2003 PONTIAC VIBE key

2-17 Reactivating the Alarm
Once the system is set, it will automatically reset the
alarm after the alarm stops. The alarm will activate
again under the same conditions as described earlier.
Cancelling the System
The alarm can be deactivated by doing one of the
following:

Turn the ignition key from LOCK to ON.

Unlock any of the side doors with the key or with the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
If the back door is opened with the key, the system
will still be activated.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in. See
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for more
information.

2-18
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
LOCK (A): This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transaxle. Push in the ignition
switch as you turn the key toward you.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P).

2-19
CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK and removing it will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to ACC. Don't push the key in
while the vehicle is moving.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): This position operates some
of your electrical accessories (such as the radio, but not
the ventilation fan). It unlocks the steering wheel and
ignition. To move the key from ACC to LOCK, push in
the key and then turn it to LOCK.
ON (C): This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the ON position when the engine is running.
But even when the ignition is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical accessories (including the
ventilation fan and 115 volt power outlet) and to display
some warning and indicator lights.START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate some of your electrical accessories.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
when the ignition is still in ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.

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.

2-23
Ensure that the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes 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. See ªShifting Out
of PARK (P)º in the index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Don't shift
into a drive gear while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-30
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
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 firmly 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 won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake by pulling up on the parking
brake lever.2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) as follows:

Hold in the button on
the shift lever.

Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
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).

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.

2-45
The interior light has 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 of the
side doors, the liftgate or the liftglass is opened. The
light goes off when all the side doors, the liftgate and the
liftglass are closed.Illuminated Entry System (If Equipped)
When the interior/instrument panel brightness dial is in
the DOOR position, the light will come on when any
side door, the liftgate or the liftglass is opened. After
any side door, the liftgate or the liftglass is closed, the
light will remain on for about 15 seconds and then go
out except under the following conditions:

All of the side doors, the liftgate and the liftglass
are closed when the ignition is in the ACC or ON
positions.

The ignition is turned to ACC or ON after all the
side doors, the liftgate and the liftglass are closed.

All the side doors and liftgate are locked when the
liftglass is closed and the light is still on.
When any side 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.
To prevent the battery from draining, the lights will
automatically turn off when the key is removed and the
door is left opened with the dial in the DOOR position
for 20 minutes or more.