2005 PONTIAC VIBE instrument panel

Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. A
passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument
panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to
ON. The words ON and OFF will be visible in the
passenger airbag status indicator during the system
check. When the system check is complete, either the
word ON or the word OFF will be visible. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.
The passenger sensing
system will turn off the
right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped)
under certain conditions.The passenger sensing system will also turn off the
right front passenger’s safety belt pretensioner if
it detects that there is no occupant in that position.
The driver’s airbag and the roof-mounted side impact
airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors
that are part of the right front passenger’s seat assembly
and safety belt assembly. The sensors are designed
to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant
and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) and
safety belt pretensioner should be enabled (may inate)
or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors recommends that child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a
rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing
child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a
rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is
because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the
airbag deploys.
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If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting properly in the
seat. If this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the
person to place the seatback in the fully upright position,
then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in
this position for about two minutes. This will allow the
system to detect that person and then enable the
passenger’s airbag.If the airbag readiness light and the OFF light in the
passenger airbag status indicator come on together,
it may mean there is a malfunction in the passenger
sensing system. Secure the child in the child restraint
in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with
your dealer.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the frontal airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-29for more on this, including
important safety information.
1-59

Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my advanced airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module (located under the driver’s seat), or
the instrument panel can affect the operation of the
advanced airbag system. If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step
Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-2.
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 airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-62

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
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-10
Liftgate/Liftglass............................................2-11
Windows........................................................2-13
Manual Windows..........................................2-14
Power Windows............................................2-14
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-17
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-17
Ignition Positions..........................................2-18
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-19
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-21
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-22
Overdrive Off...............................................2-24
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-25
Parking Brake..............................................2-28Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)........2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle).....2-30
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle).........2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-32
Engine Exhaust............................................2-32
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-33
Mirrors...........................................................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®..............2-34
Outside Remote Control Mirrors......................2-34
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-35
OnStar
®System.............................................2-35
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...................................................2-38
Rear Storage Area........................................2-38
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System................2-39
Cargo Cover................................................2-39
Cargo Tie Downs..........................................2-40
Sunroof.........................................................2-40
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

If you don’t cancel the security lock feature, adults and
older children who ride in the rear won’t be able to
open the rear door from the inside. You should let adults
and older children know how these security locks
work, and how to cancel the locks.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open the
door from the outside.
2. Slide the lever up.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear door locks will now work normally.Liftgate/Liftglass
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or
liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can come into your vehicle. You can not
see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death. If you must
drive with the liftgate open or if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and the
liftgate or liftglass:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See Climate Control
System in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-32.
2-11

Liftgate/Liftglass Release
To unlock and open the liftgate using the key, insert the
key into the keyhole and turn counterclockwise to the
rst position. Raise the liftgate by hand.
When closing the liftgate, use the handle to pull it down.
To lock the liftgate, turn the key clockwise.To open the liftglass using the key, insert the key into
the keyhole and turn counterclockwise to the second
position. Use the handle in the center of the liftglass to
help in lifting the glass.
Your vehicle may have a
liftglass release button
which is located on
the instrument panel to the
left of the steering
wheel. Press this button to
release the liftglass.
2-12

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.
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.
Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position and
remove it.
2. Close and lock all 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 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.
3. 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.
2-15

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 27 mph (43 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 29 mph (47 km/h) or more, push your
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power than
DRIVE (D) but lower fuel economy. You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
LOW (L):This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2) but lower fuel economy. You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift
into low gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Overdrive Off
Your automatic transaxle
has an O/D (overdrive off)
button located on the
left side of the shift lever.
Press the O/D button to turn off overdrive. A light on
the instrument panel cluster will come on when
this feature is used. Press the button again to turn
overdrive back on. Then the light on the instrument
panel cluster will go off. SeeOverdrive Off Light
on page 3-40.
When you turn on your vehicle the overdrive will
automatically be on until you turn it off.
2-24