2003 PONTIAC VIBE brake light

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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)

2-29
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the
release button. Hold the release button in as you move
the lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-40
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the ON-OFF button at the end of the cruise
control lever. The CRUISE light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on. See ªCruise Lightº in the
Index for more information.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Move the lever down to SET/COAST and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set at a desired speed and
then you apply the brake. This will shut off cruise
control. But you won't need to reset it.
Unless you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) you can
push the lever up to RES/ACC (Resume/Accelerate).
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If your preset speed cancels out when it shouldn't, there
may be a problem with your vehicle's cruise control.
See your dealer.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Move the lever down to SET/COAST. Release the
lever and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at
the higher speed.

Move the cruise lever up to RES/ACC. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the lever.

To increase your speed in very small amounts, move
the lever to RES/ACC briefly and then release it.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push and hold the lever to SET/COAST until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the lever
down briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake or downshifting to SECOND (2) or
LOW (L) takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers
find this to be too much trouble and don't use cruise
control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transaxle.

Press the CRUISE ON
-OFF button again.

Pull the cruise control lever toward you.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

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.

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When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular
headlamps. See ªAutomatic Light Controlº earlier in
this section.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch off, the regular
lamps will go off and your headlamps will change to the
reduced brightness of DRL provided it is not dark
outside. DRL also comes on if only the parking lamps
are being used.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Turn the ignition back on.
The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Interior Lamps
Interior/Instrument Panel Brightness Dial
The interior/instrument
panel brightness dial is
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
The brightness of the instrument panel lights will not
decrease when the headlamps are on. It is recommended
that the brightness level is kept at the maximum setting
for all daytime driving to insure proper visibility.

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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

2-65 Charging System Indicator Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out when
the engine starts.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose generator drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the charging
system light on, be certain to turn off all your
accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't 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.
United States Canada
This light should come on when you turn the key to
START. If it doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.