2007 PONTIAC VIBE parking brake

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 108.
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.
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.
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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 LOCK,
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 261.
Evaporation Pump
Your vehicle is equipped with a vacuum pump for
the vehicle’s fuel evaporation system. This
pump performs a fuel evaporation leakage test
approximately ve hours after the engine is turned
off. You may hear a sound coming from
underneath the rear cargo compartment for
several minutes.
The noise is normal and does not signify a
malfunction. See your dealer with any questions.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
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Running the Engine While 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
underEngine Exhaust on page 119.
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 248.
{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 115.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 261.
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Storage Areas
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling up on the bottom of
the handle.
Cupholder(s)
There are two xed cupholders located in the
console area between the two front seats. There
are also two cupholders that fold out of the rear of
the console storage unit.
Coinholder(s)
Your instrument panel may have a coinholder
located to the left of the steering wheel and on the
center console near the parking brake.
Instrument Panel Storage Area
There are storage compartments located on the
instrument panel in two places. They are below the
interior/instrument panel brightness dial and
below the shift lever. Pull the top of the door
toward you to open it or for the compartment below
the shift lever, push the button to open it.
Center Console Storage Area
A storage area is located in the console between
the seats.
To access the storage area, pull up the lock
release lever while raising the lid.
Floor Mats
The driver’s side oor mat is held in place by
two locator hooks.
Be sure the driver’s side oor mat is properly
placed on the oor so that it does not block the
movement of the accelerator pedal.
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V. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 141.
W. Cigarette Lighter or Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 151orAccessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 150.
X. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation
on page 108orManual Transaxle Operation
on page 111.
Y. Power Outlet. SeePower Outlet 115 Volt
Alternating Current on page 151.
Z. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 114.
AA. Center Console Storage Area. SeeCenter
Console Storage Area on page 127.
AB. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 127.
Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the
police and others that you have a problem. The
front and rear turn signal lamps will ash on
and off.The hazard warning
asher button is located
in the center of the
instrument panel.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps ash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the ashers off.
While the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set
them up at the side of the road about 300 feet
(100 m) behind your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your
steering wheel pad to sound the horn.
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Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the
following conditions are met:
The ignition is on with the engine running.
The exterior lamps switch is off.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only the headlamps will be
on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on. The
instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch to the
headlamp position, the DRL will go off and
the headlamps will come on. The other lamps that
come on with the headlamps will also come on.When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular
headlamps. See “Automatic Headlamp System”
following.
When you turn the exterior lamp switch off, the
regular lamps will go off and the headlamps
will change to the reduced brightness of DRL
provided it is not dark outside. DRL also comes on
if only the parking lamps are being used.
Automatic Headlamp System
Your vehicle has an automatic light sensor on the
top left corner of the instrument panel, so be
sure it is not covered or the headlamps will be on
continuously.
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system will turn on the low-beam
headlamps at the normal brightness along with
other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps and instrument panel lights. This is
indicated by the headlamp symbol on your
instrument panel cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 159.
147

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this light
should come on when you turn the key to START.
If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 167andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 259.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
United StatesCanada
166

Dinghy Towing
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, it
cannot be dinghy towed. See “Dolly Towing” for
more information regarding towing your vehicle.
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle, it can
be dinghy towed.
When dinghy towing, be sure to follow the posted
legal speed limit.
1. Put the shift lever in NEUTRAL.2. Turn the ignition to ACC to avoid locking the
steering wheel. Make sure the audio system
is turned off and that nothing is plugged
into the power outlets.
3. Release the parking brake.
After dinghy towing, let the engine idle for more
than three minutes before driving the vehicle.
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
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