2003 PONTIAC VIBE mirror

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-9 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-12 Liftgate/Liftglass
2
-14 Theft
2
-17 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-18 Ignition Positions
2
-19 Starting Your Engine
2
-21 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-25 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-29 Parking Brake
2
-30 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-32 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-33 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Only)
2
-33 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-34 Engine Exhaust
2
-34 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-35 Horn
2
-35 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-38 Windshield Washer
2
-39 Cruise Control (Option)
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-44 Interior Lamps
2
-46 Mirrors
2
-48 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-53 Sun Visors
2
-57 Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-60 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-62 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-76 Navigation System (Option)

2-46 Reading Lamp (If Equipped)
If you have a sunroof, you will have a reading lamp near
the sunroof switch. Press the button to turn the lamp on
and press it again to turn it off.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror with
Reading Lamps
The inside rearview mirror is attached to your vehicle's
front windshield glass. If you do not have a sunroof,
your vehicle's inside rearview mirror may be equipped
with reading lamps. If your vehicle is equipped with
this mirror, 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. Be sure to
turn off the reading lamps to avoid draining your
vehicle's battery.

2-47
The mirror moves so that you can adjust it up and down
or side to side. You can adjust the mirror for day or night
driving. Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare.
Push the tab for daytime driving.
Power Remote Control Rearview Mirrors
These controls are
located to the left of
your steering wheel on
the instrument panel.
To adjust either mirror, push the button labeled L (left)
or R (right). Then use the arrows on the control pad to
adjust the mirror.
Once you have adjusted both mirrors, move the selector
switch back to the center. This prevents moving the
mirrors accidentally once you have adjusted them.

2-48 Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
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.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box door, lift the latch. Always keep
the glove box door closed while driving.
Door Storage Compartments
The driver's door has a map/storage compartment.
There is also a storage compartment located on the
front passenger's door.
Instrument Panel Storage Compartment
There are storage compartments located on the
instrument panel in two places. They are below the
interior/instrument panel brightness dial and below the
shift lever. Pull the top of the door toward you to open it
or for the compartment below the shift lever, push the
button to open it.

2-53
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtray. If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire, causing
damage.
To use the lighter, push the lighter in all the way and let go.
When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself. If the engine
is not running, the key must be in ACC to use the lighter.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Your vehicle has a removeable ashtray that sits in your
front cupholder in the center console storage area.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Swing down the driver's sun visor and lift the cover to
expose the vanity mirror.

2-59
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets
B. Instrument Panel Cluster
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
D. Audio System
E. Rear Window Defogger Button
F. Front Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
G. Comfort Control System
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Dial
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button
K. Coinholder
L. Content Theft
-Deterrent Security Light
M. Storage CompartmentN. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
O. Hood Release
P. Tilt Lever
Q. Horn
R. Cruise Control Lever (Option)
S. Ignition Switch
T. Windshield Wiper Lever
U. Cigarette Lighter
V. Shift Lever
W. Power Outlet
X. Parking Brake
Y. Center Console Storage Area
Z. Glove Box

4-13

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you're following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won't have adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.

When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don't
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.

If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.

Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.

If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.

4-14
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking
(including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear).
Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You
may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues
-- such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a
ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down when you have
any doubt.
If you have the anti
-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti
-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes
to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling,
you will have steering control.