2004 PONTIAC VIBE steering wheel

(A) LOCK: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).
{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.
(B) ACC (ACCESSORY):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.(C) ON: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.
(D) START: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.
2-17

Outside Remote Control 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.
Outside Convex 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.
2-36

Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open the glove box door, lift the latch. Always keep
the glove box door closed while driving.
Cupholder(s)
There are two ®xed cupholders located in the console
area between the two front seats. There are also
two cupholders that fold out of the rear of the console
storage unit.
Coinholder(s)
Your instrument panel has a coinholder located to the
left of the steering wheel.
Instrument Panel Storage Area
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.
Center Console Storage Area
A storage area is located in the console between the
seats which can hold CDs, cassettes or a cell phone.
There is also an accessory power outlet located in
the storage area.
To access the upper tray of the storage area, raise the
console box lid without touching the lock release
lever. To access the lower storage area, pull up the lock
release lever while raising the lid.
Floor Mats
Your vehicle's ¯oor mat is specially designed to remain
in position under your feet and out of reach of the
accelerator pedal. The driver's side ¯oor mat is held in
place by two locator hooks.
Be sure the driver's side ¯oor mat is properly placed on
the ¯oor so that it does not block the movement of
the accelerator pedal.
2-37

Horn
To sound the horn, press anywhere on the horn pad on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering column allows you to adjust the steering
column before you drive. You can also raise it to
the highest level to give your legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located
underneath the steering
wheel column.
To tilt the column, move the lever downward. Adjust the
steering wheel to a comfortable position, then move
the lever upward to lock the column in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The turn signal/multifunction lever is located on the left
side of the steering column.
This lever operates the following:
·Turn and Lane-Change Signals
·Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
·Flash-to-Pass
For more information on the exterior lamps, see
Exterior
Lamps on page 3-12.
3-5

Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you to spray washer ¯uid on the
windshield. The spray will continue until you release the
lever. The wipers will run a few times. See
Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-39.
To squirt washer ¯uid on the rear window, twist the knob
upward and downward as far as it will go. The knob
automatically returns from these positions after you
release it. You can twist the lever downward to create a
large ¯ow of water on the rear window, then twist the
lever back up to wipe the window. This feature is helpful
to quickly clear the rear liftglass when very dirty.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer ¯uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
The cruise control lever is located on the right side of
the steering wheel.
3-8

When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
See ªAutomatic Headlamp Systemº 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
Instrument Panel Brightness
The instrument panel
brightness control is
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
3-14

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
City Driving..................................................4-19Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-22
Winter Driving..............................................4-24
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow...................................................4-28
Towing..........................................................4-30
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-30
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-30
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-34
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have anti-lock, your
®rst reaction Ð to hit the brake pedal hard and hold
it down Ð may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels
can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can not
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it
in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have anti-lock, use a ªsqueezeº braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.This will help you retain steering control. If you
dohave
anti-lock, it is different. See ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD
system operates automatically without any action
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive
the vehicle as required. There may be a slight
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
4-9