sensor PONTIAC VIBE 2003 Owners Manual

1-29
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you'll need some new parts for your
air bag system. If you don't get them, the air bag
system won't be there to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include air bag modules
and possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Your vehicle is equipped with two electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. Additionally, your vehicle has
two sensors which detect side impacts. These sensors
signal the appropriate side air bag to inflate. Your
vehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the frontal air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system,
system status and the driver's and passenger's safety
belt usage at deployment.

Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag systems. Improper service can mean that an
air bag system won't work properly. See your dealer
for service.

1-30
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or
the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger's air bag, or both the air bag
module and seatback for the driver's and right
front passenger's side impact air bag. Do not
open or break the air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the
frontal and side impact air bags inflate and safety belt
pretensioners activate, even if there's no crash. You
would have to replace the air bags, all the sensors and
related parts, parts of the safety belt system and parts of
the driver and right front passenger's seatbacks. If your
vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it's exposed to water that
soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless repair costs by
turning off the vehicle immediately and disconnecting
the battery cables. Don't let anyone start the vehicle
under any circumstances. See your dealer for service.

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.

2-55
Power Outlet 115 Volts Alternating
Current (VAC)
With this power outlet, you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment with a maximum limit of 115 VAC.
If you try to use equipment that requires more than the
limit, a protection circuit will cut the power supply. The
power will automatically restart when equipment that
operates within the limit is plugged in.
The power outlet is located near the center of the
instrument panel. Before using the outlet, turn on the
ignition and press the button next to the outlet. An
indicator light in the button will come on. After using
the outlet, press the button again to turn it off.
The power outlet is not designed for the following
electrical equipment and they may not work properly:

Equipment with high initial peak wattage:
cathode
-ray tube type televisions, compressor-driven
refrigerators, electric power tools.

Other equipment requiring an extremely stable
power supply: microcomputer
-controlled electric
blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.

2-63
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Lights
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also flash until the driver's
belt is buckled. If the
driver's belt is already
buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Your vehicle also has a safety belt reminder light for the
right front passenger position.
This light is located
on the center of the
instrument panel,
above the audio
system.
When the key is turned to ON or START, this light will
come on as a reminder for the right front passenger to
fasten the safety belt. The safety belt light will flash
until the right front passenger's safety belt is buckled.
The passenger's safety belt reminder light will not
illuminate if the right front passenger's belt is already
buckled or if a sensor does not detect the weight of a
passenger in that seat.
If something is placed on the right front passenger's seat,
the sensors in the seat may detect that object and cause the
right front passenger's safety belt reminder light to come
on. If this ever happens, move the object to the rear seat
or place it in a rear storage area, if at all possible.

2-64 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº
in the Index.
This light will come on for
about seven seconds when
you start your vehicle. Then
the light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on or keeps
flashing after you start your vehicle, it means the
air bag system and safety belt pretensioner
system may not be working properly. The air
bags in your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or
they could even inflate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on or keeps flashing after
you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should come on for about
seven seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.