clutch PONTIAC VIBE 2003 Owners Manual

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.

2-25 Overdrive
Your automatic transaxle
has an O/D (overdrive off)
button. It is located on the
left side of the shift lever.
Press the O/D button to turn off overdrive. A light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on when this feature
is used. Press the button again to turn overdrive back on.
Then the light on the instrument panel cluster will go
off. See ªOverdrive Off Lightº in the Index.
Use this feature for better fuel economy. Fast starts
use the most fuel while gradual starts give you the
best fuel economy.
When you turn on your vehicle the overdrive will
automatically be on until you turn it off.
Manual Transaxle Operation
Five-Speed
FIRST (1): Press the
clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the
accelerator pedal.
Five
-Speed Transaxle
Shift Pattern
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.

2-26
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to neutral.
Neutral: Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down on the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle.
Six-Speed
FIRST (1): Press the
clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the
accelerator pedal.
Six
-Speed Transaxle
Shift Pattern
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).

2-27
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. If you've come to a complete stop and
it's hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the shift lever in
neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal
back down. Then shift into SECOND (2).
THIRD (3): Press the clutch pedal and upshift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5), SIXTH (6): Shift into
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) the same
way you do for THIRD (3). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to neutral.Neutral: Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down on the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle. There is an audible beep when
the vehicle is in REVERSE (R) to ensure that FIRST (1)
gear and REVERSE (R) are not confused.

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.

2-41
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.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-6 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-9 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-10 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-14 Engine Oil
6
-20 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-22 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-24 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-28 Manual Transaxle Fluid
6
-29 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-30 All-Wheel Drive (Option)
6
-31 Engine Coolant
6
-34 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-34 Power Steering Fluid6
-36 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-37 Brakes
6
-41 Battery
6
-42 Bulb Replacement
6
-49 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-50 Tires
6
-61 Appearance Care
6
-61 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-64 Care of Safety Belts
6
-65 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-70 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-71 Electrical System
6
-76 Replacement Bulbs
6
-76 Capacities and Specifications
6
-78 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-12 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood of the 1.8 L (Code 8) engine, you'll see the following:
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil DipstickE. Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)H. Brake/Hydraulic Clutch
Fluid Reservoir
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
J. Battery
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block

6-13
When you open the hood of the 1.8 L (Code L) H.O. DOHC engine, you'll see the following:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Engine Oil DipstickE. Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap
G. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)H. Brake/Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
Reservoir
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
J. Battery
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block

6-29
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self
-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir is filled
with hydraulic fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly check the fluid unless you
suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding fluid won't
correct a leak.
The clutch and brake master cylinder use the same
reservoir.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine
how often you should
check the fluid level in
your master cylinder
reservoir and for the
proper fluid. See ªOwner
Checks and Servicesº
and ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Check to make sure that the fluid level is at or above the
MIN mark. If the level is below the MIN mark, see the
instructions on the reservoir cap.