2005 PONTIAC VIBE ECU

{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s airbag inates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) under certain conditions, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee
that an airbag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though it is
turned off. General Motors recommends that
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.The passenger sensing system is designed to
turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) if:
the right front passenger seat is unoccupied
the system determines that a small child is present
in a child restraint
the system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat
a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time
the right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints
or if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the
passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped), the off indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator
is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint
from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint with the
ignition key in the ACC or LOCK position, following
the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat
Position on page 1-42.
1-57

If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure
that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child
restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly
recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat
cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is
not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child
restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and
check with your dealer.
An object, person or child in the rear seat contacting or
pressing the right front passenger’s seatback, or
objects stowed under the right front passenger’s seat,
may affect the proper functioning of the passenger
sensing system.
When you use a safety belt extender in the right front
passenger’s seat, make sure the passenger airbag
status indicator shows “ON”. If the indicator shows
“OFF”, disconnect the extender’s latch from the buckle
then reconnect the safety belt. Make sure the indicator
light shows “ON”, then reconnect the safety belt
extender. If you use the safety belt extender while the
indicator light shows “OFF”, the right front passenger’sfrontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) may not activate correctly. SeeAirbag
System on page 1-46for important safety information
about your airbags.
The passenger sensing system is designed to enable
(may inate) the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) and safety belt pretensioner anytime the
system senses that a person of adult size is sitting
properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When the
passenger sensing system has allowed the airbags and
pretensioner to be enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the airbags and
pretensioners are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped), depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety
belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for
that person.
1-58

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

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the vehicle that
could keep the airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet
metal or height, they may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. 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.Do not perform any of the following changes
without consulting your dealer. Such changes can
interfere with the proper operation of the airbag
system, passenger sensing system and/or safety
belt pretensioners.
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies
Modication of the suspension system
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo
bar, etc), snowplow, winches or any other
equipment to the front end
Repairs made on or near the front fenders,
front end structure or console
Installation of electronic devises such as a
mobile two-way radio, cassette tape player
or compact disc player
Modication of the suspension system
Modication of the front end structure or the side
structure of the passenger compartment
Repairs made on or near the console of the
front seat
1-61

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

Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks
that help prevent passengers from opening the rear
doors on your vehicle from the inside.
The security locks are
located on the inside of
the rear door trim.To use these locks, do the following:
1. Slide the lever down.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing to the other rear door lock.
The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened
from the inside when this feature is in use.
To open a rear door with the security lock,
do the following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Then open the door from the outside.
2-10

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