2004 PONTIAC VIBE battery

In many crashes severe enough to in¯ate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, you'll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you don't get them, the air
bag system won't be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·Your vehicle is equipped with two electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. Additionally, your vehicle has
two sensors which detect side impacts. These
sensors signal the appropriate side air bag to in¯ate.
Your vehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing
and diagnostic module, which records information
about the frontal air bag system. The module
records information about the readiness of the
system, system status and the driver's and
passenger's safety belt usage at deployment.
·Let only quali®ed technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won't work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water ± such as
water up to the carpeting or higher ± or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag
controller can be soaked and ruined. If this ever
happens, and then you start your vehicle, the damage
could make the frontal and side impact air bags
in¯ate and safety belt pretensioners activate, even if
there's no crash. You would have to replace the
air bags, all the sensors and related parts, parts of the
safety belt system and parts of the driver and right
front passenger's seatbacks. If your vehicle is ever in a
¯ood, or if it's exposed to water that soaks the carpet,
you can avoid needless repair costs by turning off
the vehicle immediately and disconnecting the battery
cables. Don't let anyone start the vehicle under any
circumstances. See your dealer for service.
1-55

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual,
see ªService and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
{CAUTION:
For up to two minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in¯ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in¯ates. Avoid wires
wrapped with yellow tape or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali®ed to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-56

Remote Keyless Entry System
If equipped, the keyless entry system operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
·Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
·Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
·Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See ªBattery Replacementº under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5.
·If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali®ed technician for service.
2-4

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about three years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.To replace the battery, do the following:
1. Insert a small coin or similar object to separate the
bottom half from the top half of the transmitter.
2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new
one. Make sure the positive side of the battery
faces upward. For battery replacement, use
a three-volt battery, type CR2032, or equivalent.
3. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure
no moisture can enter.
2-6

Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side.
The visors can also be extended for more coverage.
Swing the visor down and to the side and then slide the
visor out to extend it. Do not extend the visor when it
is in the forward position, only when it is at the side
of the vehicle.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Swing down the driver's sun visor and lift the cover to
expose the vanity mirror. The passenger side of
the vehicle also has a vanity mirror. Swing down the
visor to expose the mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Content Theft-Deterrent
If your vehicle has this feature, the theft-deterrent
system is designed to activate an alarm if any of the
side doors or the liftgate is forcibly unlocked or if
the battery terminal is disconnected and then
reconnected while the system is set.
The alarm will sound the horn intermittently and ¯ash
the headlamps, turn signal lamps and interior lights.
If the driver's or front passenger's side doors are
unlocked forcibly, the other side doors and the liftgate
will be locked automatically.
2-13

Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position and
remove it.
2. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle.
3. Close and lock all the side doors and liftgate with
the key or remote keyless entry transmitter.
The indicator light located
on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering
wheel will come on when
all the side doors and
liftgate are closed
and locked.
The system will be automatically set after 30 seconds.
When the system is set, the indicator light will start
¯ashing.4. After the indicator light starts ¯ashing, you may
leave the vehicle.
Do not leave anyone in the vehicle when you set
the system, because unlocking the vehicle from the
inside will activate the system.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm, do the following:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system as described in the previous
procedure. The side doors and liftgate should
be locked with the key or remote keyless entry
transmitter. Be sure to wait until the indicator light
starts ¯ashing.
3. Unlock the driver's door from the inside. The
system should activate the alarm.
4. Stop the alarm as described in the disarming
procedure.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors. Also
check that the system is activated when the
battery terminal is disconnected and then
reconnected.
If the system does not work properly, have it
checked by your dealer.
2-14

How the System Alarm is Activated
The system will activate the alarm under the following
conditions:
·If the driver's or front passenger's door is unlocked
or if any of the other side doors or the liftgate is
forcibly opened without the key or remote keyless
entry transmitter.
·If the battery terminal is disconnected and then
reconnected.
·If the ignition is hot-wired.
·If the side window glass is broken or damaged.
The indicator light will come on when the system
is activated.
If the driver's or front passenger's side doors are
unlocked without using the key or remote keyless entry
transmitter, the other side doors and the liftgate will
be automatically locked again.
After one minute the alarm will automatically stop and
the indicator light will start ¯ashing again.
Reactivating the System
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.
Disarming the System
The alarm can be disarmed 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 liftgate or liftglass is opened with the key, the
system will still be activated.
2-15

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.
Manual Transaxle
The shift lever should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ¯oor 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 heatcan 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 (32ÉF or 0ÉC), 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 ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
brie¯y but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for ®ve 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.
2-18