, use a three
-volt
battery, type CR2032, or equivalent.
3. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure
no moisture can enter.

2-12
Liftgate/Liftglass
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
liftgate/liftglass open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can't
see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate/liftglass open
or if electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body and
the liftgate/liftglass:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº
in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Liftgate/Liftglass Release
To open the liftgate using your key do the following:

To unlock the liftgate, insert the key into the keyhole
and turn it counterclockwise.
When closing the liftgate, you can use the handle to
pull it down.

To lock the liftgate, turn the key clockwise to the
first position.

2-13
To open the liftglass using your key do the following:

To open the liftglass, insert the key into the keyhole
and turn it clockwise to the second position.
Use the handle in the center of the liftglass to help in
lifting the glass.
You can also release the
liftglass by pressing the
release button (if equipped)
located on the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.

2-14
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a tone reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you take the key with you, and you have an
automatic transaxle, it will be locked. And remember to
lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your key?

If possible, park in a busy, well
-lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.

Be sure to close and lock the storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.

2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent System
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle's theft-deterrent system is designed to
activate an alarm if any of the side doors or the liftgate
is forcibly unlocked or if the battery terminal is
disconnected and then reconnected while the system
is set.
The alarm will sound the horn intermittently and flash
the headlamps, turn signal lamps and interior lights. If
the driver's or front passenger's side doors are unlocked
forcibly, the other side doors and the liftgate will be
locked automatically.
Setting the System
To set the system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position and
remove it.
2. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle.
3. Close and lock all the side doors and liftgate with the
key or remote keyless entry transmitter.
The indicator light located
on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel
will come on when all the
side doors and liftgate are
closed and locked.
The system will be automatically set after 30
seconds. When the system is set, the indicator light
will start flashing.
4. After the indicator light starts flashing, you may
leave the vehicle.
Do not leave anyone in the vehicle when you set the
system, because unlocking the vehicle from the
inside will activate the system.

2-16 Testing the System
To test the system, do the following:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system as described in the previous
procedure. The side doors and liftgate should be
locked with the key or remote keyless entry
transmitter. Be sure to wait until the indicator light
starts flashing.
3. Unlock the driver's door from the inside. The system
should activate the alarm.
4. Stop the alarm as described in the cancelling
procedure.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors. Also 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.
Activating the System
The system will activate the alarm under the following
conditions:

If the driver's or front passenger's door is unlocked
or if any of the other side doors or the liftgate is
forcibly opened without the key or remote keyless
entry transmitter.

If the battery terminal is disconnected and then
reconnected.

If the ignition is hot
-wired.

If the side window glass is broken or damaged.
The indicator light will come on when the system is
activated.
If the driver's or front passenger's side doors are
unlocked without using the key or remote keyless entry
transmitter, the other side doors and the liftgate will be
automatically locked again.
After one minute the alarm will automatically stop and
the indicator light will start flashing again.

2-17 Reactivating the Alarm
Once the system is set, it will automatically reset the
alarm after the alarm stops. The alarm will activate
again under the same conditions as described earlier.
Cancelling the System
The alarm can be deactivated by doing one of the
following:

Turn the ignition key from LOCK to ON.

Unlock any of the side doors with the key or with the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
If the back door is opened with the key, the system
will still be activated.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in. See
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for more
information.

2-18
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
LOCK (A): This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transaxle. Push in the ignition
switch as you turn the key toward you.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P).

2-19
CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK and removing it will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to ACC. Don't push the key in
while the vehicle is moving.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): This position operates some
of your electrical accessories (such as the radio, but not
the ventilation fan). It unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition. To move the key from ACC to LOCK, push in
the key and then turn it to LOCK.
ON (C): This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the ON position when the engine is running.
But even when the ignition is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical accessories (including the
ventilation fan and 115 volt power outlet) and to display
some warning and indicator lights.START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate some of your electrical accessories.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
when the ignition is still in ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.

2-20 Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start, wait about 15 seconds and try
again to start the engine by turning the ignition key
to START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When your engine has run about 10 seconds to warm
up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don't ªraceº
your engine when it's cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32
F or 0
C), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.