2004 PONTIAC VIBE parking brake

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle......................................2-9
Liftgate/Liftglass.............................................2-9
Windows........................................................2-11
Manual Windows..........................................2-11
Power Windows............................................2-12
Sun Visors...................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-16
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-16
Ignition Positions..........................................2-16
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-18
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-19
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-20
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-23
Parking Brake..............................................2-27Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-30
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-32
Engine Exhaust............................................2-33
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-34
Mirrors...........................................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-35
Outside Remote Control Mirrors......................2-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
Storage Areas................................................2-37
Glove Box...................................................2-37
Cupholder(s)................................................2-37
Coinholder(s)................................................2-37
Instrument Panel Storage Area.......................2-37
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-37
Floor Mats...................................................2-37
Luggage Carrier...........................................2-38
Rear Storage Area........................................2-40
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System...............2-40
Cargo Cover................................................2-41
Sunroof.........................................................2-42
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

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

Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. 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, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See ªShifting Into Park (P)º in the
Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
2-20

Manual Transaxle Operation
Five-Speed
First (1):Press the clutch
pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let
up on the clutch pedal
as you press the
accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the
shift lever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5):Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle your
engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down on the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the
clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Shift into REVERSE (R) only after your
vehicle is stopped. Shifting into REVERSE (R) while
your vehicle is moving could damage your
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle. Five-Speed Transaxle
Shift Pattern
2-23

THIRD (3):Press the clutch pedal and upshift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5), SIXTH (6):Shift into
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) the same
way you do for THIRD (3). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle your
engine.REVERSE (R):To back up, press down on the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the
clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
Notice:Shift into REVERSE (R) only after your
vehicle is stopped. Shifting into REVERSE (R) while
your vehicle is moving could damage your
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle. There is an audible beep when
the vehicle is in REVERSE (R) to ensure that FIRST (1)
gear and REVERSE (R) are not confused.
2-25

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
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-34.
2-27

Shifting Into Park (P)
{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 ®rmly 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.
If you have an automatic transaxle do the following:
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:3. Hold in the button on
the shift lever.
·Push the lever all the way toward the front of the
vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
5. 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).
2-28

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running.If you have to leave your automatic transaxle vehicle
with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your parking brake is ®rmly set before
you leave it. After you've moved the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without ®rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
2-29