2005 PONTIAC VIBE axle

Six-Speed Transaxle
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 are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is 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. If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into SECOND (2).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:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your
vehicle is stopped.
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.
2-26

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
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-40.
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{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 will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-28

To shift into PARK (P), 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) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. 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).Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle)
{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. Do not 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 have 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 was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-29

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may
put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle.
You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-28.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-22.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever – push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as
you maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into the gear
you wish.
2-30

Shift Lock Release
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2. Carefully pry the cover
from the shift lock
override, located to the
right of the shift lever.
3. Insert the end of a at-tipped tool into the round slot
and press down rmly.
4. While maintaining brake application, move the shift
lever into the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking
brake. Once the shift lever has been placed into
REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can
turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the key and
release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-31

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-32.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{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. Do not 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 will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-33

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-20.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
F. Rear Window Defogger Button. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underClimate Control System on
page 3-20.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30. Front
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light. SeeSafety
Belt Reminder Light on page 3-28.
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button. SeeOutside
Remote Control Mirrors on page 2-34.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-15.
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass
on page 2-11.
K. Tire Pressure Monitor Reset Button. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 5-65.L. Coinholder. SeeCoinholder(s) on page 2-37.
M. TRAC OFF Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
N. Content Theft-Deterrent Security Light. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15.
O. Storage Compartment. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage Area on page 2-37.
P. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever and Exterior Lamp
Stalk. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-7andExterior Lamps on page 3-13.
Q. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
R. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
S. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
T. Cruise Control Lever (Option). SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
U. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
V. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-9.
W. Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Power Outlet. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19or
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-18.
X. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-22.
3-5

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 briey and then release
it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
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 briey. 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 nd 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.
3-12