transmission PONTIAC VIBE 2010 User Guide

{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-20. If you are
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-44. Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
regular brake first and move the shift
lever to the right before you can shift
from P (Park) when the ignition key is
in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the
shift lever to the right and move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park on page 8-22
.R (Reverse):
Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle is Stuck on page 8-11 .
Driving and Operating 8-25

N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the vehicle when it
is already moving, use N (Neutral)
only. Also, use N (Neutral) when the
vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed. Notice:
Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive): This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
•Going less than 35 mph
(56 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Notice: If the vehicle seems to
start up rather slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive the vehicle that way, you could damage the
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive
in L2 (Low) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and
D (Drive) for higher speeds
until then.
2 (Second):
This position reduces
vehicle speed more than D (Drive)
without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help
control vehicle speed as you go
down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use the
brakes off and on.
L (Low): This position reduces
vehicle speed even more than
2 (Second) without using the brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills, or
in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in L (Low), the transmission will
not shift into low gear until the vehicle
is going slow enough.
8-26 Driving and Operating

Automatic Transmission
(Five Speed Automatic)
The shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park on page 8-20. If you are
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-44.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply the
regular brake first and move the shift
lever to the right before shifting from
P (Park) while the ignition key is in
ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park on page 8-22
.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
see If the Vehicle is Stuck on
page 8-11.
Driving and Operating 8-27

N (Neutral):In this position,
the engine does not connect with
the wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed. Notice:
Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive): This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy from the vehicle. If you
need more power for passing, and
you are:
•Going less than 35 mph
(55 km/h), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or
more, push the accelerator all the
way down.
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
DSC mode allows you to choose
the top gear limit of the vehicle’s
transmission and the vehicle’s speed
while driving down hill or towing a
trailer. To use this feature, do the
following:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) left to S (Shift Control).
While driving in this mode, the
transmission will remain in the
driver selected range. When
coming to a stop, the vehicle
will automatically shift into
1 (First) gear.
2. Move the shift lever forward to increase the gear range, or
rearward to decrease the gear
range available based upon your
current driving conditions and
needs.
8-28 Driving and Operating

The number displayed in the
instrument cluster is the highest
gear that the transmission will
be allowed to operate in. However,
your vehicle can automatically
shift to lower gears as required
by various driving conditions.
This means that all gears below
that number are available.
The display in the instrument cluster
will change from the currently
displayed message to 4 (Fourth)
when you enter S (Shift Control), and
change to indicate the requested
gear range when moving the shift
lever forward or rearward.
While using the DSC feature the
transmission will have firmer shifting
and sportier performance. You can
use this for sport driving or when
climbing hills to stay in gear longer
or to downshift for more power or
engine braking.The transmission will only allow
shifting into gears appropriate
for the vehicles speed and engine
revolutions per minute (RPM):
•The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next
higher gear if the vehicle speed
or engine RPM is too high.
•The transmission will not allow
shifting to the next lower gear if
the vehicle speed or engine RPM
is too high. An audible warning
will sound and the downshift will
not be allowed. The downshift
request will have to be made
again once the vehicle reaches
an acceptable speed.
Downshift
Requested Required
Vehicle Speed
4 (Fourth) to
3 (Third) Below 95 mph
(153 km/h)
3 (Third) to
2 (Second) Below 60 mph
(97 km/h)
2 (Second) to
1 (First) Below 30 mph
(48 km/h)
Manual Transmission
1 (First):
Press the clutch pedal and
shift into 1 (First). Then, slowly let
up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 20 mph
(32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift
into 1 (First), put the shift lever in
Neutral and let up on the clutch.
Press the clutch pedal back down.
Then shift into 1 (First).
Driving and Operating 8-29

2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth): Shift
into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth)
the same way you do for 2 (Second).
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 the engine. R (Reverse):
To back up, press
down on the clutch pedal and shift
into R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
Also, use R (Reverse) along with
the parking brake for parking
the vehicle.Shift Speeds
{CAUTION
If you skip a gear when you
downshift, you could lose control
of the vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift
down more than one gear at a
time when you downshift.
This chart shows the maximum
allowable speeds in each gear when
maximum acceleration is necessary.
8-30 Driving and Operating

Manual Transmission
Recommended Shift Speeds
Engine1.8L
1to2 34 mph
(55 km/h)
2to3 56 mph
(91 km/h)
3to4 82 mph
(132 km/h)
4to5 121 mph
(195 km/h)
Engine 2.4L
1to2 31 mph
(50 km/h)
2to3 53 mph
(86 km/h)
3to4 82 mph
(132 km/h)
4to5 112 mph
(181 km/h)
If vehicle speed drops below 20 mph
(32 km/h), or if the engine is not
running smoothly, you should
downshift to the next lower gear.
You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine
running smoothly or for good
performance.Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
With this feature, engine power is
sent to all four wheels at all times.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there
is no separate lever or switch to
engage or disengage the rear axle.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself
as needed for road conditions.
Driving and Operating 8-31

Using Cruise Control on Hills
The cruise control performance will
vary depending upon the vehicle
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might
have to step on the accelerator pedal
to maintain the vehicle speed.
When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the vehicle speed down.
Applying the brake or downshifting
to 2 SECOND or L LOW turns
off the cruise control.Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off
the cruise control:
•Step on the brake pedal or push
the clutch pedal, if the vehicle
has a manual transmission.
•Press the ON-OFF button.
•Pull the cruise control lever
toward you.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory
is erased when the cruise control or
the ignition is turned off.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel
is an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
8-38 Driving and Operating

Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well — or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your dealer/
retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of the vehicle, see Trailer Towing on page 8-48
.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this
section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies and tires are forced to
work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine
is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat.
Also, the trailer adds considerably
to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
•There are many different laws,
including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering. Make
sure the rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you
will be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or
provincial police.
•Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 1 600 km (1,000 miles)
the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle or other
parts could be damaged.
•Then, during the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is towed,
do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
8-44 Driving and Operating

•Vehicles with an automatic
transmission can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or
hilly conditions. For vehicles with
a manual transmission, it is better
not to use the highest gear.
•Use the Sport Shift mode and the
cruise control when towing.
•Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer. Do not drive
faster than the maximum posted
speed for trailers, or no more than
90 km/h (55 mph), to save wear
on the vehicle’s parts.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted with the feel of
handling and braking with the added
weight of the trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.Before starting, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the
trailer has electric brakes, start the
vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Towing with StabiliTrak
When towing, the sound of the
StabiliTrak modulator might
be heard. StabiliTrak is reacting to
the vehicle movement caused
by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Driving and Operating 8-45