2007 PONTIAC VIBE brake

Keys.............................................................. 87
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.......... 89
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation................................................. 90
Doors and Locks.......................................... 92
Door Locks................................................. 92
Power Door Locks....................................... 94
Rear Door Security Locks........................... 95
Liftgate/Liftglass........................................... 96
Windows....................................................... 98
Manual Windows......................................... 99
Power Windows.......................................... 99
Sun Visors.................................................. 99
Theft-Deterrent Systems............................. 100
Content Theft-Deterrent............................. 100
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle......... 102
New Vehicle Break-In................................ 102
Ignition Positions....................................... 103
Starting the Engine.................................... 104
Engine Coolant Heater.............................. 106Automatic Transaxle Operation.................. 108
Overdrive Off............................................. 111
Manual Transaxle Operation...................... 111
Parking Brake........................................... 114
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 115
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 117
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)................................ 118
Parking Over Things That Burn................. 118
Engine Exhaust......................................... 119
Running the Engine While Parked............. 120
Mirrors......................................................... 121
Manual Rearview Mirror............................. 121
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®....... 121
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror.......... 122
Outside Remote Control Mirrors................ 122
Outside Convex Mirror............................... 123
OnStar
®System.......................................... 123
Section 2 Features and Controls
85

Reactivating the System
Once the system is set, it will automatically reset
the alarm after the alarm stops. The alarm will
activate again under the same conditions as
described earlier.
Disarming the System
The alarm can be disarmed by doing one of the
following:
Turn the ignition key from LOCK to ON.
Unlock any of the doors with the key or with
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
If the liftgate or liftglass is opened with the
key, the system will still be activated.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do
not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 261for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
102

Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position — this is a safety feature.
To restart when you are already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The shift lever should be in the neutral position
and the parking brake engaged. Hold the
clutch pedal to the oor and start the engine. Your
vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all
the way down. That is a safety feature.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm. Do
not race the engine immediately after starting
it. Operate the engine and transaxle gently
to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components. If
the ignition key is turned to the START position,
and then released when the engine begins
cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the
engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking can be
stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACC or LOCK position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
105

Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 115. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 261.
Make sure that the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine.
108

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your
regular brakes rst and then press the shift lever
button before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in ON. 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. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 117.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
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.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 252.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
109

DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. 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.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see
Skidding underLoss of Control on page 237.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
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 reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using your
brakes. 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, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
110

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.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5):Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same
way you do for SECOND (2). 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.
112

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 261.
114