2005 PONTIAC VIBE mirror

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and
slow down when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember:
It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then in a braking skid, where the wheels
are no longer rolling, release enough pressure on the
brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores
steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels
are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-16

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
4-17

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the
traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your blind spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
4-22

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-24

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch, platform and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-44

Fuses Usage
CIGCigarette Lighter, Power Rearview
Mirrors, Power Outlets, Audio System,
Automatic Transaxle Control System
GAUGEGauges and Meters, Back-Up Lamps,
Charging System, Power Door Locks,
Power Windows, Sunroof, Air
Conditioning, Cruise Control
WASHER Windshield Washers
M-HTR/
DEF 1–UPEngine Control System
HTR Air Conditioning System
DEFRear Window Defogger,
M-HTR/DEF 1–UP Fuse
POWER Power Windows, Electric Moon RoofEngine Compartment Fuse Block
This engine compartment fuse block is located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle
near the air cleaner. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
Fuses Usage
SPARE Spare Fuse
SPARE Spare Fuse
SPARE Spare Fuse
ETCS Electronic Throttle Control System
ABS NO. 2Anti-lock Brake System
(Without Stability Control System)
5-98

Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-35
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...................................................2-25
Manual Windows............................................2-14
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-34
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-35
Outside Remote Control Mirrors.....................2-34
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
Navigation/Radio System..................................3-64
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-102
O
Odometer......................................................3-27
Odometers, Trip..............................................3-27
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-14Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-38
Older Children, Restraints................................1-26
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System.............................................2-35
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-35
Remote Controls Mirrors...............................2-34
Overdrive Off.................................................2-24
Overdrive Off Light..........................................3-40
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Panic Brake Assist..........................................4-11
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
9

Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-31
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-13
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections..........6-17
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants..................................................6-19
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-21
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-30
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-56
Passing.........................................................4-14
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-18
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System.........................................5-96
Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current.................3-18
Steering Fluid.............................................5-37
Windows....................................................2-14
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-24
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-9
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-13
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-30
Radios..........................................................3-42
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-65
Care of Your CDs........................................3-64
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-64
Radio with CD............................................3-43
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-53
Setting the Time..........................................3-42
Understanding Reception..............................3-64
Reading Lamps..............................................3-17
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System.................2-39
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-10
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-7
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-38
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...........................2-34
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-34
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recovery Hook...............................................4-31
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-37
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
10