key PONTIAC VIBE 2008 Owner's Manual

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for your shift
lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-28. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Make sure that the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes rst and then press the shift
lever button before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in ON. 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. SeeShifting Out of PARK (P) on page 2-30.
2-23

If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-27.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{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 rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-27.To shift into PARK (P), do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-27for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and rmly 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 LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Evaporation Pump
Your vehicle is equipped with a vacuum pump for the
vehicle’s fuel evaporation system. This pump performs a
fuel evaporation leakage test approximately ve hours
after the engine is turned off. You may hear a sound
coming from underneath the rear cargo compartment
for several minutes.
The noise is normal and does not signify a malfunction.
See your dealer/retailer with any questions.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
2-31

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust
the mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle.
Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or down
and side to side.
The mirror may have an automatic dimming feature that
darkens gradually to reduce the glare of headlamps from
behind. When the ignition key is inserted and turned
on, the inside rear view mirror always turns on in the
automatic function mode.An indicator light located on
the mirror will come on to show you that the function
is on. When the inside air temperature is low, it may take
a little longer for the mirror to darken in response to the
detection of headlights.
Press the AUTO button located in the lower center of
the mirror to turn automatic dimming on and the
((off)
button located next to the AUTO button to turn automatic
dimming off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it
is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
Outside Remote Control Mirrors
Your vehicle has outside power adjustable mirrors.
The controls are located
to the left of the steering
wheel on the instrument
panel.
To adjust either mirror, push the button labeled L (left) or
R (right). Use the arrows on the control pad to adjust the
direction of the mirror. Once both mirrors have been
adjusted, move the selector switch back to the center.
This prevents the mirrors from being moved once they
have been adjusted.
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Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and
live advisors to provide you with a wide range of
safety, security, information, and convenience services.
If your airbags deploy, the system is designed to make
an automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who
can request emergency services be sent to your location.
If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press the
OnStar button and they can contact Roadside Service
for you.
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Y. Power Outlet. SeePower Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current on page 3-18.
Z. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27.
AA. Center Console Storage Area. SeeCenter Console
Storage on page 2-39.
AB. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-39.
Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police and
others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
towards the center of
the instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.While the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not in
the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
3-6

Interior Lamps Control
The interior lights control is located on the overhead
light. To change the interior lights setting, slide the
switch to one of the following positions:
OFF:This position turns the light off.
ON:This position keeps the light on all the time.
Door:This position turns the light on when any door, the
liftgate or the liftglass is opened. The light goes off when
all the side doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed.
Entry Lighting
While the interior lights control is in the door position, the
light will come on when any side door, the liftgate or the
liftglass is opened. After all the doors, liftgate and liftglass
are closed, and the key is out of the ignition, in LOCK or
ACC, the light will remain on for about 15 seconds and
then go out except under the following conditions:
The ignition is turned to ACC or ON after all the
doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed.
All the doors and liftgate are locked when the liftglass
is closed and the light is still on.When any door is unlocked with the key or remote
keyless entry system transmitter, the light comes on
for 15 seconds, even if the door is not opened.
Reading Lamps
If your vehicle has a sunroof, there will be a reading
lamp near the sunroof switch. Press the button to turn
the lamp on and press it again to turn it off.
If your vehicle does not have a sunroof, the vehicle’s
inside rearview mirror may have reading lamps. If your
vehicle has reading lamps, there are two buttons located
on the bottom of the mirror. Press the buttons to turn the
lamps on and press them again to turn the lamps off.
3-17

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.
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
To use the lighter, if your vehicle has one, push the
lighter in all the way and let go. When it is ready, it will
pop back out by itself. If the engine is not running,
the key must be in ACC to use the lighter.
It is not recommended to use the cigarette lighter to
plug in auxiliary electrical equipment. Use the accessory
power outlet for phones and other electrical equipment.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-18or
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current on page 3-18.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold
a cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Your vehicle may have a removable ashtray that sits in
your front cupholder in the center console storage area.
3-19

When the key is turned to ON or START, this light will
come on as a reminder for the right front passenger to
fasten their safety belt. This light will ash until the right
front passenger’s safety belt is buckled. The passenger’s
safety belt reminder light will not come on 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
seat, the sensors in the seat may detect that object and
cause the right front passenger safety belt reminder
light to come on. If this happens, remove the object.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel
cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, seat-mounted side impact and roof-mounted
airbag sensors, driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat
belt buckle switch, right front occupant sensing system
and indicator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inators,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag System
on page 1-50.This light will come on
briey when you start
your vehicle, then it
should go out and the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on or keeps
ashing after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system and safety belt pretension
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate without a
crash. To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle serviced right away if the
airbag readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
3-29

Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when the ignition is
turned on, and the engine
is not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out when the engine is started. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have
a problem with the electrical charging system. Have
it checked by your dealer/retailer. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery. If you must drive
a short distance with the light on, be certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner to help reduce the drain on the battery.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not 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.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this light should
come on when you turn the key to START. If it does not
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
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