2004 PONTIAC VIBE mirror

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not 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
are not 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 will 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 Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð 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.
4-14

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired Ð by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
·Drive defensively.
·Don't drink and drive.
·Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
·Since you can't see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
·Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
·In remote areas, watch for animals.
·If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if
you're driving, don't wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
4-15

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ¯ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with the ¯ow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the
traffic ¯ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in
your ªblindº spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
4-20

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway
hypnosisº? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second,and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
·Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
·Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
·If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in ¯at or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
·Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all ¯uid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
4-22

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself 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 a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch, platform and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just 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.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-38

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse block is located underneath
the instrument panel on the driver's side of the
vehicle.
Fuses Usage
TAILFront Parking Lamps, Taillamps,
License Plate Lamps, Instrument
Panel Lights, Engine Control System
OBD On-Board Diagnostic System
WIPER Windshield Wipers
AM2Charging System, Air Bag System,
Starter System, Engine Control
Fuses Usage
STOPStop Lamps, CHMSL, Engine
Control System, Anti-lock Brakes,
Cruise Control
DOOR Power Door Locks, Liftglass Lock
AM1Cigarette Lighter, Gauge, ECU-IG,
Wiper, Rear Wiper, Washer Fuses
ECU-IGCruise Control, Anti-Lock Brakes,
Theft Deterrent System, Automatic
Transaxle Control System, Electric
Cooling Fan
RR WIPERRear Window Wiper, Rear Window
Defogger
A/C Air Conditioning
INV Power Outlets
P/POINT Power Outlets
ECU-B Daytime Running Lamps
CIGCigarette Lighter, Power Rearview
Mirrors, Power Outlets, Audio
System, Automatic Transaxle
Control System
GAUGEGauges and Meters, Back-Up
Lamps, Charging System, Power
Door Locks, Power Windows,
Sunroof, Air Conditioning, Cruise
Control
WASHER Windshield Washers
*1 Engine Control System
5-99

Light (cont.)
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-28
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Locks............................................................. 2-7
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle..................................... 2-9
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Long Trip/Highway De®nition.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-14
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-39
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-38
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-103
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-19
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-19
At Least Once a Month................................6-19
At Least Once a Year..................................6-21
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-20
Brake System Inspection..............................6-25
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-25
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-24
Fuel System Inspection................................6-24
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-14Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-19
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections......6-24
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-26
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-28
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-7
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-24
Throttle System Inspection............................6-25
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-40
Making Turns.................................................4-38
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-34
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle............................................2-18
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-23
Manual Windows............................................2-11
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ± Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors..........................................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-35
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-36
8

Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Remote Control Mirrors.....................2-36
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation/Radio System..................................3-63
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-103
O
Odometer......................................................3-27
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil ................................................................5-16
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-38
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
Operation......................................................3-19
Operation Tips................................................3-22
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-4
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outside.........................................................2-36
Convex Mirror.............................................2-36
Remote Controls Mirrors...............................2-36
Overdrive Off.................................................2-22
Overdrive Off Light..........................................3-39
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-12
P
Park (P)........................................................2-30
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking.........................................................2-27
Brake........................................................2-27
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle Park (P)
Mechanism Check.......................................6-23
Parking on Hills..............................................4-39
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-31
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-19
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-24
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-26
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passing.................................................4-12, 4-38
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-8
Playing a Compact Disc..........................3-50, 3-57
Playing a Speci®c Loaded
Compact Disc.............................................3-59
Playing the Radio...................................3-43, 3-52
Power Steering................................................ 4-9
9